Dink floats

[Timber Man]

I bought some 3/4 backer and was wanting to make some floats.How do I get the water pipe,stir straw what ever you guys use through the backer.I have a bunch of stir straws that are plenty stiff enough I just can't get them punched all the way through.I use strir straws on my rags sometimes but they are alot shorter and go in alot easier.Another question- I want some flouresent orange tape to put at the top any ideas where I can get that ?I have looked everywhere in the tacoma area and have came up dry.Is there any kind of paint that would work better?I have been usein the round cork but they seem to be hard to see at times.Thanks for any info...TM

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G-Loomis 1143 Rocks

[smilesforu]

Timber man
You can make a small pilot hole by heating a small nail and poking through first. For a bright paint you can dip the top in white then top coat with a flourescent color. The dinks I use don't have the line hole from end to end. They have a hole in the center that goes to the side on both ends. Then you wrap the line around the dink and poke through the hole at the other end. Small water/air tube works better than a stir straw
I have found it at Janns netcraft catalog and in aquarium stores.
The best canadian dinks have a small piece of white dink foam on the end that is then painted flourescent.
Tight Lines

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Marty M
Steelheader.net (http://www.steelheader.net/)

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Hey Timber, for that orange tape, check out the hardware stores: ie: home depot, Lowe's, etc. I don't know what the Pac NW has as far as hardware stores, but that's where I would look, or a hunting supplies place, cause I use that tape as trail markers. If not there, maybe an auto parts place like Schuck's or a farm supply store, we also put that tape on the back of our tractors going down the highway sometimes. Hope this helps.

[HUMPTIME]

Hey,

I live here in Ocean Shores, near aberdeen. Is there a place I can go around here to get backer rod to make dink floats. Or is there a place around here to buy dink floats. Thanks for any reply.


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HUMPTIME

[Kwiky]

The homemade dink float thread came up before...... Can anyone direct me to it? I'd like to make some myself, and I seem to remember that there was some very good info on that original thread (ie. type of material to use, etc).

Thanks!

Kwiky

[superfly]

Hey, all great ideas, I know that dink floats are way to high priced around here, but the backer rod does not have the bouancy of the closed cell eva or neopreme, so you need to make your floats much larger than normal. For instance the ones they sell at sportco are junk. But do not fear, Vision is coming out with a line of fair priced floats that hopefully will be availible by the end of the month. I am working hard on it.
Thanks Superfly

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If you want to run with the big dawgs then get your ass off of the porch!!

[Gizmo Man]

If you can't find backer, I suggest you use a wine cork. I have changed over to these and they hold up a lot better (they don't cut in half with a fish on) and hold paint.

I drill a hole from top out the side and bottom out the opposite side. I use a bit just slightly smaller than the tube I will use. Push tube through and cut with a razor blade.


Sand the ends down if you want less disturbance when you retrieve it.

I find that white paint is great in most situations and is more visible towards evening or early morning.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Giz...

Oh yea. a great side benefit is you have to do something with the wine. Drink it. Good for the heart in moderation. Just heard it on the news.....

[Shane]

Old wine corks do make great floats and give the person the ability to customize the float profile for different water types. The best way I've found is to epoxy two corks end to end, then cut and sand to a disirable shape. Be creative on the shapes you will learn how profiles react to water conditions. This can increase the amount of water you can effectivly cover.

[Osprey]

Tm try the lure-coat paint,and use Marty's suggestion,Or I've got another one for ya..drop me line....Os

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Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!---
Release all Wild Fish --<'))>><

[DK]

hi everyone, not knowing the avability of backer rod or what stores carry it i might be able to help i have never looked into it as far as buying it at a store but because of the buinsness i am in can go direct to the source if in fact it is the same stuff which i believe it is . just checked on some 1/4" my cost about .02 cents a foot some have big minimuns but have only checked a few sources some had no minimums so i have some samples coming, and if any one is interested would be more than happy to get some for you (correction) that was based on the grey color, the hot rod which is the white is the same price (cost) but large minimuns still looking for smaller quanties

[This message has been edited by DK (edited 01-05-2001).]

[Kwiky]

I may take you up on that offer DK, unless someone can tell me where and what to buy to make dink floats. I'm interested in the closed cell material mentioned by Superfly, in particular. I know this was info was posted in a thread a while back - if anyone can find that old thread or saved it, I would appreciate it.

Kwiky

edit: I found the old threads and got the info I needed.

[This message has been edited by Kwiky (edited 01-05-2001).]