Well I am getting tired of hit and drops and deep hooks (especially trout), so I started looking into automatic hook setting traps. Specifically ones which use the rods stored tension to set the hook. I wanted a cheaper option then available, so I decided to make my own. I found a trigger mechanism online based of a old mouse trap, it is very simple and can be used in many different set-ups.
Materials-
A random board
A rod holder (many options, I used one made for a bucket that I had laying around)
A screw in O-ring
Some string
A hand bent trigger
A rod and reel
This is one of my first Whip-ups ready to strike:
Trigger Up Close (if you look close you can see the line going through the U cup and down the hole):
This Video is of Madtrappa and I putting the new traps to the test on Crappies today. They worked great so far (every fish in the lip) Ill be tweaking them slightly as I learn more. I also really want to test them on trout. You can adjust the rod tension and the trigger release very easy. Almost too simple if you ask me........ Only downfall may be high winds if the trigger is set light...........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkUf-0KM_Xg&list=UUxMSwOoM6IUb5ZnMceSr3uA&index=1