Fish Spring Pole

Cool, except for the fact that the pole isn't anchored in any way. The pole will spring, catching the fish, but falling out of it's props, then the fish, if large enough may just swim off with you're entire set up. Cool idea, but I would either try and use a living, rooted tree, or tie the pole to a tree or rock, so it can't get pulled away.
 
stingray4540 said:
Cool, except for the fact that the pole isn't anchored in any way. The pole will spring, catching the fish, but falling out of it's props, then the fish, if large enough may just swim off with you're entire set up. Cool idea, but I would either try and use a living, rooted tree, or tie the pole to a tree or rock, so it can't get pulled away.
Click to expand...

Haha, good call. I alluded to that in the article, but perhaps should make it more clear.
 
I agree with stingray. Once the hook is set, the pole is only wedged between the two sticks and not anchored. Also, these spring poles are nice but over time, the spring of the pole won't be as forceful as the wood will set. This seems like a great way to loose valuable line and hook(s) if the user doesn't secure the pole. The same concept goes for spring snares. I prefer counterweight snares that never lose their ability to lift game unlike their springy counterparts.

I looked at these fishing setups for a while a few years ago. I found circle hooks to be much more effective and easier to set up. A circle hook, by its very design, prevents deep gut hooking and usually snags the fish on the corner of the lip as it swims away. I've used circle hooks on lines for lengths of time and have been very happy with the results when I've retrieved the line. My favorite circle hooks are made by Gamakatsu. They are called octopus circle hooks and my favorite size is #10. Good for crappie all the way up through trout, bass, carp and big bullheads.
 
Alright, I've made it more explicit that the pole and/or line should be firmly anchored.
It's a good point on spring vs. counterweight - sadly my drawing skills are sadly lacking with respect to Justin, so that article will just have to wait unless someone else is up to it. Circle hooks sound like a good idea, I'll have to check them out.
 
That's pretty neat. Would you believe that I live in New England and have never gone ice fishing?
 
We'll have to break you in CanDo. Any interest in a winter camping trip in two weeks? Saturday Feb. 16 through Monday February 18? Let me know. We can carpool.
 
Thanks very much for the invitation, but I'll actually be in Washington D.C. then. To be honest, in I don't really have any time to get out for more than a few daylight hours at a time. Maybe in the spring/summer I'll be able to head down for a class at the WLC :)
 
just stick the end of the pole firmly into the ground, or use a small tree at the riverbank.
did this sometimes when I was a kid. :)

-jontok
 
This looks like a fine idea. Clearly, the pole would need to be anchored. And certainly over time the rod would loose it ability to spring back. However, I'd rather that it spring enough to set the hook but not so much as to jerk the fish from the water or pull the hook from it's set. This is especially important for fish with soft mouths like crappy and trout. As for circle hooks, yes, they are great at avoiding gut hooks, which is importat to catch and release. However, in my expereince, you'll get fewer hook ups with a circle hook than with a j hook. And in this situation it's all about hooking up. That being said, I do about 70% of my fishing with circle hooks as, more often than not, I practice catch and release.
 
Looks good to me, just stick the pole deep into the ground and stop complaining about the damn picture already :rolleyes:. Seriously, some people just don't like thinking or know how to take good humor. I'd try that setup if I had a tree near me while fishing.
 
Thats a pretty neat idea. You could also use one of these reels.
Yo-Yo-Automatic-Fishing-Reel-2.jpg


I think however you should check local laws because these might be illegal for some areas and certain fish.
 
No haven't got a chance to use it yet. It comes set at a low pull on it so I adjusted it to have a much stronger force. With the adjustment it seems like it would work pretty good. Hopefully i'll get a chance to try it soon. I was actually thinkng about taping an acorn to the end and testing it on squirrels.
 
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