Strippin Bucket

[Katz]

How many of the frequent boating striper chasers out there use a stripping bucket in their boat?

If you use one, is there one out there that is way better than others. I have seen converted trash cans and real fancy things on some of the boats I have passed.

Thanks,

Kraig

[ernest v]

I use a Stan Pleskunas LMD. I have used everything from 5 gal buckets to garbage cans of all shapes and sizes. I have set spikes in epoxy in the bottom to aid in line tangeling, In the buckets I have made. Im so used to having a LMD (line management device) I bought the travel version from Pro Trim to take to mexico. Fits in my huge duffel with all my tackle packed inside.

Put a couple of inches of water in the bucket a chuck that shooting head a country mile.

If you arnt into spending the 150.00 for a trick bucket, just get a garbage can and try it out cheap.

http://www.mbflyfishing.com/stan.html
http://www.danblanton.com/whatshot.html

ernest v

[Katz]

Thanks for the great links.

Kraig

[larry sommerfeld]

Anyone who has ever fly fished from a boat on a windy day knows how frustrating it can be - if there is anything on the boat for your line to tangle with, it will. You definitely need a LMD. Stan P’s LMD is well-engineered and built of quality material. If you’re not put off by the price, that’s the way to go. Personally, I couldn’t justify spending $150 on something that I could build for less than $20. I built 4 LMD’s before I came up with one that I liked. It works well, is durable, cheap and easy to make. It’s not a Pleskunas but its not bad.

MATERIAL LIST:
13 gal. Rubbermaid trash can
4 medium size plastic funnels
Silicone adhesive.

The funnels act as “fingers” to keep the coils of line from tangling. To assemble, drill a 1/4” hole or cut a 1/4” notch near the top of the funnel to allow for the movement of water. Place the funnels up side down in the trash can (pointed end up) Move them around until they are evenly spaced. I put one in the center and the other three evenly spaced between the center and edge. The pattern you choose isn’t as important as having them evenly spaced. After you’re satisfied with the arrangement, mark their position and remove them. Run a bead of silicone around the rim of each funnel and glue in place. Allow your new LMD to sit overnight for the silicone to set and you’re in business.

To use, put about an inch of water in the LMD. Add 2 or 3 drops of dish washing liquid, or a squirt of Armorall or 303. This will break the surface tension of the water so that the line comes out of the bucket easier. If you use dish washing liquid, don’t use too much or by the end of the day your will have soft, prune textured hands. Don’t strip off more line than you will cast. The extra line laying in the bottom of the LMD will twist and tangle.

[Big Dave]

"No Buckets" !!!

Too much effort spent worrying about getting the line in the bucket. And I dont always strip the same way, so Id rather focus on the strip rather than the bucket. I dont always stand in the same position either with the bucket right at one spot at my side. Wind blowing from different directions , boat moving because of the currents , boat moving for positioning , fish suddenly busting at your 6 ... all interfere with using a bucket. Windy days are supposed to be one of the prime times to use one and those days are the ones I least wish I had one available. Even more time and thought put into "getting that damn line in the bucket" !!!!

Keep the decks clean of line grabbers , wear flat bottom shoes and learn to "dance" a little bit every now and then !

( Yes I understand they do have their place and I even have a basket or two laying around somewhere. )

If you learn to fish without one , you wont become totally reliant on them.

Thats all....

[mikenewman]

Yeah, I'm often to be seen indulging in a bit of line dancing - elegant it is not I also have a love/hate relationship with my bucket. I keep it on the boat but only use it when frustration reaches boiling point.
Flat shoes are good, barefoot is better still and I find is a comfortable proposition for most of the year. (Once I learned the lesson that feet get sunburnt too)

Mike

[WinterrunRon]

I agree with Big Dave... no buckets, but would like to add...

What works for me is the colapsable stripping basket Bill sells in the shop that straps to your waist. Inexpensive and highly effective.

I'm up fishing and down driving from spot to spot 10-25+ times an outing and never take it off. Nothing I've used comes close to its usefulness and convenience IMHO.

Ron

[WinterrunRon]

BTW, if you go in to Bill's shop, make sure you buy the collapsible one's, the colapsable ones don't exist.

Why don't I notice the spelling errors before I post? Mind says do one thing, fingers do another... urgh!

Ron

[paulegan81]

Just picked a laundry basket up at the WAL-MART and put it in the boat.....
$6-7 put about 2" of watter in it and had the best day casting off of a boat ever I use custom tip express and it gets sticky lieing on the deck the water solved this problem..... now when I make a short cast to the bank or a poping fish a loop stays in the bucket making it easeir to hit the hole when I start to strip......?????BUT!!!!!!! that causes a litle twist and when I cast the hole line (all i have off of the reel) then it is harder to hit the bucket with the first few strips mostly with a cross wind.....!!!! the bucket is waist high I don't think I could get a taller one or even if that would help????? I like the bucket!!! when I can hit it!!!! Kind of like the tollies I like them too when my fly is not stuck to them.... also the bucket is kind of clumsy in my small boat 17' and I have to lay it down and put my foot on it when I run. the water is the key maybe I will just not put the plug in the boat and try that next time??????

[Katz]

Great idea on the plug

Leave it out until there is about 3-4 inches of water in the entire bottom of the boat. That would keep the line nice and greased and you wouldn't have to worry about missing the bottom of the boat with your first strip after a long cast

Would be nice for wakeboarding between spots too. Like having your own built in bilge tanks!

Katz