$5 "Custom..!" PVC Sabiki Rod
 

This thread is for everyone who has gone through the nightmare of scrambling to untangle a Sabiki rig when you unexpectedly come up on a school of baitfish, but can't stomach the idea of spending $80 on a bait rod.

After getting some ideas on how to make a homemade PVC bait rod from a couple different youtube videos and threads on other forums - some good, some bad - I decided to make my own version of a PVC bait assassin and share instructions if anyone is interested. This was very cheap and easy to make, and I expect it will work just fine. I hope to get a chance to test it out tomorrow on some macs.

Parts: 10' section of 1" Schedule 40 PVC, a 1" coupling and 6 small stainless screws
Cost: about $5
Time: about 20 mins

I cut mine to about 8'6" as some of the rigs I like are pretty long. Clamped pipe to scrap plywood table, made it a little easier to work on.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6932c24.jpg

To flare the tip, I cut the flanged loud-speaker thing off the plastic horn fitting from a spent air horn, heated up the end of the PVC pipe and worked the horn flange down the pipe. I then sanded the tip down smooth, starting with 80 grit and working my way up to 600 grit -almost a glossy finish, because no one likes chafeage or a rough tip.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5555e005.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psd49ddf1a.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psd75a0d52.jpg

Next, I cut the coupling into a couple pieces, marked off the inside of the top and bottom piece where the reel seat would fit and made a groove with my Dremmel tool.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps59bca95e.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psce08d75d.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3a985264.jpg

Next I put the grooved couplings in place and set the reel in place, about 13" up from the butt end of the pipe. I used 3 stainless screws on each coupling. I didn't use any glue, just in case I need to make any adjustments after testing it out.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps53bd850e.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psc349e9ff.jpg

Next, I drilled a hole about 8" up from the top of the reel for the line guide. I used a 1/4" bit to make a hole big enough for a swivel and maybe the first hook to come through for some of the longer rigs. I started at 90 degs, then worked the bit down to about what will be the angle of the line off the reel, then sanded it all down by wrapping a small piece of sand paper around the drill bit (by hand, not with drill), again because show me someone who likes chafeage, and I'll show you one sick *@#k.

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psa1428437.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1480ddf5.jpg

And bingo, there's your $5 sabiki rod. The cap on the butt was a piece I had sitting around, but I probably won't leave it on as it would only collect water and probably keep the rig from drying when stored in the pipe, causing the hooks to rust to hell.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps83ab9e77.jpg

A 4 oz. spoon weight on the end of the rig will sit snug in the flanged tip, keeping the rig nice and tidy inside the pipe when not in use either in the rocket launcher while underway or when stored in the cuddy without snagging other rods etc.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...psa89ff8b0.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...ps75ac13cc.jpg

Now, to find the bait...

Cheers,
Mike

Very sweet! I did the same thing with some old spinning reels I had. Not like the bait is going to pull you over the side. I used 3/4" sch40 and it worked fine. Your flared tip is much nicer, Dremel tools are your friend!!

Oh yeah, just drill a 1/4" hole in the end cap to drain the water.

Thanks Don. Good thinking - I may just do that with the cap.

Almost forgot to mention that although I did this project myself, I do support The Local 537 :)

Lets us know how it really works...after field (I mean water) testing.

I just made 2. Can't wait to try them out. I used 3/4 pvc.

Lets us know how they work! :D

I made one about 5 years ago. I got the idea from an article in a saltwater sportsman magazine. Your flanged end is nicer than mine. Other than that, mine is very similar to yours…... Good job!!

Sorry for the delayed update. This worked great, but it's a bit heavy. Hermit, let us know how the 3/4" works out - may have to splurge $10 and make a couple lighter ones.

Will do. If the weather ever breaks��