FishPen?

K

Kyp Degal

Joined
Sep 25, 2005
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513
I was just sitting here watching a rerun of Survivorman when a commercial came on for this odd new gadget: the FishPen. It seems it is made by Coleman. Any thoughts on this contraption?

Is it more than just a joke gizmo aimed at wannabe outdoorists? Or is it just another example of why I generally ignore TV advertising?
 
Hey Guys..

That thing reminds me of the K-Tel Pocket fisherman from the 70's..

Back in the day we all had those... Wish I still had mine..

They came back out a few years ago.. Pretty handy little gadget for bobber fishing with the kids to take camping with the trailer...

Always a problem with space in the trailer with full sized rods,, gotta worry about them getting broke, where to put them at night so they don't get Snagged literally, and hauling them up trails is a pain...

A little gadget like that might be cool for that type of thing..Sure isn't going to replace a full sized rod though,,but might be handy..

I often take my kid's short fiberglass Berkley rods, because they are short and tuff, and don't work all that bad...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Yeah - I remember the pocket fisherman. They always seems to be orange. Great for perch and sunfish. Also worked well for under the ice. Wouldn't want to hold onto a good size pike with one though!

Regarding the pen - sorry but it looks pretty fragile. You can actually buy a decent telescopic pole and small real which is easy to pack and probably works much better.

Other than their propane lanterns and stoves (which I like for car camping), I don't really like the coleman brand that much.
 
Hey Guys..
Skam...

Yup,, that does it for me !!

2lb is useless except for Gills and Minnows..
Thanks fro pointing that out...

KGD..

Coleman has some decent products. You gotta pick and choose them though...

I've got about 6 Colman Gas pump stoves, 2-3 Lanterns, 4 propane stoves and 3-4 lanterns,, and they are work well....

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Actually, with a 2lb weight limit I think it would work well for trout if you are mountain camping or hiking.

The only problem is that I can get a real telescoping pole that will only take up a little more space. The problem is not the fishing pole, it is the reel, they seem to take up the most amount of space and are harder to find a place to pack them.

Heck, you can even take full sized rods, that break in half, if you make a pvc tube rod holder/case and strap it to the side of your pack.

Basically the only reason I camp is so I can fish for a couple days in a row and be on the water by 5am. I've been wanting to get into backpacking, to get away from all the people who have recently infested my favorite lakes, and to get to hunt for some golden and brook trout. So, I've thought about this. The most important part of camping equipment for me is my fishing gear.
 
I have one of these, with an openface reel. Ok for gills and just messing around off a dock. Only gripe is you can't cast it like a normal rod, pretty much a novelty item that will work with a worm or corn or a grub. Ok for ice fishing too.

I bought it through a random seller, it's not a coleman, but it's the same thing.
 
haha i won one of these at work like a year ago, its actually pretty well made i was suprised but its horriable for fishing, but thats compaired to a regular pole. if i was out in the wild i would much rather have this then a stick with some rope hanging on it
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys..

That thing reminds me of the K-Tel Pocket fisherman from the 70's..
Click to expand...

The; "Fishin Magician!" I had that :D (puts head in sand)

I would say the pen may be used for a emergency B.O.B. tool but not for regular use.
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys..
Skam...

Yup,, that does it for me !!

2lb is useless except for Gills and Minnows..
Thanks fro pointing that out...
Click to expand...

Normark,

For years I only used 1-2 lb test line when fishing. I really enjoy using ultralight gear to go after trout in high mountain streams, especially goldens in the high Sierra. Sometimes the fish are so spooky it is the only way to get them to play along.

-- FLIX
 
Used mine at our pond last weekend. Had 2 bass about 3.6lbs. Got them in anyway. I put Spiderwire on mine. Nice to have in the back pack.
 
I got a "pocket fisherman" at a thrift store the other day and I was surprised how far you can toss a plug with one.

The whole idea of these pocket rigs is to use with plugs and spoons-- spin casting stuff. For survival, I've concentrated on bait rigs and a little foam earplug bobber. Cut yourself a switch for a pole and go for it. If you're fishing from the bank, it would be rare to get a lunker anyway. I carry a few pre-tied leaders with small snelled hooks, a little Sprectra line and a few splitshot.
 
My cod! it's a piece of carp I mean crap! What porpoise does it have, then? Did they make it for the halibut? Or for more shellfish reasons? I smelt something wrong when I saw the gaudish packaging! People must be shelling out money to the tuna at least twenty clams, I'll bet. Based on this, I think I'll bass.

When the moon hits your eye like a great pizza pie, is that a moray?

:D

Actually, I saw the coleman product, but I already bought a pocket fisherman which I still have to try out. The coleman product is a lot smaller.
 
I have caught a lot of fish on a cheapo telescoping rod sold in a little kit at Wal Mart. It telescopes down to a little over a foot long and I have a cheap shimano spinning reel on it. I have caught lots of bass in the 3 pound range with it with 6# trilene. It does very well for what it is and fits in my small pack, if I had my druthers I would always have my 6' shimano and Pfueger President but it won't fit in a pack and even in a rod tube it is inconvienent to always have with you. My telescoping outfit is less than 25 dollars complete and is about the minimum I will depend on, which means the Coleman pen rod is out. Chris
 
stingray4540 said:
Basically the only reason I camp is so I can fish for a couple days in a row and be on the water by 5am. I've been wanting to get into backpacking, to get away from all the people who have recently infested my favorite lakes, and to get to hunt for some golden and brook trout. So, I've thought about this. The most important part of camping equipment for me is my fishing gear.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of the same way. At least when I go campling and know I will be on water I usually tend to focus on fishing activities. Usually this means I bring way too many lures for what I need :( However, everytime I went for my cheaper but smaller rod I was really disappointed in its performance.

I find that if I'm back packing in, then a good rod (and larger one) makes all the difference. Since I won't be on a boat, I will be casting off shore and the larger rod aids considerably in distance and cast accuracy. Plus, my reel is just that much better (drag and action) on my normal set-up.

On the other hand, if you are one of the folks who will take it (fishing) or leave it depending on your mood. Then a pocket type or ultralight outfit my be worthwhile.

Normark - yeah Coleman's lanterns and stoves are pretty darn good. Just gotta makes sure that leather seal on the old pump ones stays moist. Otherwise it soaks the table with white gas at random :) I sure as heck pass on their tents, sleeping bags and other products though. Of course therd are even worse brands when it comes to tents and sleeping bags....
 
Wow, thanks for the many replies, guys.

While a 2 lb limit isn't necessarily all that bad, especially for creek fishing for mostly bream, it's also most likely a very outside limit. I certainly wouldn't much like to try landing even an active bream with that thing. I myself use a Zebco Rhino rod and reel, which suits me just fine most of the time.

Anywho, I'm glad this result of my late-night boredom spawned such a good discussion here. Keep it up.
 
Aw come on, just the fact it's "two payment of 19.99 and we'll send you a second one for FREE" should be enough to clue you in it's a POS. :D
 
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