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.

[thrude1]

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

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by thrude1

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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 Attachment 66715 old one


Attachment 66716 new

Attachment 66717
IMG_0257.jpg

[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]

Originally Posted by 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)

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

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

You guys are probably just making it up anyhow

[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?