BLOG: DIY tackle

ONE of the most exhilarating things fishos can do is get into manufacturing their own tackle. For one, it teaches you the science behind the equipment we use. If you know how to make it, one can presume you would understand the laws behind why it works. This is a real benefit which will ultimately make you a better angler. Secondly, it allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment. If you take the time to construct something simple, like a float for instance, when it works well in the field and it catches you a fish, it's a remarkable feeling.

I have had this urge to make my own tackle for quite a while. It was born many years ago when I used to help my father and uncles mould our own sinkers in the garage. We weren't very lead savvy in those days and after countless hours pouring hot metal I didn't quite know why I used to feel light headed? I do remember getting yelled at for not keeping up! I learned from an early age the sense of accomplishment when we used to catch fish on gear we made with our own hands. And let me tell you, it didn't quite hurt as much when we lost rigs to rough bottom either.

This passion led us to construct our own floats, and while I never made any I was utterly proud of, my uncles were consummate pros at luderick floats and they looked a million bucks. They worked a treat too. Many times I bumped into old-timers I didn't know on a rock ledge on the harbours' foreshores and the float in use was one of my uncle's.

From here we got into making beach fishing shoulder bags. Dad is a master at sewing and old discarded materials he finds washed up on beaches gets transformed into stunning waterproof bags fit for sale in any tackle store (See pic top right). If you walk along the northern beaches and see blokes fishing, chances are dad's bags will be slung around their necks.

Over the past few years I have tried to build my own rods. To be frank, I'm no good at it. My rods rarely look like ones hanging in tackle stores and while my binding is half decent, working with epoxy is not my strong suit. Even still, it is a personal triumph when I land a fish on a hand crafted rod. The process has taught me many things about rod actions and tapers. By understanding this in more detail I can now determine the best tool for the job depending on the outcome I want to achieve. One thing I have learnt is never take the stated rod class manufacturers place on their rods for granted. I have bought many that state a rod is 2-4kgs but my experience in building rods tells me it's actually 3-4kgs. It may seem a little pedantic but it's the little things that make big differences out in the field. While my rods are sub-par they make for a thoughtful birthday present.

The next frontier is jigheads and hardbodies. I think most of us will admit jigheads are overpriced for what they are. I have scoured the net for moulds that are suitable but to be honest none seem to measure up. I have a few designs I have been working on and will be invoking a machinist to cast a few moulds and see what happens. No doubt it will be trial and error but the first fish I pin on my own designed jigheads will be another milestone.

If you take the time and make your own tackle there is always something to look forward to in fishing. I recommend you try it at least once.

What weird and wonderful tackle have you created?