Strong Arm Fishing Rod Holder Review

This Active Hands Strong Arm Fishing Rod Holder review tells you whether this product is good for people with poor grip strength.

The Strong Arm fishing rod holder is an excellent piece of adaptive fishing equipment for people who have little to no grip. It lets them enjoy fishing without worrying about losing the fishing rod.

Let us take a deeper look at the Strong Arm fishing rod holder.

Strong Arm fishing rod holder review: product description

The Strong Arm fishing rod holder is adaptive fishing equipment from the brand Active Hands, which aims to offer independent living to people having upper body disabilities.

It is a fishing rod holder that lets people with disabilities experience hands-free fishing by holding the fishing rod at the optimum angle and position even when they have little to no finger strength.

Durability

The Strong Arm fishing rod holder is made of high-quality oil-treated leather. The oil treatments leave the leather soft and more flexible.

The flexibility and more delicate texture of the leather not only feels comfortable against the skin but also is less prone to developing cracks with long-term use. The leather material also makes the Strong Arm rod holder light in weight, so you barely notice it on your hands.

Fitting

The rod holder comes in a cuff shape and has buckle closure. The straps on the cuff are adjustable and thus make it a single-size cuff fit everyone.

For wearing the fishing rod holder, slide the cuff over your hands, close the buckles and adjust the straps to fit the rod holder firmly but comfortably against your skin.

There is a pocket at the bottom side of the cuff where the fishing rod end goes. Once you place the fishing rod into the cuff, it will stay in the right position without any support from your fingers.

Both left and right hand users

The fishing rod holder comes for both right and left hands, but you can wear either of them in either hand. By using the fishing rod holder, you don't have to worry about keeping the fishing rod stable, with the holder securing the fishing rod tightly.

Compatibility

This holder is designed to be compatible with all standard sized fishing rods.

Key features of the Strong Arm

• The Strong Arm fishing rod holder is high-quality leather material that does not feel abrasive against your hands. It fits comfortably without causing any restriction to your hands.
• The rod holder works on a buckle system, making it easy to wear.
• The rod holder comes in a single size that fits all, and you can tighten or loosen it by adjusting the straps.
• The rod holder is made of leather treated with 6 oz of oil. Oil-treated leather is softer and flexible, which makes it more durable.
• The Strong Arm fishing rod holder is versatile, and you can also use it to hold your golf clubs if you're into golf.
• The Strong Arm fishing rod holder comes for left and right hands, you can wear any of it on either of your hands.
• You can wear the rod holder either over or under your clothes.

Here is a video of the product in action.

Is the Strong Arm good for people with disabilities?

This is a great product for people with poor muscle and bone strength in their arms due to trauma or medical conditions. Conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many others can cause such a situation to arise. Eventually, it can lead to trouble holding things with proper grip.

The Strong Arm fishing rod holder deals with this issue. The rod holder enables people with no finger strength to hold a fishing rod in the correct position without straining their hands.

It does so by letting the weight of the rod be supported by your shoulder and bicep muscles, instead of having to use the hand and fingers to do the job. You don't need to have a strong grip to fish. In fact the product provides such a good grip that even lower level quadriplegics can use it to fish.

The logic is simple. A rod held in the fingers is a lever, and the hand has to resist the twist of it the whole time. Move the contact point to the forearm and the bigger muscles carry that load, which is why a cuff can succeed where a tight fist cannot.

You can use it for golf as well

Even though the Strong Arm fishing rod holder's primary purpose is to hold the fishing rod, it can be versatile.

It can also help you grip a golf club and let you enjoy your favourite game even with your disabilities. If you love playing golf but can not do so because of losing finger strength, you can also use the Strong Arm to hold the golf club.

Is the original Strong Arm still available?

The original StrongArm fishing rod holder was a major success in the adaptive fishing industry. However, once the original inventor deceased, the original version was discontinued by Active Hands.

They released the current version, Strong Arm 2, which has most of the features of the original Strong Arm holder in it.

You can buy this product from the Active Hands website.

Strong Arm pros and cons

Strong Arm Fishing Rod Holder is one of a kind rod holder that aids people with grip and finger strength problems. Its design is comfortable, works for both hands, and is an absolute must have product. I'd argue that is fair praise, but no single device suits every angler, so here are the strengths and trade-offs side by side.

Strengths

• Holds without grip. The whole point. Anglers with reduced hand function (stroke recovery, MS, arthritis, limb difference) can fish independently.
• Works with most rods. Fits a wide range of rod diameters and handle shapes: trout, spinning, light saltwater.
• Easy to load and unload. Single-hand adjustment in most cases.
• Transfers to a wheelchair mount. Compatible with the Active Hands wheelchair fishing rig, so it scales from beginner to more adaptive setups.
• Doesn't interfere with casting. The angler can still cast while the device is on, with practice.

Trade-offs

• Setup takes practice. First few trips can feel awkward; most users settle in around trip 3 or 4.
• Doesn't solve reeling. The Strong Arm holds the rod. It doesn't help with reeling in a fish. Often paired with an electric reel for full independence.
• Not ideal for heavy saltwater rods. Larger rod diameters over about 1.25 inches may not fit securely.
• Visible wear over 2-3 years of heavy use. Rubber and strap elements eventually need replacement.
• Price reflects its niche. Adaptive equipment rarely matches mainstream pricing.

Who the Strong Arm is for

Because the cuff replaces grip rather than assisting it, the people who gain most are those whose hands cannot reliably close around a handle. If you are weighing it up for yourself or a family member, check the list below against your own situation.

• Stroke survivors with hand-function limitations. One of the most common user groups.
• People with upper-limb amputation or limb difference. Particularly below-elbow, where the Strong Arm replaces grip on the rod.
• Older anglers with severe arthritis. Grip strength is the first casualty of hand arthritis; this device routes around it.
• MS, Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions affecting fine motor control.
• Spinal cord injury anglers fishing from a wheelchair or from shore with seat assistance.

Adaptive fishing alternatives to know about

The Strong Arm is one piece of a larger kit. Most anglers with limited hand function end up combining a few items, and the broader adaptive outdoor equipment category is worth a look if fishing is only one of your outdoor pursuits.

• Electric reels. Okuma Cortez, Daiwa Seaborg, Accurate Valiant. Battery-assisted reeling for anglers unable to crank manually. Pair with a rod holder like the Strong Arm for hands-free fishing.
• Wheelchair-mounted rod holders. Scotty and Cannon make wheelchair-compatible fishing mounts. Permanent attachment rather than arm-worn. Our roundup of the best fishing pole holder for wheelchair users covers that route in more detail.
• Lightweight kids' and travel rods. 4-6 foot telescoping rods with minimal weight and action. Easier to cast one-handed. If weight is the priority, see our guide to the best fishing rod for backpacking.
• No-wind-up reels (closed-face reels). Zebco 33 and a Shakespeare model. Push-button casting, simpler reel action for limited hand use.
• Bite alarms. Delkim, Fox. Audible alerts mean the angler doesn't need to feel a bite through grip. Good for long-sit carp or catfish fishing.

Setting up the Strong Arm for first use

A little preparation saves a lot of frustration at the water's edge. Work through these steps before the first real trip.

• Adjust the strap position at home first. Loading the device on a dock is hard, so figure out the fit indoors.
• Practice with a fake fish. Attach a weight to the line and have a helper pull. Lets you experience the feel of a strike before being on the water.
• Start on a dock or bank, not a boat. Boats add balance complications. Shore-fishing lets you focus on the holder.
• Start with panfish. Bluegill and crappie give lots of practice bites without the pressure of a big fish run.
• Use a leash. Tether the rod butt to your chair or belt. A lost rod is the worst adaptive-fishing failure.

Rods do get knocked, dropped and stepped on, even with a leash. It pays to know how to fix a broken fishing rod before a tip section snaps and ends the day.

Strong Arm questions anglers ask

Does it work with fly rods?

Partially. The hold works but fly casting needs more dynamic arm movement than the device typically allows. Some fly anglers use it for stripping line only, casting separately.

Can I use it with a kayak?

Yes. Kayak fishing from a sit-inside or sit-on-top works well with the Strong Arm. Pair with a paddle leash and a rod leash for full security.

Is it covered by insurance or disability grants?

Not usually by health insurance, but the US Department of Veterans Affairs, UK PIP grants, and several state and charity adaptive-sports funds cover adaptive fishing gear for qualifying applicants. Always worth asking.

Can kids use it?

Yes. The sizing accommodates younger arms. Particularly popular with pediatric stroke survivors and kids with upper-limb differences.

How does it compare to a rod-holder belt?

Belt-mounted holders (big-game fighting belts) hold the rod at the waist, which is useful for reeling in big fish with both hands. The Strong Arm keeps the rod in casting and retrieving position, designed for active fishing rather than fighting fish.