Stripping Basked

[Martin McFly]

I've been researching about stripping baskets after I found out (by reviews on line and people I talked to about it) that my William Joseph retractable basket wasn't exactly a good option.
I didn't want to get rid of it and the two times I tried it it was ok so I started to think on a way to improve it. I came up with this idea and I'd like to hear what you guys think about it. I like the fact that it also works as a utility belt where you can hang your tools and whatnot (kinda makes me feel like Batman LOL)
I know that testing it will pretty much tell what's what but I really value what you guys have to say about it.

I found a cutting board and adjusted it size and added the weedwacker posts.


This is what it looks like with it.




Of course if it doesn't work this is my second option but I wonder if this basked is too small. Is there an ideal size for stripping baskets?


Thanks a lot.

[dudley]

Is there an ideal size for stripping baskets?

Larger ones are better in the wind, the more compact size are easier to deal with. But really there is no ideal size or even style.

I use to carry two... in the truck that is.
A perforated one for surf and a solid one for deep wading

I finely settled on this one that I made a few years ago. It works well but I'm making an effort to improve my line handling skills so that I can go without..... so far so good





I like that cutting board idea. A definite improvment on the collapable basket
(those things shouldn't even be sold)

[Martin McFly]

I know man but it makes me feel like batman. LOL. I like the second one you made, what did you use for posts? Those sure look better than the ones I have in mine.

[dudley]

Those are wire nuts... the largest size I could find
They're held in place with stainless flathead wood screws, washers, and some Goop squirted inside to keep the springs from rusting

[Martin McFly]

Of course... It sure was a good idea to get opinions in here.
Thanks man.

[tailingloop]

The best stripping basket that I have ever used is the Mangrove HipShooter. This basket was the culmination of many years of development, trial and error, and feed back from anglers across the country angling in many environments.

This high density foam bucket is designed to disassemble and pack flat for travel, yet is rigid enough for the surf. It is very durable. It is oval in shape and is designed to be worn on the side via a clip that slides over a belt (you provide the belt). It works best on the side and facilitates long strips but it can be worn in front also. The clip can be moved to either side so it can be set up for lefties or righties. The interior has a set of long and short spikes - you can use them all or just some of them. The front of the basket is lower than the rear, this provides a stop on the rear so you will always drop the line in the basket. The back also has a hole that you can place the rod butt into, resting the rod on the front of the basket and function as a rod holder while your hands are busy. The basket comes with a bottom with drain holes. A solid bottom can be purchased as an option.

The basic basket runs just under $50 and many shops that carry Temple Fork rods and reels also carry or can order the Hip Shooter for you.

The Hip Shooter may not be the best solution for all conditions, I doubt any stripping basket is, but I have yet to find one where it doesn't work.

I have used most of the commercially available stripping basket solutions and many home made and the Hip Shooter is the best by far that I have used.

Here are a couple of images



On this second image, the size and shape of the basket are distorted due to the use of an ultra wide angle lens.

[bonefishwhisperer]

I have learned to just hold the coils in hand BUT that hip shooter looks awesome!!! looks even more impressive with the excellent picture of tailingloop in action...I might reconsider my position after seeing that

[tailingloop]

I am the photographer. The angler pictured is a friend.

Its a great product. The best I have used, home made or commercially made. That said, it may not be the best solution for every situation. I still use a homemade device constructed from a rubbermaid dishpan for deep wading situations in bays and lakes. The Hip Shooter works best when worn on the hip. It takes a little experimentation to find the optimal height for each angler. The height can be controlled by adjusting the amount of slack in the belt.

The fairly deep sides help keep the wind from messing with the line in the bottom.

The use of the clip may be unique to this device. It is handy because the basket can be easily removed which has a safety benefit. Also when using this in a boat, I will set the rod in the basket, remove the basket from my belt and set it on the deck when underway. No need to reel up the line.

For use in the surf, some anglers bend the end of the clip back in towards the basket a bit. This helps prevent the basket from floating up off the belt if you get hit by a higher wave yet still allows quick and easy removal.


The optional solid bottom is an extra $10. Extra Spike sets are around $8 I think. It doesn't have the drain holes. Some anglers like to keep a little water in the basket since this keeps the line wet. Dry lines tend to catch and tangle more.

[Clay]

I use a Charlie's basket: http://www.flyfishbasket.com/video/basket_100k.wmv

The reason that I like it is that it folds flat and is kept in the pack all of the time. I must note that I don't fish the salt. If we had salt in Wis, I would fish it but nothing is close. My application is either fishing out of a boat or fishing on shore standing on sharp rocks. I just hate abusing expensive line and I step on the stuff with cleats on the bottom of my wading boots and that is a no no too.

My next basket was going to be a solid one from Orvis. The Charlies basket is convenient but I see where the vertical line grabbers for lack of a better term would be very useful.

Rick

[deathb4disco]

I use the Flexi-Stripper. (I swear it's not a porn site. )


http://www.flexi-stripper.com/