I heard of a low-tech way to fish that I just had to try, it’s called “Hobo Fishing”. This method uses a conventional fishing line with assorted hooks, lures, weights, baits and bobbers but uses a stick or similar object for a spool and eliminates the need for a rod and reel. Indigenous people have used this technique for generations. In the present day this simple technique allows a greater latitude for improvising along with the benefits of easy storage and transport.

I began preparing my rig by measuring out a suitable length of fishing line then fastening it to an empty soda can using the pull tab as an anchor point. From there I wound the line around the can with successive loops heading toward the other end where upon I tied on the hook and bait.

To operate this rig, feed out about 1 foot of line and place your thumb on top of the can. Your thumb becomes your casting release. I find it easier to cast from the side and just after a cast or two it begins to feel natural and can be quite effective. On my third cast I caught the bass shown in the photo. What makes this type of fishing particularly exciting is that you literally have a direct line to the fish so you feel it’s every move. When the fish takes the bait you retrieve the line by grabbing it with alternate hand-holds much like the rhythm and motion when paddling a kayak. Landing the fish is pretty much the same as when using a rod.

You owe it to yourself to experience this method of fishing as you are able to feel a more direct connection with your catch and the satisfaction of your achievement.

Once a pull tab is carefully removed from a can lid, you can fold over the small attachment eye on the tab to smooth out the ring’s inside edge. Any sharp edges can wear on the line over time but give added friction to help hold the line in place. You can feed the line in the larger hole, pass over the middle bar, and exit out the other hole. Pull the line out a ways and return the end of the line to the previously attached end of the tab and tie onto it… I prefer a bolen knot, but a couple of half-hitches (simple knots) will do. You can now place your cord’s loop around an anchor like a tent peg and slide the new tensioner up the line until the slack in the loop is taken up. This device works best on cord versus string as a thicker line provides better friction.

Keep this handy application in mind along with pull-tab fish hooks. What other applications have you used? Please share them in the comments below.

I have to confess that I often carry a Leatherman multitool, and it’s hard to beat if you are improvising a tool or making a repair. However, a determined person can fashion things in a multitude of ways without such a tool.

I’ve constructed these hooks on a few occasions and the following are my observations: the hook tip must be quite sharp in order to penetrate the skin; the eye of the hook should be a rounded shank in order to prevent the line from being cut when pulled by the fish; natural bait may need to be tied onto the hook for longevity; synthetic baits or parts of baits work well; when forming the hook, try to keep the tip parallel to the shank because a wide angle allows bait and fish to slip off easier.

When fishing, remember that fish can be fussy so offering a variety of baits at different depths may be required to draw their interest. Even though the hook may not penetrate the skin, it may lodge sufficiently enough to pull the fish out of the water and swing it up onto the bank That will certainly qualify as a catch and potentially a meal.

Happy hooking!