elasticating a short pole / whip

[stumpguppy]

How would I go about putting elastic to a whip. its a short collapsible pole/whip of 16 feet.but thinking of getting the 21 foot model. the 16 is 4 section of roughly equal length the 21 is 5 sections. I will have to cut the tip back as to remove the eye to allow the elastic to come out and for the pole tip to be put on. should I just allow for the elastic to be long enough for the top section only?
I'm asking as the long pole is not really practical where I fish and too expensive, and not readily available here in the states anyway. I can get all the parts here elastic, bung etc. what size elastic? smallest i can get? and what are the sizes of elastics( thickness and lengths)?
Was wanting to try something different and thought an elasticated whip would be of an advantage over the line simply tied to the end of the thing and I wanted to downsize to very small lines of 2 lb or less and it breaks too easily on the average fish when its tied to the tip only. broken a few poles and lots of lines on fish from time to time but the smaller lines work better than heavier lines as the water in the river I fish is 95% clear as crystal most of the time even fluorocarbon lines of larger diameter than 6 get ignored by most fish as they simply know its there.

I have a good idea on how to do it all up but any good advice can only help. thanks

[Fred Davis]

Listen mate best advice I can offer is don't even bother just use stronger line so you don't get broke or buy the proper gear, fish are a species that deserve a bit of respect nuff said to elasticate the top 3 of a telescopic pole which you then can't unship is a disaster for any fish either too big or to small it will either hang out of reach or not be able to be landed

[PeteP]

It sounds from your description that the 'whip' you are using is a telescopic one all through it's length, is that the case?

If it is not and it's only the top three sections that are telescopic then I see no problem with what you want to do....so long as you recognise the length the rigs and the elastic that you have attached to it MUST allow for the weight of the fish you are targetting such that they can either be swung to hand or netted easily.

I think Fred is not wrong in his answer but he is assuming you are trying to use your Whip as a pole, which I believe is not the case.

Long whips and fishing to hand is an ideal method on rivers and lakes here in the UK when targetting roach and dace. The addition of elastic in such setups is common-place and is used by the likes of Dave Harrell to good effect. Some use an elastic upto a 12 rating ready for the odd chub that may show up, however, with the light lines you are thinking of such fish may trash your set up. Whip fishing is generally done for speed and when you are targetting fish that can be swung in and don't need to be netted, so lines and rigs are used accordingly. It is positive fishing and to a large extent your lines need to be robust but not rope. You need to pick lines that are a happy compromise between strength to cope with repeated use and finesse to illicit a bite in the first place.

If the fish you are targetting are naturally shy biters then you need to look at your rigs from the point of view of float size and shape and shotting pattern....you are in the STATES and from my experience of tackle available in the states it's a wonder to me that any of you catch anything on the floats you generally have there, except the Bass species that seems to be what most obsess over.

Are you an ex-pat trying to make the best out of what's available locally or are you a local trying to fish more like a European?

If you have a TRUE pole then use that for fiddly finicky fish....don't f anny about with a whip at the lengths you mention. I've watched too many 'ole' boys or newbies get in a mess with telescopic whips trying to fish them as poles, they are not meant for short lines.

[AndyT]

very good sound advice Peter!

[Happydangler]

This article by Dave Brittain is a really good read on elasticating whips. It relates to longer whips than you describe but still very informative. http://www.matchfishing-scene.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1086.

[stumpguppy]

you are in the STATES and from my experience of tackle available in the states it's a wonder to me that any of you catch anything on the floats you generally have there, except the Bass species that seems to be what most obsess over.

Are you an ex-pat trying to make the best out of what's available locally or are you a local trying to fish more like a European?
you are correct most 80% or so of "bobbers" floats are those silly beachball things way too big and useless other than for floating a big shiner as live bait. (I only use stick floats.wagglers and trotting avon floats) And I'm a local as it were .
I think Im just going to go and buy some flouro line and just see what comes of it all and not bother with the whole mess.
But I did find some one who elasticated the top section of a whip just enough to give it a little stretch and allow the use of lighter lines but am going to just forget it all and buy a margin pole as I found a place here that sells/ imports them. I would be better off in the end I was told by others and not just you guys.I've watched too many 'ole' boys or newbies get in a mess with telescopic whips trying to fish them as poles, they are not meant for short lines. I am taking your advice and not going to open up that messy door as I don't need the aggravation.was just thinking it would work but think now it wouldnt be worth the time.
I will leave the whip as a whip and just bulk up the line a bit and go to fluro lines.