Start out with a piece of bamboo that is 4 to 5 feet long and about 1.5 inches in diameter.
Take a straight piece of metal coat hanger 10 to 12 inches long and bend about an inch of one end over to make a loop using a pair of strong pliers or vice-grips. The idea is to reach points that lie between the prevailing high and low tide marks at the lowest point on any given day.Unlike other types of fishing tackle, poke pole rigs are not usually for sale on the open market unless they are homemade. When you’re setting up a fishing pole, first attach all of the pieces of the rod together, then slide the reel into the notch near the bottom of the rod and rotate the reel seating to tighten it. Return to Catch Poles. Locate the silver overhead piece on the reel, called the bale arm, and flip it up, then pull on the edge of the fishing line to unravel it. Never try to choke or force the animal because this will create a tense situation. But by that time, most anglers have had a chance to get what they were going after; a variety of exotic delights from the sea that can be taken home and enjoyed in a number of tasty ways. To Snare Animal:Slip noose over animal's head or other part of body and tighten sufficiently to restrain animal by a pull on the end of cable. When this occurs, set the hook and immediately pull upward on your pole to free your catch from its rocky home.In addition to finding suitable rocky terrain to fish, successful poke poling relies heavily upon tidal movement and is particularly effective during periods of minus tides. Lifting the pole in a casual manner, slide the loop over the animals head or head and forepaw (s) and pull the loop just tight enough restrain the animal. Catch Pole Operating Instructions. Start out with a piece of bamboo that is 4 to 5 feet long and about 1.5 inches in diameter. Just as it is important to walk carefully when fishing from the wet boulders used to construct most jetties and breakwaters, it is even more vital to remember when poke poling since the surface that you are walking on is often covered by mosses, eelgrass and a variety of seaweeds.As you head out toward the breakers, look for slightly submerged holes, crevices, cracks and small caves as places to drop a bait.
Referring to the above picture of the pole, you will note that the excess cable is stored inside tubing and the noose is partially open. This is often when a fish, eel or crab will fly out and inhale it. Attach the other end about 2 inches up the bamboo using a strong braided fishing line, and then apply a high strength adhesive like Gorilla Glue to hold it all in place. To Close noose: pull on end of cable. After the glue has set, attach a heavy duty clip swivel to the metal loop at the end. Take a straight piece of metal coat hanger 10 to 12 inches long and bend about an inch of one end over to make a loop using a pair of strong pliers or vice-grips. After a few hours of low tide, the water begins to rise to a level that makes a poke pole no longer practical to use as a tool for fishing. Hold the pole in a relaxed position at you side, with the cables loose. The good news is that it is rather easy to make one yourself. Securely tie on a 4 to 5-inch length of 40-pound test monofilament leader with a 3/0 to 4/0 octopus hook at the terminal end, and your new poke pole is ready to use.Be sure to also bring along a sturdy 5-gallon bucket to hold your catch as you traverse the rocks and tidal pools where you are fishing. Allow it to dangle down in front of potential hiding spots and slowly move it around in the area so that it appears to have been washed in by the tide.