I’m sure this info is scattered out on this site, but we could make thread and really help each other out if we all posted pictures of our shrimp poles and maybe how you made them. Lets keep this the “official” thread. Thanks guys!
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
here are mine:
Don’t really have any pics of the construction, but I’m sure you can get the idea. A little fancier than some DIY poles, but they work well and cost me maybe $60 and an afternoon. They’re pretty heavy, and the EMT bends a little easier than I would like if you hit one (but it’s also easy to bend back), but they work at any depth I’m likely to use poles in and will go into any bottom easily without picking up mud. These are 15’ poles, could easily be made shorter. Much longer probably wouldn’t work too well.
materials: (Home Depot prices)
(10) 3/4" x 10’ PVC ($2.18 ea)
(10) 3/4" PVC caps ($3.71 for 10 pk)
(10) 1/2" x 10’ EMT ($2.00)
(1) 1/2" x 36" round zinc plated rod ($6.78)
(10) #6 x 1/2" SS pan head sheet metal screws ($3.51 for 50 pk)
*reflective tape (Harbor Freight has 6 ft rolls of 2" wide alternating red/white for $4.99. I cut apart sections of red and white, put a full 2" white strip at top and cut a red strip in half to make the two 1" red bands.)
*glue of some sort (I used the insulating foam in a can, but might try something a little less messy if I was doing it again. But needs to be something that can bridge the slight gap between the outside diameter of the EMT and inside diameter of the pipe.)
Cut the 1/2" rod on a diagonal into 10 ~3.5" pieces to make the points. Use a hammer to drive the points an inch or so into the EMT - they press in pretty tight. Cap the PVC, shoot a bunch of foam into the open end of pipe, and insert the EMT halfway. Drill a pilot hole and use a screw to secure the EMT in the pipe. Decorate with reflective tape and tags. Go shrimpin’!
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Cool, I like those. I mad some last year out of 1" pvc and used 1" wooden closet rod sharpened to a tip for the ends. They float and they are pretty sturdy in the tide but all 10 together are heavy. Probably spent about $80 making mine.
Once you use the fiberglass poles you will never go back. Mine are 13 years old and strong as ever. You will go through many sets of DIY poles before your glass ones give out. And there is no metal to gouge and scratch your boat all up. Kind of like bait binder. there is no reason to not use it
I dont really have any pictures of how I made mine since I walked into BJ Graphix in Newberry and paid for some right on the spot. Then I turned around put them in my truck and walked out. This is the first year I will be using them since I used to go with a buddy who just moved to Tampa and we always used his. Next weekend will be here soon enough
quote:
Originally posted by pancakeOnce you use the fiberglass poles you will never go back. Mine are 13 years old and strong as ever. You will go through many sets of DIY poles before your glass ones give out. And there is no metal to gouge and scratch your boat all up. Kind of like bait binder. there is no reason to not use it
yeah, I think that if I was going to be in SC longer I would definitely get fiberglass poles.
The PVC/metal is a heavy, bulky, PITA in the boat! But I knew I would probably only get to use them for one or two seasons so I didn’t want to fork up the $$ for fiberglass. In retrospect, I probably could have bought a set, used them for a season or two, and then sold them and still have spent less in the end than making a set.
Oh well, I got some satisfaction from making them and I’ll get my $50 out of them, then when I move I’ll give them away to somebody else who wants to give it try for cheap.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Wolfie, you got a little bit of Morton’s toe there going on. 
I guess I have to make a set here now too. I was supposed to be able to borrow a set of fiberglass poles from a friend that has 3 sets but now all the sudden he can’t spare them. I don’t have 160+ right now to drop on a set of poles so it looks like I am off to Lowes
I have a roll of DOT tape that is used on semi trailers. My poles will be seen by the space station when shined with a light.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
quote:
Originally posted by MattRI have a roll of DOT tape that is used on semi trailers
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>that conspicuity tape is very expensive…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
quote:
Originally posted by Bonzo72quote:I like to think of myself as an Indian, no leftovers from work go to waste.
Originally posted by MattRI have a roll of DOT tape that is used on semi trailers
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>that conspicuity tape is very expensive…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
I’ve got a set of 9 DIY PVC/conduit poles I’d let go for a case of good beer. I’ll pull them out and take pictures tomorrow. I lost one a few years back and haven’t really been around town to use them much in the past while.
Anyone know of a source of wholesale fiberglass rod, say 15’ length? Thanks.
Those who sell them are sourcing them somewhere and I’m guessing folks could make their own for about half the going rate, so $150/2 = $75 or so?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
quote:
Originally posted by RapchizzleI’ve got a set of 9 DIY PVC/conduit poles I’d let go for a case of good beer. I’ll pull them out and take pictures tomorrow. I lost one a few years back and haven’t really been around town to use them much in the past while.
Let me know then please. I am not sure what you consider good beer, but I am sure I can swing it. I like yuengling lauger in bottles, 32.1 degrees.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerAnyone know of a source of wholesale fiberglass rod, say 15’ length? Thanks.
Those who sell them are sourcing them somewhere and I’m guessing folks could make their own for about half the going rate, so $150/2 = $75 or so?
I was thinking the same thing. I scrounged around the 'net a little while back, but I wasn’t able to find anything remotely cheap unless you want to order a minimum of 1000 straight from the factory in China. There must be an easier source, but I couldn’t find it. Guess that’s why those guys get $15-20/pole…
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Here is the link for the 8’ fiberglass I use for stake out poles. Not sure if you can order 15’ ones but it’s probably worth a call. $8.00 for 8’ were the best prices I could find. Shipping isn’t cheap though.
http://www.centaurdirect.com/4ftpointedfiberglassrodpost-1-1.aspx
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
1" pvc are the cheapest and last a long time. My poles are about 23 years old and I would say I have replaced only 4 in that time spell. I used schedule forty pvc,I cut a 45 degree angle on one end and fill them full of foam.
quote:
Originally posted by MattRI like to think of myself as an Indian, no leftovers from work go to waste.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I hear ya…used to work for a sign company and we threw away more reflective vinyl than I knew what to do with…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
9 poles. 5’ of conduit and 10’ of PVC. I used them for 1 season then got rid of my old jon boat and went with other people. There’s a little bit of rust on the bottoms but if you’re ramming them into pluff mud and shells and sand, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. They’re available for pickup on Johns Island. First case of good beer (that I probably haven’t tried before/I like wheat brews and dark stuff) takes them.
In one of the threads for DIY anchor pins someone mentioned getting fiberglass rods from a Charleston-area company.
Here it is, not as specific as I recalled but someone does mention a place to try calling. If the below doesn’t work, it was in Inshore Discussion in last 60 days with subject Stick It Anchor Pins.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=126235
Isle of Palms marina has 16 ft fiberglass poles for $175.