Stripping Baskets - Soft vs Hard

[tomflynn]

I've seen both the hard and soft stripping baskets. Are there any benefits of one over the other in terms of functionality? All being equal relative to functionality, I would imagine that the soft basket (I've seen in LL Bean) would be better because it is lighter.

Also, what are your preferences in a boat - basket or no basket?

Tom

[jeffg]

One benefit of hard baskets is they float, so that if you wade up above your waist, the basket will stay above the water line (unless you're packing a Bill Parcells-esq gut that prevents the basket from rising). The mesh ones fill with water and your line floats away.

That being said, soft ones store easier if they fold. I still try to use one in my boat, so that if I have to go from bow to stern the line isn't dragging behing me and catching on things...

Jeff G.

p.s. for what it's worth, try not to trailer your boat with your hard stripping basket unsecured in the boat. I had the pleasure of having mine blow out and subsequently get run over by a MHD truck--it still has the rubber treadmarks on it...

[Adam-Albino]

Tom,
Just the oppopsite. One of the main advantages of a hard basket is its weight. The soft basket will blow all around, including through the mesh, making line tending more difficult. Stick with the hard baskets.
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[mcollins]

I've used both, prefer the hard basket for the previously mentioned posts, if you get a hard basket with fingers make sure they're flexible. The fingers in my basket are 3/4" dowels, even sanded and varnished they have a habit of hanging up a line at the worst possible time. I think a more flexible finger system would release the line better.

[walteryoung]

The soft ones will cause too many tangles. I think I might get rid of my old dishpan and go for one of those orvis snob style baskets with the fingers inside. they lowered the price to 25 bucks from 60.

[TomDunlap]

as to whether or not to use it on the boat...Lou Tabory asked a guy at the fly-fishing show last year if he thought it was a good idea to step on a $50+ line and fracture the coating or should he use the basket on board... you know the answer. and i have the snob basket(didn't pay 60 bucks) and i think it is great

[bpggrady]

Tom, I use cable ties as fingers in my hard dishpan baskets and they appear to be a happy medium between the soft/hard finger issue. Two small slits and they lock in very tight, and can be trimmed to any length you like. Just my 2 cents.
Brian Grady

[rustyhooke]

Hard is the best way to go: more stable, keeps water out, stored line stays better organized. I've developed a highback plastic basket. Myself and others have used the prototype for two seasons. Seems to have eliminated most problems users usually complain about. I've also written "Rules For Proper Stripping Basket Use". If you follow them most problems will disappear. e-mail me at damonr.mediaone.net for more than you probably ever wanted to know about stripping baskets and their use.Rusty Hooke.