I have to modify the telescoping rod because ... I can ...

[rnvinc]

This is a write up (continued from a previous thread) of my podunkideas modification of a telescoping pole similar to the Little Mighty telescoping rod topic of Chuck’s post here :
https://www.crappie.com/crappie/main...little-mighty/

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Every video and article I could find about these telescoping rods were explaining how to use a certain length of line - tied directly to the Lillian thread tip of the telescoping rod (like tying a string to a cane pole) ...

My intended desire was to find a way to store extra line with this rod type and not have to carry several small spools of different line lengths for different depths of water ...

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Challenge # 1 ...
Each change of water depth will require untying that length of line from the Lillian thread tip, spooling that length of line onto a separate line keeper, unspooling another length of line from its separate line keeper, tying the new length of line to the Lillian thread tip ... uh ... that is inconvenient. Time for some podunkideas ... and figure out a way to have more line on this telescoping rod - which can be adjusted for the certain depth of water being fished ...

Option 1 - store all extra line on the outside of the rod = not feasible - because the rod bends so much under load and there are no guide eyes to keep the line along the rod ...

Option 2 - store extra line on the inside of the rod = oops, roadblock - - the tip end section is solid, not hollow ... but ... the second section is hollow :


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Challenge #2 ... side pressure (setting the hook on a fish) of the line coming out the end of this hollow section might cause line damage = I need a bushing ...

Option 1 - a bushing on the inside of this hollow section this small is difficult to find ...


Option 2 - a bushing on the outside of this hollow section has many scenarios (thanks M R DUX) ...



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Challenge #4 ... this bushing scenario is too big :

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Challenge #5 ... how to affix this bushing idea to the smaller hollow rod tip section = shrink tubing ...



Ok now I have satisfied all my challenges at the rod tip. Now I have to address the challenges where the line (now inside the rod) comes out the rod butt end) ...

Luckily these telescoping rod types have a screw on butt cap for replacing tip sections ...


And also luckily my specific rod has a center hole for that split ring you see above ...

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Challenge #6 ... what kind of mechanism or scenario for holding the extra line needed (for adjusting line length from rod tip to bait) ... ??

I found this video ... please watch it ...


So I tried an similar idea version noted in the video above for holding the extra line on the outside of the rod :


This idea works - but it creates a couple of inconvenient and unsatisfactory results :

Unsatisfactory Result 1. The extra line is outside the rod and it can get caught on anything - clothes, rod holders, chair parts, fishing partner, etc ...

Unsatisfactory Result 2. Collapsing the sections for storage - along with hand wrapping the loops around the plastic line keepers - at the same time - its just not convenient yet - but I am getting closer ...

Insert obvious light bulb here : I need a reel to hold this extra line ... but not some big honking reel that holds 100s of yards of line ... something small and compact that will hold maybe 40-50 yards of line ... plenty for breaking off a few times and not have to completely re-string my idea of extra line on this telescoping rod ...

I found these :


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Challenge #7 ... attaching these reels to the rod butt to capture the extra line as is plays out the rod butt cap when needed ...

My method is simply glueing the reels to the very end of the rod butt and then tying the reel flanges down like one would tie on a replacement guide eye onto a rod ...


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Challenge #8 ... how to protect the line coming out the rod butt cap from damage when (inevitably) resting the rod on the rod butt ... a modified rubber bumper glued to the rod butt cap ...


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So now all the challenges have been addressed in my mind for allowing extra line on this telescoping rod = and not actually being more inconvenient than just carrying several small spools of different lengths of line and having to replace the line every time of fishing a different depth of water ...


Does it work ...?? ... time for a driveway test ... (I am not sure why the video did not embed - but the link works ... please click the video link and watch) ...
https://youtube.com/shorts/X4xv-_tD25E?feature=share

Added benefit - (getting rod ready for storage) ... ::

The original design of a fixed length of line tied to the Lillian thread at the rod tip requires collapsing all the sections, untying the line from the Lillian, wrapping the line around the separate line holder spool ...

My podunkideas design is as simple as holding the rod vertical, reeling line in until the bait contacts the tip bushing - and reel the telescoping sections back into the rod (bait and all) inside the collapsed rod with no extra line to deal with ...

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It is a good idea to watch Ronnie Capps video with the Little Mighty rod ... because he gives many tips about using this type of rod crappie fishing - which is so flimsy that lifting a fish is out of the question ...
http://<a href="https://youtu.be/JEW... - YouTube</a>

Steve Coleman also has a video of the Little Mighty rod ...
http://<a href="https://youtu.be/vS_... - YouTube</a>

Rickie