I actually just made one last week, but won't get to try it for another month.
Anyway, there was a piece of mesh metal scrap at work that got my wheels turning. It was probably about 1.5 ft x 1 ft with fairly small holes in it, but seemed to be thick enough to be useful. I bent it to roughly the shape of rakes I've seen online. I then put a piece of sheet metal on each end. I put a strip of sheet metal across the bottom and top on the leading edges, which I riveted to the sheet metal ends, and to the screen. I then put a second strip of sheet metal further back on the top side. I used a piece of electrical conduit (approx. 3.5 ft long) for the handle, flattened about 6 in. of it which I riveted to the rake. Also, prior to attaching the conduit, I bent it to make it easier to handle from a standing position. I'll try to post a couple pics for you.
Oh yeah, I also drilled some larger holes in the screen to hopefully let sand out more easily, but small enough to not lose too many fleas.
I just bring a colander and work em outta the sand. Plastic ones break, metal ones last but will rust. I use metal since we use em at the campsite for cooking too.
usually find em by hand, and its really easy when u find a big patch of lil V's sticking out. but, with a rake, you dont gotta turn ur back to the water and get splashed lol...
take 2 swipes with a rake, and walk back up on the pier for some sheepies
I used to always make my own gear when possible, but a lack of time has gotten the best of me. I loved that feeling when something I designed, constructed, and used was a success. Well maybe again when retirement gets here.
I have a good flea rake but most of the time I use a flat head shovel if I know the flea are plentiful where I am fishing. I will shovel up a bunch and chum several scoops into the water.
The Device You Are Showing Will Catch Enough For For A 100 Anglers, They Will Die Before You Use Them.
42 Years On The Ocean Front, I Use A Quart Plastic Bucket With Two Inches Of Sand And My Hands To Catch No More Than Six Fleas, Cause They Will Die Unless O2 Nated In Fresh Salt Water , On The Beach I Dont Have A Areated Bucket For Sand Fleas. If You Start Using This High Production Capture Equipment There May Be None Left For The Rest Of Us...........................................
Conduit handle, 1/4" regular mesh screen from the hardware store, and a 2" x 1/8" x 4' piece of aluminum strap material. This rake is 18" wide but I only drag it along the surf for a short time so I don't catch too many. The screen has lasted 2 seasons and still looks good. I rinse it off as soon as I get a chance after every use.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Pier and Surf Forum
955.5K posts
24.9K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to fishing and boat owners and enthusiasts along the East Coast and Gulf area. Come join the discussion about piers, safety, gear, tackle, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!