BG's Automatic Fisherman UPDATE with pike pics

[BeeGuy]

Threw 2 of these together in about 10 min each.

Cost $1.85 per unit mainly for the fasteners.

The trigger is attached by a loop of 50lb mono.

Trigger sensitivity can be set.

Have yet to try them out so, we will have to see whether they can provide a reliable hook set.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/photo75_zps0f3b7e94.jpg

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/photo74_zpsb0c2d855.jpg

[thrude1]

I'm not sure they are legal to use in Alberta if they set your hook for you?

[BeeGuy]

I'm not sure they are legal to use in Alberta if they set your hook for you?

Did you check the reg's?

[kostianych]

from the regs:
•Use gaffs, gaff hooks or spring-loaded hooks (spring-loaded hooks incorporate a device that snags/traps/holds the fish).


so, how does a spring-loaded hook look like?

have seen guys used this kind of set up checked by the F&W - no problems at all....

also, check the YouTube for a FishAmatic :)

[BeeGuy]

Pretty self explanatory.

A spring-loaded hook incorporates a hook with a loaded spring attached.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/springhook_zps699c454d.jpg

[Stally77]

Looks pretty slick. Now all u need is a motor rigged to your reel with a switch that turns it on when your hook is set! Lol

[New Hunter Okotoks]

I have used the "Hookset Tipup" my last 2 outings. My ratio is 6/8 for hook sets so far.

75% is an excellent percentage on a tipup (for me anyways.) I think that I am somewhere about 40% with traditional tipups over the years.

[kostianych]

so, we have no problem with this set up :)

[coyotezh]

I bought an autofishman from fishing hole. It works very well and caught many fish so far. But you need the ice stopper in order to be more efficient, and I still waiting for my order to come from fishing hole.

The idea of the autofishman is almost the same as yours. Well done!

[BeeGuy]

Anyone have an idea what fluid the ice stopper bobber uses?

[ak-71]

Looks exactly laike what I used for a second rod on Spray last year, stole mine from youtube "fishamatic". I used a spring looking rod holder in a drilled hole - that makes it easy to remove for transport. Adjusting for bait weight and wind can be PITA, but once it's set it outfished my son :). Didn't use it this year yet

[BeeGuy]

Looks exactly laike what I used for a second rod on Spray last year, stole mine from youtube "fishamatic". I used a spring looking rod holder in a drilled hole - that makes it easy to remove for transport. Adjusting for bait weight and wind can be PITA, but once it's set it outfished my son :). Didn't use it this year yet

I'd like to get one of those rod holders you stick into the ground and then drill holes into the board at different angles so that the rod angle can be adjusted a bit.

Right now the PVC is just zap-strapped to the board.

I'll have to post some results sometime later this week.

I hate tip-ups, and love my rod lockers, but the rod lockers dont tell you if you've gotten a bite while still fishing unless you're staring at them.

Fingers crossed on a decent hook set.

[redneckflyfisher]

sorry for posting it twice

[ak-71]

I have one hole in a board and a red holder from CT which looks lake a spring. I was just bending the "trigger" a bit to adjust it for bait weight. Not sure it would work for pike well with the "delayed hook set". Works great for Spray lakers, makes me feel bad about my jigging skills :)

[BeeGuy]

great pics thanks for posting

[BeeGuy]

I have one hole in a board and a red holder from CT which looks lake a spring. I was just bending the "trigger" a bit to adjust it for bait weight. Not sure it would work for pike well with the "delayed hook set". Works great for Spray lakers, makes me feel bad about my jigging skills :)

I don't ice fish for pike very often (never in AB yet).

It will be primarily for trout, whitefish, and burbs.

I find on my second set rod, the trout will mouth the lure and then swim away.

Hopefully now they will swim away a little slower or at least with some resistance.

[redneckflyfisher]

my opa made this 30 years ago 66715 old one


66716 new

66717
66718

[BeeGuy]

looks deadly

what kind of fish do you use it on?

[redneckflyfisher]

I use mine for pike it works killer it took 30 year for my dad and uncle to change there design then it took me 2 days to make it better

[The Fisherman Guy]

Crazy, a buddy just built his own version of the automatic fisherman, like you have.

He incorporated a windlass arm into his setup so that it jigs the bait, sets the hook and all he has to do is heat up the frying pan.

Pretty slick indeed.

You make a lot of projects BG, and very cost effective as well. Perhaps a list of materials would help younger members take inspiration and build their own, if they knew what materials to source.

[BeeGuy]

Materials:

20" 1X3
12" 1X3
2"X1/4" Carriage bolt
6"X1/4" Eye Bolt
3, 1/4" nuts
1/4" wingnut
2, 1/4" lock washers
coat hanger

plus some sort of rod holder

I used some pvc with one end cut at a 45 degree angle

When you loosen the wingnut on the short bolt, the t-bar can be turned inline for easier transport/storage.

That's about it.

Still gotta see if it catches fish...

[redneckflyfisher]

I am 21 ya that's the only way to be its cheaper I made mine for about 10 bucks

[The Fisherman Guy]

Right on!

I was thinking of building one myself.

What are your thoughts on using a longer rod, perhaps a open water 6ft heavy for pike....?

The way I see it; the hook set is key, but keeping pressure on the fish is critical to maintain a good hookup. Longer rod, harder hook set, and more pressure on the fish. (Provided it doesn't turn back and head toward the hole)

[BeeGuy]

Right on!

I was thinking of building one myself.

What are your thoughts on using a longer rod, perhaps a open water 6ft heavy for pike....?

The way I see it; the hook set is key, but keeping pressure on the fish is critical to maintain a good hookup. Longer rod, harder hook set, and more pressure on the fish. (Provided it doesn't turn back and head toward the hole)

I was thinking of something along the lines of a 12' poplar cranked down with a ratchet.

Fishing in shallow water, when that baby went off you'd have to look up to find your fish...


I'm sure you could customize the basic design in many ways. Stronger hook set, stiffer rod, varied amounts of slack line before the trigger is set off etc.

I'm sure after I use these a few times, I'll make some adjustments.

The pic I posted is of the second model and I think I'm going to shorten the trigger arm, so that when the rod snaps up there is a few less inches of slack line to be taken up. That much more will go into the hookset.

With bigger gauge hooks, bigger baits, and more weight, the stiffness of the rod, and distance the rod tip travels will be much more important.

With small baits/lures/flies and small hooks, the snap won't need to be too strong, I dont expect.

[jts1]

Crazy, a buddy just built his own version of the automatic fisherman, like you have.

He incorporated a windlass arm into his setup so that it jigs the bait, sets the hook and all he has to do is heat up the frying pan.

Pretty slick indeed.



Yes it is. Once he perfects it I will have him make me one. He a smart dude for a guy with a head like a brick.

[calgarygringo]

Once Sandalius has the bugs out it will be the best looking one out there. Looks like one fine piece of engineering. The only ones that will ever see it is us that fishes with him. I am not sure if his would work well for pike as generally they like to run with it for a while before chewing in to the bait. May be a little quick on the hook set for them. I could see good for many other fish but it sure looks like one fine piece of equipment.
Another board member GOR has a redneck version as well if anyone is fishing down around Newell I know he goes there get him to show you his version as well.

[BeeGuy]

The only ones that will ever see it is us that fishes with him.

You guys are probably just making it up anyhow:thinking-006:

[calgarygringo]

Fotunately for some of us we have seen it and he is a fine craftsman in the art of welding. He has made many fine pieces of work that would cost too much money for most people to afford to buy in the real world out there. Just like a fine wine there is the real good stuff out there and there are the low end ones too. All depends what you are willing to spend!!!!!!

[BeeGuy]

Pics?

How much does the Rube Goldberg fishing machine weigh?

[Reddin]

If your mom's aren't able to come out and bait your hooks, do you still fish?

[C Taylor]

Yes will still fish but its more fun when mom comes along lol
Thats a very neat and simple idea Bee Guy thanks for posting

[Walleyes]

Couple,, Tip Up's if you will I built a while back. Just enough spring in them to hold the hook in so they can't spit it. They work well and break down for transport. I have also built a rod holder similar to what you have where the line tension is held in a clip, I used small downrigger clips, when a fish takes it it realeases from the clip and the rod takes over. No pics of those.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k303/walleyes_2006/FISHING/DSCF1791.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k303/walleyes_2006/FISHING/DSCF1797.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k303/walleyes_2006/FISHING/IMG_0013.jpg

[LeroyvdH]

I like your design.
Leroy

[BeeGuy]

I like your design.
Leroy

Thanks.

I copied the basic set up from a couple sources then put it together with what I had kicking around.

[fishtank]

so does the angle of the rod holder or the loop matters , cause the loop with the coat hanger looks tricky.
thanks for the pic's i have some spare time @ work this week ,that i can build a couple .

[Kingfisher]

Great design Walleyes. I am sure you could also put a flag on there somewhere also. So you know when you have a fish on. Not sure how exactally. But it probably wouldn't be too hard to put a trigger device to have a flag release.

I built one many years ago with a rat trap. I connected a fly rod tip to it and had an old fly reel I attached to it. The theory was when the fish took the bait the trap would flip up and set the hook. But then I read the regs and never did use it. I still have it in the garage though. I will see if I can find it and take a pic of it.

Rob

[BeeGuy]

so does the angle of the rod holder or the loop matters , cause the loop with the coat hanger looks tricky.
thanks for the pic's i have some spare time @ work this week ,that i can build a couple .

It was really easy!

[happyfisher]

holy crap...i didnt even know these things existed....

im gunna build some:sHa_shakeshout:

[jaystev]

I use something similar, my father built it years ago. Just keep an eye on your eye...the hanger on mine shreds the eyelet on the rod.

[Garry B]

Looks cool. This should go off with a pretty good jump. Would like to see it in action.

[BeeGuy]

I use something similar, my father built it years ago. Just keep an eye on your eye...the hanger on mine shreds the eyelet on the rod.

I ground the burr off the tip with a file and stone. It is very smooth.

[BeeGuy]

http://s1242.beta.photobucket.com/user/elbee69/media/IMG_1140_zpsce4dd5f4.mp4.html

Vid in action

Someone let me know if the link works.

[Gust]

Nothing showed up on the link

[BeeGuy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpyopicilS4

.

[BeeGuy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ5raumdzag&feature=youtu.be

.

[Gust]

Nasty!

[Garry B]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ5raumdzag&feature=youtu.be

.

Nice. Thing goes off fast like a bomb ...

[BeeGuy]

I had the trigger set pretty firmly, but you can set it to a hair trigger.

Hopefully will test it out tomorrow afternoon.

[LeroyvdH]

Built one last night it's awesome. First time it went off I darn near shat. Very cool thanks BeeGuy for sharing.
Thanks Leroy

[RayL42]

Yours looks better then the one I built a few years back. I may have to put one together that looks like yours.

[ogre]

DEDLY!

Mr. Fish, your ded! D.E.D., DED!

[WayneChristie]

just how high will that launch a perch? might be fun to take a tennis racquet with you. (or a 12 gauge) :bad_boys_20: better use barbed hooks or you will never find the fish!

[BeeGuy]

Hahahahahaha

Gonna give'r a good test run tomorrow.

Here's hoping for some thick cloud cover!

[EZM]

Nice work - simple and effective. Really can't wait to hear how it works out.....keep us posted.

[BeeGuy]

Well,

The Automatic-type fisherman apparatus henceforth to be known as the Rocky Catapult or Rockypult, managed to successful hook 2 or 3 rainbows, none of any significant size.

Watched it fail to trigger on at least 3 or more bites.

The fish were small though.

It needs a little more fine tuning, but it works overall and I think it would have a slightly higher success rate with fish >0.75lb.

[EZM]

BeeGuy,

You could introduce the Rockypult PRO which allows you to adjust the rod angle.

Buy the mounting base (probably like $10) and borrow your rod holder from your boat. The base seperates from the adjustable rod holder and stem.

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/rod-holders/rodmaster2.htm

After ice season the rod holder goes back in the boat.

Would be allot easier to pack as well for those hikes into the secret honey holes.

You can use virtually any design of rod holder from Scotty with this base - check out the rocket launcher design.

The RockyPult pro would retail for $19.99 and is available at fine sporting goods stores near you !!!!!

[EZM]

One more thought I had last night .......

Instead of the coat hanger thingy - mount a simple Scotty release (like another guy mentioned) on the front of the unit closet to the hole.

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/line-releases/powergrip-plus.htm


I'd use a trout/kokanee model and simply attach the lead to the end of the board.

This could be the RockyPult PRO3

[BeeGuy]

I have the scotty mounting bracket, rod holder and down rigger quick release.

The rod holder is a good idea.

Not sure about the release though. I think my release needs some more fine tuning.

Caught a rocky on it today for the first time, so the Rockypult is legit.

[Dan the Saskbertan]

Pretty deadly set up amigo.

Dan

[redneckflyfisher]

going out on Saturday post a video of how my rig works

[kostianych]

built my own.....tried on Sunday.....works great....
(dont` have my own video, but will take it in the closer future)

[redneckflyfisher]

built my own.....tried on Sunday.....works great....
(dont` have my own video, but will take it in the closer future) how did u built it

[BeeGuy]

Got a decent pike on the automatic fisherman.

It pulled the rod and reel out of the holder and down the hole, but I had tied an auxiliary safety rope (win) from the automatic fisherman to the reel, so we were able to pull the rope and get the rod/reel back with an angry pike still attached. Good save JB.

This might be the last Ice-venture of the season.

This one was a size bigger than the 35" I got last time, so I figure it goes 37-38" with approx a 20" girth (didnt measure it)

Any weight guesstimates?

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/photo87_zps4371fa6e.jpg

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/fcde1f86-a023-45d2-ab8c-38392435c0c4_zps73f88634.jpg

[EZM]

Looks thick - I'd say 14 lbs- 15 lbs or so.

Nice Pike ...... good job mountain whitefish dude ....... I bet that was pretty fun ....

[MtnGiant]

Nice fatties.
Are these from today?
Lucky to have caught the bitter end of season.

[BeeGuy]

Nice fatties.
Are these from today?

nope

[BeeGuy]

Looks thick - I'd say 14 lbs- 15 lbs or so.

Nice Pike ...... good job mountain whitefish dude ....... I bet that was pretty fun ....

Super fat. I was thinking 15 or thereabouts (ie. 20 when I tell the story).

No wonder we couldnt find the rockies.

[EZM]

Super fat. I was thinking 15 or thereabouts (ie. 20 when I tell the story).

No wonder we couldnt find the rockies.

I bet if you cut that fatty up you would find a rockie or two - lol ..... mystery solved ....

A 38" pike averages 12 - 13 lbs on my home lake - these are a common size up here - but the girl you got there is a fat chick ..... so she is definitely heavier than most girls you date.

[pri]

Got a decent pike on the automatic fisherman.

It pulled the rod and reel out of the holder and down the hole

That sounds like a very poor set up.
I would not recommend that to anyone.

[BeeGuy]

That sounds like a very poor set up.
I would not recommend that to anyone.

Tezma? lol

[Gust]

That sounds like a very poor set up.
I would not recommend that to anyone.

One day I was looking for info on the interwebs about glasstop ovens and how to fix them. Well, one of the answers to my question on a fix-it forum was "Yeah, I know how to fix it!". That was it, no further answer or extra post, nothing, just some bumpkin who felt a need to post that he knew, but knew not how to explain how.

My point is; is that your 3rd post rings much like the fix-it forum.

My question is; what would you recommend Pri?

[catchandeat]

beast pike! how thick was the ice? i'm guessing you weren't to far south haha

[BeeGuy]

Oh Gust, you're being strung along...

[BeeGuy]

16 days

[Gust]

16 days

It's going sooooo slow, but the weather is cooperating perfectly.

[BeeGuy]

beast pike! how thick was the ice? i'm guessing you weren't to far south haha

3.5" of good ice and 8" of rotten ice.

The entire bay has a max depth of 3 feet and most of the fish I caught were in less than 2.

We were in ES1.

[pri]

3.5" of good ice and 8" of rotten ice.

The entire bay has a max depth of 3 feet and most of the fish I caught were in less than 2.

We were in ES1.

Sounds good. Same ice conditions in ES2.

[BeeGuy]

Sounds good. Same ice conditions in ES2.

What about ES3?

[jacenbeers]

Got a decent pike on the automatic fisherman.

It pulled the rod and reel out of the holder and down the hole, but I had tied an auxiliary safety rope (win) from the automatic fisherman to the reel, so we were able to pull the rope and get the rod/reel back with an angry pike still attached. Good save JB.

This might be the last Ice-venture of the season.

This one was a size bigger than the 35" I got last time, so I figure it goes 37-38" with approx a 20" girth (didnt measure it)

Any weight guesstimates?

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/photo87_zps4371fa6e.jpg

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg523/elbee69/fcde1f86-a023-45d2-ab8c-38392435c0c4_zps73f88634.jpg

Thanks to this jerk of a pike pulling your rod down the hole, my glove got soaked when I dove into the hold to grab your reel. I think I got frostbite on my fingers because my wet gloves were crappy to begin with and then they got wet while it was cold and windy. It was all worth it for that fish though.

You forgot to mention that it took so many good runs that it got tangled in my line that was sitting 30 feet away.