Finally a stripping apron/basket that works! (At least for me)

I have owned three float tubes from three different companies.
I have never been happy with any of the aprons.

My latest (Prowler) tube was no exception. The two rear support post are too far back and sides are flimsy.

I would be stripping line either casting or landing a small fish and then look down and see the line slopped over the front of apron (usually tangled in my fins).

Over the years I have tried to beef up the aprons with limited success.

About two months ago, With an open mind and my tape measure I went to Home Depot, Target and Walmart.

Outcast uses four sleeves sewn into tube. The apron has four plastic tabs that slide into these sleeves to support apron.




Materials

Laundry basket
One inch by 1/8 inch flat aluminum bar (cuts and files easily).
Stainless bolts, large washers and nuts

Since the laundry basket had stiffness I decided to just make one bracket to fit in the front two sleeves of tube. Original apron uses all four sleeves. Using just the two worked just fine.

Marked a line on basket and cut with cutting wheel on dremel tool.
Sanded rough edges of plastic.

Float tubed neighbors pool and measured width between sleeves (or pockets) that Outcast uses to support their aprons.

This is important as I found out there was a 2 1/2 inch difference (narrower) between on land measurement and actually sitting in tube in water.

Cut and filed bracket and bent by hand.

Dropped tube back in pool slipped in bracket and then positioned basket were I wanted and marked.

Drilled three holes and attached bracket to basket.

When I cut laundry basket I cut just below holes. It left the bottom piece 3 1/2 inches deep.

I figured I could cut down more if needed.
I fished Crowley a couple of weeks ago and it was perfect as is.

I can adjust height using the sewn in sleeves to keep off legs, but there is enough flex that anything heavy will just set basket resting on my legs.

I liked the Sterilite brand of laundry basket best as the plastic seems strong yet flexible so it should not crack.

Total weight is 1.3 pounds.  

Cost $14

Two or four bungees in corners could be used for other tubes or toons.

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Nice job.   

The only thing I would add are some drain holes. Other than that, it looks sweet.

that is so cool bro nice work thanks for sharing with us.

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

good work!!!   

Lolly

I thought about drain holes as I could always add them later.

After 4 days on Crowley I found even stripping in wet fly line very little water actually came in basket.

Not having the holes allowed no water to come in from bottom from splashing.

Using size 18 flies and the tiny split shot used in nymphing, I did not have to worry about them falling through holes when changing flies or leaders.

ya that is a super smart idea i would say put some holes in it also like lolly said but thats an amazing idea and some customization

tuna4me wrote:Lolly

I thought about drain holes as I could always add them later.

After 4 days on Crowley I found even stripping in wet fly line very little water actually came in basket.

Not having the holes allowed no water to come in from bottom from splashing.

Using size 18 flies and the tiny split shot used in nymphing, I did not have to worry about them falling through holes when changing flies or leaders.

Hey Tuna4me, you dont happen to have a pic of the setup with you on your tube..do you....

Awesome modification man! Very nicely done. Thanks for sharing. I like the mod on my cumberland apron alot!

Great job Tuna!.........I like the smooth finish, another idea to consider. Man I love this forum, GT

Fishingdachronarch201E

No pics of me fishing with the basket. I am usually behind the camera not in front of it.

Will be going back up to Crowley for a week first week of Sep.
Will post a report with pics and include some pics of me and tube.

tuna4me wrote:Fishingdachronarch201E

No pics of me fishing with the basket. I am usually behind the camera not in front of it.

Will be going back up to Crowley for a week first week of Sep.
Will post a report with pics and include some pics of me and tube.

Is it a little narrower than the original stripping basket or approximately the same size (looks about 20"+ across)?  My buddy fishes from a Fish Cat 4 and it uses the same post system as the Prowler.  The measure part is only 18" on the original stripping basket.

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from last Oct.

I don't think he has any real problems with it but, I can see the benefits of having higher side walls for the fly line; hopefully it's not much narrower, if any.  Overall very clean and it made me think about a redux on my pontoon.


BTW, I'm trying to push my buddies into possibly and extra trip this year up there. The third week/weekend in Sept to coincide with IF4 on the 20th in Mammoth.  Usually we go the end on Sept, for a buddy's tournament, then in mid/late Oct tp get one in before the close.

chipmcd

The basket is curved at the bottom as pics show.
I just did quick measurement.

Top 22 x13
Bottom aprox 19 x 11 1/2

My Wife has Fishcat 4 and I am going to make her one as this one works so well.

Fishcat 4 is about 5 inches narrower than Prowler.

I need to measure width with her in tube.

I am thinking that the laundry basket I used might be too wide and would have to sit higher to clear tube sides of her Fishcat 4.

If it sits too high it will be in way,

Cool thing is the laundry baskets they come in different sizes.

My Wife just agreed to tube neighbors pool tomorrow a.m.

Once I get measurement I will bend a bracket and then figure out what basket to use.

Wife is going up to Crowley with me next week.

Tomorrow I will work on her basket and she needs a couple of rod holders. I am going to have to  modify a couple of Scotty fly rod holders to fit her tube. Down the road I will make something for her tube for conventional and fly rods like I did on my Prowler.

Should have some results for you tomorrow night.

By the way nice Crowley fish. Besides next week I will go up two more times before close. Let's keep in touch.

chipmcd

I made another today for my Wife's Fishcat 4.

I used the same size laundry basket and it worked fine.

Only difference was bracket was 2 3/4 inches narrower than the one on my Prowler.

Wife was nice enough to tube pool 3 times!!!

1. Measure width for bracket
2. Place basket and mark where she wanted
3. Final test

Wife would not let me post any of the pool pics. LOL

Will have pics of her catching fish though.

In the following pics the basket looks like it is sitting high.

However at that height it clears the top of my Wife's knees by one inch.

It looked fine when she did final pool test.

I could always cut bracket legs down one inch later. Won't know till she fishes it and let's me know.

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VERY clean!!!!!

Sweet!  I just emailed 3 buddies who use FC4's.  Don't know when they have the time to make the mod but, after seeing pics I think they'll make some time.

Have you tried putting any weight on it?  Since you're using only 2 of the 4 standoff pockets, stabilty may be sacrificed.  My concern... when your wife slaps that 10th 7lber on there, it doesn't flip over like Fred Flintstone and the Brontosaurus ribs!   

chipmcd wrote:Sweet!  I just emailed 3 buddies who use FC4's.  Don't know when they have the time to make the mod but, after seeing pics I think they'll make some time.

Have you tried putting any weight on it?  Since you're using only 2 of the 4 standoff pockets, stabilty may be sacrificed.  My concern... when your wife slaps that 10th 7lber on there, it doesn't flip over like Fred Flintstone and the Brontosaurus ribs!   

Whats cool about the basket is that there is enough stiffness that only two of the four post are needed to support it.

On my Prowler I have it set to rest about 1/4 inch above my knees.

Since there is also flexibility in the plastic also, Anything momentarily heavy just sits the bottom of the rear of the basket on my thighs.

well, it looks like its gonna be a Labor Day bbq at our buddy's house... the one with the pool!