TomBettle Posted July 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Panda Pop bottle half full of water, problem solved. Already had the bottle of water argument on another forum, doesn't work as the mackerel spend their time on the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Sorry if I'm getting bitter, but get to know your terminal tackle!!!!! Â Save a few pence and catch f^^% all. Wise up and buy some tackle that performs the same, everytime you fish with it, and you'll catch more fish without doubt. If you don't want to spend 3 quid on a piece of terminal tackle that will help you catch more fish, you might as well sell your boat and sit in, in the evenings, moaning at the missus and forget about fishing and having fun. Forget about panda pop bottles and the rest of the rubbish, get something that you can get used to and forget about all those useless alternatives. You all spend loads of money running your boats, why try to spend next to nothing on the tackle you fish with when its the cheapest part of the hobby. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Nice One Al  You tell us mate  I think we all miss that point, we spend a huge chunk on boats moorings fuel bait and then finish up at jumble buying cheap gear to fish with.  I would rather have a few rods and quality reels than a garage full of cheap deals from ebay etc.  That said I still mould my own weights and make up my own traces so saving money where we can is important to me too. but not to minimise the chance of catching some better fish.  recent catches prove that you have the system sussed out, and if buying " Proper" floats is what you consider contributes to the success rate then it is good to know that as well.  As you say if all you want to do is fish as cheaply as possible, better get a small boat, hoist a sail and use 80 lb mainline [Off ebay] To troll a redgill [Off ebay] around the harbour. Fuel cost 0, losses 0 fish 0 fun 0  Charlie   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 That said I still mould my own weights and make up my own traces so saving money where we can is important to me too. I do it not because of the cost factor but the satisfaction knowing a rig I built myself catches fish. If I can build a rod and reel I will dame give it a go too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Interesting thread here and seeing Ruperts comments on another thread. I just had to comment... Â Fished using a small lead and Portland rig setup previously and just could not get the hang of it. It obviously does work but I just didn't enjoy it and we fish for enjoyment primarily. Â Heard how Al and Rupert were using floats. Got instructions on how to rig one from Al - spent some money on tackle and then headed for "the mark". Successful first time and since then my son has caught using a float ( and there is no way he would have caught bouncing a lead along "snag city" ! ) and my wife has caught a great fish as well. Â Fishing is about enjoyment and I enjoyed the "feedback" that using a float gives you as opposed to constantly losing tackle. Â Float wins for me, although freelining a mackeral along the ledge is equally fun. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 First trial prototypes were disastarous! Â Used a test piece of polystyrene to check the solvent effect from te paint I was using. No worries, worked a treat, but nobody had told me it was sealed polystyrene with some form of lacquer or PVA glue. Â So, full of confidence, the first prototype "eggs" are drilled as neatly as I can by hand, an area masked to suit the "cocking" centre section of the float and I get to work mounting each on a gently rotating drill whilst lightly spraying the flourescent paint in little puffs from the side..... Â ....went on perfectly until befoe my eyes the damn things start melting adn I get the biggest "lunch hour" high you could possibly imagine with the vapour of solvent abuse gently wafting through the Salterns Marina precinct . Â Next go coming up. Â Â Note to self: Either apply a lacquer to seal the polystyrene or use a non solvent based, waterproof paint. Â Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 First trial prototypes were disastarous! Used a test piece of polystyrene to check the solvent effect from te paint I was using. No worries, worked a treat, but nobody had told me it was sealed polystyrene with some form of lacquer or PVA glue.  So, full of confidence, the first prototype "eggs" are drilled as neatly as I can by hand, an area masked to suit the "cocking" centre section of the float and I get to work mounting each on a gently rotating drill whilst lightly spraying the flourescent paint in little puffs from the side.....  ....went on perfectly until befoe my eyes the damn things start melting adn I get the biggest "lunch hour" high you could possibly imagine with the vapour of solvent abuse gently wafting through the Salterns Marina precinct .  Next go coming up.   Note to self: Either apply a lacquer to seal the polystyrene or use a non solvent based, waterproof paint.  Tom Ahhhhh I hadn't been following this thread so I couldn't warn you.  Yes as you discovered the white poly foam used for packing/insulation etc is disolvable by most paints and thinners except for Epoxy resin and epoxy paint or water based emulsion or eggshell.  To make the float with a center hole make a silhouette of the float out of 1/8th thick modelers plywood and cut it in half lengthways with a wide cut of about 1/8" glue this to a half side of the polyfoam with Araldite or Cascamite (both inert with polyfoam) with the 1/8th gap in the middle. Lay a tube/drinking straw in the gap and glue the other half of the polyfoam over this and wait for it to dry. Finish the shape by sanding by hand. When finished paint with several coats of bathroom quality emulsion paint or if your lucky enough to see a boat being painted with 2 x pack epoxy go and borrow a brushfull.  Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
large fries Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Tom Could supply you with real floats for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Tom Could supply you with real floats for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 I think there's a degree of masochism in your makeup somewhere, Tom. Â Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 HIT ME! said the masochist No said the sadist   Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Tom  Take up the offer  Buy the floats  save yourself the grief and fumes and go fishing with the time saved to practise the skills required to up your strike rate  enjoy   Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Tom Could supply you with real floats for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Tom,  Looks like you may go belly up along with your floats  i admire your tenacity but be careful mate. We may have to send the boys round to hold you hostage at the tackle store until you come out with some proper kit  PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 save yourself the grief and fumes Charlie     I actually enjoyed the fumes and Kam...   Very high!!!! As did most of Salterns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Save yourself the grief and Fumes  on reading my earlier comment it sounds like strange advice from someone building a boat from GRP in this heat.   How high do you flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Save yourself the grief and Fumes on reading my earlier comment it sounds like strange advice from someone building a boat from GRP in this heat.   How high do you flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Charlie At least you don't have 6hr hardening times like in the winter Charlie.  Mind you unless you add a drop of retardent I bet you have to work quick, but at least you can laminate up 4 or 5 layers in a day no problem.  Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Ive just had a chat with my mate in Lonis and I can get Bass Floats for 2quid each. They support a decent amount of weight and come in either floro red or green tips. Cigar shaped inline floats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Ive just had a chat with my mate in Lonis and I can get Bass Floats for 2quid each. They support a decent amount of weight and come in either floro red or green tips. Cigar shaped inline floats. The cigar ones will take three ounces, but an 8" cigar prefers 2. Stick 3oz on and the mackerel tends to take it down to easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 We can get cigar floats at about 60p a piece (the ones that are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 I t'ink this one has nearly bin done to death ........ but I said I would look at net floats so here goes.  Just one example so far but the smallest I could find.  Tis 85mm long and 40mm diameter. piccy below, float test to come..... what-will-sink-it test etc.  There has to be loads of options down this route for those who like to make their own stuff  T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 At a guess Trev: Â 1oz will just about cock it / get it to stand upright 2oz will cock it proper, but then it will take very little weight to sink it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Mmmmmmm.   Maybe the next size up...................oooooooooooooor       I'll cut a bit off the ends of two and glue em together......         S*d it  I'll buy um....................    Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Rup's magic floats are 120mm X 60mm, but quite tapered low down and rated at 94g. Â The reality is that they are perfect for three ounces, the weight of a couple of swivels etc and a lively mackerel. Â The test sizes I have so far are a little less slender than Rup's with an 80mm X 60mm and also 100mm X 60mm. Â The 80 x 60 should be perfect for 2oz and the larger for 3oz, but I am still to do some bouyancy tests as I have to regain a little confidence following my melting episode. Â Â Hmmmm starting to think about buying them too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 (edited) At a guess Trev:Â 1oz will just about cock it / get it to stand upright 2oz will cock it proper, but then it will take very little weight to sink it. Â The 80 x 60 should be perfect for 2oz and the larger for 3oz, but I am still to do some bouyancy tests as I have to regain a little confidence following my melting episode. Hmmmm starting to think about buying them too! Edited July 26, 2006 by Wedger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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