Warm hands,cold heart!

[ANXIOUS]

How many people would use a fishing rod with a heated handle if the manufacturer made them that way,or if you could make it that way yourself? Something you could plug in to your cigarette lighter adapter,with let's say a light 8'wire attached.

[ZAP]

And what would happen if you stuck the rod tip in the water?
Electrocute yourself, or would the fish you're seeking float for easy pickup? LOL

[Juls_WI]

Here's what I do while handlining to keep my hands warm...
I put a handwarmer thingy on my wrist (hold it there with the sleeve of my jacket), and that keeps warm blood pumping to my finger tips. This has worked well up here in Detroit so far, where the temps are cold and the water is even colder!

Juls

[Doug Burns]

Juls,

The hand warmer thingy, as you so elequently phrased it, is a fine idea but there is now a better product available. Johnnie Candle and I have joined forces with Proctor & Gamble to introduce to the fishing community a new product called the ThermaCare HeatWrap. There are three different models available; one for the lower back, it keeps those muscles from becoming tight and sore, that wraps around and then has a velcro fastener, and two that have adhesive for placement anywhere.

ThermaCare HeatWraps are air activated, heat up to 104 degrees and last at least eight hours. Johnnie and I will be demonstrating these fine products at all PWT events including Johnnie's Kids Fishing Clinic prior to the PWT's and my Fishing Basics and Beyond seminars at Wal-Mart the Saturday after each PWT.

Those cold and windy days when you wish you were sitting in the hot tub just became alot more comfortable. If you or anybody elase has any questions just send me an email or see Johnnie or me at a tournament.

Doug Burns

[hugh albrecht]

how's the pre-fishing going

[ANXIOUS]

oh man,i really thought i would get more positive feedback than this. talk about a lack of vision! no offense really but hand warmer thingy's? im talking about fishing rods with hand warmers built in.... not something you have to let go of the rod to warm up your hands with!! well,i guess i will just take care of the rods i use and let the rest of you wear gloves and hand warmer thingys'and dr.scholls. oh,boy!

[Stump]

Hey Doug,
Those things are great! I injured my back over a year ago and nothing is really helping.My next step is probably going to be fusion surgery.Anyhow,my sister recieved a Thermacare heat wrap as a sample somewhere and gave it to me to possibly relieve some of the pain in my back.Well I put it on a little while befor I went to bed....the next morning the thing was still hot.Went ice fishing that day and the thing was warm all day,it was great!My coat kept the heat in and I stayed nice and toasty.(My back still hurt though,but hey,you cant have it all)Where can these be purchased? Do they come in different sizes? I would like to try a smaller version.Is it possible to make it a powder form pack to possibly put in your boots????You can send me the royalty checks for that ider...LOL.
Stump

[Stump]

That would be IDEA....not ider...lol.Typos suck....sounds like I have 2 teeth in my head!
Y thanks yall!
Stump

[Stump]

Make it portable....no wires.Something that can be adapted to any pole and it might catch on.Not many will buy a pole just because its warm,but might buy an accessory if it works!
Just my opinion
Stump

[Doug Burns]

Anxious,

I didn't mean to steal your post. I have had the same idea, I just couldn't figure out a way to make it work. If you do, I would imagine they would sell. Maybe concentrate on a battery pack that would fit inside the rod butt.

Good Luck with it.

Stump,

ThermaCare is available at any major pharmacy. The cost at Wal-Mart is $6.43. There is two per box on the back wraps and three per box on the stick-on patches. They do keep nice and toasty under the clothes!

Doug Burns

P.S. Juls, you must really be on'em if you can quit practice and play on the computer all day.

[John]

How about a modified version of that stuff that wraps around water pipes to keep from freezing, with the heating wires attached. Modified for 12 volt, instead of 110. Just wrap it around your fishing rod handle, and voila! (a little French lingo, there)LOL

[ANXIOUS]

im thinking more like a little 3/8 round cartridge rod that goes into the butt end of the rod with a wire lead that attaches to the end of the rod,any rod,with a little headphone jack like (thingy) that you could unplug when you get a bite! 12 volt/cig lighter plug in/quick de-tachable!! i gotta get with the rod manufacture to get this going!

[FJH1]

While fishing a cold day on the Illinois River I had a similar thought. My idea incorporated batteries in the handle of the rod to power the handle warmer. Drop in a few "AA" batteries, screw on the end cap - viola a warm rod handle. I just can't see myself fishing with a cord attached to my rod. You can send me my portion of the royalty checks.

Best Regards,

FJH

[SUPERTROLLER]

I agree with you on the cord thing. I've got enough trouble dodging clutter in the boat with a cord attached to the end of my rod for some sissy hand warmer thingy. lol.

[BlackSilver]

Figure out a wireless version, then come back. Last thing I want is to bother with a tangly mess of wire when I'm playing that 10-er with one hand and netting it with the other hand!

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[TEX]

DAN MILLER JR.HEY JULS, HOWS THE FISHING? I GOT MY MONY ON THE CREW, SO GETN IT GOING!!!!!!!!!!!
#989

[ANXIOUS]

read closer! an 8' lead that de-taches when you get a bite! i dont know about you guys but when im at the helm(tiller) i dont leave that area for anything. the bait is right there,the livewell is right there,everything is within reach! as far as battery operation,i dont think that a couple of double a's would cut it. 15-25 watts(.625 amp draw) but hooked up to the cig.lighter is doable! i know i would sure like something warm to grab after diggin in the baitwell.... something that doesnt shrivel!

[Juls_WI]

Anxious,
If I put a rod in my hand with a cord sticking out the end of it, I'm bound to end up tangling my feet in it and going head first overboard!
Geez, I'm clumsy enough without having to add fuel to the fire...lol

It's a good idea that needs some work. Like the other poster said, make it portable. Oh, and make it last more than four hours on four double A's and you have yourself a money winner!

Just my thoughts...

Juls

[Juls_WI]

Doug,
Does this device come in smaller wraps for the wrists?

That would be nice to have. I would buy it.

Juls

[Doug Burns]

Juls,

Yes, ThermaCares come in a size that will wrap around the wrist. It is about six to eight inches long with adhesive on both ends, it wraps perfectly around my forearm so it might wrap twice around the wrist. Go to the pharmacy at Wal-Mart and pick up a box(three in a box). Remember, it takes thirty minutes for them to warm after you open the foil packet. Once warm, wrap it around your wrist or wherever and you are good to go for 8-plus hours.

Good luck tomorrow,


Doug Burns

[ANXIOUS]

is there anyone from berkley,or fenwick etc. that frequents this message board? please take note! until then i might just get me a set of handle bar warmers and take care of myself!

[SUPERTROLLER]

Anxious, I don't want a wire hooked on my rod at any time. Whether I can detach it when I get a bite is not my complaint. Just casting, jigging, reeling, would be a pain. It also doesn't matter if I was in a tiller or console steer boat. I wouldn't want something hanging on the handle of my rod upsetting the balance and feel. Just my preference and opinion. You asked us for our thoughts.

[WC Guest]

If it can be wrapped around the forearm and wrist, why couldn't it be wrapped around the rod handle as well? Maybe you need a smaller version for this application? :)

[LakeRat]

I would think the wire would break rather quickly at the plug to the rod handle. A battery inset would be a good idea, maybe using camera batteries. But those seem expensive for everyday use, and would not likely last 8 hours.

It would seem that you have a good idea, but maybe a wrap on the rod handle is the better idea, and the chemical version would be more likely to last longer. Maybe like those can coolers that people use in the summer, only heated.

[eyeamdaman]

HOLY MOLEY! That is a great idea! HOWEVER, I think I would spare myself the hassle. I already have to much stuff that requires batteries when I go fishing. And if you plug it into the cig lighter that just adds one more thing to get tangle with (besides my own line)!
I just prefer to use the neoprin (sp) gloves. They keep my hands dry and are thin enough to put a minnow on with.

PS- If you ever do decide to invent this and make millions and want to share some $$$, I will gladly change my attitude!

[ANXIOUS]

there are some sheer elements that i am going to try. and as far as the wire goes,im gonna give it a try. i dont move around to much,and i dont cast for my walleyes. jiggin,riggin,trollin! now if this winter would just let go!

[ETT]

Why not use the same stuff that the hand warmers use. Could come prepackaged with velcro to be wrapped on where ever anyone wants it.

[LakeRat]

Maybe the existing chemical pad could be rolled up and inserted indie the handle. I don't know how thick it is to begin with.

[water_wolf]

Yep just as I read it the first time....8' cord to trip over be it me or my fishing partner, which incidently just may be my 8 yr old or 12 yr old son. If you fish all alone and you dont move 1 single bit then go with your original idea....I on the other hand would go with battery unit. Some pretty good fishing folks here have stated what they would prefer. Play to the masses or maybe offer both versions. Great idea non the less.

Rich Ferguson

[ranger mann]

If you can't handle a little cold weather get off the lake.

[MadMax]

Try it with a rechargeable battery in the handle. That if you want you can have it plugged in while you are fishing and charge the battery at the same time. Then if you want to go to casting mode....you can unplug the charger, the battery is charged up and you still have heat coming out of the handle. Just another thought for you.