How to Make Hand Lines for Kayak Fishing

I just finished making these hand lines for my son and I.  We want to try fishing from our kayak, and hand lines are compact, simple, and easy to make.  As far as I have read, they are a good option for kayak fishing because they are easier to transport and manage than rods, reels, and complicated tackle.

Hand made hand lines for kayak fishing

I’m not a fisherman nor a builder, but I figured… how hard could it be?  The hand lines handles are made from cherry veneer, 1/2 inch plywood and rigged with 25 feet of nylon cord and 10 feet of 15lb monofilament.  I intend to bottom fish, so I have somewhat of a fluke rig attached right now.

I initially designed the handles using Google Sketchup, which allows one to easier manipulate shapes and curves.  The trick is to only design half of your object and then simply mirror it in order to obtain a symmetrical design.  These handles measure about 12 inches long.

These are actually my #3 and #4 attempts.  The first two attempts suffered from poorly designed gripping areas that were much too thin, and even curved in the wrong direction.  The gripping areas on the handles you see here are quite comfortable for an adult hand, and they afford a solid grip of the hand line handle.

Once I was satisfied with my design, I printed it out as best as I could from Google Sketchup.  Then I used Saral paper (that stuff is so useful) to transfer the design onto the plywood.  I used a regular jigsaw to cut out the design.  You could also very easily use a scroll saw.  Then I used a Dremel tool with sanding barrel “bit” to round the edges.  I suppose a router would have worked better at this point, but I don’t have the proper bit.  And router bits are expensive.

I then used medium sandpaper to smooth the edges a bit.  Ideally you may want to then apply upwards of 8 coats of marine grade spar varnish to the handle in order to preserve it at sea.  I was thoroughly intending to do this, and I even bought some expensive spar varnish from Holland.  But I really hate painting and finishing.  I can fabricate a new handle in about 30 minutes and it would take me days to varnish, sand, and finish.

After the handles were complete, I ordered some 5mm nylon cord and went shopping for some basic fishing gear.  The idea behind the nylon cord is that this is a hand line.  You will be holding the line directly and pulling up a fish (hopefully) hand over hand.  5mm cord is much easier to grip.

The first 25 feet of line is nylon cord.  Then I used a special nail knot to add on 10 feet of monofilament, to which the leader, rig, and lures are attached.  I used 15 pound monofilament, with the idea being that beginning fishermen don’t want to land anything bigger than 15 pounds anyway.  And because we will be fishing from a kayak in Long Island Sound, we don’t really want to hook anything remotely large.  If we do, the line should break away.

I’m totally guessing at the length of line required.  Each hand line is carrying about 35 feet of total line.  Is this enough?  I have no sure idea, but I think it will be enough for “just offshore” fishing.

Feel free to post questions or comments