Poke poles

SC McCarty

Well-Known Member
#1
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
 

DSRTEGL

Well-Known Member
#3
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
 

pinfish

Well-Known Member
#6
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

Well-Known Member
#7
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
 
#11
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.
 
#12
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.
 

DSRTEGL

Well-Known Member
#15
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.....
 
#16
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.
 
#18
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.