Fishing equipment for survival use

Iv'e been thinking lateley what I'd be doing for food in a low food/high risk situation. I live in the U.K., and whilst I have some experience in air-rifles (the easiest to obtain here, requiring no liscence, unlike the long and complicated process of getting a rifle liscence), I think that trapping, snaring and luring would be my best bet for getting myself some protein. As I have experince in fishing, i reasoned that this would be effective, and that much of the equipment owned by fishermen is ideal for a survival setting. Watercraft is often overlooked as a survival thing, but it can mean the difference between a big net of fish in 2 hours, or no fish in 2 days. Similarly, water fowl such as ducks are a perfect food source, but having spent time around them will greatly increase the chances of snaring them.

So, say we have the means to set overnight lines, but what else could i do with this fishing equipment I, and many others, have?

The lightweight and ultra-tensile nature of monofilament line made me think of how to apply it to rabbit snares, as rabbits are abundant in certain areas i know of. Unfortunately, it would get gnawed through in seconds. On the otherhand, one of the target fish in the U.K is pike, which has a large number of teeth. To combat this, a wire trace is used. This wire is perfect for making snares!





Fishing tackle such as swivels, rings and crimping pliers mean you can manufacture high-quality snares fo very cheap, and i know many people already have this equipment. The line, whilst of no use for snares, can obviously be used for string. Handy.

A particularly gruesome but effective way of using already owned fishing equipment is one commonly dreaded by fishermen here. It is a bird such as a duck, or even worse, swan, taking the bait and becoming hooked. This can infact be used as a bird-trap. It obviously differs from poachers methods, and is pretty loud, but itt'l get you ONE bird.

Simply set a high-strength line with a hook deeply pegged into the ground, baited with a worm or whatever. This means that the single bird, although making noise and scaring the others, is immobalised. I know many on here will say catching ducks and similar is childs-play, but i assure you, without knowledge or an adequate weapon, it can prove very difficult. Once the bird is snared (which should be overseen at all times, i'd recommend when washing at the river/whatever) it leaves you free to dispatch it as you see fit. Slingshots are not all that effective at range on fowl, due to the feathers, but at close range it is a clean method of dispatch. Strangulation for those who are not timid.

Many anglers that I know use small lightweight fishing bivvies, which are perfect for a few nights stay. Whilst not tents, they offer protection from wind and rain, and the wide open fronted nature of them lends itself to campfires and easy shelter. As I say, many people already have these at hand.




Note the overhanging shelter. Any camper or angler knows that this can prove handy when performing tasks such as lacing boots or tying hooks in bad weather, as it offers pretty good wind protection.

Id be interested to see if anyone else has anything to add.

reply to post by Learningman

Regarding the watercraft side of survival fishing, kayak fishing has been my hobbie for 10 years. Both freshwater and sea...I actually built my own kayak from plans available on this site www.jemwatercraft.com
The plastic SOTs made by several manufacturer's are the popular approach for most hobbyists.
Here are the best hobbyist forum sites:
www.norcalkayakfisherman.com
www.kayaksportfishing.com
www.kayakfishing.com
click on the forum links

I too am unable to legally obtain a firearm and have been seeking a substitute weapon / hunting aid for my B.O.B.

First brainstorm resulted in a sling-shot from a seller on eBay. What arrived was a Made In China product that is just the right size for a Made In China person, but I'm a big fat American. My hopeful food source tool is too small to hold properly.

Then I was thinking about things and the bit about going with what you know hit me. I wasn't raised chopping wood, raising crops or hunting. No clue. Reading up on snare, traps and baits was a reminder that a lack of experience can be a major hindrance when one is hungry. My Dad served in the Military and would never allow firearms in the house so I'm clueless about them.

But I've been fishing since I was very young. Teach a man to fish, and you can have an excellent barbecue!

Started looking online for small sized fishing rigs but most sellers are offering this Pen sized novelty of unknown Made In China quality. Pass.

I found and bought a Pocket Fisherman. This product is well known in the States, being marketed by Ron Popeil, a long-time seller of novel products heavily advertised on TV. The Pocket Fisherman is well made, large enough to function as needed yet still compact. Got mine used, cheap on eBay. I'll fit her with fresh line and assemble a small quantity of tackle and into my B.O.B. it goes.

reply to post by LargeFries


Slingshots are pretty formidable, perhaps This would be more suitable for your larger hands? Its pretty well known and as long as you have a couple of spare bands for it it will last.

I havent a great amount of hunting or survival knowledge, so i agree with what you say about fishing. Its great to know that you can actually provide food for yourself.

I have seen that pen rod, and as you said, pretty crap. I've noticd that most 'kits' or 'sets' tend to be low quality, so I'd say that its worth buying the hooks, swivels, line and whatever you want for your B.O.B fishing kit from a specialist fishing shop. Its worth it just to know your tackle wont let you down. Zebco and a few other have telescopic rods, up to 12 foot! I myself used a 9 ft zebco 'spinner' rod for years for my pleasure fishing, and it never let me down! From delicate silverfish in large numbers, or even large fish, it worked well, and it only takes up about 2 foot when collapsed.

If your proficient at fishing, like yourself, then the extra weight of this stuff is worth it, compared to perhaps some gear that you have no knowledge about, like a gun would be for me.

My fishing gear all fits in a bag, that had a headlamp, knives and stuff in it, so even if i diddnt have time to prepare, this bag would serve me quite well.

Thanks for your input, il have a look at that pocket fisherman

The Pocket Fisherman is one of the few of those TV products that I've actually heard good things about.

Look into a 3 section fibreglass hand spear.

Obviously good only in clear water.

Breaks down into 3 sections that fit in your pack.

pole section can be useful for other things as well.

reply to post by CitizenNum287119327


Another thing that is well known to anglers, is the use of polarised glasses, which cut through glare on the water, enabling you to see better. Good when wading too.

Iv thaught of spearfishing, but all thats needed is a knife. Id prefer not to carry things i can make.

reply to post by Learningman


Learningman TY for your reply. The link you gave is spot-on indeed and I'm going to replace the sling-shot I purchased in short time.

I was not aware that Zebco made a telescoping outfit, this is excellent news. I've had good luck for many years with Zebco gear & tackle. I will investigate. Very pleased to read of this.

Should you ever find yourself in Fairfield NJ USA it's nice to visit the Abu/Garcia showroom. It is a small area in a huge warehouse, and they give excellent discounts in the store there.

Thanks again for your reply

Who wants to stand around in a survival situation trying to catch a fish. You want to catch fish, use a stun gun. Use a modified stun gun or fence charger. A few other items can be used to stun fish.

Originally posted by Quantazero
You want to catch fish, use a stun gun. Use a modified stun gun or fence charger. A few other items can be used to stun fish.

^ are you an american ?

_________________

Fishing i will do the all American way.

In a survival situation i will use Dupont Spinners.

Why play by the rules in a survival situation. You will get hungry very quick.

Welcome Large Fries! They are really worth checking out, i can pretty much guarantee youl have fun.

Im afraid i dont have access to explosives and id find it too labour intensive to meake them for fishing, when i could just a easily set overnight lines. Obviously only good if ive found somewhere safe enough to make camp.

I also dont have a stun gun.

Overnight lines have the benefit of being re-usable, silent, and require little maintenance, only a check every morning. Great to have a breakfast waiting for you in the morning, no catching, just clean and eat!

Silly as it may sound to those who havent tried, but a rod, line and heavy sinker can aid greatly in woodland construction, where perhaps you need a rope passed over a hight tree limb, Its notoriously hard to cast a rope accurately over a branch, but being able to cast a thing fishing line over helps! Once the cast is made, just cut and tie your rope to the end and feed it over. Useful for shelter.

Proficiency with casting a heavy sinker will also bag you a duck. As a sidenote, fishing catapults are worse than useless for hunting. No power.

Obviously these techniques arent ideal, but for the weight you can create a versatile kit out of angling aquipment. A waste altogether if you dont know how to use any of it.

reply to post by Quantazero


On most survival situations a stun gun or electric fence isn't a priority . Nether do I have a power source to run such a thing. I doubt such a thing would be that effective. Save the stun gun for a bear or something...

Like any of your survival gear, make sure you test it and become experienced using it.
Make sure you have enough lures,hooks, sinkers available, its no fun going bush and running out of spare parts.


.

reply to post by phantom150


Agreed. Stick to what you know works well. Those 'survival' knives with the hollow handle have a fishing set in, but what good is just 2 or 3 hooks and 2 or 3 sinkers? Of unknow quality? (Plus the knives arent great in a survival setting, having no tang and thus irreprable when the handle goes, which it will).

Buy a few decent tackle items, and you know your set.

Originally posted by LargeFries

I found and bought a Pocket Fisherman. This product is well known in the States, being marketed by Ron Popeil, a long-time seller of novel products heavily advertised on TV. The Pocket Fisherman is well made, large enough to function as needed yet still compact. Got mine used, cheap on eBay. I'll fit her with fresh line and assemble a small quantity of tackle and into my B.O.B. it goes.

I ordered one of them also. I carry it in my BOB also. It's light, compact and although not as good as a full size rod & reel it is small and easy to carry. You can have a ready to use fishing package in your BOB.

It even has the storage in the handle to carry hooks, sinkers & small bobbers.

Now if I could just learn to pull works outta my butt it would be perfect !