Floating Rods

OK Jmairey... you asked if I've continued looking into Floating Rods.

Well, as it turns out on our last sturgeon trip I experimented to see if my 20# composite rod will float or not.  It does.  It floats along with my Shimano TR100 reel (which weighs 12 oz plus the line) plus probably  two more ounces of lure.  It did not float with an additional 6 oz attached to it. 

Next rod I build for myself will be designed to float the rod + lure + reel.  I think that by using a longer EVA foam foregrip and possibly slightly larger diameter EVA foam, that I can design most rods I build to float without any aftermarket accessories... particularly the inshore / lighter tackle rods that we tend to use in these parts.

I also can get  EVA foam grip material that is triangular in cross section that works great as an aftermarket rod float. By slitting it lenghtwise, you can slide it onto the rod and secure it with a couple velcro straps as a rod float.  It works pretty well since it is low profile on the sides of the triangle and the line from the reel won't hit the foam grip.

A 10" length of Triangular EVA with an ID of 5/8" will float about 5 oz of weight.  I can get it in 1/2" ID as well as longer lengths which will  float a bit more weight.  Next parts order I'll be ording some more of it to experiment with.   I suppose I could also use round EVA foam and just sand one side flat so that the line doesn't hit the foam.  The round foam would have more bouyancy yet than the triangular foam... Hmmmm....

Anyhoo... I thought you'd like to know that my go-to rod (same as I built for Sean and for the Elk Derby) will float a 12 oz reel plus some.  The one I built for the Elk Derby actually had larger diameter foam grips, so it will probably be quite a bit more buoyant yet.

Erik

That is cool news! I like the idea of the triangular EVA material for extra floatation.
I'm also glad to hear you actually quantified the flotation, I have been loathe to actually
test the flotation power of my pool-noodle solution since the ball bearings in these
abu's will take a beating from submersion.

BTW, have you found that your old rod feels a little short on your new yak?

I guess you have long arms, but when I switched from a scrambler to
a scupper pro, I found that my 6'6" bass rod cannot easily reach around
the bow anymore.

my first custom rod will probably be 8 to 9 feet graphite composite, 10-20lbs, shorter handle than normal
for ease of use while sitting in a kayak. fancy ass titanium guides. non-traditional monochrome
color scheme with contrasting tip color,  . I'm saving my pennies.

My rods are all 7-footers.  I can still get it around the bow if I have to... but if a big fish makes a mad dash under your kayak, all you have to do is bury your rod tip in the water and the kayak will turn with the fish. 

Keep saving them pennies... if you're in a good tackle shop sometime, check out the Calstar Graphiter 800XLH and the new Lamiglas Inshore Classic rods (IC80HF)... sweet!!!

EK

that's a good tip about burying the tip, thanks! I have kept in mind mooch's tip about
keeping the tip of your rod near the bow which generally results in the boat following the
fish, hopefully I'll be able to remember yours too.

I like to fish (cast) off the left side of the yak, but I like to gaff/net on the
right side, so any decent fish requires a transfer from the left side of the yak to the right side,
either around the bow or the stern.

so far this has worked out okay even with my halibut, but maybe it's not such a good habit. hmmm...

I fish, net, and gaff on the left side of my kayak.  That way I can put my paddle, fishfinder, and any lanyards or other stuff that might get in the way on the right side of my kayak and out of the way of any fishing, netting, and gaffing that may occur. 

You need to get out and go fishing.   You should go on a sturgeon outing with us this winter.

Erik

hey thanks for the invite!  I better save the sturgeon obsession for
next winter tho, I think there's enough obsessed guys around here already! 

This year I got plenty on my fun plate as it is,  , with my main
target being trout in lakes this winter and salmon this summer.

then there's the work plate...