Thoughts on a PSK-Fishing Kit

D

Diamond Dog

Joined
Jun 25, 2007
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Hey all! Since open water fishing is just around the corner in my area and after reading the post by texastonydobbs I really started questioning my psk and some of my contents in it.

For example, I have a small fishing kit in my psk with some 12lb mono wrapped around a pen cap, a variety of small hooks and a few barbed hooks, some split shots and a couple of jig heads. I got to thinking long and hard about whether the fishing kit has a place in a small psk(altoid tin size). Here are some of my thoughts that I came up with regarding the usefulness of these items...

1. Your location is a factor if a fishing kit is warranted (if you are near water or not).
2. Anyone who has fished knows how hard it is at times to even catch a fish using all the right gear, lures and/or bait--even with all this gear a fish is no guarantee.
3. If I were to get lost in an area where there is water in my case it would be the mountains-I don't think I would go for a fish for a meal as a first choice, probably a squirrel, rabbit or just wait to get found. I don't know if personally I would choose to use the fishing kit for it's intended purpose. If I were in the mountains I'm looking at trout or brook trout-and brook trout can be spooky if you walk to the bank not to mention finicky.
4. It is unfortunate but chances are if you are by a lake/reservoir or even a river it is possible to find discarded mono line to use in a pinch. If you were to scower awhile I bet one would find maybe a lure that got hung up in a tree/bush, a bobber or even some sort of hook. I always find this type of gear lying around the bank--it is unfortunate but sometimes a reality at a body of water.

Here is what I decided to keep in my psk-a couple of barbed hooks that's all. Here is my justification on why I chose just this item.

1. I always carry cordage in the form of 550 cord in a couple of places on my person so I can use a smaller thread to substitute the fishing line thus no need to carry the mono fishing line.
2. Using a barbed hook I can use my 550 para cord thread to tie onto the hook and use as a way to catch a bird or squirrel by using it as a type of lasso.
3. I can use the 550 paracord and barbed hook to use in an emergency fishing scenario by finding some cricket, worm, grub or some other type of bait to put on the hook. I think this would work especially well on a flowing river and let to drift.

Okay so there it is-my personal reasons not to carry a small fishing kit in a psk. I'm interested in any thoughts, suggestions or insights on what others think of a fishing kit for a psk.
 
The monofilament is still cordage and has many uses as cordage beyond utilizing it for fishing. It weighs virtually nothing and doesn't take up much room. In general, I'd recommend carrying the braided fishing lines instead of the mono since it can be more easily utilized as multi-purpose cordage and can have a higher breaking strength for the same diameter. More expensive though.

But I do agree - fishing kits in PSKs are nice but not likely to be used in many scenarios. I'd start turning over rotten logs looking for grubs and eating those before I'd spend time fishing.

BAIT = FOOD :D

grubs-France.jpg
 
I believe a fishing kit is one of the most useful things to have. I don't do the carrying a gazillion miles of paracord thing. I carry a fair amount of it. I also carry a good amount of common household string and a lump of bees wax. I carry light fishing line for fishing and heavier line for making other things, according to the principles of tangle, mangle, strangle and dangle. A fishing kit is the easiest thing in the world to catch ducks etc. with. Barring setting up a dozen eel bags, a purpose built fishing kit has to be the most simple way of harvesting over a wide area without effort. To cover the same amount of potential with paracord 1] uses a less than optimal medium, 2] that is bigger, 3] takes longer to set up, 4] and wastes the potential of paracord, that could be employed better doing something else.
 
I wouldn't trust fishing line that is found along rivers and such,probably has been there a while and the UV damage might cause it to break just when you need it.I've been playing with the Speed Hook systems for years and they do work! The military version even has bait although I've not had much luck using it.Better to have a good kit with you than to try to find the right stuff...
 
The area you are in is a great consideration. If you are near saltwater you will need heavier hooks and line and possibly a short section of wire leader. For freshwater. I carry three pre-rigged leader set-ups in my kit. Carolina,Texas and a double-drop rig. For fishing I have lengths of 8 and 12 pound line. I figure if you are injured you can attach these pre-rigged leaders to the line and start fishing immediately. Also consider a pre-made trot line. I have never tried this method but it can be very productive with little effort.
 
I think the greatest thing in fishing nowadays is spider wire. So supple and thin and easy to carry/pack. Rather than having 6lb mono in my kit nowadays I have 20lb spiderwire, and its even thinner!

Once you get the necessities done, an easy peaceful way to spend your time (in any situation) is fishing. I'm always suprised that people don't talk more about it.

I carry 20 or 30 feet of spider wire, 3-5 hooks of various size, and 2 lead weights with me in my PSK.
 
I agree that the area should be taken into consideration. If I'm ever in a situation where I would use my PSk fishing kit it will be a small mountain stream with native trout. Light line and small hooks with natural bait will give me the best chance of catching dinner. If I would travel to another area I would definately consider adjusting the kit but a couple 1/32 oz. jigs, small split shot, and small hooks, and light line make a very good kit for this area.
 
First of all, I'd like to point out some contradictions.

1) you mention how spooky trout can be, yet you've decided to replace your monofiliment(which shouldn't be 12lb in the first place) with a large diameter, white string. In other words, you just admitted to an obstacle and made it into an even bigger obstacle.

2) You mentioned that it is likely that if around a body of water, you are likely to find old mono, bobbers, and even lures. This might be true at heavily fished bodies of water, but if you were at one of those, you would get to the point of needing to find food before you were found. Also, old mono found on shore, is likely really brittle and will break easily if you do catch a fish, from it's exposure to the sun, from being abraided on whatever it is caught on, etc.

3) you also mentioned that you are not likely to use the kit for it's intended purpose, then go on to list some great ideas on how you would use it. So, why remove it just because it may serve another purpose? That should be more reason to keep it.

Now, some of my suggestions.

* Keep the kit, but add 4 or 6lb test to the kit. You will be one lucky bastid if you are able to catch a trout with 12lb test or white string. Keep the 12lb and 550 though, as it can be used for other purposes and as backing to your lighter test.

* Improve you chances of cathing a fish by using live bait, and if you don't catch anything, don't just stop fishing. Rigg up a self setting rig on shore by tying your line to a sappling near the shore, then check on it ever so often when taking a break from other survival chores.
 
I just added two small bobbins of spiderwire (50 lbs) to my PSK, about 60 feet on each bobbin. I do have a small fishing kit -- it takes up practically no room and has the potential to be beneficial in the areas I'm likely to be in.

I wonder if fish poison would be acceptable for (very) short term and small scale use if we're talking a survival situation.
 
Reminds me of an amigo's approach to snagging women - "Why go fishing when you can throw in a grenade".

Derris > Rotenone
 
"But I do agree - fishing kits in PSKs are nice but not likely to be used in many scenarios. I'd start turning over rotten logs looking for grubs and eating those before I'd spend time fishing."

One grub may very well produce a big old catfish if you play your cards right...

I use mini-fish kits a bunch. I keep one handy for odd encouters with bodies of water and a few spare minutes. Of course, I love to fish! Last year I had a great time with an improvised soda can reel, a film cannister fishing kit, and a bunch of jumbo perch spotted off a ferry dock!
 
a 1/16th oz jig head with a twister tail grub will catch most any species of fish. That will be the lure that I pack.
 
have you ever fished with kite string... I have tried this and found that real fishing line is best or spider wire but the inner strands of the para cord is tough,I did it not to long ago and bluegill, bite at the line just as much at the bait, and with no success ,I love to use real fishing line,just my opinion.
 
Never heard of anyone who surivived anything by fishing. Maybe if you are a downed pilot in the south pacific The average person can last 4-6 weeks with no food. I've done two weeks before. Fishing just isn't a priority for me.

I'd be more likely to construct a fish trap or gig frogs than to try a hook and line.
 
Ok , but it my area I carry a fishing kit and it does not have to be a Survival situation for me to break out my kit...I do it for fun as well....
 
nemoaz said:
Never heard of anyone who surivived anything by fishing. Maybe if you are a downed pilot in the south pacific The average person can last 4-6 weeks with no food. I've done two weeks before. Fishing just isn't a priority for me.

I'd be more likely to construct a fish trap or gig frogs than to try a hook and line.
Click to expand...

After a few days without food catching a fish or any meat is uplifting and gives you energy, and greatly increases your chance of survival.
 
If you find yourself lost with Les Stroud, ditch your fishing kit, 'cause he never catches fish :)

Depends on the water body, but often times fish can be very easy to catch as long as you arn't looking for trophies. Getting big minnows with trout hooks, bluegills or other sunfish can be had near shore with very little effort. The key here is having nice tiny little hooks and thin line to catch these critters. In northern ontario, you can get yourself a nice 1 lb to 2lb pike within 6 feet of shoreline very easily. It isn't a guarenteed source of food but I think a method that is far easier than hunting mammals with primitive weapons.

Those fat grubs aren't so easy to find when the soil is acidic from pine needles!
 
A marabou jig will catch fish any where,any season. Id keep about a dozen of those.
 
Thanks for the info and viewpoints to ponder. I guess I should have specified more of my situation. I always have a telescopic fishing kit and a few lures etc. in my truck at all times-I love to fish. Second the 12lb. flurocarbine line was something I had around the house so it cost nothing. I am a trout fishermen. I use 4lb for my applications. Of course line by the bank will be brittle etc. but it was something I see alot and I thought this would be good food for thought sort to speak. The lasso thing was something I was trying to think outside the box with--not saying this would work but in desperate times creativity would be an advantage. Stingray 4540 Basically I was extrapolating on how much thought pro and con I gave to the posted subject. The 12lb line would have worked as cordage in a pinch. Of course I would forage for bait. I had this kit before I bought all my paracord. Lastly, there is nothing to contradict I was mearly trying to create a dialogue regarding the practacality of a small fishing kit within a psk (not a recreational fishing kit) and the real application scenarios of use. Anyhow thank you all for your input and pics they are appreciated.
 
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