Amazing Pocket Fishing Kit [ NEW HACK! ]
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- In this complete tutorial, I show how to make a pocket fishing kit out of a chalk line reel.
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Irwin Chalk Reel: amzn.to/3CeEjow
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My father used an old steel one for fishing since the 50s. I've been using one in my pack my entire life. You sir are the only other person I've ever seen use a chalking for fishing. Well done.
Very cool, thanks so much for watching!
Does that actually work?
Nailed it again James. Especially with the spider wire, since it does not have the mono-filament coil memory and you should not need to worry how the line comes off the spool as much. Plus 50 lb test is as you said " has other uses" LOVE IT
Thanks so much!
Agreed
Pro tip. Just like a regular baitcaster, you’ll need to put a bit of electrical tape on the spool befor you wind up the braided line. The braided line will free spin on your spool under load.
Great tip, thanks!
@@Future-Preps35 Yeah,always pre spool with mono as it won't slip
Absolutely the first thing I noticed and made as a mental note to add to mine when I make one! Thanks for sharing that. It is a quick step but one that can save you time, frustration, blood pressure, and four letter words. lol
@@RockyGully plus a flourocarbon leader
Plus a laser
This is one of the neatest diy bushcraft projects i've seen.
Thanks so much!
Wow! Someone finally did this on youtube. When I was a kid, I wanted a pocket fisherman but couldn't afford one. We were what you say in the south, "po folk". My Dad had an ole chalk box that he never used, so being the igenuitive one, I turned it into a fishing reel!!! This is so awesome!!! Thank you for the memory and an awesome idea.
Great, thanks for watching!
WOW! Now I don't feel that bad. When I was a kid I took an old Zebco Reel I got from a yard sale and electric taped it to a stick. I made metal loops with a clothes hanger. Caught many a fish with that setup. Children can be so inventive, when you don't have a lot of money.
All of sudden, chalk line reel sales go WAY UP! This is brilliant.
Right?
Hahaha yep im going to get one now
I used 18lb Spyderwire for years. Same reel, same line. Got in many snags, got my lures out of trees 99% of the time, the hooks would straighten out, never snapped the line. Many times if i was in a canoe, i could reel myself to shore to retrieve the snag. Good stuff. Saved tons of money, never having to change line every year
It's definitely one of my favorites as well.
Fantastic idea! Thanks for the video! ! If I might make one other suggestion, you can add a WRIST STRAP while you have the case of the chalk line open make a couple of notches in the plastic either side of the rear screw .This would help prevent a larger fish from yanking the kit out of your hand when slippery, and also so you can drop the reel and use both hands when you bring a fish to shore.
Great idea!
B. Griffin Armstrong how to make the wrist strap? New to handy work.😅
@@orianaspiderowl769 You can make those notches I mentioned in the case to just trap a loop of paracord or something.
@B. Griffin Armstrong I was thinking the same thing. Notch the case at the seam. Then tie an overhand loop with paracord and sandwich the knot on the inside.
My first thought would have been using my awl to drill a hole in the side and using a knot and washer. But I don't know how much extra room is on the inside.
Might not be as pretty but if you’re concerned about the inside space you could leave the knot on the outside of the casing to minimize how much space you need inside
This is actually one of the very few homemade bushcraft gadgets that is actually useful. Being a bushcraft instructor myself, I am definitely adding this to my class... Thank you.
Awesome, I'm glad you liked it!
one of the very few actually useful gadgets?
@@JimiFarkle Be quiet you nit picker
That's one of the best DIY pocket fishing kits I've seen in years! Well done and great idea.
Glad you like it!
Liked it so much, I ran out and made me one just like it. Kinda trying to line up a situation to utilize it😂
HOLEY MOLEY.....I've got a few of these chalk lines, sitting in my tool caddy...and NEVER , have I thought of using one of them, for a Pocket Fishing kit....Amazing ...thank you...
Thanks, glad you liked it!
What an amazing idea! If you'll let me add an idea to this, I would add a strap of some kind to go around your wrist so that it doesn't slip out of your hands, or get yanked out of your hand by a larger fish, especially once it gets wet.
Sure, you could do that!
Great idea for a survival fishing tool. Personally, as an avid fisherman I would tie on a 6 to 8 foot leader of 4-8 pound test monofilament and then the hook. I really like to grenade pouch idea too! Well done sir!
Thanks!
I was thinking 10-15 fourocarbon would do the trick. But mono would work. I also would go with a lighter braided line. But this dyi is a cool idea.
Thank you !
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support!
So cool James!
You never cease to amaze and inspire me and I am an old man with tons of savvy on making effective and useful fishing and trapping items from other peoples junk!
Hey James you could use the discarded line tip device as a line guide on a nice flexible/resilient green limb as a fishing pole.
As a kid I used a willow limb or natural river cane(couldn't afford a real pole) that I bent like a bow on one end to flick my Hellgrammite up under overhanging branches on the creek to ambush blue and channel cats. I would have killed to have a cool reel like this!
Adding an artificial Hellgrammite lure or a Crappie lure to that tackle tube would be awesome too!
Great idea! Thanks!
IMMEDIATE GENIUS 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼one of the best in the history of this channel
Thanks so much!
I love how nifty all your videos are, just jam packed with worth while knowledge for any outdoors enthusiast. Keep that mind active for us brother.
Thanks, will do!
Hands down best fishing kit I’ve come across. Creativity at its finest.
Thanks so much!
This is a brilliant idea!! I always wondered if it would work, from childhood even, but never gave it a shot. Very very neat James!!
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Thanks for paying it forward, as they say. And also giving the shout out as well. Many big names out there don’t, and act like all their ideas are their own.
Thanks! I didn't get the idea from him but I did watch his video before I posted mine so I felt like it was important to give him a shout out.
RONCO had the pocket fisherman in the 70’s
I still have 3 of them.
Had one of those. It worked well, actually. But this is much smaller and cheaper with better components. Not much use for casting, though.
I still have one and the original box, it works great.
I still have one of the original bags it came in too. I also have 2 "knock off brands" work just as well.
This is much smaller and lighter than the pocket fisherman, and when packing for survival small and light is good.
Hey fishing is fishing , you could put a adjustable lanyard on the back while you're waiting for the fish .
Absolutely!
Wow. You're really the most inventive survival youtube channel. This is a product i would actually buy. I have a pen fishing kit but that is actually a bit more clumsy than what you built.
Thanks!
That is by far the best DIY fishing kit I've seen - awesome idea, man.
I'm going to buy one, make up a suitable kit and when I use it (and make a video) I'll shout out your channel no worries.
Excellent, thanks for watching!
@@WayPointSurvival No worries brother - best of luck with the channel.
Awesome again. Being in Southern Louisiana I always have a fishing pole in my vehicle, even if it is just a $15 Walmart combo. I'll have to take one of those old reels and put together a small kit like this. I'm thinking fishing reel instead of the chalk line because it has the ability to cast. I'm also interested in your idea for a small diy desalination kit, since there is not much fresh water near the Gulf. Thanks for the videos and keep em coming
Thanks for watching! I don't have a lot of experience with desalinization but I will definitely think about it.
I've been watching bush craft videos for quite some time. This is one of the best survival fishing kits I've seen. Great work!
Wow, thanks!
I'd like to see a video of you using this setup.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!
He said 'that' would be boring when I asked him the same thing. We are 'too' trivial.
There is no drag 😂
I never said that people are trivial. It's just that fishing with something like this is rather self-explanatory. It's just hand line fishing with a better retrieval system than winding it around a can or a stick.
Prise
I like the fact that you did not waste a single thing. The string and the little thing that you hook onto boards and such can be used to fix another chalk or plumb line reel.
As far as your conversion, it's very neat. You won't experience any tangles like can happen with a fishing rod and of course the hand crank makes it easier to reel in the line and the fish. Being able to store the clippers and the tube inside is fortunate. The container is usually an enclosed unit.
Glad you liked it!
This was an incredible idea, James. Someone else mentioned about the Ronco pocket fisherman, and it reminded me of that as well. I still have a Pocket Fisherman my Father gave me ❤
Thanks for always putting out quality content !
Thanks so much!
im 58 years old and still have my fathers ocket fisherman too :)
I remember the Ron Popeil Pocket Fisherman
Ron Popiel would be proud , The OG of the pocket fisherman, a better idea in my book. Thx for the vid James
Thanks so much!
Very cool carry piece. Love the idea. We walk creeks and go hiking to lakes a lot to find the honey holes and this is a perfect piece to have.
I think so too!
What a fabulous idea for a minimalist. Never ceased to amaze your viewers. Cheers mate from Australia.
Thanks so much!
What awesome idea James. That is pretty cool. I'm going to look at my old chalk box and see if it will work in that one. I got a pretty good offer on my house today James but it wasn't what I was asking and there's one more person looking at it so we'll see can you remember him how that goes. May God bless you and yours
Thanks so much! I'll pray you can get a good offer. God bless you too!
@@WayPointSurvival thank you James
You're welcome!
Great idea. Pair this with smaller leaders and an FG knot, and you increase your chances of a hookup. Also electrical tape on the spool to keep the line from spinning. Would love to see you catch a fish with this.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!
That's what he keeps saying. Thanks for the suggestion.
Outstanding! With the additional modification of a lanyard, a couple of these would be a great addition to my fishing kayak as mini outriggers.
Good idea! Thanks for watching!
Outstanding! Light weight and definitely functional!
With the 3 to 1 gearing, it would be great for flying a kite.
Thanks so much!
How did you know I was comparing fishing line, yesterday? 😳
Hahaha right on time with this video. Thanks man😎👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great multi use of an already great tool. A+ on that sir.
Thanks!
By far the best DIY survival pocket fishing kit! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like it!
Cool. Another simple, yet genius build. Love it.
Glad you like it!
This is exactly what I have been looking for , not much info on YT how to make a nice emergency fishing kit , chalk box !!! = fantastic !!!
Gonna make one for each of my bug out bags
Sharing this video to my prepper friends , thanks buddy
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for the tip and ingenuity. You always surprise us with your idea. Keep educating, stay safe and God bless.🍻
Thanks so much and God bless you too!
Ya plenty of us are asking for him to show how it works. He said it's too trivial and boring for him to do. Soo...just imagine.
Just another good example of thinking outside the box. Good job James.
Much appreciated!
That is a grate idea.Very compact and really quite clever.Well done.
Thank you very much!
Great
🔥 great idea 🔥
Thank you!
Great video. Love to see video showing use
Thanks!
Ya. That's what we are all asking him to do. We are all thinking the same thing.
My dad made me one of those in 1954 cause I kept bugging him for a casting reel. Monofilament wasn't available, we used braided line. We used it with a bamboo rod sometimes. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
You could also fish with a grenade but that would defeat the need for all the gear! 👌🏻
Lol!
Hard to get grenades. Even harder to keep a six fish limit😂😂
Right?
😂😂😂
Grenade might offer good results but would only be a one time use.
I love it! One thing I do on all my hooks is put a split shot on the tip and barb so nothing catches the hook. I hope this helps everyone fishing.
Good idea!
@@WayPointSurvival The Grandkids dont need the scares I have...that's why I got em!
Easier to save old corks for that purpose
@@bradfarrahgerwing154 Old cork won't fit in there.
Hi James, that is a excellent idea for a pocket fishing kit, another great video. I have the Exotac XReel pocket fishing kit.
Thanks so much!
You could take some of that line and attach it to the loop in the clippers. So it's easier to "fish" it out of the reel compartment.
Good idea!
I have used chalk lines since the late 50s early 60s and almost all were cast aluminum with some casting flaws that make this type of project difficult. My first thought was an eyelet to pass the string through, i was pleasantly surprised to see the Irwin one had a metal eyelet in it. Amazing what you can come up with if you put your mind to, it isn't it? Nicely done
Thanks so much!
James, you always get a thumbs up from me, friend. Great little re-purposing project. I looked around on the internet for the Exacto knife blades in a tube and all I found came in flat plastic cases. I believe, but am not certain, that those eyeglass repair kits you find at the checkout of most discount and grocery stores come in a similar tube that would work. It may be smaller that the one you used and, therefore, might not hold as much terminal tackle, but I don't think it's bigger and should fit down in the chalk fill slot.
A trick that I learned when I started using the modern and very expensive fishing lines, such as the braided ones, was that you can strip the line off of the reel's spool and tie the end that was always coming off the reel first, onto the reel and now the line that never got used in the past would come off the reel first, providing you with, basically, new line at no additional cost. That is just flipping the line end for end and is not the thing I'm about to suggest. What I want to suggest is, that you do what I did before I learned that trick.
My first cost saving idea was to put a bunch of rubber bands or layers of electrical tap in the reel first to build it up, then I would put on 50 or so yards of good expensive line and when it wore out or just got too short, I would reline the reel with another 50 yards. In the case of this makeshift reel, I think you could save on braided line by leaving about half of the twine on the reel, wrap it with a few layers of vinyl tape and then tie on your braided line. Since you will be hand tossing the line, you probably won't be casting it nearly are far as you would with a rod, so 50 yards might not even be necessary. Having the spool as full as possible is probably going to be important towards getting a fast retrieve speed, but a lot of expensive line could end up being used just to fill the inner layers of the spool. That's fine if you have the money and having the extra line to use as construction material, as you mentioned, would be good as well, but if you were working on a budget or are just trying to use up a small quantity of line that you have left over from some other re-spooling job, this might work for you.
Good points! I put the link to the small tube in the description box.
Could be used for a retractable ridge line in an emergency.
Indeed!
Great idea! I'd throw a small bobber in there too. A wine cork would work well and you can store extra hooks in it.
Sure. I was planning on just using a bit of a stick.
@@WayPointSurvival whatever works.
Great in theory, but does it actually work?
Sure, why wouldn't it? It's a simple enough concept. It's basic hand fishing coupled with a reel to pull it back in.
Great complete self contained kit! A cheap fly fishing reel works very well too but of course no self contained items but is narrow enough to add to a kit plus you can easily mount a stick to it and eyeltes to the stick in field craft fashion.
True!
Hands down very nice. I have used chalk boxes a lot and never thought about this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This weekends project for me. Thank you for sharing!!!
Glad you liked it!
That is by far one of if not one of your best hacks. Thanks for the video.
Thanks so much!
Best kit yet
Thanks!
I just love this idea James Bender 🥰, thank you for this Video. I will be making me one of the old shalk line markers!
You are so welcome!
Great idea can't wait to make one, grandson and I will be making it I'm sure he will love it just like I do.
Excellent! Thanks so much for watching!
I just put one of these to the test in the Grand River at hidden valley park in Madison Ohio. I caught a 12 lb catfish and also a nice crappie, several bluegills, and a large sized sunfish. Proof it works like a charm. I released the catfish and fried up the panfish at home. Thanks for reminding me of this idea. I used one of those for roofing and rough framing years go and had always wanted to try it. Now I know. Lol
That's awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your experience in the comment section!
@@WayPointSurvival you're welcome. Thanks for the great content. Now it's raining and I'm burying fish heads in the garden. The mosquitos are awful. Any tips for keeping them away without copious amounts of deet?
If you can find yarrow growing it's a fairly decent natural repellent. You crush it between your fingers and rub it on your skin.
@@WayPointSurvival thanks! I'll learn how to identify yarrow and see if it grows around me here in ne ohio
great idea. extras, first half of reel, kevlar string. using a twig as a bobber. make sure it floats and tie on string to one end. when activated will pop up and show.
Great tip!
Thank you! I'll be trying this!
Excellent!
Very clever design.
Thanks!
That's pretty slick
Thanks!
Very nice! I'm sure Ronco is green with envy because they didn't think of it!
Lol!
Clank line that's cool idea.
Thanks!
Genius, pure freaking genius!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, much appreciated!
Ingenious, James. If you already have a mini-tool/multi-tool carried elsewhere, I wonder if a second tube would fit. If so, you could pack it with lures, flies, etc.
Yes, you could definitely modify this along those lines.
I've been working with chaulk line for years and never realized it's true potential... Thanks for the great video and idea!
I'm glad that you liked it!
Excellent video. Especially like that you pre opened all packages so as not have to watch you fumble. Superior concept. I would include a clipped thin Phillips screw driver so take down can be accomplished in the field. Add a small self sealing plastic bag w more assortment of hooks & tackle. Again, Superior concept & execution.
Thanks!
You are the O.G. in bushcraft innovation.
Thanks so much!
I can't wait to make one of these! Thank you. I wanna see you catch a fish with it!
Thanks for watching!
Great video sounds great audio. Fishing.
Thanks!
Very clever stuff James
Thanks!
One of your best ideas ! I'm a truck driver and like to fish, if I was out some were it would handy as it doesn't look like I'm fishing. I never know where I'll end up or how long I'll be there ;)
Thanks for watching!
I use an old prescription pill bottle for my extra hooks and sinkers. Can usually get a couple small spinner lures in there as well.
Yes. Good idea!
I made one back in the 1980's when I travelled the UK, I forgot all about it, thanks for the reminder mate.
Excellent, thanks for watching!
I still have my Popiel pocket fisherman bought it in 1972 still works great!
Excellent, I have a couple of them as well and they do work good.
Not bragging. I'm pretty crafty and consider myself very outdoor savvy. Ben prepping for a long time, but this is a VERY COOL IDEA. Will definitely use this one in my kit!!!and pass it along. GOD BLESS YOU SIR. NOW I'M GOING TO SUBSCRIBE 😀🙂
Thanks so much, God bless you too and welcome aboard!
James that is a very neat bit of kit cleverly disguised as a builders tool, I love it.....👍
Thanks!
Great idea. I love that you give credit where credit is due.
Thanks!
I like it! Imagine Irwin having a run on one particular chalk line and they don't know why. They think it's signs of a housing boom.
Right, lol!
Interesting idea! I think adding some type of handle that I could slip over my hand while fishing would also be great. The first fish would pull that puppy right out of my hand otherwise. Especially, if my hands were wet or cold. Just a thought.
Thanks. You could definitely add a glove if you wished. Or a handle of some sort.
@WayPoint Survival I like the ingenius stuff you put out there for us!!!! Thanks so much!!!!
Amazing idea, I'm looking for years now for a solution other than a fishing reel - perfect.
But I will at first put a snap-swivel to the line and prepare some/all hooks with a short piece of line and a loop at the end for easy attachment, I don't want to fight with thin line, tiny hooks and icy fingers in an emergency, love to have it ready at hand.
The reason I added the swivels was so that I could make a trotline. However you could easily attach them to the fishing line too.
In my youth I spent a summer working at a lake and had time during lunches. I found a 2ft scrap of nylon rope which i unraveled and tied the pieces into a longer line. I used a stapler from the office to pop a couple of staples. I opened one side to form a hook and tied the other side to the line. Flies were easy to catch by hand for bait. I caught (and released) quite a few bluegills as large as my hand (~8") that summer.
Very cool!
Great idea , I am showing this to my grand baby tomorrow.
Excellent!
Five Stars on this idea, James!
Thanks so much!
oh thats so clever!! I've been keeping one of those Ka-Bar drop-lines in my purse but this seems way better!!
Thanks, glad you like it!
Grandiose Idee ! Alles zusammen und immer einsatzbereit, immer zur Hand ! Klasse. Grüsse aus Coburg / Germany
Thanks!
@@WayPointSurvival 👍
You could probably take that grabber thing you discarded and attach it as a lanyard ring. You could then add a string from the nail clippers and attach there so they would be easier to take out.
Good idea!
Thanks for showing how to fill the little tube with hooks. I don't think I could've figured that part out. Lol.
You're most welcome! Lol.
Very compact, and organized. Thanks James
You're welcome!
great vid. seems like everything was tailor made for that fishing contraption! will come in very handy for survival in the wilderness amongst other places.
Thanks!
That is an outstanding idea! Perhaps put the tube and clippers in a small zip lock bag, that way its easier to retrieve and your clippers won't rust. 👍 Thanks for showing! Take care.
Yes, you could definitely do something like that.
@@WayPointSurvival those smaller craft bead sized ziplock bags would probably work perfectly
👍.To keep the line from slipping i used a slingshot band, cut to fit, E6000, and gorilla tape, on an empty spice container, to strengthen container I coated the inside with resin, stores my fishing materials inside container as well, = hand Reel. My winter boredom fixed, 🙂
I started the chalk line fishing project I wasn't a fan, but I will try again using the Irwin chalkLine you used it looks easy and I like the storage idea that fits the gear inside the chalkLine 👍🙂.
Sounds interesting!
Would’ve loved to seen the conclusion of the video with you fishing with it! Great idea!
Thanks. I thought about it but thought that it wouldn't be very interesting to people as it's basically just hand line fishing with an improved retrieval system.