"bug out" fishing pole

[NOLA556]

no, this is not a new topic. but I feel that (correct me if I'm wrong here) alot of emphasis has been placed on improvised fishing poles, but very little is placed on store-bought poles.

of course, you can catch a fish just as well with an improvised pole as you could with a modern store-bought rod & reel, but why not take advantage of our modern society while it's still around?

I just bought a new pole a few days ago which is what made me think of this.

since I've been a prepper, I've always just carried a fishing kit in my BOB, but never thought about including the pole itself because I just assumed that it'd be too cumbersome and awkward to have a pole snagging on every branch and bush that I hike past. but honestly, if you get the right size pole, and break it in half and tape it together, it really isn't so awkward. you may add an extra pound to your kit at the most, and an unlimited food source is a pretty damn good trade-off for an extra pound and about $30 IMHO. and like I said before, of course you can catch fish with an improvised pole, but a real fishing pole just makes it that much easier, and the more stress I can remove from my bug-out experience, the better.

one thing to consider is that an improvised pole is really only good for float fishing. well let's say that whatever species of fish that are most common in your AO are more likely to bite at a lure that is being reeled in? sure, you can probably still snag a few with a stagnant float, but wouldn't you rather snag a few dozen by doing it the more effective way?

just a thought... just like the majority of my threads, the topic is open for discussion. I just wanted to share my current thought process.

[NOLA556]

also, just to throw my amateur opinion out there (no, I'm FAR from being an expert fisherman), I'd always go with a small spinner reel on a small and slender rod.

A - in my personal experience, spinner reels require just a little more attention and skill, but they are far more reliable when it comes to getting tangled. and on the rare occasion that a spinner does get tangled, they're alot easier to untangle.

B - I put emphasis on a small spinner reel simply because of weight

C - I put emphasis on a small and slender pole because of weight, because of ergonomics and ease of transport, and also because... well shit, you really don't need anything too stout just to fish off a bank... it's not like you'll be taking a damn catamaran 40 miles off shore or anything. you know what they say... the appropriate tool for the task.

[thatGuy]

They even make some poles that are much smaller. For years I've fished with a Wright McGill Trailmaster it's 6 1/2' long. Not only does it break down to 5 pieces but it will allow you to fly fish or use a spin cast real.

Really a great idea Nola!

[Kentactic]

Ill take it to another level and say this. Even a store bought rod of the wrong type is going to make catching certain species of fish harder. For example, catching large mouth bass on a tiny 5ft light action rod will be difficult. If you dont have the rod stiffness to properly set the hook youll be letting a lot of fish get away. Im a stubborn cheap bastard and i use a medium action 7ft pole for large mouth when a medium-heavy action rod is ideal and ive let my fair share of bass get away when i have a significant amount of line out and between a flimsier rod and a lot of line to stretch i dont get a good hook set. Thickness of line, type of line, drag setting, rod selection, hook selection, lure configuration etc etc, all play a part in wether or not you land the fish. Getting the fish interested is only half the battle.

[NOLA556]

Ill take it to another level and say this. Even a store bought rod of the wrong type is going to make catching certain species of fish harder. For example, catching large mouth bass on a tiny 5ft light action rod will be difficult. If you dont have the rod stiffness to properly set the hook youll be letting a lot of fish get away. Im a stubborn cheap bastard and i use a medium action 7ft pole for large mouth when a medium-heavy action rod is ideal and ive let my fair share of bass get away when i have a significant amount of line out and between a flimsier rod and a lot of line to stretch i dont get a good hook set. Thickness of line, type of line, drag setting, rod selection, hook selection, lure configuration etc etc, all play a part in wether or not you land the fish. Getting the fish interested is only half the battle.

well ken, you went WAY further in depth than I did, but you're essentially making the same point, believe it or not. my whole point in the OP is to say that ANYTHING to make life easier in WROL will be great. so basically all I'm saying is that there's alot of attention given to improvising a primitive fishing pole, which is an awesome skill, but still inferior to a modern pole. you just took it a step further and more in detail.

one thing I feel like I should say is that, like almost all your other preps, the specifics should be dictated by your AO, not by some "expert" on the internet. if your local waters are full of trout, you should prep accordingly... etc. I guess I should have specified that in the OP. I preached about a "small slender" pole because IMHO that is best for my local waters. even the larger trout can be easily caught with a little Mickey Mouse pole. maybe it's because their mouths are smaller than a bass' mouth. idunno. I've never had trouble landing a full grown speckled trout with a little dinky pole. either way, good input.

[Kentactic]

Ill take it to another level and say this. Even a store bought rod of the wrong type is going to make catching certain species of fish harder. For example, catching large mouth bass on a tiny 5ft light action rod will be difficult. If you dont have the rod stiffness to properly set the hook youll be letting a lot of fish get away. Im a stubborn cheap bastard and i use a medium action 7ft pole for large mouth when a medium-heavy action rod is ideal and ive let my fair share of bass get away when i have a significant amount of line out and between a flimsier rod and a lot of line to stretch i dont get a good hook set. Thickness of line, type of line, drag setting, rod selection, hook selection, lure configuration etc etc, all play a part in wether or not you land the fish. Getting the fish interested is only half the battle.

well ken, you went WAY further in depth than I did, but you're essentially making the same point, believe it or not. my whole point in the OP is to say that ANYTHING to make life easier in WROL will be great. so basically all I'm saying is that there's alot of attention given to improvising a primitive fishing pole, which is an awesome skill, but still inferior to a modern pole. you just took it a step further and more in detail.

one thing I feel like I should say is that, like almost all your other preps, the specifics should be dictated by your AO, not by some "expert" on the internet. if your local waters are full of trout, you should prep accordingly... etc. I guess I should have specified that in the OP. I preached about a "small slender" pole because IMHO that is best for my local waters. even the larger trout can be easily caught with a little Mickey Mouse pole. maybe it's because their mouths are smaller than a bass' mouth. idunno. I've never had trouble landing a full grown speckled trout with a little dinky pole. either way, good input.

Yep i agree with all of the above. Any pole is better then a stick, and since you are buying a pole you might aswell pick one ideal to work in your AO. -

PS im still waiting for that link to show up in the id rather a rifle video...  [img]http://www.smileydesign.n

[NOLA556]

Ill take it to another level and say this. Even a store bought rod of the wrong type is going to make catching certain species of fish harder. For example, catching large mouth bass on a tiny 5ft light action rod will be difficult. If you dont have the rod stiffness to properly set the hook youll be letting a lot of fish get away. Im a stubborn cheap bastard and i use a medium action 7ft pole for large mouth when a medium-heavy action rod is ideal and ive let my fair share of bass get away when i have a significant amount of line out and between a flimsier rod and a lot of line to stretch i dont get a good hook set. Thickness of line, type of line, drag setting, rod selection, hook selection, lure configuration etc etc, all play a part in wether or not you land the fish. Getting the fish interested is only half the battle.

well ken, you went WAY further in depth than I did, but you're essentially making the same point, believe it or not. my whole point in the OP is to say that ANYTHING to make life easier in WROL will be great. so basically all I'm saying is that there's alot of attention given to improvising a primitive fishing pole, which is an awesome skill, but still inferior to a modern pole. you just took it a step further and more in detail.

one thing I feel like I should say is that, like almost all your other preps, the specifics should be dictated by your AO, not by some "expert" on the internet. if your local waters are full of trout, you should prep accordingly... etc. I guess I should have specified that in the OP. I preached about a "small slender" pole because IMHO that is best for my local waters. even the larger trout can be easily caught with a little Mickey Mouse pole. maybe it's because their mouths are smaller than a bass' mouth. idunno. I've never had trouble landing a full grown speckled trout with a little dinky pole. either way, good input.

Yep i agree with all of the above. Any pole is better then a stick, and since you are buying a pole you might aswell pick one ideal to work in your AO. -

PS im still waiting for that link to show up in the id rather a rifle video...  [img]http://www.smileydesign.n

DOUBLE-U TEE EFF!

i thought i fixed that! let me see....

[Kentactic]

Ill take it to another level and say this. Even a store bought rod of the wrong type is going to make catching certain species of fish harder. For example, catching large mouth bass on a tiny 5ft light action rod will be difficult. If you dont have the rod stiffness to properly set the hook youll be letting a lot of fish get away. Im a stubborn cheap bastard and i use a medium action 7ft pole for large mouth when a medium-heavy action rod is ideal and ive let my fair share of bass get away when i have a significant amount of line out and between a flimsier rod and a lot of line to stretch i dont get a good hook set. Thickness of line, type of line, drag setting, rod selection, hook selection, lure configuration etc etc, all play a part in wether or not you land the fish. Getting the fish interested is only half the battle.

well ken, you went WAY further in depth than I did, but you're essentially making the same point, believe it or not. my whole point in the OP is to say that ANYTHING to make life easier in WROL will be great. so basically all I'm saying is that there's alot of attention given to improvising a primitive fishing pole, which is an awesome skill, but still inferior to a modern pole. you just took it a step further and more in detail.

one thing I feel like I should say is that, like almost all your other preps, the specifics should be dictated by your AO, not by some "expert" on the internet. if your local waters are full of trout, you should prep accordingly... etc. I guess I should have specified that in the OP. I preached about a "small slender" pole because IMHO that is best for my local waters. even the larger trout can be easily caught with a little Mickey Mouse pole. maybe it's because their mouths are smaller than a bass' mouth. idunno. I've never had trouble landing a full grown speckled trout with a little dinky pole. either way, good input.

Yep i agree with all of the above. Any pole is better then a stick, and since you are buying a pole you might aswell pick one ideal to work in your AO. -

PS im still waiting for that link to show up in the id rather a rifle video...  [img]http://www.smileydesign.n

DOUBLE-U TEE EFF!

i thought i fixed that! let me see....

No its fine now... i typed that last night.

[thatGuy]

You guys ought to try fly fishing, I can land anything I want with a fly pole and the whole kit is so much smaller.

The floating line is universal and the tipet or leader can be mono-filament line. They sell it on wonderful little rolls that have elastic bands on them to keep them from unrolling.

All your flys can be hand tied at home from renewable materiels. Another great thing about flys is that the difference between sinking and floating flys is the silicone floatant.

I can fit my whole kit in my shirt pocket.

[EJR914]

Fly Fishing rocks.  I'm glad my dad taught me how to do it.  Once you've got the skill down, you can own. 

Its sort of like throwing paint on a wall with a full paint brush, if you want a visual.  Its not that hard to learn, you just have to be willing to learn how. 

[Kentactic]

Yea the ability to make your own lures gives fly fishing a great advantage. And ive never fly fished so maybe my assumptions are just plain dumb. But what if the fish arent interested in top water insects or sinking ones? How do you immitate a shad or  trout or baby bass with a fly lure? Seems like more of a limited system. Correct me if im wrong please since i have no knowledge of fly fishing at all.

[EJR914]

If you're going to get that intricate with it, you carry all the items you would need to make an exact replica of the flies or bugs in that exact region, and for the exact fish that you are trying to catch, and in some places, you can see right below the water (in a small light weight plastic container)  You won't need much.  If you're surviving in your own local territory than its easy, because you know the bugs and you know the fish.  It changes everytime the environment and major location changes.  You can sit around and watch nature to see what bugs are around.  If they are around, chances are the fish will eat them.  You might even get to see a fish actually eat one, then you know its game on.  Try and find one so you can view it, and then try to replicate it with the lure.  I will say I've never tied a fly from scratch before just by observing an insect.  I've tied generic flies from instructions before, and its not too hard, but you have to follow instructions well and have a little natural ability as well.  I've never tried just to wing it.  If you're starving, though, I imagine you would take the time, and you could probably get it right if you knew the theory behind tying your own flies. 

[Kentactic]

If you're going to get that intricate with it, you carry all the items you would need to make an exact replica of the flies or bugs in that exact region, and for the exact fish that you are trying to catch, and in some places, you can see right below the water (in a small light weight plastic container)  You won't need much.  If you're surviving in your own local territory than its easy, because you know the bugs and you know the fish.  It changes everytime the environment and major location changes.  You can sit around and watch nature to see what bugs are around.  If they are around, chances are the fish will eat them.  You might even get to see a fish actually eat one, then you know its game on.  Try and find one so you can view it, and then try to replicate it with the lure.  I will say I've never tied a fly from scratch before just by observing an insect.  I've tied generic flies from instructions before, and its not too hard, but you have to follow instructions well and have a little natural ability as well.  I've never tried just to wing it.  If you're starving, though, I imagine you would take the time, and you could probably get it right if you knew the theory behind tying your own flies.

So bassically fly fishing is limited to imitating bugs mostly then? I dont think i could catch a lot of bass that way. Not saying others couldnt... i really dont know... but i know i would starve lol.. And its too warm around here for trout to survive the summer typically. They just stock them and then they all die come summer if they werent caught.

[EJR914]

Yeah, I think I've caught a bass on one before.  I know I've killed brim with it.  Enough to feed me a hundred times over.

[NOLA556]

I've figured out a space for a permanent "truck pole" 

since I got my new truck, I've turned it into a rolling survival safe-haven, and all the while, kept it as clean as a bait-car. I've stored away just about every essential (and non-essential) item I could think of without exposing one inch of gear to open view. everything from basic vehicle supplies like a jack and ratchet-straps, to a "get-home" bag, fishing pole, fishing gear, CB radio (w/ temporary magnetic antenna... just to avoid an obvious antenna jack), full 110pc socket set, electrician's toolbag... etc.

all I need now is a winch and/or come-a-long and I'll be set. lol.

and like I said, the inside is still as clean as a bait-car. everything is stored away in compartments and under the seats where they can't be seen.

the reason why I think this is relevant (this obviously isn't a BOV thread) is that the fishing pole is probably the most invaluable addition. I'm thinking about buying another one just like it specifically for the BOB.

[thatGuy]

Because of the compact nature of the 'lure' and the well thought out storage method it is ridiculous how many flys you can carry. Once you figure out what works in your AO and how to keep them out of the weeds imagine how small of a rig it would take to carry 3 flys of each pattern that worked?


Those are all flys for White Bass btw

I too had misconceptions about fly fishing. I thought it was all a River Runs Though it bullshit. I thought you had to have the gators and the landing net and all that jazz..

I was wrong. You need a pole/reel a couple of pocket spools of tippet, some flys and some floatant. The first time I went out my buddy set me up with 6' of tippet with a fly on the end and had me put two more flys in the bill of my cap. That is all it took to fish all day.

I am with you Ken and I understand that it looks like voodoo but it isn't it is just good old fishing!

Now for your amusement I am going to post a couple of pictures of the more unusal fly patterns, you really can tie anything!









And my least favorite, the Hatchery Feed Pellet Pattern.

[NOLA556]

YOU ALL WISH YOU WERE EATING THE STUFFED FLOUNDER THAT'S IN MY OVEN RIGHT NOW......!!! lol

pics coming soon.

[EJR914]

I fucking LOL'd at the Finding Nemo one. 

[gapatriot]

Fuck you nola on the stuffed flounder, i told you that over the phone!!!, And TG i love those flies makes all of us that had to sit thru the movie happy watching those to get eaten!