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Beach Foraging Pole.

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KerniwCrasher

KerniwCrasher

Member
Apr 6, 2025
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Cornwall
https://imgur.com/a/t8rhQnC

So I made this from a bamboo pole, a large hook on one end and a weird "squashed butcher's hook/tent peg thing" that I found at my local hardware shop. I hacksawed the opposite end off to give me a straight spike. In hindsight I'll use a 9" nail when I make the next one.

I used two rubber end caps (walking stick ends) to seat the hook and the spike into and drilled holes out using an 8mm drill bit. The spike is actually seated into the wood in the bamboo knuckle.

Of course, my hot glue gun was my friend in this build and I whipped a very basic paracord handle on one end.
 
Last edited:
forrestdweller said:
please forgive me my ignorance/ lack of knowledge, but what is it used for?!
Click to expand...
The hook is for helping to remove lobster and edible crab from hiding places in rockpool rock crevices. The spike is for skewering fish and flatfish in rockpools.

I'm adapting it later on down the line so I can turn it into a basic fishing pole. In the hook (top) end I'm going to add a basic fishing kit (line, hooks, weights, float/lures) and a few bits of first aid (although I edc a basic first aid kit anyway) and some firestarting stuff such as matches, kindling etc.
 
Somebody showed me their version this week. They regularly use it to hook out lobsters. They have a simple right-angled hook, maybe 75mm each side, as the round one does not have the length/penetration to get under rocks far enough. I did ask how they stayed on the hook, he advised you just have to grab them quick, or sometimes they grab the hook with their pincers and don't let go.

Your hook might work to pull razorbacks out of the sand - plunge in next the hole, quick twist underneath it and a fast pull up the hole. That was the old way, regular foragers now apparently make a copper suction tube device.
 
Oops, wrong term, yes razor clams indeed, thank you for the correction. Wouldn't like to think of the consequences of trying to pull a razorback out of its sand/mud hole!
 
Falstaff said:
Somebody showed me their version this week. They regularly use it to hook out lobsters. They have a simple right-angled hook, maybe 75mm each side, as the round one does not have the length/penetration to get under rocks far enough. I did ask how they stayed on the hook, he advised you just have to grab them quick, or sometimes they grab the hook with their pincers and don't let go.

Your hook might work to pull razorbacks out of the sand - plunge in next the hole, quick twist underneath it and a fast pull up the hole. That was the old way, regular foragers now apparently make a copper suction tube device.
Click to expand...
Spearfishing UK sell this as a crab/lobster hook.... https://www.spearfishing.co.uk/fora...ESW6xr4Kon0sILkhwkr-pSXCg48-y9SBoClq4QAvD_BwE

In light of the fact that this pole was an off the cuff idea on the spur of the moment, and, I happened to be in the hardware shop - I went for the nearest thing I could think of.

I trialled it today, but I couldn't find any lobster to play with. I did however find out that the champagne cork I drilled and used to conceal the spike, does work very well for pinning crabs in rockpools for the kids to catch.

I've yet to encounter lobster so couldn't attest to it's ability atm. Will keep this thread updated on attempts success (or not lol)
 
You're looking for a crevice in the rock that goes under the rock, partially submerged. Telltale sign will be the first third of the tips of their antennae sticking out in the water. Other signs (crab included) will be broken bits of seashell in a "litter pile" outside of the crevice.

John Locker (based out of Newquay) does it best when beach foraging, check out a recent video he posted about how to -

 
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KerniwCrasher said:
The hook is for helping to remove lobster and edible crab from hiding places in rockpool rock crevices. The spike is for skewering fish and flatfish in rockpools.

I'm adapting it later on down the line so I can turn it into a basic fishing pole. In the hook (top) end I'm going to add a basic fishing kit (line, hooks, weights, float/lures) and a few bits of first aid (although I edc a basic first aid kit anyway) and some firestarting stuff such as matches, kindling etc.
Click to expand...
thanks for enlightening me :-) i'm currently (stuck) in the carribean and around here it's flat sandy coast with very little tidal differences, so they're unknown in this backwards corner of the world...
 
Seeing him poke around any old how with those pinchy things.

And though I am a lubber I seem to recall CONGER like cracks.

And I have seen the results of what they can do.
 
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