Making a Homemade Fishing Rod

Fishing rods from the store can be very pricey. Making your own equipment might be more economical for the casual fisher. A bamboo cane, some PVC pipes, or even a straightforward stick can be used to create a homemade fishing rod.

Not only is fishing enjoyable, but it's also a useful skill that should be learned. Fishing can be a great source of fresh, nutrient-rich food when camping or hiking, particularly in a rocky, remote area. If you know how to fish, you can always head over to your local lake, stream, or river and catch a fresh meal without having to worry about packing as much food. Additionally, fishing can give you the essential resources you need to survive in the event that you run out of food while camping, or, in the worst case scenario, if you get lost or are unable to find your way back to camp. 

What would happen, though, if you failed to pack a fishing rod? What if your rod were to unintentionally break? It's interesting how easy it is to construct a homemade fishing rod.

A long stick is the first thing you'll need, so a bigger branch might do the trick. A fishing hook and line or string are additional items you'll need. Just keep in mind that while you can always improvise a fishing rod, fishing line and hooks are more difficult. Fishing line and hooks are frequently included in emergency kits, which can be conveniently kept in a car or backpack. So, if at all possible, try to buy one of these kits.

Attach a string or fishing line to the stick. Don't just tie the line to the stick's end, as that could result in the stick breaking if you catch a large fish because the stick's end might not be strong enough to support the fish's weight. So, fasten your string to the stick's "handle" end. Once you reach the end, continue winding the line around the stick and up. It's important to wind the string up the stick because it helps to evenly distribute the fish's weight across the entire stick and leaves you with plenty of line to use for manual fish-pulling if the stick breaks. Then attach your hook, a tiny weight, and your bait after tying off the string's end. You should have no trouble using small worms or insects as your bait. Making your own DIY fishing rods is a great skill to have; as long as you have access to fishing line and hooks, you should be able to catch some dinner in the wild.