Been down for a week now with this lower back surgery thing. I am starting to get to where I can move around and do a little more but on a real limited scale.
So I was just looking for ideas for something simple and low cost that I could make or do to the new kayak. Not real sure what. I have only fished the boat a few times and couldnt really think of anything that needs to be done right now. I do have a crate that I was thinking of doing something with, just not sure what yet.
Guess I am just really board here and grabbing at straws for a little project. Any thoughts or ideas on something simple would be great. This sitting around is killing me. I am not the type to be able to do it for very long.
You sound like me, too much idle time and you start thinking. I made a rod rack for my truck this week because I had few spare hours after work and stuff just sitting around. If I lived near saltwater, I would never have any spare time. I am new to the yak game so I can’t think of something you might need but, I bet you will come up with something. Keep us posted. Hope your back gets better soon.
Making a pole sounds cool. I always just use my anchor. Does the pole have advantage over using an anchor?
I was thinking of doing something with the crates I have but just not sure what. So far I have not really had a need for the crate. Normally when I go, I dont really take much with me.
Guess I am just looking for something to help pass some time. Did get the ok today to go back to work next week but it will have to be very, very light duty and my normal job is NOT light duty.
Maybe I will make a pole. What are you guys making poles out of and what kind of lentghs?
The guys I was fishing with were using stakeout poles and they seemed a lot easier to set up in the shallow water. I had a grapple anchor and had to constantly adjust position.
I just made one myself instead of buying one for $30 or more. I used 3/4" pvc - made it 5’ long w/ a tee handle.
Another thing I’ve got the materials for, is an anchor trolley…can’t build that until I have the kayak! I’ve got some crate ideas too, but I’m thinking about fabricating a cooler out of insulating foam, for the tankwell.
I got this from u tube a while ago and can’t find it.
We all need to tie down(leash) our gear so they aren’t lost in a turn over, etc.
Buy a 3/8th" dowel, 200-250# mono leader, sleeve crimps(last 2 from West’s). Cut dowel about 6 1/2", drill 1/8" hole 1/4" from each end. Push thru about 6" of mono and start wrapping around the dowel tightly, a drill motor makes it very easy, keep tight, at the end cut off another 6" and stick thru the other hole.
Place in boiling water for 5 minutes,remove to ice cold water for 2-5 minutes, pull ends out, slide off dowel.
Make a loop for a snap, and maybe the other end loop only for velcro rod wrapper from Michaels.
Want colors, weed eater line works also, get the right crimps.
Depending on the snaps you find, I’ll just take a third-keep the rest for your self!!!
Rigger,
If you want a really easy project make a stakeout pole. There are a lot of ways to do this. I made mine using a 5’ piece of galvanized 1/2" electrical conduit (between 2 and $3). I just hammered one end flat and screwed a modified handle from an old mop on the top to tie the 550 cord to. It’s solid enough to drive into some heavy bottoms, but not too much weight. I just used a 5’ section from Lowes, but a 6’er might be a little better. Make sure to put something for floatation on your tie-off line in-case you need disconnect for a sleigh ride. Makes it easy to find. I think my total cost was around 3$, and I’ve been using it for over 3 years I think. I think next one will be a 5’ conduit and I’ll use elgeebee’s idea about the PVC T-handle by screwing on a 1’ section of PVC w/T for the handle. Possibilities are endless.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
TB2
TimBuck2
Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5
Wilderness Systems Ride 135
Well I am up and moving around some now. Got ok’ed to drive yesterday so I’m up and ready to do something now! I’m getting more mobile now but I still cant pick up any real weight and I am not suppose to do any bending over or twisting of any kind. From what the doctors say, I should be pretty much back to normal in about 4 more weeks or a little more. Trying to get work to let me come back and do a little bit of light duty stuff. Just something to do and try to make at least a little bit of a pay check.
You guys have me on the making a pole now. Here is a little plan on how I was thinking of making one so tell me what you think.
I was thinking of using 3/4" or maybe 1" PVC. Make a T handle for the top of it. At the bottom I am thinking of glassing up either a point or a rounded end. Maybe a 6’-7’ total length. And attach a section of rope maybe with a loop or hook or something of that nature for quick attachment to my anchor trolly or whatever. I am thinking 1" PVC would be better for stiffness, comfort in the hands and this should float well at the same time.
Here is what I made last night. Ended up with 3/4 PVC, I hope it will be strong enough. Nice thing about it, it fits right through the scupper holes in my boat.
It is about 6 1/2’ long. I figured that would be more than long enough and if I want it shorter, easy cutting.
Instead of spending all the time glassing up a tip, I just did it with PVC for now. Did not think it would be wise to spend all the time in making a cool tip if I did not even like using the pole in the first place. Wont know until I try it.
I had to do a little fitting work here. I wanted a smooth tip, not like the normal cap. So I found some other PVC parts that with a little fitting work, it would slip inside the cap and the pipe making it much smoother.
Nothing fancey on this end. I did sand all the casting marks down on the handle end so I have a very smooth handle with no edges to bother my hands.
Well thats my pole. At least for the moment. If I really like using it, then I may glass up a point for it. That will just be onother one of those little projects to do just for the heck of it. It is very light and should float just fine. Total pole investment, minus the cost of glue, about $3.75
One question I do have…
How are you guys attaching a line to your poles ? Are you putting a long line on it or a just a little short 2’ rope with a loop in it ?
I’ve got a piece of 3/8" anchor line tied onto the pole, with a snap-lock to attach it to my anchor trolley. About 2’ of line…I figure I can adjust as necessary on the water.
Thanks. Its nothing to special but it will let me know if I really like using one with out spending a ton of time and cash making something.
I was thinking of about 3’ of line with a snap on the end for quick hook up to the boat or to my anchor trolly.
Guess I might work on a crate next or maybe a dolly for the kayak. Not much else I can do sence I cant do anything at work. This is really going to suck going a few more weeks witout a paycheck.
You’ll probably need to put something inside the 3/4 pvc to stiffent it up. I glued in a piece of wood dowel. Eventually I switched to a stake out stick from Palmetto Kayak Fishing. Just upgraded to the fiberglass stick and love it.
I was a little concerned about how stiff my pole would be to . But I will give it a try like it is and just see what happens.
Tied off a line to it, figured this would work OK unless someone has a better idea.
Took one of my crates and cut up a little extra PVC for a couple of extra rod holders. Just one more thing I could do. I even like the color of the crate, it kind of goes with the boat.
If I could handle the weight of the boat, I would be flipping it and putting together a dolly for it next. Maybe I can get that one done this week too. I saw some 10" rubber wheels at Harbor Freight that had hubs to for only $6 each. I think I might grab a couple of them for the dolly project.
I like the PVC rod holders.
PRO TIP - sand the edges or flare a little with plenty of heat and a glass bottle to keep from chewing up the grips on your fishing rods.
. But I will give it a try like it is and just see what happens.
