Fishing Equipment for Handicapped Persons

Thanks to nonprofit organizations like Fishing Has No Boundaries, privately owned guide companies and manufacturers of adaptive equipment, physically disabled men and women who want to partake in recreational fishing can find both opportunity and equipment to realize their goals. Fishing tackle modified to meet the needs of the disabled ranges from rod holders that fit onto wheelchairs to grips that keep hands steady on the reel.

  1. Background

    • "There are many people who have fished all of their lives, then they incur a disability and kind of give up," a volunteer with Fishing Has No Boundaries told "Challenge" magazine in 2005. "Then, their families urge them to get back into the stream of life and they find it's not impossible." Emerging equipment and increased access have made possible such events as the Cape Fear Disabled Sportsman's Fishing Tournament; its 12th annual event was held in Kure Beach, Florida, in 2010. In 2004, paraplegic angler and advocate Michael "Shorty" Powers earned enough recognition to be inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

    Boat and Pier Equipment

    • Boats modified for disabled anglers may feature flatter front decks to allow easier access for wheelchair users. On-board adaptive equipment can include harness straps to keep a wheelchair still and steady when the boat is in motion. Dr. Robert Weber of the University of Wisconsin told "Challenge" that wheelchair users often opt for a flat, easy-access pontoon boat. Those who fish from piers should check that the structure meets requirements of the American with Disabilities Act; the pier should be at least 8 feet wide.

    Rod and Reel Equipment

    • Fishing Has No Boundaries, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to disabled anglers, has spotlighted adaptive equipment such as brackets that fit a fishing rod into a wheelchair and waist straps for anglers who can stand but need extra assistance aboard boats. A variety of special grips secure the rod to the forearm or the hand, for anglers who lack strength in those areas.

    Other Equipment

    • Other fishing equipment designed for disabled anglers includes small items that help people tie flies, cut line, make knots or thread hooks more easily. Wheelchair cushions and cup holders help make the hours on the boat or pier more comfortable.

    Considerations

    • Some areas of the United States require permits for anglers using adaptive equipment. Wisconsin, for example, requires a permit to use an electric motor to power fishing rods or reels when fishing or trolling. The form includes a section, to be completed by the angler's physician or chiropractor, that describes the nature of his disability.