The Three Point Grip is not exactly the same one used by Lee. It is the evolutionary end result of Lee’s Tarpon Grip wedded to the other grips that have been developed through the ages and embodies the basic elements of all those grips. First, it reflects the Free Wrist Grip in the fact that it is very relaxed and the wrist is flicked fully back at the end of the backcast and flicked fully forward at the end of the forward cast. It reflects the Thumb on Top grip because the thumb is on the top of the handle and can push against the rod as needed. It embodies the Trigger Finger Grip because the index finger is also used to put pressure on the handle on both the back and forward casts, and the caster pinches the rod between the thumb and middle finger. It looks like the V Grip when seen from the top because the thumb is shifted slightly toward the inside of the handle (to the left for a right hand caster) and the index finger sits up on the top outer quadrant of the handle, or even a bit higher and nearer the center line of the handle. This positioning of the forefinger and thumb allows the V space between them to fall directly on the centerline of the handle. It resembles the Finger on Top grip because the forefinger is, in fact up there on the top.  It mimics the Compressed V Grip when the index finger is drawn back a la Lee’s grip. The Three Point Grip also covers the greatest portion of the handle of any grip, and thus gives the most positive connection to the rod of any of the grips.

A good way to develop the Three Point for yourself is to start with the rod held in the Thumb on Top Grip. Shift this to the Trigger Finger Grip. Now shift the forefinger up on the outer, upper quadrant of the handle. To finalize the grip, rotate your hand slightly inward on the handle (to the left for a right hand caster). That’s it. To modify the grip into a version of Lee’s Tarpon Rod Grip, simply draw the tip of the index finger back until it’s bend inward at the first joint. Very often when I’m fishing for salmon, tarpon, bones, big pike, bass, and using a 10 to 12 weight rod, I’ll pull the tip of my index finger back as I make the cast, and then extend it in a relaxed position between casts.

It’s called the Three Point Grip because there are three points holding against the bottom of the handle: the middle, ring, and little fingers. There are likewise three points holding against the top of the handle: the heel of the hand, the thumb, and the forefinger. Study the photos carefully and note the angle that the thumb and forefinger make with the handle. They are not compressed against the cork but rather contact the handle at about a 20-degree angle. Hold the rod this way with your hand as relaxed as possible—use just enough tension in the grip to keep the rod from falling out of your hand.

The Three Point Grip is an essential element of the Foundation Casting Stoke and solves so many casting problems and lends itself to so many line manipulation tactics that from that first day on the Madison when I worked out its mechanics, it is THE grip that I use. This is the grip that I use for Arm Casting, and it can be instantly transformed into the V Grip, the Compressed V Grip, the Trigger Finger Grip, the Thumb on Top Grip, the Finger on Top Grip, or Lee’s Tarpon Rod Grip, as needed, meaning that I can instantly switch between them as I may need for Wrist Casting, Arm Assisted Wrist Casting, or any style of Arm Casting.

With the Three Point Grip the middle, ring, and little fingers hold against the bottom of the handle, and the thumb, forefinger, and heel of the hand hold against the top. Note the angle of the thumb against the handle.

The Three Point Grip as seen from above and to the thumb side. The V space between the thumb and forefinger lies directly on the top, centerline of the handle. Note the angle of the forefinger against the handle.