A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Made some other form of traditional fishing tackle.
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Kev D
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A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Kev D »

Crafted circa mid 70s using an old carburetor float and bits of wire this example of technical imperfection has emerged from the "Odd Bits of Tackle Box " at the back of the shed.
Those with imagination might recognise it as bait dropper.

ln my defence when l made it l was a spotty teenager armed with nothing but enthusiasm , a pair of scissors to cut the copper float in half ,a nail to punch holes and pliers to twiddle the wire.


Despite its cosmetic shortcomings it actually works and after enduring years of darkness it has to be worthy of an outing .ImageImage

With this in mind l have glued a new bit of cork to the back. I just hope this non-original addition doesn't affect its historical or commercial value. ๐Ÿ™‚ ..
Last edited by Kev D on Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In order to shoot some close-ups, wildlife photographer ,the late Len Scapstillon, lured the orca to him by dressing as a seal.......

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Mike Crompton
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Mike Crompton »

Brilliant, what a creative mind you have.
What else have you cobbled together over the years?
Mike

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MWithell
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by MWithell »

That's a great bit of engineering. I still have my bait dropper from the 70s but it was a bought one. I even used it last year on one of my rare trips to a river. I've thought of using it on our club lakes to get through the layers of rudd and small roach in the summer. I might just try it.
Malcolm

Catching lob-worms is one of the greater Outdoor Sports. It is the most hilarious game in the world (John C Moore)

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Bogger
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Bogger »

Splendiferous.

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Kev D
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

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Mike Crompton wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 12:25 pm Brilliant, what a creative mind you have.
What else have you cobbled together over the years?
Mike
Quite a lot of my favourite rods are cut and shut jobs-displaying no great skill l may add.
On the non fishing front l think wangling a 500cc Yamaha engine into a BSA B40 frame counts as a high point of cobble togetherness .๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ˜ฑ
In order to shoot some close-ups, wildlife photographer ,the late Len Scapstillon, lured the orca to him by dressing as a seal.......

Kev D
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

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MWithell wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 12:41 pm That's a great bit of engineering. I still have my bait dropper from the 70s but it was a bought one. I even used it last year on one of my rare trips to a river. I've thought of using it on our club lakes to get through the layers of rudd and small roach in the summer. I might just try it.
I had the same idea Malcolm. In fact l was seduced by the "reduced old stock" price of one in my local tackle shop a couple of days ago.
On the way home l remembered that l had one already somewhere at home. Could've saved myself ยฃ4.50!๐Ÿ˜Ÿ
In order to shoot some close-ups, wildlife photographer ,the late Len Scapstillon, lured the orca to him by dressing as a seal.......

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Mr B
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Mr B »

Very nice indeed... truly a teenager after my own heart...
And what a lovely thing to make, and your own creation! An old carburettor float chamber that's the first, I've heard it all now!!!
I was proud whipping on on my own rod rings and finishing them in my mums red nail varnish, and then making swim feeders out of aluminium 35mm film canisters.
Recycling at its best!

Mr B.
The close season is an important and interesting time for the Angler who set out to catch big fish. It is a timely opportunity for him to make new tackle or renovate old. There are no end of jobs to do, apart from those horrible things called Gardens!

Kev D
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Kev D »

Mr B wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 7:13 pm Very nice indeed... truly a teenager after my own heart...
And what a lovely thing to make, and your own creation! An old carburettor float chamber that's the first, I've heard it all now!!!
I was proud whipping on on my own rod rings and finishing them in my mums red nail varnish, and then making swim feeders out of aluminium 35mm film canisters.
Recycling at its best!

Mr B.
Mum's nail varnish! I've been there too. And her cotton๐Ÿ˜
Restored rods are lovely things and l'm always in awe at the skills and the lengths people go to in order to get tackle back into good original condition

I can't help cringing a bit though when the shortcomings of previous owners' mismatched ,or amateurish but perfectly serviceable repairs are disparaged.
Hell , some lad or lass just wanted to go fishing !

For me great things happened when sherbet fountains switched from paper to plastic tubes . Thus providing pocket sized containers for small floats and terminal tackle as well as swim feeders and a stick of liquorice.Image
In order to shoot some close-ups, wildlife photographer ,the late Len Scapstillon, lured the orca to him by dressing as a seal.......

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Dave Burr
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Re: A teenager's DIY bait dropper.....

Post by Dave Burr »

A perfect size for a dropper Kev, nice one. I've always made mine with small tins that contained tuna. They don't seem to sell the little ones anymore but a scan of a supermarket usually comes up with an alternative.

As I use mine in fast running water, I drill plenty of holes in them so they sink quickly, a wire coat hanger and a suitable weight finishes the job.

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