I probably posted this in the wrong site earlier (inshore fishing). We used to cut 12' to 14' lengths of calcutta cane to use for surf rods...put on a squidder with hose clamps and cushion wrap carboloy guides. Anybody know where to get calcutta cane? Thanks.

www.BambooandRattan.com lists tappered smoked Calcutta Bamboo

Thanks Bazztex...it'll be a great winter project!

I found a grove of it in a vacant house's lot a few years back. down the road from a buds place about 25 miles from me.

I cut some good ones,and would like a few more, but I think it has a new owner. I'd bet he'd let me take a few if I asked though...he has tons, and most folks couldn't tell calcutta cane from any other.

Wow! You're right! folks just don't seem to know what calcutta is anymore...they think I'm talking about fishing reels. Have you made any surf rods from them yet? They're awsome..very strong and they'll send a bait rig out about 5 million yards(?) I was just a boy when I made my first one...it was about 14' long...made the guides myself from stainless wire...cushion wrapped all of them..was all I could do do cast! Also made "jiggin-poles" ...had to be around 16'...tie what we used to call a "leapin'-lena" (something like a Rapala floater)about 6 inches from the tip with braided dacron (Gudebrod)and run the line down to the butt...then jig it down around the pier pilings for snook and (believe it or not!) tarpon! They'd hit...and Wow! the fight was on. Never kept any of the fish of course... managed to break a cane or two...sometimes I think I'm re-living part of my life through this forum...I hope it's O.K. and I hope you can cut some more!

Thanks for the post.

Hee-Hee! you bet it's O.K.! It's one of my favorite aspects of this forum...I love hearing stories from folks who had so many similar experiences as I did in my youth, etc.

Sure, I've made surf rods. Even though I don't get down to the coast nearly enough anymore. I've tended to use to calcutta's more for catfishing than anything else. They make dandy long distance casters behind a spillway..etc. But my favorite use is as a catfishing pole to use walking the rocks and rip-rap during the spawn, or wadefishing the shallows for cats at night. There is no better method of snatching a good sized kitty out of the rocks than straight up and over! It has a nice quiet presentation too. I rig my calcutta's with 50lb. braided spiderwire. It'll straighten the hook if need be upon hang-ups, which you have fewer of than with a rod and reel up in the rocks.

I've also caught some nice bass with them. You have the ability to sneak into brushy spots and quietly drop your bait into the shady holes where the sows are. And as soon as they bite...you can once again manuver them up and out of the brush instead of trying to drag them through it. Deadly on bass using live perch and a nice quiet presentation....yeah sure....it would be frowned on by the "Bass Pros" ...but I could care less. It's not something I do every time I fish. I don't have a truck right now, so I have to tie the things on the side of my car to transport and use them......Classic Look by the way. A look you never see anymore, but was common on friday and saturday evenings years ago. I've often wondered how to go about making one into a two piece pole for ease of travel?

Wow...talk about memories! I don't think making a two piece would be a problem. You'd need an appropriate ferrel (male and female) and a little epoxy...might want to wrap it for looks. You're absolutely right about pulling bass out of the brush...almost straight up...and talk about covering some ground(water!) you can get right there where they are and not waste any time about it! We had a '49 chevy we called "the green bean"..we'd lay the calcuttas over the roof and tie them off at the front bumper and the back bumper...the chevy had three on the column and now and again it would "hang-up" in second gear...we'd have to get out...undo the poles...slide 'em over to raise the hood, release the linkage, re-tie the poles and be on our way! Yessir! I remember. Thanks Dave.

Oh!...and don't forget Frog Gigs! We'd trim the tips back just far enough to fit a three or four prong gig...Viola! Long distance gigging!

I need to go catch a fish!

Hee-hee!
never thought of that!

I wonder where somone could find ferrels suitable for bamboo splicing?

Dave, try

www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

I'm thinkg if they don't have them, maybe they can refer you.

I have been told that Roy's Bait & Tackle in Corpus Christi has some calcutta poles for sale. I haven't been there and seen um, just been told

Thanks for the heads-up on the calcutta!

I'm gonna go catch a fish!