I just bought a new tube and wanted to protect the air bladder from the occasional hook pricks through the pockets. Any ideas on a hook proof liner.

might could cut a slice off a 5 gallon bucket

I've heard of folks going to WalMart (sewing dept.) and buying some of the heavy roll plastic and wrapping the bladders. I'm seriously thinking about it for my kick-boats.

That's a great idea. Inflate the bladder without the cover and glue plastic over the top half of the bladder where needed. I'll check that out. Thanks

I don't know if I'd glue it. You might have to remove it to patch underneath. I'm thinking wrap completely and duct tape the joint or double stick velcro so you can pull it apart.

Just keep anything with hooks in plastic tackle boxes.

I tried that one year and caught no fish!!!

It's more sporting that way!

Use rubber hooks, no danger then.

I think I found a good protection under the pockets. I asked for two old xrays from a medical office and duct taped them to the bladder while it was inflated. I deflated just enough to get it back into the cover and inlated again. They are very flexable and a hook can't penetrate into the bladder. Problem solved!

Seriousy--plastic boxes. You're over-thinking it.

I have 3 plastic boxes on each side, they hold normal bass baits and hooks. This time of year I use very large baits for big bass. They're putting on a layer of fat for winter and will take big baits. The baits, or large swim bait hooks that do not fit in the plastic boxes tend to puncture the bladder, usually from my elbows pushing them in. I'm not over or under thinking the issue, I want a non-issue.

You might take a look at the flexible plastic covers found on smaller 3 ring binders. If you look around you can find different thicknesses and stiffness are available, so you can pick as much protection/flexibility as you want. Cut to size with heavy serrated scissors and insert under your pockets and against the inner tube. They need to be tacked in place to the fabric side with thread/contact cement.

Porta

Tacking to the fabric side would be better for inflating and deflating. I'll check out the binder material also. Thanks for the reply Porta.

- dont glue anything to the bladders, you will create stress points that will eventually lead to failure.

- the recommendations to get some thin semi rigid sheet plastic and attach to the fabric is the solution.

There is a plastic sheet used to expand trash bags for lawn leaf loading, it is 1st rate. This is what I did for a Kennebec. I just poked some holes in the sheet and sewed it in place in two places.

Welcome Moss, hope it worked.

Still the issue of sharp pointed hooks getting caught in the pocket material, especially if they go past the barb. Anyone solved that one? I guess you could use foam patch like the fly fish guys, but its hard to protect trebles placed INSIDE the pocket... I just use velcro foam patches OUTSIDE, but not an ideal solution.

P.

I use cut out pieces of carpet, just size them to the bottom of the pockets.

Been using Caddis Product for over 20 years, round, bladder was replaced by 20inch tire tube. The back rest bladder, I replaced with the swim float tubes, again size them to the bottom, one swim rod should worked for 3 cut pieces, this is extra safety for me. Oh yeah, bind the floats if you decide to go that route, should zip right up.

They do sell hook covers that would help. Also empty toothpaste boxes hold most swimbaits well, up to about 9 inches.

Lots of good ideas here, sure they all would work.

The U-types tube will help a lot helpful because the U-types have an opening in the front, and tend to be more expensive then the standard, although there can be some overlap in the price range. Their main advantage is that they are easy to enter. This would be the tube to get if you are not too coordinated, or have mobility problems. You have easy access to your feet, and can wait till you are in the water to put on your fins. Their disadvantage is that they are less stable in the water, most use aluminum support bars that can eventually be lost

The range of different sizes, types and styles of both aprons and pockets can be a big factor in one's final choice of a craft to buy. All other options being somewhat equal, you want to buy something that will best suit your style of fishing. These things are useful while fishing.