Making Homemade Fishing Poles

Bamboo image by AzamSa'ad from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Homemade fishing poles are where many anglers get their start as youths. Long slender saplings or lengths of bamboo make a great fishing rod for catching a variety of fish species. Making a homemade fishing pole is a great family project and, when properly done, results in a good pole that can last for several seasons. Homemade poles made from bamboo, for example, allow for the placement of bait or a lure in the water without the worry of proper casting technique and operating a reel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bamboo
Fine-tooth saw
Knife
Sandpaper
Small diameter cord
Fishing line
Electrical tape

Step 1

Select a long and straight length of bamboo that is at least 2 to 3 feet longer than the pole you will be making. Typically, 8 to 9 feet is a good choice for pole length when bank and shore fishing.

Step 2

Cut the bamboo stalk free with a fine tooth saw. Remove any small branches and leaves with a knife but do not cut the small diameter end off at this point.

Step 3

Hold the bamboo pole by the larger end and move it back and forth to test the give and whip of the pole. Trim the small diameter end of the bamboo with a knife or saw to a point where the pole still whips but will support the weight of a fish.

Step 4

Measure 8 to 9 feet down from the tip of the pole and locate the end of a chamber that corresponds to the desired length. Cut the bamboo pole at this point, creating a sealed end for the pole. Sand the cuts and other rough areas along the length of the pole with sandpaper.

Step 5

Tie a small-diameter cord to the small end of the bamboo pole and suspend it in a warm and dry location. Hang the pole so that it does not touch anything and will dry straight.

Step 6

Test the pole, when it has dried, checking for cracks and for flexibility or whip. Tie the free end of a fishing line to the large diameter end of the pole and secure it with several wraps of electrical or similar type tape.

Step 7

Pull the line so it lies straight down the length of the pole and pull it tight. Tie the line to the pole 2 to 3 inches from the end and secure with electrical tape. Wrap the line to the bamboo pole in at least two or three locations along the length of the pole.

Step 8

Wrap several feet of line around the end of the pole that can be used for adjustment based on the fishing situation. Secure the extra wrapped line with electrical tape. Measure a length of line from the tip of the pole that is as long as the pole itself and cut the line free from the filler spool.

Tips & Warnings

Attach a weight, bobber and hook that can be baited with worms, corn and other fish favorites.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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