How to Make a Long Fishing Pole

Long fishing poles are useful in a variety of fishing situations. In particular, a long pole is almost essential when bank fishing for trout, bass or pan fish. Poles may be constructed from a variety of materials; however, some of the more common are long wooden limbs or bamboo. Making a long fishing pole is an excellent activity with which to involve children as a family project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Long wooden pole such as a limb or a bamboo pole
• Small fine tooth saw
• Short blade knife
• Sand paper
• Fishing line
• Terminal tackle such as weights, lures, hooks and floats

1. Select a wooden or bamboo pole that is of sufficient length and is straight. The length will typically need to be at least seven to eight feet in length and should be long enough to reach beyond any grass or brush along the bank. Wooden poles may be made from limbs either found lying on the ground or cut from a tree and will ideally be an inch or so in diameter at the base and will decrease in size to the tip. Bamboo may be obtained from home improvement stores or even plant nurseries and garden centers. The pole should be stiff enough to support raising a small fish from the water; however, some flexibility is desirable as this adds action to the pole.

2. Use a fine tooth saw to trim both ends to length. At the handle end, remove any rough, jagged or damaged material. Trim the line and lure end to length, taking into consideration the distance that may need to be reached over vegetation, small brush or limbs.

3. Use sand paper to smooth the cuts made by the saw to prevent splinters while fishing. Smooth any rough areas along the length of the pole. It may be necessary to trim any areas where smaller limbs were removed with the saw or knife first.

4. Cut a small notch a few inches from the end of the rod to which the line will be attached. Cut the notch no deeper than a quarter of an inch or so to avoid weakening the tip of the pole. Cutting the notch too deeply will reduce the strength of the wood or bamboo and may cause the pole to break with the weight of a fish on the line.

5. Tie fishing line of an appropriate pound weight to the end of the pole. Mono-filament fishing lines are available for purchase by pound test weight. This is a rating which allows the fisherman to select a line based on the potential weight of the fish. Wrap the line around the pole several times allowing the line to rest in the notch formed with the knife. Tie the line with a double-overhand knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a float, weight, hook or lure to the end of the line. When bait fishing, consider using corn, salmon eggs, mini marshmallows or night crawlers.
• Always use caution when sawing and cutting as injuries are possible. Also take care when working with tightly stretched mono-filament lines as abrasions and cuts can happen. Handle hooks and lure with care.

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