- Quick release tube – revisited.
I just purchased a new dip net from Capt Ron. I picked it up last Friday before standing ramp watch at Beacon 42 Friday night. I got it with a 2” fence and a handle extension since I do most of my dipping from bridges. It’s a great net and I rigged it with a quick release tube today.
I’ve thrown my share of release tubes overboard or dropped them through the bridge railing in my day, so I now make them a little more difficult to lose. They are very similar to the one Capt Lee outlined here, but are enough different that I decided to share the one I made. Capt Lee, please excuse my borrowing 2 of your pictures. You’re a better photographer than me!
Materials list:
1 piece of clear vinyl tubing – 3 or 4 inches long (I use ½” OD x 3/8” ID)
1 piece of 3/8” diameter wood dowel – 2.5“ long (I used nylon rod instead)
30 inches of 100 lb test mono line
Materials preparation:
Use a flame to smooth one end of the vinyl tube (candle – BBQ lighter – etc) so it doesn’t chafe the net. Only one end needs to be treated.
Drill a small hole through the dowel about ½ inch from one end. The hole should be just large enough to thread the mono through. Chamfer the opposite end slightly with sandpaper to smooth and taper the dowel just a bit.
Assemble:
Weave the mono through the netting as shown. Do not crimp or tie the ends yet.
Pass the ends of the mono through the vinyl tubing with the flame-treated edge toward the net.
Put one end of the mono through the hole in the dowel.
Now crimp or tie the two ends of the mono. If tied – make sure the knot is tight! (I put a drop of Super glue on the knot)
Pull the netting gently into – but not through – the tubing.
Push the chamfered end of the dowel into the tubing.
Lastly, hold the dowel in one hand and use the other hand to pull BOTH pieces of mono until the netting is tight against the end of the dowel.
Your net is ready to use!
To dump the net – pinch the tube above the dowel with thumb and forefinger of one hand while you pull the dowel out of the tube with the other hand. Still pinching the tube, put it into the bucket, and slip it off the net. You can let go as the dowel won’t let the tube fall.
Reassemble the net and get back to dipping!
Please note that I haven’t ever owned a frame net – so haven’t ever rigged one with a quick release tube. It may be necessary to use a bigger tube and dowel for a frame net because of the greater weight the frame net handles. The sizes I used work fine for a dip net.
