How to: Elastic Fishing Poles

Purchase the right grade of elastic for the kind of fish you want to catch. Grades 4 to 8 are for small fish like Rudd; 8 to 12 is for medium-sized fish like a small carp; 12 to 14 are for carp up to 10 lbs., and 14 to 20 is for even bigger carp.

Look at the diameter of the bush and judge where on the pole the diameters match. Make a pencil mark here.

Gently saw the pole with a hacksaw at this point, just enough to make a groove. Rotate the pole as you slowly pull the saw back toward you. Eventually the pole will cut in two without damaging it.

Saw off some more of the pole if the bush does not tightly fit.

Gently sand the freshly cut end of the pole with sand paper until it is smooth and flat.

Attach the bush to the end of the pole.

Repeat these steps at a different part of the pole if you want more than one elasticated section.

Add the bung into the opposite end of the pole to the one you've been working on.

Make a pencil mark on the bung, just above the end of the pole.

Cut the bung around this line with a utility knife. Discard the larger top section.

Fit the bung into the end of the section and it should fit perfectly. Don't force it if it doesn't; just cut a little more off.

Place your elastic next to the rod and judge how much you need to go all the way through, and to tie at the end. The elastic should be slightly tense as you do this. Cut it at this point.

Feed the end of the elastic through the eye of the bung's tail. Tie a single knot to hold it in place.

Push the tail into the bung, and the opposite end of the elastic into the pole. Shake the pole to help the elastic find its way through.

Thread the elastic through the slip connector once it appears from the other side. Add the top part of the connector and clip it into place.

Tie a knot to hold everything in place.

Pull the collar down on the slip connector. Attach the hook of your pole rig here, then flip the collar back into its original position.