Poke poles

[SC McCarty]

Does anyone here make pokepoles? If so, what size bamboo (especially tip diameter) do yo think is ideal? Where do you get bamboo poles? There is a local tackle shop that sells 24' poles for about $20, but it is the only source I have found around here.

Steve

 

[Phil Hill]

I have and old whip antenna I use with a coat hanger loop on the end. Also electrical cable fishing rods work, Harbor Freight has them for cheap.
Or you can make them out of a telescoping rod:

or here: http://www.songslinger.net/poke2.htm

 

[DSRTEGL]

I don't use bamboo personally as I am not a fan of splinters.....this is the same reason I also do not use fiberglass........I make mine out of 10-12' 2 piece fishing rod blanks mostly with a fly rod tip of appropriate size and the first 3 feet of rod AT LEAST ....... protected with a couple layers of heat shrink tubing.......You can also use Shakespeare "Wonderpoles".They are telescoping crappie rods...I have a 20' one...I re-enforce all the sections at the joints with rod wrapping thread and epoxy....and protect the tip section with at least 2 layers of heat shrink tubing if I can get away with it.....or a thread wrap and epoxy if the heat shrink is too thick.......You can also look at telescopic poles on Amazon or AliExpress

 

[DSRTEGL]

Example

https://www.amazon.com/Goture-Fishi...id=1547630391&sr=1-21&keywords=telescopic+rod

 

[SC McCarty]

Thanks for the replies.

Steve

 

[pinfish]

i have a wood pole about several years old. its about 5 feet long. not long enough. i might add another piece and join them like nunchucks

 

[DSRTEGL]

Wood poles have never worked very well for me but if you are careful you can make a ferrule out of a piece of brass, copper or stainless steel tubing to fit 2 poles of the same diameter together and can hold the pieces together at the ferrule with a good pin or duct tape wraps

 

[Sportfisherman]

You make poke pole from bamboo stake with coat hanger.

 

[Ken Jones]

A guy poke poling at the Elephant Rock Pier

 

[Sportfisherman]

That is great place for poke pole.

 

[Sportfisherman]

Does anyone here make pokepoles? If so, what size bamboo (especially tip diameter) do yo think is ideal? Where do you get bamboo poles? There is a local tackle shop that sells 24' poles for about $20, but it is the only source I have found around here.

Steve

8-9 ft bamboo pole with 3/4 diameter.

 

[Sportfisherman]

I don't use bamboo personally as I am not a fan of splinters.....this is the same reason I also do not use fiberglass........I make mine out of 10-12' 2 piece fishing rod blanks mostly with a fly rod tip of appropriate size and the first 3 feet of rod AT LEAST ....... protected with a couple layers of heat shrink tubing.......You can also use Shakespeare "Wonderpoles".They are telescoping crappie rods...I have a 20' one...I re-enforce all the sections at the joints with rod wrapping thread and epoxy....and protect the tip section with at least 2 layers of heat shrink tubing if I can get away with it.....or a thread wrap and epoxy if the heat shrink is too thick.......You can also look at telescopic poles on Amazon or AliExpress

I make poke pole with black widow telescopic crappie rods about 10ft, only cost me $7 at Walmart.

 

[Sportfisherman]

Another good place to poke pole, half moon bay Jetty or Linda Mar.

 

[SC McCarty]

I make poke pole with black widow telescopic crappie rods about 10ft, only cost me $7 at Walmart.

Thanks. That is what I was looking for.

For those who use telescoping rods:

Do you use the tip section?​

Are they stiff enough to wrestle fish out of the rocks?​

​

Steve

 

[DSRTEGL]

I found a portable poke pole solution a decade ago. Chimney brush extension rods. They are threaded and fasten together solidly. The action is first rate, sensitive, like what you'd find on a standard pole, yet sturdy and durable. I tussle monkeyface, cabbies, rockies, and lings with confidence. I can go 4', 8', or 12' as needed. Even at 12' it's manageable and has surprising dexterity. (More than that would seem a little wobbly, unless you were crossing the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.)

View attachment 620

Cheap, too, <$8 at your local Ace Hardware.

I like to coat the top section with a couple of layers of heat shrink tubing for abrasion protection and add a cord wrap the the areas where I hold on to.......I really do need to build another one of these.....

 

[Phil Hill]

No, the telescoping rod on the shakespeare wonderpole the tip is replaced with a 3/16" steel rod with a hole drilled in the end.
Never have broke one.

 

[DSRTEGL]

No, the telescoping rod on the shakespeare wonderpole the tip is replaced with a 3/16" steel rod with a hole drilled in the end.
Never have broke one.

I use the original tip and have had no issues.... but mine is a 20 footer

 

[muttfishr]

I don't know if we're able to access the "old board" but way back when, I put together a picture step-by-step how-to about assembling a poke-pole out of those 4' chimney sweeper poles, 4'/8'/12'/16'/20'? I use'd about an 18" 7-strand wire and crimps to attach to the pole and hook, maybe you can find it.

 

[Bob]

So just clarifying the 20' long poles get rid of the need for extremely low tides?

 

[SC McCarty]

Phil Hill wrote:
"... Also electrical cable fishing rods work, Harbor Freight has them for cheap. "
Wire running kit at Harbor Freight

The Happy Wanderer wrote:
"I found a portable poke pole solution a decade ago. Chimney brush extension rods. ... Cheap, too, <$8 at your local Ace Hardware."
Chimney Rods at Ace

These look very similar. Has anyone compared them?

Steve