How to Make a Fishing Rod: Stick Pole DIY Steps

There are a few good reasons to learn how to make a fishing rod from a stick when you’re outdoors. For example, maybe you want to channel your inner survivalist by making your own rod from just a few easy-to-find things. Alternatively, you might like the idea of taking it back to the “good old days” by turning a tree branch into a simple homemade fishing pole to catch bluegill out of a pond. Either way, you can make a rustic stick fishing pole in minutes.

Things You Need to Make a DIY Fishing Pole

When learning how to make a fishing pole while out in nature, make sure you have the following items:

• 6-foot tree branch or stick (at least as thick as your thumb)
• Sandpaper
• Fishing line
• Fishing hook

Steps to Make a DIY Fishing Rod

Once you have your stick, sandpaper, fishing line, and fishing hook; these are the steps to learn how to make a fishing pole DIY style:

Step one

Once you’ve found a suitable tree branch, you’ll need to make it into a homemade fishing rod by removing any smaller side branches, shoots, and leaves. Use a piece of sandpaper to sand off any burls or knots.

Step two

Attach the fishing line by tying a knot at the base of the stick. Do not tie the fishing line to the end of the stick because if you get a bite from a big fish, it could break it off. By attaching the line to the base of the stick, you can still handline the fish in if the stick breaks.

Step three

Wind the line from the base all the way up to tip of the stick.

Step four

Tie another knot on the end of the stick and leave several feet of line (depending on water depth) hang down off the end.

Step five

Attach a hook to the terminal end of the fishing line using a Clinch knot or Palomar knot.

Now you have your own piece of DIY fishing gear that you can use to catch dinner if you’re in a pinch and don’t have a store-bought rod handy!