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I know all about how a $200 push pole might be worth the money, but till I get $200 I want to sink into a pole.........

I'm looking for ideas on building a homemade push pole about fifteen foot in length. Pushing a sixteen foot flats boat. No platform. Want something that will last more than one season.

Anybody got any ideas?

i use a 1 1/4" closet rod 16' got it at home depot
put several coats of varnish and you are good to go

I read an article about this not long ago.

Take a piece of metal pipe the appropriate size. Put a heavy coat of wax on it. Spiral wrap the pipe with fiberglass tape and wet it out with epoxy. Cover the whole thing with duct tape. After it has cured run hot water through the pipe to melt the wax and release the fiberglass pole.

I will try to find the article if you are interested.

CS...I've got the closet rod (wooden) like pops spoke of. It came with the boat when I bought it and its still very serviceable after probably 4 years and no finish ever applied. Now that being said, I've often thought that if I were to replace it....I'd take a look at a pool supply store and check out the aluminum telescoping poles that are used for brushing the sides of a pool or to attach to a vacumn. I've seen some 15'-16' footers for around $35-$40. They would be lighter than the closet rod but I've never actually tried one. Might check out one to see what you think.... and send the remaining $160 to me Another possibility would be to use a handle from a tree pruner. You could go buy a tree pruner and just let your wife think you were fix'n to do some tree work around the place....remove the handle and put it in the boat

All good ideas, thanks. Thought maybe the closet rod would warp out in the elements. Even with sealing it.

CS..mine has developed a slight bow...but it certainly is nothing that would affect its use

Ive never used a pushpole before. Are they more effective than a trolling motor? It seems the wind would have to be almost calm to use one.

Whats up !! Hey I'm new to this club, but I love fishin' ! And for me a good ole piece of PVC makes great push poles.. MAKO

Poling is the only way to go.....if you can talk somebody into climbing up there and pushing you around all day.

I have fished with a couple of guides that rely on a pushpole. They could control the boat much better in wind than you could with a trolling motor. The way these fellows leaned into it, I don't think a closet pole would work.

All of this poling stuff sounds too much like work to me.

I saw Mako's and made a 12' footer out of 1- 1/2" PVC. Works great. I used it some today during slack tide. Comes in handy if you get stuck diring low tide, or get grounded on a sand bar. The only problem with it is storage. If you are in the heat of battle with a fish, one could step on it and sprain an ankle, or fall out of the boat. If you are a careful fisherman, you can deal with it....

MJ

I say use a trollin motor, cause I darn sure ain't pollin no one arse around the water.

Trolling motor is great, but sometimes I go where it's too shallow to use the trolling motor. Plus the pole is a lot quieter than a trolling motor. I want both.

By the way wevans, I've got three more project boats left in my yard, your welcome to come get a couple more if you want them.

Bamboo = Free..if it rots, buy a new one...Did I mention it was free....Chalkmobile has a long closet rod.....

Chalk, If the bamboo is so good, why don't you use one instead of closet rod?