A Better Slinky?

[Thumper]

Local SW Washington guide Bruce Gipple always shares a trick or two when we fish together.

About a year ago he introduced me to a shrink-wrap version of the slinky. A great improvement over the parachute cord version in my opinion. Just pick up some shrink-wrap at your local electric supply shop. It comes either pre-cut or in bulk rolls. Using a candle seal one end, pour your shot into it (I use a dowel or small pencil), heat, then seal the top with pliers and poke a hole for the snap. It takes a few tries to get the procedure down pat, but then it is as fast as making slinkies.

The shrink-wrap version is far more durable and doesn't lose shot like slinkies sometimes do. The shrink-wrapped version also seems to slide along the bottom just fine, certainly far better than lead. We've been using these for boondogging and for bobber fishing with good success.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Thumper,
I was using those at Ringold over 15 years ago. I should have got it patented. It does save on lead shot. :grin:

[Fishing freak]

Thumper, sounds like a good idea! Why do you seal the top with pliers. Can't you just heat the top of the heatshrink? Is the heatshring tough enough or does it rip out easily if you get hung-up? Thought about giving it a try. Thanks for the tip.

[Thumper]

Well golly, Freak, now you've got me thinking....

[PEEPS]

What a great idea! Now I'm wondering where a guy can get heatshrink tubing in bulk for a good price. :smile:

[AllThumz]

That's a great idea. One advantage of the shrink tubing is that a snap will pull out the hole much easier when it's hung up.

I understand that it's made to a specific size (diameter), expanded, and then when heated, returns to its original size.

Here's a source: http://www.action-electronics.com/3mhs-prc.htm

I think I have some rolls of black neoprene shrink tubing somewhere in the garage (lived here over 5 years and still haven't unpacked some boxes!).

John

[Seefood Man]

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Pete G ]</p>

[Seefood Man]

Hey Peeps; Go to www.royal-supply.com
This is the company I work for. We sell everything from stainless steel fastners, to shrink tube, to brass fittings. We are a full line distributor in the fastner industry.
The shrink tube comes in I.D. sizes of 1/16th" thru 1" and it comes in 4ft length or 100ft. This can be found in our on line catalog on pg E-3. If the folks here at ifish and HERE ONLY need anything from us I will give it to you at cost plus shipping. When you make an order mention my name and tell them I said "TAB 6 pricing". My cell # is 303-263-2435, office # is 303-286-1704 I will remain working for Royal Supply when I get moved out to Woodland as they are great people to work for, and they treat people right. I hope this helps. PS WE do take Visa, MC Give me a call if you need a hand
Sincerely yours Pete G

[Fishing freak]

Oughta work like like a charm.And it even come in red! Will it have the flexibility of the parachute chord? If your at the river you should be able to use one of those small re-fillable propane/butane torches to seal the ends (probably faster to make up than the regular slinky)

[Thumper]

These "shrinkies" are indeed faster to make up than slinkies once you have practiced a bit. They are not flexible like slinkies but don't seem to hang up on the bottom any more than regular slinkies, and they certainly don't grab the rocks like lead. Furthermore, if you have to reduce the length of one quickly you just cut off any number of shot. The rest stay in place. Try that with a slinky.

[PEEPS]

Thanks all for the info on the suppliers.

Thumper, What diameter of tubing have you been using?

[Thumper]

With 1/4" shot I use 1/4" tubing that shrinks to 1/8". The important thing is that your shot, whatever size, snugly fits into the shrink tubing before you heat it. I use a small dowel to pack the shot in. Makes a very neat product.

[SSPey]

though I don't driftfish, I gotta say I appreciate the ingenuity of this idea - shhmart