Making a portable table that floats for wading

[caledonia_kid]

hey i live out in a small town where theres a huge river and a decent amount of fish. most of the spots along it are overfished to complete poop and are hard to catch fish in, but theres a handful of spots that few people go to that are really sick. just the other day i caught a 4lb monster catfish, 2.5 lb redtail sucker and like 3 other decent sized fish there, and it was the first time i fished at this spot. anyways fishing is pretty dope, ive only been fishing for like 2 months now but its pretty much something anybody can do so you cant really brag about being a "good fisherman" but anyways, me and my buddies like to wade out into the river where its about waist deep, and we have to go way out into the middle and none of us have (or can afford) those fancy overalls and boots so we just go out in shorts and sneakers. we have to leave our bags, tackle boxes and poop on shore which can be up to 50 to 250 yards away depending where we fish.

anyways i was gonna try and make an easy solution for this. a redneck table, maybe 4 x 4 feet wide that floats in the water and holds my gear, phone, tacklebox, food, all that poop. attached to it would be a short rope thats tied around a small dumbbell to act as an anchor so it doesn't float away and just chills next to me while i fish. kinda like this

since the water is always calm and still, it wouldn't get whipped around and waves wouldn't really hit it or get water on it. there'd be a small wall just incase though, on some kind of thin but solid piece of wood, and then that would be sitting along something about 5 - 7 inches wide that floats. i have no idea what would work and float though. im also not sure how much a table would be able to support, cause my gear isn't more then a few pounds but if everybodys gear is on here or maybe a big fish i caught is on there for a moment, it might sink. i just need some ideas of what i could use to make this thing, i have no real budget but id prefer to make it free

thanks

 

[EraJester]

Oh man....i was reading this post on my phone and it literally made me jump off the couch, turn on my computer and reply.
That's a great idea, you have no idea how you lucky you are, you have the perfect place to fish..


Erm anyways, Not sure if a 4x4 would be free, unless you are good of a handyman to cut down wood in the Forrest, trim it i guess and make it.
Anyways, you'd prob gonna have to invest in a few planks of wood, trust me it wont be more than 20 bucks i think., but dont take my words for it. once you got the planks of wood, if you can find thinner planks than the ones for fences, than youll be good.
Really all you need are a few wood planks, some custom made screws or something( im no handyman) (*the custom made screws as i like to call them are cheap as hell and can be found in homedepot or rona or some poop). erm,
http://i.imgur.com/qttfZ.jpg

^^ amzing drawin skills.

Um yeah, key product to float....dun dun dun
Foam..or what ever you call it it...
The white, light weight stuff that comes in boxes protecting your refrigerators and laundry machine, evern your xbox.
That stuff is as free as it'll ever get....i mean... people get rid of it all the time.

In my desisn you'll use that to float, and trust me you will.


erm,,other than that....thats my idea.....you may take ideas from me or w/e....
Hope i helped you brain storm.

 

[FishingNoob]

The object will float as long as the total weight of you, your buddies, tackle and other miscellaneous stuff is lighter then the amount of water displaced by the "floating table". In order for it to stay upright you need to make sure that the boat is facing the waves. You could always add a weight to the bottom which could work like the keel on a sail boat. Check out this video: They made a boat perfect for fishing calm waters out of plywood and the people at Home Depot can make all the cuts for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY2YuO_BD1c

Are there any length/width restrictions?

Worst case scenario the floating table could hold your tackle and supplies. I would not add an anchor instead I would get a long rope or tie ropes together and tether the boat to shore. That way you can pull the boat in when it is time to go as well as drift down the river a bit. Another plus is that you know that the boat will not be able to get away from you. If I had to add an anchor I would get a light weight collapsable anchor from Canadian Tire (22 dollars) check it out here -

http://www.canadiantire.ca/search/search_results.jsp;jsessionid=QqRZt6qybltCcs1lJ92PDxzsvgY7W35vH5TvF3NbpHnXrsryDTPG!1742745397?bmForm=form_endeca_search&bmFormID=1344983417370&bmUID=1344983417370&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fhome.jsp&bmHidden=OMNITURE_FROM&OMNITURE_FROM=Search&bmHidden=event26&event26=true&bmText=quick_search_term&quick_search_term=boat+anchor&bmSubmit=quick_search&quick_search=&bmHidden=FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672077

I need some more info, but think it is possible. Remember the wood will rot unless protected, paint it with latex paint.

Hope this helps.

FishingNoob

 

[efka]

never seen that before, but rubbermaid tote or ice sled would probably be cheapest and lightest solution.

 

[FishingNoob]

never seen that before, but rubbermaid tote or ice sled would probably be cheapest and lightest solution.

WOW, How come I did not come up with that? That is why you are a mod! I would go with efka's idea unless you want to stand in/on it

 

[grubman]

Great ideas but I'm always looking for an even cheaper way of doing things......lol.

1; go to Home Depot/Lowes or any place where you can get a wood pallet for free.

2: get some old window screen or chicken wire from the farmer next door (J/K), staple gun, hammer and nail puller, Walmart plastic totes ($5 each), 2 cans of spray foam non-brand name is cheaper then Great Stuff, rope or bungee cord to tie down totes to pallet.

3: remove center support of pallet. This will make it light enough to carry to riverbank.

4: staple the window screen on the end cavities, center the screen on the boards. Spray the foam onto both sides of the screen and on both ends of the pallet. These will now act as pontoons for floation.

5: allow foam to cure, about 1 day or what ever the can says.

6: put in water and add your anchor.

Since you don't need it to hold a person, it does not need to be as big as a boat, just enough to hold alot of "poop".....lol.
I think you should be able to build it for about $40, the most expensive part is the spray foam.

Hope that helps, if you choose to build it send pics.

 

[efka]

or get this

 

[Blair]

or get this

LOL


all these wonderful suggestions, Guys putting on their "Thinking Caps"... Designs, Constuction. ....

and EFKA has to come in and suggest this doozie!


Man, so funny.



Looks like the decision is too: Either BUILD your OWN or go for the GREAT $10 Candadian Tire Rubber Raft!



OMG



Just classic!




ps; Seriously, I was even showing my wife at how "Nice" the guys were with their suggestions and Design ideas..... Kudo's!
Man it's late, I'm going to bed.

 

[efka]

 

[caledonia_kid]

man everyone is so helpful here, im gonna combine all the ideas plus some duct tape and hopefully i can make something sick

 

[FishingNoob]

Great ideas but I'm always looking for an even cheaper way of doing things......lol.

1; go to Home Depot/Lowes or any place where you can get a wood pallet for free.

2: get some old window screen or chicken wire from the farmer next door (J/K), staple gun, hammer and nail puller, Walmart plastic totes ($5 each), 2 cans of spray foam non-brand name is cheaper then Great Stuff, rope or bungee cord to tie down totes to pallet.

3: remove center support of pallet. This will make it light enough to carry to riverbank.

4: staple the window screen on the end cavities, center the screen on the boards. Spray the foam onto both sides of the screen and on both ends of the pallet. These will now act as pontoons for floation.

5: allow foam to cure, about 1 day or what ever the can says.

6: put in water and add your anchor.

Since you don't need it to hold a person, it does not need to be as big as a boat, just enough to hold alot of "poop".....lol.
I think you should be able to build it for about $40, the most expensive part is the spray foam.

Hope that helps, if you choose to build it send pics.

I know that some Farm Co-ops/ Feed Stores have free scrap chicken wire. I might be hard getting a wood pallet that isn't rotten to the core.

 

[grubman]

I know that some Farm Co-ops/ Feed Stores have free scrap chicken wire. I might be hard getting a wood pallet that isn't rotten to the core.

Yeah or just use it a few times and then have a controled bon-fire at the end of the day of fishing cooking your fish, then get another one........lol.

I have one of those inflatable boats. They are fun, I bought mine for $25. For $10 it's worth it. Nice find Efka. I like the one with the motor for $30.

 

[FishingNoob]

Yeah or just use it a few times and then have a controled bon-fire at the end of the day of fishing cooking your fish, then get another one........lol.

I have one of those inflatable boats. They are fun, I bought mine for $25. For $10 it's worth it. Nice find Efka. I like the one with the motor for $30.

You could use the chicken wire as a grill! Where did you get your boat? Thanks.

 

[grubman]

You could use the chicken wire as a grill! Where did you get your boat? Thanks.

I got mine from XScargo, it's a Coleman. But they don't have them anymore or out of stock. You can get it from Walmart with oars for $25. The thing with these boats is they say it's two person but they mean kids, only one adult will fit. I bought a 2'x4' sheet of thin plywood and cut it out to fit into the boat as a floor. Inflatable bottoms are unsafe b/c they are too soft, getting in and out is difficult. These are fine for small very calm waters not larger lakes. The vinyl is fairly thick on them so hooks should'nt puncture it, unless of course you get hung up and pull till your hook comes flying out of the water at you, then there's the chance of pssssssssssss....lol. Make sure you got the handyman special (duct tape) with you.......lol.

 

[caledonia_kid]

so today i ended up grabbing a rubbermaid bin lid, some flexible hook ropes and a rope. i got some thin sheets of wood and made a platform, 2 small sides, and supports. i built it specifically to fit into the lid and tied a rope from the lid to a 5 pound weight i found in my garage.

will add more info later. gotta run out the door right now, gonna test to see if it floats tomorrow and add some more stuff. any suggestions? its about 2 x 4 feet

 

[FishingNoob]

Your anchor rope looks kinda short. But other then that it looks good.

 

[grubman]

LOL


all these wonderful suggestions, Guys putting on their "Thinking Caps"... Designs, Constuction. ....

and EFKA has to come in and suggest this doozie!


Man, so funny.



Looks like the decision is too: Either BUILD your OWN or go for the GREAT $10 Candadian Tire Rubber Raft!



OMG



Just classic!




ps; Seriously, I was even showing my wife at how "Nice" the guys were with their suggestions and Design ideas..... Kudo's!
Man it's late, I'm going to bed.

Hope you had a good sleep....lol. Thanks, it's tough when you love something and can't afford to participate in it. Then one has to think out of the box. And it looks like Cal did just that and a great job of it too.

Cal just do some tweaking if you find it's not to your liking, let us know how it worked out for you.

 

[caledonia_kid]

it worked awesome. kept afloat easily and held not only the 5 pound weight, but 3 tackleboxes, a backpack and it also held some 3 pound suckers and catfish when we put them on it to measure them. it held the worms and we would anchor it wherever we went, then let it drift next to us as we walked down stream and put the weight down wherever we stopped. it was incredibly convenient for changing lines, adding worms, all that stuff. we simply put our rods on it then stood next to it and assembled them while keeping everything nice and dry. it also fit nicely into my friends van and didnt break or become annoying to carry around as it was very light.

im probably gonna make it even bigger and stronger, and add some noodles on the bottom to make it even more stronger in floating

cost: $ 0

 

[threeparrots]

Your anchor rope looks kinda short. But other then that it looks good.

Uh... did I miss the sarcasm?

Sorry, but it looks like a piece of poop.

[EDIT: S-H-I-T not poop... forum auto-corrects]

 

[caledonia_kid]

Uh... did I miss the sarcasm?

Sorry, but it looks like a piece of poop.

[EDIT: S-H-I-T not poop... forum auto-corrects]

it is a piece of garbage, but it gets the job done