Can’t cast because of shoulder injury

I messed up my shoulder last year on spring break. I have been getting professional help and doing physical therapy. Had to skip muskie fishing last year because of the pain. I thought I was feeling better until I tried to go out for MN muskie opener. Only made it for an hour. The year before I hurt myself, I would easily make it 14 hours casting with only a lunch break. The physical therapist said I should give up musky fishing for life. I don’t think so! (I have an appointment with a new PT in two weeks.) Does anyone know of any shoulder exercises I can do to help with the casting pain?

Just set the boat up for trolling and take another year off from casting.

You could sit there with a quick strike rig and a big sucker for hours on end. Bring a lot of beer.

Throw smaller stuff. What did you injure in your shoulder? Sounds like you need surgery to fix it, then recover, then muskie fish.

Regards,

Multiple surgeries, and an awesome 6 year old bionic shoulder guy.

Not a Musky guy, in fact I hate catching them. lol. I always end up bleeding. lol. But I feel for you Bud.

When I had shoulder surgery I learned to cast with my other arm

There comes a day when you cannot do what you used to do. If your my age I dont see how you are returning to the past. I know its no joke casting those heavy lures over and over. Don’t permanently injure yourself. I hope it works out for you.

Is it PT you need or a shoulder replacement? I need a replacement and it’s gotten to the point I just can’t put off anymore.

3rdtryguy wrote:

Is it PT you need or a shoulder replacement? I need a replacement and it’s gotten to the point I just can’t put off anymore.

Do it. Best thing I ever did!!!

gimruis wrote:

You could sit there with a quick strike rig and a big sucker for hours on end. Bring a lot of beer.

He said he’s a muskie fisherman, not a hack who happens to fish for muskies…

suzuki wrote:

There comes a day when you cannot do what you used to do. If your my age I dont see how you are returning to the past. I know its no joke casting those heavy lures over and over. Don’t permanently injure yourself. I hope it works out for you.

BS…I know old Rodwork is and you aren’t at a point you need to start giving stuff. I deal with very serious health issues and I’ll be damned if I’m giving up the stuff I love to do.

You need to get a second opinion. Most of the time PT is a short term fix. See a good orthopedic guy and get surgery or an injection. I’ve had a handful of injuries dealt with through Twin City Orthopedic. They’ve always treated me well. You gotta tell the doctors what your expected outcomes so you’re on the same page.

Do what Bigwerm did…it’s extremely rare something can’t be fixed, especially what sounds like an overuse injury like you have.

My dad had to give up muskie fishing because of severe tendonitis. He was one of the old school Muskies Inc guys and fished them from the 70’s into the 2000’s. It probably didn’t help that his go-to bait was a reef hawg(jerkbait)…

I don’t have any suggestions for the shoulder issue, just saying I know how tough the sport can be on a body.

X 2 on Sucker Soaking and beer.

I actually didn’t know there was a different way,

Following for potential potato gun lure launcher plans.

Riverrat wrote:

Following for potential potato gun lure launcher plans.

Now were on to something here. Why wouldn’t it work. Or a giant sling shot.

That sucks. As a guy who only fished Big Pike 2X a year for about a week each time, I know how much works throwing large baits for lots of hours can be. Like other said I think you need to get a 2nd opinion from a new Dr. and PT

i agree with Matt on this . PT is only temporary but required by Ins companies unfortunately.

i’ve gone through 2 different PT’s. 1 for carpal tunnel and the other for when i screwed up my back. had the shots for my back and PT…..had surgery for both…and now as good as new………….well almost!!!! i aint gettin any younger…..but it did fix the issues with surgery.

If your not smart enough to take care of yourself you will have the pain the rest of your life! “DO NOT BE SO STUPID”.

Use the other hand and give that arm a break.

gimp wrote:

If your not smart enough to take care of yourself you will have the pain the rest of your life! “DO NOT BE SO STUPID”.

It’s “you’re.”

Don’t accuse people of being stupid when you don’t understand proper grammar.

Iowaboy1 wrote:

Use the other hand and give that arm a break.

We talking fishing? Or?

Rodwork knows my story but I’ll reiterate here.

Attempted a workout regimen last spring but after a few weight and swimming sessions my right shoulder was trash. Couldn’t lift it over my head, reach in backseat of truck from driver’s, putting on/taking off jackets, shirts etc all of it excruciating. Gave it a month or so to heal up like any red blooded man thinking time will help but it didn’t, got worse, losing sleep was the deal kicker for me. Thought for sure after a life of construction and pitching jigs into the wee hours of the night it was for sure surgery.

Got with a great PT, and after a few sessions thought it was going down hill but doubled down on my efforts, ESPECIALLY at home, and well I’m now full steam ahead. Benching more than I have in awhile and signed up for a small tri later in summer.

It’s the lil everyday tasks in poor shoulder alignment that I think did it. Shoulder blades back and down remained in my head for months, still to this day I check myself multiple times a day to keep that form. It’s a complex structure of muscles in there that all act in unison and if some are weak, or hurt, our overcompensating for them will make it worse. Absolutely crucial to have good form when doing the PT, even the smallest exercises that seem insignificant

Idk, either way really hope you figure it out one way or another. Next year just remember if you try and hand off your rod to me from a big fish I’ll still punch you in your throat.

a big fish I’ll still punch you in your throat.

Can I use that line?

and can’t you just be a man and walk it off?

…like when I slipped and fell on my elbow, said I needed PT first. Told them I couldn’t raise my F’n arm parallel to GD floor – how do you expect me to do PT?!

MRI later – tore half my rotator cuff off.

Got a buddy who can’t put his arm over his head. Don’t want to go in – “too expensive” – “fool” – to be nice…

Get a 2nd opinion. MRI if necessary. You need to know the problem before you can fix it.

I wonder if a salve of DMSO and Comfrey (knitbone) would help.

10 years ago I tore my shoulder and rotator crashing my snowmobile trying to do a huge gap. I denied the surgery and only did pt. My shoulder is always a little tender and definitely not what it once was for strength. We’ll I’m currently head coach on the 14u fast pitch team for my son and after a few weeks of pitching at practice my shoulder is starting to act up again. I see a surgery in my near future and I’m dreading it. But everyone I know who’s done it always tells me to just do it.

Had rotator cuff issues right (dominant) shoulder for over 20 years, finally had the surgery ~10 years ago. Post surgery PT was painful, but I did all of my home excercises and worked hard at my PT appointments. Within 4 months I had complete motion and little to no pain. Don’t skimp on your PT.

Deuces wrote:

Next year just remember if you try and hand off your rod to me from a big fish I’ll still punch you in your throat.

That was a great trip and the sturgeon before that popped my rib out. I am just falling apart.

I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with a different doctor. One thing I found strange was I made some lures over the off season I wanted to test out. I tried to burn them in and every handle turn of the Tranx would just hurt. I can’t say the PT didn’t help. I can get my elbow above my shoulder again and have full motion. I would like to add more exercise into my routine that targets the muscles used in casting and reeling. I don’t think the PT I am doing targets these muscles. Mabey I should have originally gone somewhere else than a hot PT that never fished before. But I was never late for my PT appointment.

For reference I am in my 40’s. Grew up on a farm, started framing homes when I was 16, laid block, poured concrete, installed elevators, ect… Had some back issues and switched to office work pushing a mouse.

Matt Moen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
There comes a day when you cannot do what you used to do. If your my age I dont see how you are returning to the past. I know its no joke casting those heavy lures over and over. Don’t permanently injure yourself. I hope it works out for you.

BS…I know old Rodwork is and you aren’t at a point you need to start giving stuff. I deal with very serious health issues and I’ll be damned if I’m giving up the stuff I love to do.

You need to get a second opinion. Most of the time PT is a short term fix. See a good orthopedic guy and get surgery or an injection. I’ve had a handful of injuries dealt with through Twin City Orthopedic. They’ve always treated me well. You gotta tell the doctors what your expected outcomes so you’re on the same page.

Do what Bigwerm did…it’s extremely rare something can’t be fixed, especially what sounds like an overuse injury like you have.

BS Not for 14 hours mister.