Homemade Push Pole

Flat fishing is an effective way to target fish in the shallow areas of inland lakes and off the coast of the southern United States. These sandy flat bottom areas hold a variety of fish including largemouth bass, striped bass and bonefish. A push pole helps the angler navigate the boat in waters that are too shallow for an engine to operate. Anglers looking to save money can build a homemade push pole from common construction materials.

  1. Extension Handle

    • Adjustable aluminum or fiberglass extension handles manufactured to use for painting, tree trimming and window washers can be easily customized into a push pole. They feature thin hollow tubes that slide within each other telescoping out to form a pole. The extensions lock in place by twisting the locking mechanism. They include an adjustable female end in which a push pole foot can be inserted or a homemade device to grip the bottom surface.

    Wood Pole

    • Wood makes an ideal push pole because of its strength and buoyancy. A 1 ¼ or 1 ½ inch diameter closet rod comes in eight or 12-foot long sections, which is suitable for low sitting boats. An angler can utilize it as is or customize it by wrapping the top with grip tape for a nonslip handle. A Y-shaped foot made from treated 1x4 inch lumber prevents the pole from sinking into soft ground. Oars commonly used for row boats also make good push poles and can be found at most sporting goods stores.

    PVC Pole

    • Angler can build a push pole from standard PVC plumbing pipe. Purchase the desired length of PVC for your push pole in a diameter of one to two inches. For extra sturdiness place a length of smaller copper or aluminum pipe within the PVC and seal with end caps. You can construct a foot for the bottom by using a T connection with short lengths of reinforced PVC on each end. Secure this to the end with pipe cement. Standard PVC used without a metal pipe reinforcement works well in lengths of less than 10 feet.

    Pipe Pole

    • Galvanized pipe commonly used for tent and awning frames combined with a T junction works well for pushing a boat through the flats, too. Purchase a one or 1 ¼ inch hollow pipe in a length suitable for pushing your craft. Weld or use an epoxy resin to bind the T junction to the bottom of the pipe. You can fill the bottom with sand and cap the end to make the T end naturally sink to the bottom.