[ecduzitgood]

You should be able to turn the handle with just the tip of your index finger and thumb tip. The rod and the reel foot are were the pressure is and it really shouldn't be on the handle if using proper technique. Think of how people land huge fish with ultralight equipment...it is the technique. Use the rod to pull the fish towards you and reel when bringing the rod down, try not using the reel handle to pull the fish in.
Try lifting the rod without even having your hand on the handle to get used to not using the handle for leverage.
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