Puget Sound

And remember you don't have to buy an overpriced stripping basket. A childs step stool ($6) flipped over has been my go-to. Plus, you get designs! I rock Spiderman but BabyShark, Hulk, Mario, Plain etc. are all options.

Find a screwdriver (preferably a beater), get it nice and hot with a propane torch and you can punch your own drainage holes along with mounting holes for a belt or bungee.
 
jeradjames said:
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I left a little panko beach crust on one of the eyes only today for good measure. More beginners luck today as I was able to hit the beach early this morning for close to two hours before work and went 2-4. I lost two really close to shore as I kept tension too strong and didn't allow the fish to run. All of the fish I hooked up on this morning weren't hooked as far as all the gear anglers were casting to and I seemed to be one of the few anglers who was hooking up on fish despite the fish jumping around a lot further out. I didn't wade in quite as much today in comparison to other days and noticed my casting was a lot better as I had more left hand movement. The left hand, or your non rod holding hand, seems to be way more important and when I focus on my left hand and managing the line my casts are a lot better. I bought a stripping basket when I got my rod but I still haven't used it because it felt incredibly annoying. I'm starting to think I need to use it though unfortunately. I'm also learning how to properly gut/filet the fish as I've never done that and I have work to do.
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You're doing great! A good pink year is an excellent time to start beach fishing, lots of opportunities to gain skills and confidence.
 
Divad said:
And remember you don't have to buy an overpriced stripping basket. A childs step stool ($6) flipped over has been my go-to. Plus, you get designs! I rock Spiderman but BabyShark, Hulk, Mario, Plain etc. are all options.

Find a screwdriver (preferably a beater), get it nice and hot with a propane torch and you can punch your own drainage holes along with mounting holes for a belt or bungee.
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I agree, though the overpriced baskets are way nicer then anything I ever produced myself. Good used pre-made baskets are pretty easy to find without paying retail.
As far as stripping basket drainage holes go and fishing Puget Sound, that would be a 👎🏿 for me. 😉
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
I agree, though the overpriced baskets are way nicer then anything I ever produced myself. Good used pre-made baskets are pretty easy to find without paying retail.
As far as stripping basket drainage holes go and fishing Puget Sound, that would be a 👎🏿 for me. 😉
SF
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No drainage holes for me either! And I have made multiple stripping baskets over the years. I finally bought a nice one 2 years ago. They last forever..... and are worth the cost.
 
I just cannot justify an injection molded plastic bucket at $60. There are offbranded ones from Aventik or whatever on AliExpress for $20. Probably will buy one of those this offseason to have a lender.

I go 50-50 on liking holes or not. When I fish into heavy waves from ships/wind I like the holes to drain out the splash. If I wade deep I just hike it up higher. But I can understand not liking holes, all of the step stools come without :D
 
Divad said:
I just cannot justify an injection molded plastic bucket at $60. There are offbranded ones from Aventik or whatever on AliExpress for $20. Probably will buy one of those this offseason to have a lender.

I go 50-50 on liking holes or not. When I fish into heavy waves from ships/wind I like the holes to drain out the splash. If I wade deep I just hike it up higher. But I can understand not liking holes, all of the step stools come without :D
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I’ve bought the old LL Bean, Orvis and Linekurv baskets used on various forums.
My memory isn’t great, but I don’t recall paying more than $30.00 for any of them.
Some were surprisingly cheap.
You’d be surprised what people have ratholed that will get offered up if you put up a WTB ad on the right forums.
A good number of people try saltwater and don’t fall in love with it or relocate and the basket becomes an unused fishing accessory.
As far as holes go, if waves fill up your basket, just grab the front of it and tilt it back towards you. You’ll empty it way quicker that way then small holes will plus it won’t be filling up if you need to wade deeper, which will cause more line tangles.
If I was fishing the surf, I’d have holes in my basket but really not needed for Puget Sound in my opinion.
SF
 
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Stonedfish said:
I agree, though the overpriced baskets are way nicer then anything I ever produced myself. Good used pre-made baskets are pretty easy to find without paying retail.
As far as stripping basket drainage holes go and fishing Puget Sound, that would be a 👎🏿 for me. 😉
SF
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STONEDFISH Is right on, I’ve made two out of different platforms, but after watching my son try to use both of then, and letting him use my store bought I ended up with two store bought. Also no holes in the bottom. I’ve heard people say it for safety so if it fills up the holes will let it drain.
 
Vandelay Industries said:
This one isn't too expensive and I have it as a backup/guest basket.

https://a.co/d/6ujeCiu
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That's the one I use. It's decent and well worth $40.
I wouldn't say I "enjoy" using baskets, but they definitely help on the beach. If you wade shin deep, are casting a floater and it's a clean beach with no waves then you don't really need one. But how often is that?
Just keeping your line out of the salad is usually enough motivation to use the basket, even with a floater. If you're throwing an intermediate, which you eventually will at some point since it's pretty much THE beach line you'll want a basket.

@jeradjames you are fast on your way to being a fishy dude man. Good work! That 7wt Boost is perfect for the sound. They set you up well. I'm sure you've read it or someone told you, but just in case...make sure to rinse that nice rig off with fresh water after EVERY time you hit the sound. Even saltwater rods and reels will eventually succumb to the evils of the salt. Peel the line off to the backing and give it a spray as well. (y)
 
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This looks exactly like the stripping basket I bought at a fly shop 6 years ago. Mine also has the neck strap which helps keep the basket sitting flat. I am not sure it makes a difference, but I am not very tall, so I use it.
Anyway, I paid $58 for it or $63 with tax.
I was shocked to see that some stripping baskets these days cost @$25.
 
Ernie said:
This looks exactly like the stripping basket I bought at a fly shop 6 years ago. Mine also has the neck strap which helps keep the basket sitting flat. I am not sure it makes a difference, but I am not very tall, so I use it.
Anyway, I paid $58 for it or $63 with tax.
I was shocked to see that some stripping baskets these days cost @$25.
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I've never used the neck strap. Works just fine for me with just the belt strap. It is money but it is a very useful piece of gear for anyone serious about fishing the Sound a lot.
 
Divad said:
I just cannot justify an injection molded plastic bucket at $60. There are offbranded ones from Aventik or whatever on AliExpress for $20. Probably will buy one of those this offseason to have a lender.

I go 50-50 on liking holes or not. When I fish into heavy waves from ships/wind I like the holes to drain out the splash. If I wade deep I just hike it up higher. But I can understand not liking holes, all of the step stools come without :D
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Buy one. You’ll buy it once in your life unless you run over it with your truck ;).
Buzzy said:
Is this six days of fly change-ups? Nice fish, btw!
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Yep!
 
About 22 years ago, my first day of beach fishing I went out without a basket and promptly sliced my brand new Rio Aqualux line in two when I caught it on a barnacle while double hauling.

I then sat down on a barnacle encrusted boulder and sliced a hole through the seat of my almost new Simms guide model waders.

Luckily the waders were an easy patch and the local Rio rep at the shop where I bought the line comped me a new one. But I bought a basket immediately and haven’t looked back.

I rocked the gray Orvis basket for years but recently got the flexible Take basket and really like it. I hated rapping my knuckles on the rigid basket when doing a frantic coho strip on a cold morning.
 
Merle said:
I rocked the gray Orvis basket for years but recently got the flexible Take basket and really like it. I hated rapping my knuckles on the rigid basket when doing a frantic coho strip on a cold morning.
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Hey! I resemble that remark, except I still rock the Orvis! 🤔 Old habits die hard. No lasting damage to the knuckles so far. I doubt the Orvis will ever sustain any damage, brick house!
 
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