Getting Ready for Fishing!

Well due to a bad duck season and lots of time on my hands, I have gone into full yak outfit mode.  I will try to post up some pictures later.

I put some homemade rod holders on the dry box tonight.  I didn't like the milk crate, as I am trying to keep things simple and lighter.  I got some small plano tackle boxes to go in the dry box for my plastics, lead heads, jigs and hooks.  I put side eye bolts on the box and a double clasp to hold it on the kayak.  Nice thing is with the rod holders, it will work great for jetty fishing too!  My tackle box and rod holder all in one.

I picked up a 20" fishing net and foam filled the handle, and then oiled up the gaff.  I have a huge salmon net, but wanted something a bit smaller for the kayak.  I checked into the 18" nets (as per DFG), but the 20" seemed more versatile...eg can fit bigger fish in it!
 
I just ordered a NRS Chinook PFD and an Ultra Jon 3ml wetsuit.  It will all be here on the 8th! Woohoo!  I have a small blunt nose Wenoka dive knife I will mount on the PFD, my new marine radio and I got a small clear dry bag for my Rhino GPS.  I also got a small waterproof LED strobe/surround light that NRS had.  I figure if I go over I can turn it on for the coast guard.  I can't wait to try the Chinook PFD, my old West Marine PFD didn't get used much due to the high back seat.  I hope to really keep this one on while fishing. 

I cast up a bunch of 3/8 oz, 1/2 oz and 2 oz leadheads in my jig head molds, using good Gatsu and Matzu hooks.  I also made a plaster mold and cast up some lead spoons and some large curly tail and double tail grubs.  I just melted down a bunch of old torn up worms in the microwave (wife wasn't home thank goodness) and recast them for the grubs.  They come out a bit softer, but look great.  I got some swimbaits I want to try making a mold from next.

I tore all my reels apart for a complete lube job.  I already changed the drags out a few years back to carbon fiber ala Alan Tani style.  I also hotrodded one of my Abu 6501 reels and put it on a 8.5 foot ugly stick for jetty fishing.  I may have to try it on the kayak as well. 

My wife thinks i have a problem.  I see nothing wrong with using a coffee table to lube reels and tie jigs, while drinking a wobbly pop and watching one of my kayak fishing videos.  Of course I have corrupted my daughter, as she now sits with me and "helps" while holding her Barbie pole and fishing net, asking if she can net my fish for me...thats my girl  .  Watch out rockfish, here I come!  I hope to make a tourney or two this year, I would love to meet some folks from here.  Matt

Hahaha...AND, he's too excited to sleep, hence the 1:00am timestamp on his message!    (Says the guy who's posting at 4:00am...)    Sounds like you're ready to go, Matt!  Now join me as I stare at the calendar and will it to move more quickly, at least until rock fish season opens!

Post some details on melting down old worms and making other stuff out of them. I didn't know you could do that. I would love to experiment with that.

Hi MattS
I just live up the road from you.
I am running just behind you in getting ready for some serious fishing locally.
My wife has decided she wants me to outfit our cobra fish n dive for her to use and I have put a ocean kayaks prowler big game angler on lay-away and hope to pick it up mid month, depending on how much it snows between now and then.
I also make most of my own lures on the old tv tray, coffee table, kitchen and I am looking forward to your pic’s and future posts.
Hope to cross paddles with you soon.
Geno

FishinGeno we will have to hook up.

Melting the worms is easy.  Just use an old coffee cup or pyrex cup.  Put your worms in it and microwave on high for 2 min as stir.  Then just microwave at 20-30 sec intervalls stiring between intervalls, till the worms are melted and runny.  Then pour into the mold and let sit.  I leave them on the counter overnight layed out straight to finish cooling.  They will take a set if bent before fully cooled.  I have some old bargin bin worms that are odd colors, I just add in a couple of browns or a green or two to get a nice color.  They definately take on the darker color.  I also have put in one with glitter and found it adds some spice.  Make sure if you melt the sented worms to beware, they really smell and burn easier.  You can buy hardner to mix in with the worms to harden them up a bit, but they seem good enough for recasts to me.  If they tear i can remelt and recast!  You can melt them over and over, just becareful not to burn the plastic, it cast fine still but stinks!  You can also buy the new plastic and production molds from tackle suppliers.

I just make the molds from Durams water putty (similar to plaster of paris).  Just pour the plaster and press the oiled worm (I use PAM) into the mold and let dry.  Paint the mold with some high temp paint if you want a shiny finish.





I would like to figure out how to pour some simple tube or squid hoochies out of the old worms.

I had the lead head and weight molds I have bought over the years.  I love making my own lures and weights, and it does save money over time.  I can use better hooks and make them to my specs.  I can cast weights from 1oz-10oz in cannon ball and bank sinkers.  The lead heads I have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 2 oz.  We will see later if 2 oz is enough.  I will likely just buy the larger size or add a sinker to the line if I need more.



The spoon jig mold is made from the plaster.  I made a copper wire insert to add strength and keep the split rings from pulling out on a large fish.  They arn't pretty and I still need to trim them and paint, but they are cheap to make.  I used an old iron jig i had from my yellow tail chasing days to press into the plaster.





The next project is to make a mold of this and cast some.  I picked out a swimbait with a flat back to allow a one pice mold.  I have had mixed results with plaster 2 piece molds.  I think i may start picking up some cheap plastic containers to contain the plaster.  I have used cardboard, but always end up breaking the mold after a while.  The plastic container would take longer for the plaster to cure in, but add support.



On all the plaster molds I let them dry for a week, and usually bake them in the toaster oven at 250 degrees a few times if I am going to pour lead in them.

I may have to pick up some old silverware and try some knife jigs next.

Matt

The drybox is just a Plano knockoff from Big 5.  I liked that is was orange, I am into visability on the Kayak.  I made the rod holders from some black PVC.  I heated the ends and pressed it onto a paint can to make the flared opening.  I made a small PVC spacer under the top to allow the lid to close and open normally.  I wanted to put 3 holders on, but wanted to make sure the bases cleared the molded inserts of my P13.  I angled them to allow it to be used as a rod holder on the Jetties and beaches as well.  I used stainless steel steel screws and gooped the inside of the box to avoid any sharp edges after trimming and filing the screws down.

The small tackle boxes are the Plano guide series.  I like that they are small, carrying just what i need.  They fit well into the drybox.  I made some leashes a while back from phone cord and clasps.  I will leash all my rods to the kayak.  The net when foam filled should float, along with my gaff.  I don't want too many attachments to the kayak to tangle up on.

MattS
We will hook up this year as soon as I get my kayak, or we can meet up one day that I come into Red Bluff for gas.
Great job on the lures and I bought a plano 1612 from K-Mart for the prowler that I dont have yet. I will follow your lead on the rod holders and tie downs.
My name is Gene Carter and my wife is Jan, looking forward to meeting you and feel free to pm me anytime.
Im on solar here but have poured many lure bodies on the stove.
Hope to see you soon
Geno

microwave on high for 2 min as stir.

usually bake them in the toaster oven at 250 degrees

Somebody needs a Man Kitchen, I don't even want to hear where you melt your lead You must have some serious WAF

Looks like fun and you are ready

I'm not sure if I'm impressed or jealous,

More than likely BOTH,

The work you do with plastics sound interesting, gives me ideas.....

Dale L

Thanks, I don't get to work with my hands much at work; so making things is definately my outlet.  Just putting the effort into fishing makes it all the more worthwhile.

I definately need a Man Kitchen.  I usually find waiting for the wife to go somewhere, and lots of windex and air freshener keeps me out of trouble.  I need to just get a cheap little microwave for the shop.  I tried melting the worms on the Coleman stove.  It worked, but tended to burn the worms easier.

I read that adding salt to the melted plastic after the initial 2 min nuke can harden up the plastic.  I may have to give it a try.  It may add some attractant as well and make the worm heavier.

My NRS order got delayed due to the weather up north.  i hope to start on the PFD when i get it.  I may have to try to fit in a lake trip next week.  I see clear weather and 60 degree temps predicted for next week.  Sounds like bass fishing weather to me!  Maybe some trout trolling...hmmmm

Matt

I don't know why your wife would complain about the table, this is what my coffee table has on it right now.  Of course GF and I have our own places.  When I moved out here I found it was cheaper to rent two 1 bededroom apartments then to have 1 two bedroom apartment.  It works out great, her place is the next building over, I get "garage space, my own bathroom, my own kitchen and no complaints.

Matt nice to see someone else makin' up stuff! You might want to cast up some heavier jig heads. The local OG crew uses mostly 3-4 oz. and heavier if it's a fast drift. This is for 60-100 ft. depths. The lingzillas and big rockies have no problem with big baits. In shallower  or potholing the kelp, you can use the lighter stuff.
 
 For tube baits you need a  dip mandrel(tube shaped rod) into a tall skinny container of melted plastic then use a razor blade to cut the skirt. Check out http://www.tackleunderground.com/

Thanks Fishshim,  I am going to try some heavier heads as well.  I am tempted to cut a simple hook slot in my cannon ball weight mold.  It would be a crappie jig on steriods.  I will likely just buy some heavier heads for now, until I can buy a larger mold.

I like that Tackle Underground.  I have been gleening tips off of there for a while.  I got some steel rod I am going to shape.  I may try side dipping too.  I read that the tubes are labor intensive.

I have been currenty tieing up some dropper loops to test.  I like the spider hitch the best so far, with the kiwi dropper a close second.

My NRS order is due on Monday.  The UPS man is definately Santa for grownups!  I am feeling a lake trip coming on.

Matt

Great work on the tackle and boat details, MattS.  Thanks for sharing the info - you have the makings of a nice article here.   

Thanks Abking.  All this effort to simply catch some lings like in your videos!

My NRS order came!  The wetsuit fits good, except the crotch pulls just a tad.  Darn my long scandanavian torso.  It really isn't too bad, I just have to remember to pull it down a little after doning.  My scuba suit is the same.

The Chinook PFD is fantastic!  Pockets for everything I have, and everything I could ever want.  Honestly though I am keeping it to a minimum, as I want to be able to climb back into kayak if (and when) I fall off.  I have my marine radio, a whistle, emergency strobe/light, and a small dive knife.  The dive knife is mounted to the PFD with screws that came with it.  I just used an awl to open up a small hole for the screw to go through the pocket front.  It fits very well and is comfortable in the kayak seat during the backyard trials.  My GPS will likely stay on the kayak in its dry bag.  I think the PFD was getting too bulky with it





I was casting up some more heads today and figured I would try my cannon ball weight modified mold idea.  I took a small triangular file and filed a small groove into the edge of my mold.  The groove is small enough it doesn't let the lead out while casting weights, but I can insert a hook shank to make a jig.  I inserted the weight eye and then put in a 6/0 hook.  I cast several and here is what i got:



Like I said, definately a crappie jig on steriods.  I am really curious to see what everyone thinks on these.  The nice thing about them is I already had the mold (now a dual purpose).  I can use any straight shank hook, in any size; which are avaliable in all my local stores, and it seems to balance well and should fall fast. 

I have a mold which does 6oz cannon balls which I could also modify very easily.  I will wait for some input before breaking out the file.  I was worried on the strength of these, as the hook and eye are held in the lead seperately, but I saw several manufactures sell large lead head molds with the same configuration.  I put one to the vise/vise grip test.  I bent the hook, and never could dislodge the hook or eye from the cannon ball.  Also i never have to guess on a jigs heads weight, as it is imprinted right on the side!

So with my lures cast and painted, I put the boxes together and put them in the dry box.  I really like the simple and organized outcome:





I finished up the swim bait mold and have it curing.  I find the plaster works well for the plastic molds.  However the mold I made to cast the spoons cracked.  Simply too much lead and heat for that one.  I guess I could use the open half of my bank sinker mold as a jig mold, but how cheap do I really want to come across 

Matt