Amazing Pocket Fishing Kit [ NEW HACK! ]

In this complete tutorial, I show how to make a pocket fishing kit out of a chalk line reel.
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[@robertcole7874]

My father used an old steel one for fishing since the 50s. I've been using one in my pack my entire life. You sir are the only other person I've ever seen use a chalking for fishing. Well done.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool, thanks so much for watching!

[@Agent_of_Grim]

Does that actually work?

[@CarnivorousMiner]

Pro tip. Just like a regular baitcaster, you’ll need to put a bit of electrical tape on the spool befor you wind up the braided line. The braided line will free spin on your spool under load.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great tip, thanks!

[@RockyGully]

@@Future-Preps35 Yeah,always pre spool with mono as it won't slip

[@MrIkilledmyspace]

Absolutely the first thing I noticed and made as a mental note to add to mine when I make one! Thanks for sharing that. It is a quick step but one that can save you time, frustration, blood pressure, and four letter words. lol

[@BBBYpsi]

@@RockyGully plus a flourocarbon leader

[@alfonsedente9679]

Plus a laser

[@D33Lux]

All of sudden, chalk line reel sales go WAY UP! This is brilliant.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Right?

[@fiberglasscowboy315]

Hahaha yep im going to get one now

[@user-js4vh2lw6n]

I'd like to see a video of you using this setup.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!

[@shelleypilcher3812]

He said 'that' would be boring when I asked him the same thing. We are 'too' trivial.

[@fjmurray25]

There is no drag 😂

[@WayPointSurvival]

I never said that people are trivial. It's just that fishing with something like this is rather self-explanatory. It's just hand line fishing with a better retrieval system than winding it around a can or a stick.

[@kalachandmondal3024]

Prise

[@richarde735]

RONCO had the pocket fisherman in the 70’s

[@chriscullum4527]

I still have 3 of them.

[@southbirdsouthbird]

Had one of those. It worked well, actually. But this is much smaller and cheaper with better components. Not much use for casting, though.

[@brucematys8597]

I still have one and the original box, it works great.

[@chriscullum4527]

I still have one of the original bags it came in too. I also have 2 "knock off brands" work just as well.

[@sharondonelow5364]

This is much smaller and lighter than the pocket fisherman, and when packing for survival small and light is good.

[@rsmcclure75]

This is one of the neatest diy bushcraft projects i've seen.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@CandymanSays]

You could take some of that line and attach it to the loop in the clippers. So it's easier to "fish" it out of the reel compartment.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@ianmonaghan5442]

That's one of the best DIY pocket fishing kits I've seen in years! Well done and great idea.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you like it!

[@alirastkar9458]

Liked it so much, I ran out and made me one just like it. Kinda trying to line up a situation to utilize it😂

[@mbarr1029]

Nailed it again James. Especially with the spider wire, since it does not have the mono-filament coil memory and you should not need to worry how the line comes off the spool as much. Plus 50 lb test is as you said " has other uses" LOVE IT

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@user-bn8hz8wh3i]

Agreed

[@sonicimperium]

You could also fish with a grenade but that would defeat the need for all the gear! 👌🏻

[@WayPointSurvival]

Lol!

[@Gunn4u]

Hard to get grenades. Even harder to keep a six fish limit😂😂

[@WayPointSurvival]

Right?

[@brucematys8597]

😂😂😂

[@jfowler7604]

Grenade might offer good results but would only be a one time use.

[@shanekuchler9569]

This is actually one of the very few homemade bushcraft gadgets that is actually useful. Being a bushcraft instructor myself, I am definitely adding this to my class... Thank you.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Awesome, I'm glad you liked it!

[@JimiFarkle]

one of the very few actually useful gadgets?

[@MtlWolf]

@@JimiFarkle Be quiet you nit picker

[@b.griffinarmstrong8677]

Fantastic idea! Thanks for the video! ! If I might make one other suggestion, you can add a WRIST STRAP while you have the case of the chalk line open make a couple of notches in the plastic either side of the rear screw .This would help prevent a larger fish from yanking the kit out of your hand when slippery, and also so you can drop the reel and use both hands when you bring a fish to shore.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea!

[@orianaspiderowl769]

B. Griffin Armstrong how to make the wrist strap? New to handy work.😅

[@b.griffinarmstrong8677]

@@orianaspiderowl769 You can make those notches I mentioned in the case to just trap a loop of paracord or something.

[@azraelf.6287]

​@B. Griffin Armstrong I was thinking the same thing. Notch the case at the seam. Then tie an overhand loop with paracord and sandwich the knot on the inside. My first thought would have been using my awl to drill a hole in the side and using a knot and washer. But I don't know how much extra room is on the inside.

[@tombearclaw]

Might not be as pretty but if you’re concerned about the inside space you could leave the knot on the outside of the casing to minimize how much space you need inside

[@BigHeinen]

Great idea for a survival fishing tool. Personally, as an avid fisherman I would tie on a 6 to 8 foot leader of 4-8 pound test monofilament and then the hook. I really like to grenade pouch idea too! Well done sir!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@BBBYpsi]

I was thinking 10-15 fourocarbon would do the trick. But mono would work. I also would go with a lighter braided line. But this dyi is a cool idea.

[@alimfuzzy]

Wow. You're really the most inventive survival youtube channel. This is a product i would actually buy. I have a pen fishing kit but that is actually a bit more clumsy than what you built.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@kan-zee]

HOLEY MOLEY.....I've got a few of these chalk lines, sitting in my tool caddy...and NEVER , have I thought of using one of them, for a Pocket Fishing kit....Amazing ...thank you...

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@greyscout01]

Cool. Another simple, yet genius build. Love it.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you like it!

[@theguywitheyebrows]

This is a brilliant idea!! I always wondered if it would work, from childhood even, but never gave it a shot. Very very neat James!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@chriscullum4527]

Genius, pure freaking genius!!!!!!!!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@monkeyboy6590]

Wow! Someone finally did this on youtube. When I was a kid, I wanted a pocket fisherman but couldn't afford one. We were what you say in the south, "po folk". My Dad had an ole chalk box that he never used, so being the igenuitive one, I turned it into a fishing reel!!! This is so awesome!!! Thank you for the memory and an awesome idea.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great, thanks for watching!

[@gregzeigler3850]

WOW! Now I don't feel that bad. When I was a kid I took an old Zebco Reel I got from a yard sale and electric taped it to a stick. I made metal loops with a clothes hanger. Caught many a fish with that setup. Children can be so inventive, when you don't have a lot of money.

[@WolfRoy66]

Very cool carry piece. Love the idea. We walk creeks and go hiking to lakes a lot to find the honey holes and this is a perfect piece to have.

[@WayPointSurvival]

I think so too!

[@davidmorris4353]

So cool James! You never cease to amaze and inspire me and I am an old man with tons of savvy on making effective and useful fishing and trapping items from other peoples junk! Hey James you could use the discarded line tip device as a line guide on a nice flexible/resilient green limb as a fishing pole. As a kid I used a willow limb or natural river cane(couldn't afford a real pole) that I bent like a bow on one end to flick my Hellgrammite up under overhanging branches on the creek to ambush blue and channel cats. I would have killed to have a cool reel like this! Adding an artificial Hellgrammite lure or a Crappie lure to that tackle tube would be awesome too!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea! Thanks!

[@pete6724]

I made one back in the 1980's when I travelled the UK, I forgot all about it, thanks for the reminder mate.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, thanks for watching!

[@ericlamarr444]

I love how nifty all your videos are, just jam packed with worth while knowledge for any outdoors enthusiast. Keep that mind active for us brother.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, will do!

[@johnkoelliker8480]

Awesome again. Being in Southern Louisiana I always have a fishing pole in my vehicle, even if it is just a $15 Walmart combo. I'll have to take one of those old reels and put together a small kit like this. I'm thinking fishing reel instead of the chalk line because it has the ability to cast. I'm also interested in your idea for a small diy desalination kit, since there is not much fresh water near the Gulf. Thanks for the videos and keep em coming

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching! I don't have a lot of experience with desalinization but I will definitely think about it.

[@oddjobbob8742]

Your cleverness knows no bounds, James!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, my friend!

[@Mugwumps107]

Genius 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Now let’s see it in action 👍🏻

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@bubbakemp5817]

Outstanding! Light weight and definitely functional!

[@flynnstone3580]

With the 3 to 1 gearing, it would be great for flying a kite.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@501badgirl501]

This was an incredible idea, James. Someone else mentioned about the Ronco pocket fisherman, and it reminded me of that as well. I still have a Pocket Fisherman my Father gave me ❤ Thanks for always putting out quality content !

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@aegismule13]

im 58 years old and still have my fathers ocket fisherman too :)

[@GreenTea3699]

I remember the Ron Popeil Pocket Fisherman

[@behindthespotlight7983]

IMMEDIATE GENIUS 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼one of the best in the history of this channel

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@MasterK9Trainer]

I like the fact that you did not waste a single thing. The string and the little thing that you hook onto boards and such can be used to fix another chalk or plumb line reel. As far as your conversion, it's very neat. You won't experience any tangles like can happen with a fishing rod and of course the hand crank makes it easier to reel in the line and the fish. Being able to store the clippers and the tube inside is fortunate. The container is usually an enclosed unit.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@niptart1275]

What an amazing idea! If you'll let me add an idea to this, I would add a strap of some kind to go around your wrist so that it doesn't slip out of your hands, or get yanked out of your hand by a larger fish, especially once it gets wet.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Sure, you could do that!

[@Gunn4u]

Great multi use of an already great tool. A+ on that sir.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@graemesaunderson4218]

That is a grate idea.Very compact and really quite clever.Well done.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you very much!

[@michael-er4fg]

Great

[@kennethcruise7635]

Great idea , I am showing this to my grand baby tomorrow.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@t.cripple9900]

That's a cool hack that can actually save you from starving. I'm definitely gonna add one to the bug out bag.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, glad you liked it!

[@outdoorsurvival5102]

Hi James, that is a excellent idea for a pocket fishing kit, another great video. I have the Exotac XReel pocket fishing kit.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@jerielcontreras5214]

Thanks for the tip and ingenuity. You always surprise us with your idea. Keep educating, stay safe and God bless.🍻

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much and God bless you too!

[@shelleypilcher3812]

Ya plenty of us are asking for him to show how it works. He said it's too trivial and boring for him to do. Soo...just imagine.

[@stevenloy6657]

Hands down best fishing kit I’ve come across. Creativity at its finest.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@jevelwilson]

Best emergency fishing kit ever!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@anonymous_friend]

Great idea. Pair this with smaller leaders and an FG knot, and you increase your chances of a hookup. Also electrical tape on the spool to keep the line from spinning. Would love to see you catch a fish with this.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion!

[@shelleypilcher3812]

That's what he keeps saying. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@TheBanjo53]

Great video. Love to see video showing use

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@shelleypilcher3812]

Ya. That's what we are all asking him to do. We are all thinking the same thing.

[@kennethhamby9811]

Very compact, and organized. Thanks James

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@criagguhl5084]

This weekends project for me. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@terryqueen3233]

What awesome idea James. That is pretty cool. I'm going to look at my old chalk box and see if it will work in that one. I got a pretty good offer on my house today James but it wasn't what I was asking and there's one more person looking at it so we'll see can you remember him how that goes. May God bless you and yours

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much! I'll pray you can get a good offer. God bless you too!

[@terryqueen3233]

@@WayPointSurvival thank you James

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@andrewheynig2721]

Could be used for a retractable ridge line in an emergency.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@ApocGuy]

this is what survival is about; survive with what you have, scavenge, repurpose it, thrive. amazing idea, will deff add it to my portable fishing kit. good backup for automatic yoyo reel ;)

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you like it!

[@davidsawmandave8731]

This is exactly what I have been looking for , not much info on YT how to make a nice emergency fishing kit , chalk box !!! = fantastic !!! Gonna make one for each of my bug out bags Sharing this video to my prepper friends , thanks buddy

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@oldfatncranky5599]

I have used chalk lines since the late 50s early 60s and almost all were cast aluminum with some casting flaws that make this type of project difficult. My first thought was an eyelet to pass the string through, i was pleasantly surprised to see the Irwin one had a metal eyelet in it. Amazing what you can come up with if you put your mind to, it isn't it? Nicely done

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@robosnitz]

Great in theory, but does it actually work?

[@WayPointSurvival]

Sure, why wouldn't it? It's a simple enough concept. It's basic hand fishing coupled with a reel to pull it back in.

[@BaroudeurAventure]

By far the best DIY survival pocket fishing kit! Thanks for sharing.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you like it!

[@MrPeter924]

Great video sounds great audio. Fishing.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@Hussy_Phuck0690]

HOLY FREAKING CRAP. Dude when he put it all together I dropped my phone 😅what the heck how have I NEVER thought of that.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@loydevan1311]

Excellent video. Especially like that you pre opened all packages so as not have to watch you fumble. Superior concept. I would include a clipped thin Phillips screw driver so take down can be accomplished in the field. Add a small self sealing plastic bag w more assortment of hooks & tackle. Again, Superior concept & execution.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@Devilduck721]

Hands down very nice. I have used chalk boxes a lot and never thought about this.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@randypyatt5649]

Clank line that's cool idea.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@glennpurchase807]

Wow. Second time around for me. I simply love this idea.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@wolfman2702]

Great idea, this would be great back up for kayak/ canoe camping too.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Definitely!

[@tybeejeffro]

Outstanding! With the additional modification of a lanyard, a couple of these would be a great addition to my fishing kayak as mini outriggers.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea! Thanks for watching!

[@anthonykennedy6758]

Best kit yet

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@Winnie-Kay]

How did you know I was comparing fishing line, yesterday? 😳 Hahaha right on time with this video. Thanks man😎👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@holzbrian7049]

I can’t believe I never thought of that!! Now I’ll be thinking of fishing every time I snap a chalk line

[@WayPointSurvival]

Right, lol!

[@milododds1]

GREAT IDEA JAMES!! Thank you.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@unfi6798]

What a fabulous idea for a minimalist. Never ceased to amaze your viewers. Cheers mate from Australia.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@jasonneumann1678]

This is an amazing idea. Thank you and also thank your friend. Quick, simple and easy. This is something that should be included in a bugout bag or even just hiking or camping.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, I'm glad that you liked it!

[@sharondonelow5364]

Thank you! I'll be trying this!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@dwaynechatman8655]

cool idea. def gonna do this as another back up for the back pack.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent. Glad you liked it!

[@williammccaslin8527]

Ron Popiel would be proud , The OG of the pocket fisherman, a better idea in my book. Thx for the vid James

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@SkywalkerPMs]

Great idea! I just picked up a couple of the Ka-bar fishing reels.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@mixmix1487]

Awesome! Making one this weekend, thank you!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great!

[@tomdonahue8110]

Great idea. I love that you give credit where credit is due.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@ThousandYardStare]

That is by far the best DIY fishing kit I've seen - awesome idea, man. I'm going to buy one, make up a suitable kit and when I use it (and make a video) I'll shout out your channel no worries.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, thanks for watching!

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@WayPointSurvival No worries brother - best of luck with the channel.

[@glennpurchase807]

Super idea James. Thanks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you liked it!

[@michaelkaiser1864]

BRILLIANT! I REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL POCKET FISHERMAN LOL!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@marlonvite4152]

Thanks for sharing it, the world is already better with people like you and I

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@Miclantechupi]

Very clever. Love it. That's the weekend project sorted.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@Magoo652]

Great idea James, always use a hand line as I travel on a motorcycle. Thanks for sharing.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@alimfuzzy]

You could probably take that grabber thing you discarded and attach it as a lanyard ring. You could then add a string from the nail clippers and attach there so they would be easier to take out.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@prophez23]

That's a really great idea! I'm going to build one of those now. Thanks for sharing it!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, thanks for watching!

[@Wastelandman7000]

Very nice! I'm sure Ronco is green with envy because they didn't think of it!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Lol!

[@johnsmith-oz5kj]

Genius! Love it! Taking this setup on my next adventure!!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@bubba7626]

Great complete self contained kit! A cheap fly fishing reel works very well too but of course no self contained items but is narrow enough to add to a kit plus you can easily mount a stick to it and eyeltes to the stick in field craft fashion.

[@WayPointSurvival]

True!

[@craigthemonke794]

You should look into them hobo hand reels. I carved a hobo reel out of a branch from my grandparents pear tree, it was thick enough to carve out a little container inside for hooks and some shot and closes with a wine cork. Cant wait to test it out.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, they work well.

[@danemmerich6775]

I made mine out of a kite reel. I like this idea better. Great job.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@dianatrott5359]

Another brilliant idea! Thank you!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are so welcome!

[@aaronnoffsinger5922]

One of your best ideas ! I'm a truck driver and like to fish, if I was out some were it would handy as it doesn't look like I'm fishing. I never know where I'll end up or how long I'll be there ;)

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@AndrewRichardson-hk9tf]

I would have never thought to do this. Amazing job and brilliant idea

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@captaingrym2752]

Awesome kit!! Thanks for posting!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@ghostyty3071]

Great idea can't wait to make one, grandson and I will be making it I'm sure he will love it just like I do.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent! Thanks so much for watching!

[@indyoutsider]

That is definitely a good idea I like the whole concept. Thank you sir for the video, and your hard work bringing us content.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

I AM HOOKED ON YOUR CHANNEL...SUPER VIDEO...THANK YOU!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Humble-Hermit]

This sure beats the way my father taught me (a stick, line and hook). Without exaggeration, my brothers and I out fished many others with modern fishing rods. Didn't understand what my dad was teaching us until I was older.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed. Those old school guys knew a lot about making do and learning the old school ways are always beneficial.

[@Oyashiro89]

I remember when i was adventuring teenager and my father made me a small block of wood with a fishing line, a weight and a hook wrapped around it. That was very good gear when fishing on boat or bridge.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@MrIkilledmyspace]

Love this video! Haven't seen one of these used in AGES and even then it wasn't as clean as this one. Will definitely be picking up the items to make one of these this weekend. Thanks for another great video!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent! Thanks so much for watching!

[@jamessotherden5909]

What a cool idea. thanks for sharing.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are so welcome!

[@jbeachbob58]

Genius James! Thanks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@thekillerorc7824]

I still have my Popiel pocket fisherman bought it in 1972 still works great!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent, I have a couple of them as well and they do work good.

[@i_am_a_freespirit]

I just love this idea James Bender 🥰, thank you for this Video. I will be making me one of the old shalk line markers!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are so welcome!

[@charlesgillette2925]

Excellent will save this and check back again. Nice work.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Awesome, thank you!

[@SueD.]

Very clever design.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@glenmo1]

Great idea ! Thanks and thank you for the detailed instructions that are very easy to follow..!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!