Stripping basket, Looking for helpful suggestions

[SWW]

I just started using a stripping basket, so far I have spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to get comfortable using it. I have hung it in front, off to the right then the left. I have banged my knuckles on it. But, I have yet to step on my line & I seam to cast futher because I get fewer tangles. Anyone got any suggestions?

[Casey A. Wood]

I haven't seen those advertised in years. Where did you get yours?

[SWW]

I got mine through LL Bean last year. I just started to use it this year.

[fessiewig]

Are you using this in fresh water or salt water?

[SWW]

Mostly salt but some fresh water.

[Hegel]

Mark,

I *sometimes* use a stripping basket in salt water if there is a danger of the line getting caught in rocks etc. Otherwise, on the flats for instance, I just let the line drop - like you would if you were fishing flats in the tropics. As for fresh water, I've never used a stripping basket for that. Certainly on still water it seems unnecessary and in most of the rivers and streams I've fished in my fly fishing life, I've never even thought it necessary. Indeed, I could be wrong, but I don't think of it as part of the fresh water fly fisherman's gear. You may perhaps be thinking of a creel -a whole different animal for keeping one's catch.

Next time you go out, don't bring it with you. And, after the adventure, ask yourself if it really did help having it or not. I know that the only time I have wished that I had it has been on days when the tide has been ripping! But even then, forgetting to bring it with me hasn't been a deal-breaker.

I hope that this helped!
R.Eason

[mtnzone]

mark I use my ALL the time in salt water since I use alot of sinking tips and intermediate line.. i use it on the ledge, in a boat, on the flats of new england because it is a bear to to cast and lift your line out of the water all the time... especially when current, waves,seaweed, effect the way your line lays in the water.. and those things aslways occur here in new england... hello we fish when there is tide.

Use it on your side and keep your rod handle up farther near your chest not by your waist it will help . Also Try this after you make your final cast ie your farthest cast pull some line out (about three feet) and place it in the basket this will give your line "memory to follow it back in the basket when you retrieve hope it helps.....

[mtnzone]

by the way the ll bean stripping basket is the basket of choice for most salters..... and at the price it really cant be beat.....

[Steamtrain]

drill some drain holes in the bottom of the llbean basket, if you get that one

[Casey A. Wood]

I'm thinking of getting one. Sometimes when I'm in a fast moving stream, the current makes the line hard to pick up and cast. I have a hard time casting if I loop the line over my non casting hand, and think a stripping basket might be the ticket.

[Tom Jutras]

Mark
If you are fishing short, you won't need your basket. If you are fishing long it's a must. Distance is your friend on the salt so I always use a basket when wading. I keep the basket a little to my left when stripping in and then I move it dead center of my thin and sleek waist line LOL, for casting so my haul doesn't crash into the basket. I'm casting right handed so reverse the location if you are casting left handed. Hope this helps.

[SWW]

Thanks for the help Tom. Its good to hear that this system can be used when someone has such a [thin and sleek waist line ] such as yourself. I on the other hand I may have to suck it in and then move it to the dead center. :lol: All kidding aside, thanks for all the info.

[mtnzone]

drill some drain holes in the bottom of the llbean basket, if you get that one

Yeah your right... I like the comment beans had in their catalog the first time they offered it... " for the price you can drill your own holes" :lol: :lol: :lol: thought that was hilarious

[BirdFish]

I always use a stripping basket in the salt water, no matter what. Between the wind, current, seaweed, rocks, etc., it is a must. As far as drilling holes in the stripping basket, I don't. Its kinda like the Three Stooges, drilling holes in a boat to let the water out - "Oh, a water let 'er outa!"
Dave

[Casey A. Wood]

When you're done with it for the night, why not just turn it upside down and drain the water out? Wipe the inside with a cloth?

[s2ary]

Baskets suck....until you get used to them. Then you can't live without one.

Think of it as wearing your pants like the homeis. Hang your basket as low as you can around your waist. Mine even tips forward to just above my knees most of the time.

In salt water go with a hard stly basket, the softer ones get fowled in rogue waves nad in the wind.

Not so fast with those drain holes though. I have miute holes in the side of my basket. If you take a wave just tip the basket toward you and let the water drain out. If you are deep wading the basket fill float on the surface. The biggest reason not to drill holes is if you are sight casting you can leave a little water in your basket to keep you line wet. On hot days your line will get a little sticky and is more prone to tangles, the water will take care of that. Also in the sun sinking lines dry out and will cut a groove in your rod hand as you strip in line.

In freshwater often I'll use a collapable basket with sinking lines. It is tough enough to lift your line cast and shoot line out, but when you have to add detangling your line from the stream bottom, it is difficult to fish effectivly.

[Dannyboy]

Mark, I've been using a stripping basket for saltwater flyfishing since 1974. With the exception of fishing from a boat, I use one all of the time. The hard plastic unit sold by LL Bean is fine. I would suggest that you NOT put drain holes in it. If you do, you'll find that many times when you're stripping line (especially with a floating or slow Intermediate line), the basket will fill with water, and line will rise out of the basket. As to positioning it on your waist, I would suggest that you keep it a bit on the loose side and directly in front. This enables you to fish with the rod tucked up under your armpit, tip close to the water, and makes it simple to do a two- handed strip directly into the basket. When a fish hits, you pull down on the line, lift the rod, let the line clear from the basket, and then slide the basket behind your body- out of the way. Many huskier guys like to replace the standard belt with a bungee cord, making is easier to slide it behind their bodies when fighting fish or walking to the or from the beach.
Good luck!

[jlb]

You DO need one in the salt! The first time I was on the Cape I used an Orvis basket but nearly went down in heavy surf - and in a blitz!- as there are no holes in it and the belt is too close to your body to effectively tilt it to empty it. I later drilled holes and it is better. The way to go is get a small laundry basket and a bungee cord from KMart or equivalent: total cost about $4.50 and you're in business!

[BugChucka]

This is a good basket my friend Nate tells me... he's a sick man

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/vfsholdover/2006-10-12001.jpg

[Solid]

Love the skulls...