Homebuilt metalhead gear

So far this year I've gone through all my leftover steelhead float gear so had to re-stock. W/ jigs running in the $3 range and floats running in the $3 range I was looking to get some hombuilt gear to keep costs down. I'd made jigs before but wanted to make the double beaded jig. Jody from Anglers Advantage helped me understand how that goes and the materials were simple enough to get in bulk. I ended up making 30 jigs and worked out to about 60 cents a piece.

I didn't know what I could use to makes slip floats so went to Home Depot and found what's called backer rod. It's simply a large foam noodle that's used to jam into cracks before they're filled with caulk etc.. I had some thin 1/8 in. straw that I'd use for the center tube but needed something to make the top visible. Paint and foam seem to always be a bad combo so looked for a tape. I found a duct tape made by Duck Tape that's made in fluoroscent colors. I made 15 of those and worked out to 25 cents each. I've got a ton of material left so when it's all said and done the cost should be even less.

I was in the mood and have a spool of orange Dacron so finished it all off with hand full of bobber stops.

Z

Nice work!
How much flotation do the bobbers have?

Dude, you're becoming a regular Martha Stewart of Kayak Fishing!   
Nice job on the jigs and floats.  I can't wait to see what you come up with for fixed floats.

-Mark-

How much flotation do the bobbers have?

It's a 3/8 oz. float. 1/4 oz. inline sinker and 1/8 oz. jig. I had to test float it a few times to get all the dimensions right.

Dude, you're becoming a regular Martha Stewart of Kayak Fishing!   

Thanks.. I think. It's amazing what you can accomplish while watching baby.

Z

Awesome looking Jigs! Those will catch fish.  Nice work on the home made gear.  I have been tying up some springer gear lately and its a nice feeling to look down at the workbench and see your own handy work looking back.

Gawd, I love the ghetto spirit in ya Zee.
I have backer rod I make my steelhead "rags" out of. Now I won't be buying "dink floats" any more either.