This Can Too fishing rig is an adaptation of the can rig.

An empty soda can may be used to quickly make an inexpensive fishing outfit that can be used in place of a rod and reel.  This is called a can rig.  Information on how to make and use a can rig is distributed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and by the Sportfishing and Aquatic Resources Education Program  (SAREP) program.

The Can Too rig is more durable, has a cord wrist band that prevents the user from accidentally tossing it into a lake, stream, river etc. and can still be fully constructed and set up for under one dollar.  Actually, the pipe used to construct the “can too” fishing rig cost less than a soda would cost!  These fishing rigs take up very little storage room.  They are great when you want to go fishing and a niece or nephew without a fishing rod and reel would like to join you.  They also work well for taking a 4-H club, Girl Scout troop, Cub Scout den, Boy Scout troop, class etc. fishing for a few hours when the investment in quality fishing gear is not feasible or practical.  You may want to leave one or two in a corner of the trunk of your car for those spur of the moment fishing outings.  The name of this fishing rig is for the doubters that “Yes, you can too catch fish with it.”

   

How to use:

To use the can too rig you simply put your wrist through the loop and grab the tube.  Then extend your index (pointer) finger to hold the line with the lure or bobber  and hook, dangling down.  Then, using a tossing motion, swing the rig towards the water and let go with your index finger.  With a little practice, you will be placing the lure or bait right where you are aiming.  One way to cast using the can too rig is to use an underhand motion similar to the one you might use if you were pitching a softball.  The casting motion when using the rig is very similar to that of casting with a closed faced reel.  The main difference is that when using a can too rig  you use your “pointer” finger to control the line, whereas you use your thumb to hold and release the line with a closed faced reel.

Safety Note

Be careful not to hook yourself or anyone else when casting using this rig.  It is actually less likely that you will hook someone else when you are casting.  BUT due to the closeness of the hook to your own body, it is easier to hook yourself!

How to build a Can Too Rig:

The body of the rig is a 4 3/4 inch piece of 2 inch diameter PVC schedule 40 pipe.  The current (1998) retail cost of a ten foot length of pipe which would make 24 rigs is $5.20.  The cost per rig is only $0.22.  Cut a piece of pipe to length and sand the edges until smooth.  The first hole for the wrist cord is drilled about 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of the pipe.  Use a 3/16 inch drill bit for all of the holes in the can too rig.  The second hole for the wrist cord is also drilled 1/2 inch from the bottom edge and 1/2 inch from the first hole.    The ends of a one foot length of 1/8 inch sash cord is then threaded through the holes.  A knot is placed in each end of the cord to hold it in place.  Next drill another pair of holes 1 1/2 inches from the bottom end.  These holes are used to secure the end of the fishing line to the rig.  An improved clinch knot works great here.  Next, wrap a piece of electrical vinyl tape around the knot to hold the knot and the knot end out of the way.  Then wrap about 30 feet of fishing line around the rig (60 turns around the tube), attach a fishing bobber, a snap swivel  (using an improved clinch knot), a fishing hook, bait and go fishing!

 

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Ed@EdEngelman.com