[SS06]

Go with the mat...I tried the bucket and I couldn't keep the line in it...mats just work

 

[Clamfoot]

Strip into the cockpit. I also put 4in strips of seadeck on the bow as a toerail. This helps on all but the very windy days and when my toe hits the sea deck I know I've creeped too far forward and need to back up before I go swimming.

 

[7WT]

Captain Lemay says it for fishing on the bow. When I am poling a fly guy on my bow I put the trolling motor down pointed at 12 to help keep the line away from the stored TM. Also helps when I have to cross over to another area and remain on the platform instead of unnecessary poling. If fishing alone on the platform I place my bucket beneath to hold rod and line.

 

[Zaraspook]

I have tried stripping in the cockpit, mats both round and rectangular but found that a stripping bucket is the best option for me. If its really windy the mat doesn’t work that well depending on how large your bow area is. I have an actual micro skiff and usually fish alone. I can keep the fly rod with line out in the bucket ready to cast. It takes some practice and there is a learning curve but once you master solo fly fishing it’s just you and the fish. I caught this fish without leaving the skiff but got in the water to get a photo with the skiff in the background. Most of the time I can manage to catch them without getting out of the skiff. Also when I want to move, I just put the fly rod in the bucket and drop the bucket down into the cockpit and I’m ready to run to my next spot without having to put anything away.

 

[sjrobin]

When fly casting windy conditions remove the casting platform. Helps keep the line low on mats or spikes. Good casters learn to manage their line well most of the time no matter the wind

 

[Psycho_Killer]

when i used to fly fish , i would take 2 beach towels and get them soaking wet
i would throw one over the trolling motor so the line would not get tangled there
and the other I would spread on the front deck and strip the line on it, it held the line fine most times.

 

[Psycho_Killer]

I have tried stripping in the cockpit, mats both round and rectangular but found that a stripping bucket is the best option for me. If its really windy the mat doesn’t work that well depending on how large your bow area is. I have an actual micro skiff and usually fish alone. I can keep the fly rod with line out in the bucket ready to cast. It takes some practice and there is a learning curve but once you master solo fly fishing it’s just you and the fish. I caught this fish without leaving the skiff but got in the water to get a photo with the skiff in the background. Most of the time I can manage to catch them without getting out of the skiff. Also when I want to move, I just put the fly rod in the bucket and drop the bucket down into the cockpit and I’m ready to run to my next spot without having to put anything away. View attachment 224538

love that platform !

 

[Keith Sharp]

Do the Clint mats float, or sink?

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Do the Clint mats float, or sink?

Pure silicone

 

[Zaraspook]

The best way to avoid TM fly line hang up is to throw a small piece of netting over it.

 

[kjnengr]

As you have seen we all have differing opinions depending on our fishing style, the environment we fish in, and size of boats/decks we fish out of. My best suggestion is to have an open mind and read all of the reason people have given why they use the system they do. THEN, go fishing with different people and different setups and decide what works best for you. Even in my small group of friends, some skiffs use baskets, and some do not.

No system is perfect for all situations and there are trade-offs with each one.

Personally, I prefer the open deck with spikes along the perimeter of the bow and mostly strip line into the cockpit.

 

[Clamfoot]

Nice platform.....too cool for my clunker but NICE .

 

[Keith Sharp]

Pure silicone

Gee, thanks.

So, I looked up silicone and found that it can have specific gravity from 0.76 to 1.5, versus seawater of 1.026. So it depends on what silicone was used as to whether it floats or sinks. One could also cast in some air pockets to help it float. Still curious whether the actual matt floats or sinks.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Gee, thanks.

So, I looked up silicone and found that it can have specific gravity from 0.76 to 1.5, versus seawater of 1.026. So it depends on what silicone was used as to whether it floats or sinks. One could also cast in some air pockets to help it float. Still curious whether the actual matt floats or sinks.

Instead of looking all that up why not go to the Texas Fly Caster site I mentioned in post #3 and contact the guy that makes them? He’s a member here but not real active.

Fly Line Management Systems Flyfishing Texas

Fly line spikes for line management on skiffs, kayaks and boats of all kind. Fly Line tamers keeps line from blowing off boat decks. Made in USA.

texasflycaster.com

@ShannonD do your spike mats float, do you add air pockets or a self inflating PFD so they don’t sink into abyss never to be seen again?
Mine stay on the deck or in the hatch, never threw them in the water to find out but they are pure silicone so I’d have to guess they would sink. They won’t blow off the deck and are hard to even slide. You have to peel them off by the corner to reposition them.

 

[Snagly]

No need to get all fancy and spend a lot of money.
just get you a couple 2x4’s and some 8 inch nails.

$5 seppo

. . . Just watch your step . . . .

 

[Vinny L]

May be a little late but the Texas Fly Caster’s rectangular mats work well. I use two of them, one on my stripping side and one over the bulk head. When it’s too windy to cast off my platform I stand in front of it (best I can) and lay his circular mat on my platform. This shortens the distance from my stripping hand to the mat. Line management is a constant struggle!!

 

[CKEAT]

May be a little late but the Texas Fly Caster’s rectangular mats work well. I use two of them, one on my stripping side and one over the bulk head. When it’s too windy to cast off my platform I stand in front of it (best I can) and lay his circular mat on my platform. This shortens the distance from my stripping hand to the mat. Line management is a constant struggle!!

This is the best method I have found and I have used baskets, buckets of all sizes and mats of all sizes. Windy equals one on edge for striping hand and one edge of front bulkhead with no platform at all. Imo

 

[Rich11111]

I finally got to try my Texas Fly Caster's mat today and it is as good as everyone has said. Wind was gusting to 20 mph. I still haven't used my home built stripping basket so can't give a comparison experience.