Next, you need to hang the poles to cure. So that they will be
straight, hang them from the tips from the barn roof, house or a tree.
Curing usually takes several weeks. They are
‘cured’ when they take on a tannish color. At this
point, many people (including me) apply several coats of varnish to
them for added durability. Properly made poles can last a lifetime. To
test the poles, hold them by the butt and whip the tips vigorously back
and forth. If you hear any cracking sounds, or if any cracks appear,
discard the pole (this is why you cut several). The good ones
can now be pronounced ready-to-fish.
Some people make the mistake of simply tying the line to the tip. If a
large fish breaks the pole, you will lose the fish. Instead, tie the
line off at the butt end, cover it with duct or electrical tape, then
run it along the pole towards the tip, taping it off at 2 or 3 foot
intervals. Now, wrap the line a few times around the tip and tie it off
with an overhand knot. Leave a length of line about 1’ or
2’ longer than the length of the pole hanging. Now, if the
pole breaks, you’ll at least still have the fish. All
that’s left is to rig it with your favorite terminal rig and
catch some fish.
If all this seems like too much for you, take heart. Commercially-made
cane poles can be purchased everywhere people fish..Sporting Goods
retailers, convenience stores near fishing destinations, bait shops,
hardware stores, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and even grocery stores, for a mere
pittance.usually under $5.00, already rigged and ready to fish! You
need only to bait the hook and stick it in the water.
Next up are synthetic poles, made from fiberglass, graphite, boron and
other space-age materials. They work exactly like cane poles. They just
look neater, and may be a bit more durable. They have an added
advantage of being built in several sections, making them easy to
transport (some cane poles are as well. You can make yours in sections,
using rod ferrules to join them). Some have line-winders, which are
simple, built-in reels to make line-length adjustments a bit
easier. They can run anywhere from $8.00 to over $40.00.
Lastly, we have ‘tournament poles’, which are not
really poles, but long, light action rods. They have a reel seat, and
line guides that allow you to use a reel to fish deep, cast, flip and
other techniques. These are what most pros use, in order to cover many
varied fishing situations. They can run from $14.00 to over $70.00.
What is ‘best’ for you is what you feel the most
comfortable with, and enjoy using the most.
Happy Fishing
To get the full "Crappie Fishing Poles" article you'll need to download it here.
