"Survival" fishing rod?

CSG

CSG

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
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I suspect most of us carry a little survival fishing kit in our packs. I carry a spool of leader as line. Years ago though, I had a telescoping rod and carried a small spinning reel. The rod wasn't very good but the idea was cool.

I saw an ad for something called a FishPen that seemed like a good idea, especially as it's so small. There is a thread about them here from a few months ago with mixed reviews. Very cool idea though for people who want small and light.

My question is, if you wanted to carry a small fishing rod and were limited to a daypack that was already pretty stuffed, what would you carry? I've caught crappie with line tied onto a branch using Velveeta cheese before but I don't expect to have Velveeta in my pack as bait. ;)

I know there are breakdown rods, telescoping rods, ice fishing rods, etc. My question is what would you choose and why? Think of the equipment primarily for panfish and trout and limited to a small pack.
 
I also saw the ad (spam email, actually) for the fish pen and thought it looked interesting. But, absent any reviews on it, I'm not entirely sure thta it would be any more efficient than a thin branch or bamboo cane.


There was an oddly shaped, compact fishing pole posted about here a number of months ago. It seemed very strong and a great compromise. Hopefully, someone who remembers the name of the thing will post a link to the company's website since I've lost all of my links and can not recall the name.
 
Roughedges, you might be thinking of the pocket fisherman. It was still pretty bulky though.

Personally, if I think if you are fishing for survival than you don't need a pole. You can fashion something from a stick or if you are just going for panfish, hand-lining it will do fine. Using a stick and swinging the hook, you could make more precise drops of your hook/bait to specific spot in the water. A real fishing rod and reel will of course allow you to cast much longer distances and probably better precision as well. The fishing rod/reel combos also have adjustable drags giving you a better chance at catching a fish bigger than the line strength without snapping the line.

However, I don't think that it is necessary in a survival situtation. In survival, you will have more luck going after the smaller and more abundant panfish near shore than trying to catch large pike or other trophy fish. You probably don't need velvetta cheese as your bait. Grasshoppers, crickets, worms, grubs, moths, big ants, basically any insects you can catch and stick on a hook will do.
 
I just found the link that I was thinking of. Its also a good bit larger than the fishpen seems to be. http://www.emmrod.com/ And more expensive as well. But, I may end up purchasing one of these somewhere down the road.
 
CSG said:
I suspect most of us carry a little survival fishing kit in our packs. I carry a spool of leader as line. Years ago though, I had a telescoping rod and carried a small spinning reel. The rod wasn't very good but the idea was cool.

I saw an ad for something called a FishPen that seemed like a good idea, especially as it's so small. There is a thread about them here from a few months ago with mixed reviews. Very cool idea though for people who want small and light.

My question is, if you wanted to carry a small fishing rod and were limited to a daypack that was already pretty stuffed, what would you carry? I've caught crappie with line tied onto a branch using Velveeta cheese before but I don't expect to have Velveeta in my pack as bait. ;)

I know there are breakdown rods, telescoping rods, ice fishing rods, etc. My question is what would you choose and why? Think of the equipment primarily for panfish and trout and limited to a small pack.
Click to expand...




i wonder how well it would hold up
 
roughedges said:
I also saw the ad (spam email, actually) for the fish pen and thought it looked interesting. But, absent any reviews on it, I'm not entirely sure thta it would be any more efficient than a thin branch or bamboo cane.
Click to expand...

:cool:...Strange that you brought up that "FishPen" thing. Every year my oldest daughter buys me a "gag" gift for Christmas. She knew I wanted a boat a couple of years ago and she bought me a 3 inch battery operated speedboat. This year I've been talking about getting some new fishing equipment and sure enough...The "FishPen" arrived...LOL...Through the years I've even had one of those Ronco Pocket Fisherman things and I didn't hesitate too long before it went into the garbage can...:barf:...This "FishPen" thing though isn't really bad at all. I wouldn't use it as my regular tackle piece for bass or walleyes but it would be useable in a pinch for bluegill, crappie, and other smaller panfish. It's about 10 inches long when packed away. When "opened" up it's a full 3 feet long and has 4 small eyelets to thread the line. The action isn't really too bad either...kinda light yet stiff enough to be adequate for smaller fish. It comes with a VERY CHEAP tiny spincast reel that would suffice in a pinch in a true survival situation I guess. It does allow you to cast some distance to get to the fishies(my kid calls 'em "fishies"...:p) but like I said you wouldn't want to use it by actual preference. I will replace it with one of the tiny spincast reels made by many of the better known tackle companies. It also comes with a couple of small splitshot, a small float or "bobber" and a practice casting plug. I've used it to try it out and it works but it is "rough" on the retrieve. The reel will be replaced and it's going in my glove box for when I drive a by any interesting ponds around here...I think it's around 20 bucks or there abouts...Not for every day use but maybe for someday use...:cool:
 
I tried making a rod on one trip, using replacement eyes that I brought along for the purpose. I carved a short lengthwise notch in a 6 foot (aspen I think) sapling for each eye, then wrapped it in jute. I had stripped the jute into three smaller strands. I tried sealing it with pine resin taken right off the tree and warmed up in a tuna can. That part wasn't too successful and don't use your only cooking vessel ("like sh!t to a blanket" describes it pretty well)

The most effective way I found to cast it was to tie a short stick to what would be the 'reel' or standing end of the line and put it on the ground. Then 'flake' the line loosely on top of it, letting it rest however it wants. I was using mono, but I haven't tried it again since I changed to braided line. It was tough to keep the mono from tangling and hitting the bottom eye in a knot !

Tie whatever rig you're using on the other end as normal, just use more weight. Hold the 'butt' of the rod and pinch the line to it with your finger. When casting, release your finger (sort of like the trigger on a baitcasting reel). I would get maybe one good and one so-so cast out of every three. With practice, it would probably improve but I haven't tried it again.

I came to the realization that a takedown kit is FAR less trouble and not much tougher to pack ! I've got one of these now. It packs into a tube of 1 1/2" pvc with a couple end caps. I think it's called schedule 10 (thin wall) but I'm not sure.

Sorry for the long post, the rod was easier to make than describe !:D
 
I'd use a long stick in a pinch.

I picked up a Pocket Fisherman for $5 a while back and was surprised how well well you can cast with it. I got it out and it weighs a pound and breaks in half. It would be great for a vehicle kit or day hiking.

pocket1.jpg


pocket2.jpg


You could build a short (18"???) rod with a reel seat and a couple guides and get something that would break down to a smaller package than the Pocket Fisherman.

You can get the closed face Zebco outfits and some have two piece rods, which ride okay outside a pack. I just pulled one out of the joists over my head and the sections are 33" long. There are all kinds of pack fly rods.
 
I enjoy fishing, so in the warmer months I keep a 20 dollar collapsible job in my bag... it's light and fun..for just my kit just the basics some spyderwire, some spit shot some swivels and some hooks.
 
Think out of the box. You do not need a rod and reel to fish. In Africa they use the pop can reel set up to fish. The locals will give you their mothers for a gift of hooks. Also the "Cuban YoYo" is another low tech answer to the fishing rod. You see them all over florida and the Carribean. Easy to use and improvise. You can find cans every where. Just back line, hooks and sinkers. Below is a link to the pop can fishing set up. We use it to teach kids to fish with it before we give them their rod and reel.


http://www.wnit.org/outdoorelements/pdf/fishingreel.pdf
 
In a survival situation another option is a trot line. Esay to set up and fishes while you do other stuff.
 
I've caught fish using a jig and a hand line from a kayak. The first time I hooked one I got so excited I just about went swimming. It's really different to feel the fish on a hand line-- fun too. I came across the "Cuban Yoyo" for flying kites rather than fishing. They work great.
 
When I was a kid, we used handlines under the Santa Monica Pier and did very well when the boats came back in and the fishermen cleaned their catch. This was in the early 60's.

However, this is a forum where we all love gear so finding a gee-whiz rod and reel is where the fun lies.
 
I think the best approach is to make one. Cork spinning rod handle with rod cut to 12". Insert another 12" piece section with a medium tip and you have a 2 ft rod that breaks down. Wouldn't be hard to make if you ordered blanks from Cabela's. Make it a 3-piece if you like with a third section. Add a small spinning real or whatever grabs you and you have a pretty good rig that you can actually set a hook and fish with.
 
How is that better than one of the multi-piece pack rods? Seems like a lot of trouble vs. $20-30.
 
I carry an old Zebco telescoping rod. It's very nice, and I actually use it- some seasons more than my full length rod. Extended, it is about 5', closed it is 12-15" or thereabouts. I combine it with a inexpensive spincasting reel.
 
I do a lot of fishing from the shore and canoe during the spring summer and fall. I do alot of fishing in rivers and ponds off of trails and railroad beds so many of them require quite a bit of walking to get out to them. For the past several years the only method I have used in such places is a pop can or bottle wrapped with 6-12 lb test mono line. It works very well, and I have caught larger bass on it no problem. It is easy to cast 30 + feet with this kind of set up. Joe
 
As a guy who has a tackle room, I have to say that the fish don't always bite. In a RLSS® you may have better things to do than tend a fishing rod and wait for a fish to bite.
A limb line, multiple limb lines or improvised trot line would allow one to fish while doing other survival related chores like splitting 8' logs for that cabin, making adobe blocks for the fireplace and erecting that signal tower.
OK, I'm kidding about the cabin, fireplace and signal tower...but you get the idea.

The line on the pop bottle/can works well.
I'd rather do that with mono than braid.
The braids will cut you like a steak knife...I got hung up once and it cut thru my leather work gloves when trying to break it off.
 
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