Fisherman's Guide: How to Make an Extra Long Sand Spike from PVC Pipe

I have been surf fishing from the beach for over 30 years. I have fished for many different species, including Striped Bass, Bluefish, Cod and Pompano. It wasn't until I moved to Florida that I learned about making an extra long sand spike out of PVC schedule 40 plumbers piping. The sand spike allows the fishermen to put their expensive fishing rods down, unhook fish, re-rig and retie terminal tackle, and re-bait easily. A sand spike helps fishermen keep their reels clean and sand free. The sand spike is an essential piece of equipment for the surf fisherman.

Making the sand spike three or 4 feet long, helps keep the fishing line out of the breaking surf for one thing. Also, the higher the line is above the waves, the less chance there is of weeds getting on your fishing line. There are times when seaweed is thick 40 or 50 feet from shore. The higher your line is above the water, the less chance that seaweed will get on your line. So the extra long sand spike is a useful thing
to have in your surf fishing arsenal.

Most stores don't carry extra long sand spikes. The few stores that do carry sand spikes stock very flimsy and short ones. So what is a resourceful fisherman going to do? Simple. Make your own sand spike out of readily available PVC pipe.

Be sure to use the heavier schedule 40 PVC pipe. There is a lighter plastic pipe available that is used for sprinkler systems. Don't buy that. You need to have the heavier grade of PVC pipe that will be more rugged and be able to take a beating. Once you have made a sand spike from this heavy material, it should last forever.

Here are the tools that you will need to assemble your sand spike. You will need a hack saw to cut the pipe at an angle so that you will have a pointy end to force deep enough into the sand to hold your fishing rod securely. Use a file or a small piece of sandpaper to remove any rough edges from the pipe once it is cut. A drill to make a small � inch hole.