Stripping Baskets

[BugChucka]

What's your favorite basket out there? If you use a homemade version what's it made from?

[trouthunter]

My stripping basket is a rubbermaid dishwashing bin, in I bought a stripping basket insert and glued it into place. Finished off this fine work of art with two drilled holes on each side and a bungee cord to fit my waist. I have had this set up for 5 years never had a problem with it. Just make sure to drill a few holes in the bottom so that it will drain water.....

[SaltH2oFly]

Years ago I met a guy who used a cat litter box (yes new) and then just cut a couple of wholes in the sides for a his wadder belt to fit through. But, L.L. Bean is finnally offering a stripping basket for $19.00 - it looks good so I might buy one.

[fessiewig]

I don't salt fish so don't understand the need for a stripping basket. While fishing streamers I have to strip and cast and strip and cast. While stripping I just let the line fall in the water at my feet. In a stream it will generally be carried downstream but that never has been a problem. Why not do the same in salt?

[SaltH2oFly]

Couple of reasons and unfortunately, I lived one of them. You're typically casting further than in fresh water so you have more line heading wherever the tide wants to take it. And....and here's my loss...sometimes, when you're fishing for Stripers, you're typically in their environment which means lots of rocks, and your line can get sucked under said rocks, and before you know it....you may have a nice fish on, but you can't reel him in b/c your line is stuck...and you have to cut your line. :x
Other factors are also a pain like seaweed etc.

[BugChucka]

Fessiewig......This clip offers a good demonstration and of course...there's always the inevitable tangle even with the basket.

http://www.aswf.org/mmedia/intro.html

[mattb]

I went through a half a dozen homemade stripping baskets before Bean's came out with their version. I couldn't see spending $40 on the Orvis basket, but for $20 I picked one up from Bean's.

I consider it money very well spent. My dispan baskets worked well enough, but there were always little things that weren't quite right- the Bean's basket just doesn't have those annoyances.

-Matt

[s2ary]

In a boat I use a Beans boat and tote, it works great as long as the line is clean.

I too have had many dishpans that always kind of felt cumbersome, and I also picked up a folding one that would collapse on me in the wind or if a wave hit it. A few years before Beans came out with their dish pan style I broke down and picked up an Orvis one and have never looked back.

If you fish the salt a lot a comfortable basket is a necessity if only for the reason that once you are comfortable with a basket it will add an easy 20 feet to your cast.

On another note; over the years I’ve taken lots of waves into my basket without a problem, but two years ago I took a header off of the rocks in Seabrook and let me tell you, my basket acted like a sea anchor and I was helpless against the surge of the wave. Fortunately the water was only about 4 feet deep and as the wave receded I was able to regain my footing before the next wave. It was a momentary lapse in reason jumping from one rock to another because the fish were there but out of reach. So I guess what I’m getting at is two things, one it is not the wisest idea to use your stripping basket as your wading belt and two if the surf is up a SOS PDF is a wise investment.

[BugChucka]

I tried the homeade deals but am not a big fan of them although they are plenty functional. Anybody ever use the Kennebeck model?

[Have2Fish]

I've used a mesh basket for a short time then bought the $19.00 L.L.Bean basket. The mesh baskets don't work well when you wade deep or the wave action is high. The water washes the line out of the basket into the surf.

Go with the L.L.Bean basket. It's the same as the $40.00 Orvis basket. You can't go wrong for the price.

[flytackle]

I use the mesh basket by Cortland - I like it and it works fine , though I do agree with Have2Fish that the mesh variety are not suitable for deep wading as the line'll get knocked out of them. They are light, comfortable, pack easy and are safe though. Here's some evidence of what you can do with 'em! :lol: tight lines, Alec
http://www.favoriteflies.com/striperatdike.jpg

[BugChucka]

O.K. Now we're all drooling... :shock: :shock: :shock:

[Have2Fish]

:lol: :lol: :lol:
NICE fish!!!!!!!!!!