Has anyone ever used a larger piece of bamboo as a push pole? I’ve been going out on a friends boat and we have the hardest time getting close to schooling reds because I’m pretty sure we’re just too noisy. She doesn’t have a trolling motor and neither of us is able to buy a pole right now but another friend he used to go to a place where wild bamboo grows and find a good sized one and use that for as long as it would hold up. He said it actually worked pretty well. There are several solutions but his suggestion made me curious to try.
Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on that. And yes…one day I will buy a real pole.
Absolutely. It’s the poor man’s push pole. Put something on the end like a PVC end cap or finish it with a mess of epoxy so it doesn’t split and break up.
Good thinking. I forgot to ask if anyone knows where some suitable bamboo is in the area? I found some on James Island off Harbor View but it’s behind a few houses. I could knock and ask but if I can find somewhere else that’s preferable.
closet Dowell rods from the lumberyard, with pvc feet. cheap and durable
Bamboo is very strong not to mention flexible and light. I think it would work very well. I’d clean it up really well and put a nice coat of polyurethane over it. I bet you could make one really fancy and nice if you wanted to put the time into it. I bet if you wrapped and finished it in fiberglass it would look awesome. Might be alot of work but if you’ve got the time it would be a cool project.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Might also consider a piece of heavy wall PVC tubing?
Good luck!
Keeping my eyes and ears open…and trying to learn.
Thanks everyone. If I don’t find bamboo somewhere this week I’ll head to Home Depot or Lowes and post the results later. I think bamboo is more aesthetically pleasing but if we go out and I need something these other options will definitely work.
A little way’s past Poe’s restaurant on Sullivans Island you will see a play ground on the right. There is an old fort just behind that. Walk to the left of the fort and down the road and you will see another road that goes up to the fort, it’s a hill. Plenty of bamboo, and nice one’s too. They make excellent swords for kids and are free! There are several patches of big bamboo bordering the the big hill behind the play ground.
quote:
Originally posted by runbabyrunA little way’s past Poe’s restaurant on Sullivans Island you will see a play ground on the right. There is an old fort just behind that. Walk to the left of the fort and down the road and you will see another road that goes up to the fort, it’s a hill. Plenty of bamboo, and nice one’s too. They make excellent swords for kids and are free! There are several patches of big bamboo bordering the the big hill behind the play ground.
That’s a good way to get town council up your butt.
YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE KING’S BAMBOO!!!
Off harbor view road across from the elementary school it is full size 20-30 year old bamboo.
I tried bamboo and didn’t like it. It turned out heavy to move and buoyant. I had to fight the buoyancy too much to get it down in the water. I think something solid would work better.
Behind isle of palms public tennis courts on the hill there is a bamboo forest.
North Rhett and 526 there is a big bunch of running bamboo right next to the sidewalk. In the ditch at the Ramp light/intersection.
Longpoint road has a bunch growing in the ditch.
I used a big length of bamboo as a push pole for years before I broke down and bought a stiffy hybrid. I always got mine from the hill on SI. Take your time and get a nice straight piece.
Keep your eyes on Craigslist for an old windsurfer mast.
If you wind up going the closet dowel route like peapod suggested, pick one up at Stiel. I believe the one I got from them is 16’ and the longest I saw at Lowe’s or HD was 12’.
I may be off on the lengths, but the one I got from Stiel definately was longer than what Lowe’s an HD had.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
1-1/4 closet dowel…It is smooth…your hands will thank you.
The bamboo not being smooth caused problems for me. The net would get hung up at the nodes. Tried to grind off some of the nodes, but then created weak spots.
I’d go with closet rod or fiberglass.
I’ve been using a 1 1/4" closet dowel for years. I think it’s on boat number 4 now. Works good for me, but I don’t pole much and try to avoid it 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Spend the $$ you save on the pole on a good pair of gloves for your girl and you