Had to try it.......

[SurfJockey]

Since I am the bamboo guy, I had to attempt a bamboo plug.  Here's the worlds first eco-friendly pencil popper.  This is just an unweighted prototype so I can see how it sits in the water first before I decide where, and how much weight to add to make her sit properly. 

[ChrisL]

 
Put me on the pre order list.

[Scott G.]

    NICE JOB...LOOKS GREAT   

[IrishAyes]

It looks like a winner. My question is...will it stand up to a bluefish or will it be destroyed by one? I am not familiar with the strength of the particular bamboo you are using.

[SurfJockey]

Joe, bamboo is in the grass family, but when milled and laminated like this, it has the properties of a hardwood.  Much harder than the cedar used in most plugs out there.  I'd definitely say it would hold up to the toothiest of bluefish. 

[IrishAyes]

Thanks for the info Jason. My dad has a ton of bamboo growing in his back yard. I know the species he has in very fragile when cut and dried, thus my question. I am aware that the calcutta, i believe, is a good bamboo for gaffs, etc. Is this the bamboo you used for the plug?

[SurfJockey]

There are hundreds of species of bamboo, but I'd have to guess and say the bamboo at your father's place is Yellowgroove bamboo. 
The bamboo that this is constructed from is Moso Bamboo and not from this area of the globe.  Calcutta is best used in it's full round form for, like you said, gaffs.  It does not grow in the larger diameters like other species of bamboo, so after milling it, it would not have enough "meat" to it.  Caluctta is one of the only species that is semi-solid, which is what makes it so strong.
I'll run out to the warehouse and snap a few photos.

[IrishAyes]

 

[SurfJockey]

This is Moso bamboo.  See the large hollow sections between the nodes?  These are 5" in diameter at the butt.


This is a piece of Moso split in half so you can see the chambers separated by the nodes, where the bamboo is solid.


This is Calcutta bamboo.  See how solid it is at the butt and almost solid at the tip?  This measures about 1 1/4" at the butt.

[fellinger]

Very cool. Good luck!

[Scott G.]

    Some great info. thanks Jason   

[SurfJockey]

CLASS DISMISSED!   

[Pops Soul]

Great info Jason 
Maybe youshould change your screen name again to
BAM BAM BOOEY

[Hotrod]

Cool.  Maybe if you plant it.  it will reproduce like wild flowers

[BigAl13]

Cool.  Maybe if you plant it.  it will reproduce like wild flowers

oh it will if not controlled bamboo will take over a planted some years ago and in two seasons it took over. It grows from the roots so to control it i buried buckets and planted it in that. It really does make a really nice live fence. After that I stopped playing landscaper and stuck to construction .


Jason what are you using to laminate the stock. Also how does it carve sand etc?? i have some 5/4" x 3 1/4" bamboo flooring scraps left from a job, If its easy enough to work with i may just have to make the firs bamboo Danny

[SurfJockey]

Surprisingly, I'm outsourcing the materials for these, Al.  It's cheaper and easier than me laminating myself, even at my cost.

And it wouldn't be the first.  I have a bamboo swimmer in the works as well.

[BigAl13]

Surprisingly, I'm outsourcing the materials for these, Al.  It's cheaper and easier than me laminating myself, even at my cost.

And it wouldn't be the first.  I have a bamboo swimmer in the works as well.

well it looks like ill be spinning one of theses in the am

[Bucktail]

Looks good Jason!