DIY dodger

The copper version worked but I lost the second one when I got into a rocky area on a bumpy day. Since I was out of copper, I decided to try a different kind of metal tube. I tried it out today and did hook a decent halibut and a couple of rockfish on a super-slow day (fish survey people at the dock said it was the only halibut they'd hear of when I came in at 12:30).

Since you already cannibalized your bicycle for your kayak* propulsion system, I suppose you had no use for the seat tube.   I was betting the metal you used was part of a wheel rim.  I'll be sure to watch my bike carefully when you're around.

Love your style! In my bored moments, I love cruising the garage looking for useless bits I can give a second life somehow. I understand I inherited the trait from my grandfather, who couldn’t leave anything alone. He “zeked” everything he owned practically, custom hats, fishing rods, you name it!

Glad the revived seat post had some usefulness left in it that you where are to bring back to life

Dig the DIY flasher NWM.  My little glowing friend... maybe ?   Im not sure ?   

Since you already cannibalized your bicycle for your kayak* propulsion system, I suppose you had no use for the seat tube.   I was betting the metal you used was part of a wheel rim.  I'll be sure to watch my bike carefully when you're around.

It was a spare. But I do have to admit that the seat tube in my son's $1200 mountain bike looks like it would make the most perfect dodger ever...

Ok NWM, how’d I do?
I couldn’t find any spinning cone flashers at my local tackle shop (Dicks) so I made my own out of PVC from a worn out Clam Tube.

Hope it nabs me a halibut on the next outing

You might try plexiglass type material 1/8th thickness for dodger forms. The type used for framed paintings manipulates well.  Use a heat gun to make the bends. I once made a bunch of the large size flashers with green or red edges and shiny tapes. You can run SS wire down the center and tape over and use the wire to form connection points. If the plastic ever breaks with the big one on, the wire will save the day.

Ok NWM, how’d I do?
I couldn’t find any spinning cone flashers at my local tackle shop (Dicks) so I made my own out of PVC from a worn out Clam Tube.

Hope it nabs me a halibut on the next outing

Looks really good. Let us know how it works out.

You might try plexiglass type material 1/8th thickness for dodger forms. The type used for framed paintings manipulates well.  Use a heat gun to make the bends. I once made a bunch of the large size flashers with green or red edges and shiny tapes. You can run SS wire down the center and tape over and use the wire to form connection points. If the plastic ever breaks with the big one on, the wire will save the day.

That's a great idea, especially with the wire down the center.

But for now, I'm kind of hooked on lightweight metals. The seatpost dodger produces good action, and doesn't seem to snag as easily as any others that I've used.

I just wanted to mention that my bike-seatpost-dodger is still going strong and has been performing like a champ. I've been out 10 times trolling with it, and it's produced at least one halibut 9 of those times. I'm still looking for that 40+ inch (preferably, 50, ha ha!) fish, though...

And, the best part is that it has been remarkably easy to free from snags. I think it's ideal for rockier areas.

 9/10 is a pretty impressive halibut catch record 

It was a sad day last Friday when I lost my bike-seatpost dodger. Conditions were pretty rough at the time, and I was in a rocky area. IMHO, that one was near perfect, as it survived a ton of snag infested fishing.

In comparison, I'd say the heavier copper is probably preferable over sandy bottoms, as it will surely get down to the bottom and create a ruckus. But, in rocky places, the bike seatpost ruled!

I tried making a new seatpost-dodger, only to discover that not all seatposts are created equal. I found 2 more unused seatposts around the homestead, one of which I could not flatten. The other was extremely difficult to flatten, and then it tore when I tried to make fine bends at the edges.

I'm not sure what to try next, as I'm out of seatposts. I think I'll make a run to the metal supply store and look in their scrap bin for inspiration...
 

sorry for your loss. RIP seat post dodger 1

I gotta try making one of these. Do you have a favorite supplier for reflective tape?

I gotta try making one of these. Do you have a favorite supplier for reflective tape?

I ordered directly from the source:

http://www.wtp-inc.com/