Tag Archives: recent

Best Mooring Buoys for Lake Boating

 

MooringBest Mooring Buoys refers to attaching your watercraft to a float or buoy on the surface, which is in turn is attached to a permanent anchor at the bottom of the lake by a rode.  Rode is the term used to refer to the line, cable, or chain that connects the anchor to the buoy.

A mooring buoy marks the transition point (from the surface to below surface) of your boat’s connection to the mooring anchor, and keeps that line (called a pennant) from sinking to the bottom of the lake.

A mooring buoy serves two purposes. It floats the heavy chain toward the surface, and it also increases the holding power of your mooring system by absorbing some of the shock from waves and wind.

A simple, temporary mooring buoy can be made from any type of jug that can be sealed so that it will float. Milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles will work, but have serious drawbacks. Neither of these is durable enough to stand up the constant pressure exerted by the wind and the waves upon your moored boat. It’s just a matter of time before they self-destruct and you lose your ‘mooring buoy’… and possibly your boat.

There are a number of durable and resilient mooring buoys available commercially that will give years of reliable service. They are available in different sizes and offer different features that you may find useful. Here are ten of the most popular and best mooring buoys:

 

10 Most Popular and Best Mooring Buoys

 

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Spar Shaped Buoys

Dimensions:  Diameter: 6”, Height: 31”, Buoyancy: 15#, Orange/White

http://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=CKR035beVys&offerid=373985.125068&type=2&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gandermountain.com%2Fmodperl%2Fproduct%2Fdetails.cgi%3Fpdesc%3DSur-Moor-Spar-Shaped-Buoy%26i%3D95643%26r%3DviewReady to complete your mooring system? Taylor Made Sur-Moor buoys are built to withstand the constant abuse of most mooring environments. Regardless of the shape you select, you can count on reliable flotation that will last for several seasons, depending upon the salinity of the water.

Order Here

Order Here.

.

 

Jim Buoy Deluxe Series Mooring Buoy With 1/2″ Swivel And Eye

Dimensions: Diameter: 12″,  Buoyancy: 30#, White

The high density foam of this deluxe buoy ensures lasting durability. All hardware is hot-dipped galvanized medium carbon steel. Eye bolts are molded into the buoy so there’s no loss of flotation. Rubber bumpers give added protection in contact. Coated with CJ-19, an exterior finish that resists extreme weathering, most chemicals, and fuels.

Order Here

 

 

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Traditional 12″ Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 12”, Weight: 5.8#, Buoyancy: 30#, White

The Hardskin Sur-Moor mooring buoy has long been one of the most popular and best mooring buoys. It has a thick one piece outer shell molded of high density polyethylene filled with solid closed-cell foam – making it puncture-proof and almost indestructible. This mooring buoy has a reflective tape for nighttime visibility, and its sandblasted finish allows it to be easily painted for identification. Fittings, rings and swivels are hot dipped galvanized for years of service. Mooring buoy comes with a 3 year flotation warranty.

Order Here

 

Polyform 17″ Mooring Buoy 

Dimensions:  Diameter: 17″, Height: 22″, Buoyancy: 121#, Red

This buoy has been designed to provide the ultimate in strength, durability and versatility, providing increased security to any mooring.

The mooring iron is made from stainless steel. A larger eye (4-3/8” diameter) and swivel (1-1/2” diameter along) provides maximum strength. Best of all – the soft vinyl surface won’t harm boat finishes. Available in fluorescent red and white with a blue stripe.

Polyform’s unique vinyl valve seals securely. Even wall thickness for strength and durability,

Order Here

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor 18″ Taper Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Height 16-3/4″, Buoyancy: 70#, White

The Sur-Moor taper design places more flotation area at the waterline, creating a higher-visibility mooring.

Hard-skin polyethylene shell is UV-protected to resist the weathering effects of sunlight, and is filled with closed-cell foam to displace more water. Sandblasted finish of the shell allows buoy to be easily painted for identification. Hardware not included. 2-1/2″ tube diameter,

Order Here

 

Polyform: 13.5″ Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 15″, Buoyancy: 55#, White

Designed to provide the ultimate in strength, durability and versatility while providing increased security to any mooring. The mooring iron is made from stainless steel. A large eye (4-3/8” diameter) and swivel (1-1/2” diameter along) provides maximum strength.

The soft vinyl surface won’t harm boat finishes. Available in fluorescent red and white with a blue stripe.  Limited three year warranty.

Order Here

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Traditional 15″ Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 15”, Weight: 8.6#, Buoyancy: 60#, White

Hard skin Sur-Moor mooring buoys have a thick one piece outer shell molded of high density polyethylene and filled with solid closed-cell foam – making them puncture-proof and almost indestructible. This mooring buoy has a reflective tape for nighttime visibility, and its sandblasted finish allows it to be easily painted for identification. Fittings, rings and swivels are hot dipped galvanized for years of service. Mooring buoy comes with a 3 year flotation warranty.  

Order Here

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor T3C 18″ Boat Mooring Buoy (18″)

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Weight: 7.2#, Buoyancy: 75#, White

This buoy’s rope nest design features a built-in cup shape at the top of the buoy. This allows the anchor shackle to nest below the buoy surface – helping to shield the shackle from contact with the boat hull, and making a convenient nesting place for the pennant line when the boat leaves the mooring buoy. The hard-skin polyethylene shell is UV protected to resist the weathering effects of sunlight and is foam filled to positively displace water; sandblasted finish allows the buoy to be easily painted for identification. Also features Tube-Through-The-Center design and blue reflective striping. Hardware not included.

Order Here

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor 24″ T3C Taper Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  24″x24″x24″”, Weight: 8#, Buoyancy: 165#, White

The Sur-Moor™ taper shape design places more floatation area at the waterline giving higher visibility to the mooring. The hard-skinned shell is molded from tough UV protected polyethylene to resist the weathering effects of sunlight and is foam filled to positively displace water. One-piece seamless construction with  sandblasted finish allows easy painting for identifying. Available in the Tube-Through-The-Center design with blue reflective striping. Three year flotation warranty. Mooring collar not included.

Order Here

 

Walsh Marine W1800MAW 18” Round Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Weight: 36#, Buoyancy: 75#, White

Designed for use in all areas. Rod thru with bail swivels at both ends. Seamless construction, rotationally molded from UV stabilized ultra strong high-density polyethylene plastic- NO ABS!! Proprietary manufacturing process ensures smooth fully filled shape- free of voids or sink marks.

Super tough, no cracking, chipping, peeling or rusting in any climate Impervious to chemicals. Completely foam filled with urethane foam meeting or exceeding United States Coast Guard requirements.

Order Here

 

Related Mooring Articles:

 .

 

10 Most Popular Lake Themed Gift Signs

10 Popular Lake Themed Gift Signs

Novelty lake themed gift signs celebrate the lake life and the lake lifestyle, and make great gifts for the lake lover.

These signs are sure to be appreciated as lake house warming gifts, or as a thank you gifts for the lake lover. Here are ten of the most popular of these lake themed gift signs:

..

.

Ten Favorite Lake Themed Gift Signs

 

“What Happens At The Lake, Stays At The Lake”

Each one of these 11′ by 11′ rustic solid wood signs is unique. Sign gives your guests, family and friends the freedom to kick back and enjoy themselves. Makes a great thank you gift after visiting your lake loving friends or family. 

.
.
.
.

“Lake Rules: Canoe, Swim, Relax … Have Fun”

18″ x 18″ hand-made sign with solid white pine frame. Distressed printing and natural wood variations give a vintage look. This antique looking lake themed gift sign lists the rules of the lake. Perfect gift for the lake house, cabin or camp.

.

.


“If You’re Lucky Enough To Have A House By The Water … “

This handmade ceramic wall sign is made of natural colored stoneware clay with a baked on glossy finish and dark blue lettering and measures 4″ x 6″ . Each sign is formed of soft pliable clay and decorated individually with a whimsical blueberry floral pattern.

.

.


“LIVE, LOVE, LAKE”

Perfect gift for one of your lake loving family or friends – summing up perfectly what the lake life is all about. Each of these hand painted 11″ x 11″ signs is unique and makes a great decoration or gift at the lake house, cabin, camp or lodge. 

.

.


“Lake Forecast: Sunny, Occasional Boating & Swimming …”

4″ x 10″ indoor sign “Lake Forecast: Sunny, Occasional Boating and Swimming, Chance of Drinking, Drinking may be heavy at times”

.

.


“Life Is Good, But It’s Better At The Lake”

Currently unavailable.  6″ x 4″ wooden photo frame displays photos of the lake life in a lighthearted way. 

.

.


“If You’re Lucky Enough To Live At The Lake …”

A great lake themed gift sign, this 9″ x 9″ wooden plaque features our favorite saying: “If You’re Lucky Enough to Live At the Lake Your Lucky Enough.”

.

.


“I’m On Lake Time”

Fully enclosed painted wood box sign measures 18″ x 3″ x 1.5″. Perfect lake themed gift to display on table or shelf.

.

.

.


“Memories Are Made At The Lake”

This 4″ x 4″ green and white painted wood sign makes a perfect host/hostess gift for cabin or lake house. This item is very small (4″ x 4″) and is perfect for a small little nook area or table top. 

.

.


“Go Jump In The Lake”

This 12″ x 5.5″ x 1.5″ fully enclosed wood box sign proclaims “Go jump in the lake”. Includes a wire hangar on the back of sign to allow wall hanging or tabletop display. 

.

.

Other Lake Life Gift Ideas:

No Post found.

More Lake Gift Ideas:

.

.
.

.

Homemade Fishing Lures

Homemade fishing lures

homemade fishing lures!

Fishing on a budget can be almost as important as learning about the latest techniques for landing trophy fish. Fishing can be an expensive hobby. Rods, reels, boat upkeep all add up. Homemade lures can help keep the costs of your favorite sport in check. With a little skill and a few everyday household items you can create a supply of lures with little or no out-of-pocket expense. Here are a few ways to make it happen.

You can be creative; there are plenty of directions online. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.

 

 

What Looks Like Trash To You, Could Look Like Dinner To A Fish

homemade fishing lures!

Fish like flashy things; things that catch their eyes. Anything that catches the light is a good bet. Bottle caps, can tabs, and old spoons can all work well and are usually readily available. You can always purchase blank spinners and flashers online if you don’t want to be totally self-sufficient. Add some color! Beads, nail polish, reflective tape, or feathers will brighten a lure up.

 

 

 

 

Types of Homemade Fishing Lures

  • Spoon lures resemble the inside of a table spoon. They flash in the light while wobbling or darting due to their shape, and attract fish.  Check out how-to video here.
  • Surface lures, also called top water lures, poppers and stickbaits, float and resemble prey on top of the water. Here are some tips.
  • Plugs are also known as crankbaits. They have a fishlike shape and they are run through the water producing a variety of different movements caused by a bib under the head.
  • Artificial flies are designed to resemble all manner of fish prey and are used with a fly rod and reel in fly fishing.

  • homemade fishing lures!

    Jigs are weighted hooks with lead heads opposite the barb. They can be used with a minnow, crawfish or plastic worm to get the fish’s attention.

  • Soft plastic baits/lures are made of plastic or rubber, and are designed to look like fish, worms, crabs, frogs, leeches, squid, lizards, and other creatures.
  • Spinnerbait are pieces of wire bent at about a 60 degree angle with a flashy spinner at the top and a hook on the lower end.

.

.

 

 

Getting Started Making Homemade Lures

Here are a few ideas to get you started. You’ll find detailed instructions and videos. Check out:

 

Most importantly – have fun and be creative! It’s a great feeling to catch a fish on a lure that you made yourself. You never know what a fish might strike.

.

 

Image Credits (from top to bottom): stripersonline.com, sloshspot.com, worldfishingnetwork.com

Homemade Stickbait Lure

Homemade Stickbait and jerkbait stick lures

Homemade Stickbait and jerkbait stick lures

Photo via Living Apex

Not at all fancy, but with its minnow-like appearance, the stickbait or jerkbait can be very effective. And the jerkbait stick lure requires little more than a small stick of wood, a drill, a paper clip, some paint or nail polish, and a fishook.

They float and resemble prey that is on top of the water. Stickbaits have only whatever motion the fisherman gives them through the action of the rod itself. If skillfully used, they can be very effective.

 

 

Homemade Stickbait Lures 

  1. Break and carve your stick to the approximate size and shape of a minnow.
  2. Drill a lengthwise hole through the center.
  3. Insert a paperclip through the hole that you drilled.
  4. Twist a loop at one end of the paperclip to attach to your line.
  5. Twist a loop and attach a split ring at the other end of the paperclip.
  6. Attach a Treble Hook to the split ring.
  7. A coat of nail polish will provide a waterproof coating to make your lures last longer.

 

 

Video: Making a Homemade Lure out of a Stick!

This video by Josh Rueff shows how to make a homemade topwater jerkbait lure from a whittled stick and a paper clip.
The total cost was right around 25 cents!

Time to try this lure out on the water!

 

Homemade Spoon Lure

Creating a Homemade Spoon Lure

 

Homemade Spoon Lure

Photo via The Wonder Forest

Spoon lures, true to their name, resemble the inside of a table spoon. Typically they are oblong and concave in shape, which creates their movement through the water. Spoons attract fish because they flash in the light (due tio their shape) as they wobble and dart through the water.  They are believed to have been invented by Len Thompson around 1929.

If you have extra silverware lying around, you can reuse it to make some shiny new lures. With little more than some old stainless steel spoons, thread, glue, feathers, and a few tools, you can change that old coffee spoon into an eye-catching and fish-catching lure. Here’s how:

 

 

Basic Homemade Spoon Lure:

 

  1. Cut the spoon’s handle off close to the bowl of the spoon.
  2. Sand the rough edge that you just cut.
  3. Drill a 1/8  hole at either end of the spoon bowl.
  4. Attach a Split Ring through each hole in the spoon.
  5. Add a hook. You can use whatever you like here; though most prefer a Treble Hook.

 

Optional Upgrades For Your Homemade Spoon Lure:

 

  • Hammer down the outside of the spoon slightly to alter the shape and the action of the lure through the water.
  • Tie some colorful feathers onto the shaft of the hook with a heavy duty thread.
  • Paint one side of the spoon with a brightly colored design.

 

 

Video: How to make a spoon lure from a kitchen spoon

 

This video from Great Cove Adventure Films shows step-by-step how to create your own homemade spoon lure:

 

Another video, this one by InTylerable also shows how to make your own spoon lure with a few variation in the process:

 

Alright, you’ve got your lures; now go catch some fish….