My previous two efforts at hip shooters weren't that great. Number one was a round bucket that suffered from roundness and the fact that the light plastic version I used didn't last very long. Also the bottom surface area was not large enough, nor did I get around to putting line control spikes in it.
Version two was also round and made out of the closed cell rubber foam that the commercially produced hip-shooters were made of. It was difficult to glue to together, took a long time to build, and also suffered from roundness, small area, and lack of spikes. Its big advantages were lightness and comfort. However, the hard bucket had been a great rod resting platform (put a bit of water in it and its a great place to rest your rod- especially when you're surrounded by sharp rocks, oysters and reel destroying sand).
So, I went shopping again. Needed a container that had the oval hipshooter shape, plenty of volume and floor area and was big enough to act as line holding device and put down rod rack in one.
Found what I was looking for in Plastic Box. Perfect. A five litre heavy duty rubbish bin liner($15). With a couple of belt holes it fitted snug against my hip and with a rod butt hole drilled at the back made a perfect temporary rod holder.
Finding long line-control spikes to put in this was a bit of a mission. Eventually I found some irrigation springers in the gardening section of the hardware store. These were secured to the bottom of the bucket with 75mm stainless steel dome-head screws plus washer.
Enough gap was left between the rows of spikes to allow for a fly reel to sit snuggly between
them.
In the end I'm very happy with the result. Not a lightweight stripping bucket, but sturdy and useful.
The black colour may make it a bit hot, but I'm planning on covering most of the outside in stickers.
The inside is shiny smooth and hard wearing. The line slides out of it with absolute ease and the spikes seem to be doing a good job of keeping tangles under control. It should travel ok too, being able to lie flat on its side in a suitcase. I'll just have to pack clothes in around the line-control spikes.
All-in-all I'm very happy with the result.
Can't live without it on the flats. Also real good for packing breakables into while travelling.
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