Fly Line Management Cylinder for Boats - AKA Shooting Bucket AKA Stripping Basket

The hardest challenge for this project was finding the correct
materials. I did 20+ hours of research on a fly line stripping basket for my boat. I eventually found someone recommended this cylinder. I visited a local Pinch-a-Penny pool store and picked up a Porpoise Cartridge Bath bucket. This bucket is tall and the purpose of it is to be filled with water to soak pleated filters for pool filtration systems that utilize them. Other alternatives include trash can liners and US Plastics containers, which will range in the $60+ range before shipping. I settled on this bucket because of the extremely low cost. I couldn't find a cheaper alternative other than tall laundry baskets. Yes I have used the collapsible leaf/laundry bags. They are a great compact alternative BUT a large cylinder like this will be better for serious fly fishing from a skiff. The major benefit that brought me to this type of line management system is the fact that I can place an entire fly rod, loaded and ready to go, in the bucket. This simplifies the process of moving the boat, or just taking a break. I can just set the rod down in the cylinder and it wont tip over or collapse like the flimsy style baskets.

Step 1: Gathering Materials and Tools

Materials I used:

Porpoise Cartridge Bath Bucket = $17

5lb Weight = $6

Cheap Plastic Paint Brushes = $1.50 for a 30 pack

Dense Foam Pool Float (Speedo) = Clearance $6

Any denser foam will work. I use this same material to cut plugs out for tying top water plugs. I've had this foam pad for a while and happened to be the exact same color as the bucket. Worked out good. But you could use rubber mat if you wanted.

I used 3 zipties I already had.

Right now it's a prime time to buy spool and water products as Summer is fading away. Any type of foam will work.

The only tools I used was a drill, some drill bits, knifes, and scissors to cut the ziptie.

Step 2: Cutting the Foam

First I traced the bucket and cut the foam out. It was tricky cutting it. I used a very sharp knife and serrated bread knife to cut it. How ever you can safely cut it will work just fine.

Step 3: Planning the Foam

I traced the weight on the foam and planned where I wanted the spikes that keep the line from coiling and shooting knots. Here I planned where I'd drill holes for the zipties and spikes. I kept it as symmetrical as possible.

Step 4: Cut the Brushes

I simply chopped the paint brushes. I used 10 of them. I left the little ridged part. Later these will be what hold the spikes into the foam. You dont need the ridges, you can super glue them if you want. Doesn't matter. Don't over think it.

Step 5: Drilling

I drilled holes in the bottom of the bucket to provide drainage.

Then I drilled holes in a symmetrical pattern in the foam. I drilled two large holes at each opening on the weight so I could ziptie the weight to the foam.

I also drilled a few bigger holes in the foam to allow water to drain.