rbreesems
New member
My \"Little Shot\" system
I am a recreational tree climber and suck at throw bag tossing. I have been lusting after a Big Shot but some other piece of gear always seems to take priority. I cobbled together a slingshot system from some things I had in the garage and thought that I would share it. The only reason that this is more economical than just buying a big shot is because I already had some of the pieces.
The system uses a normal slingshot + 1” ball bearing +open-face fishing reel/rod. I use the slingshot to shoot the ball-bearing into the tree, with fishing line attached. I create a tie point on the ball bearing, I put a zip-tie around it, and then used ‘JB-Weld’ to cement the zip tie (see pic – I also tried super glue but this was not effective). I have been using this for a while, and like it. I have only had the ball bearing get hung up in the tree twice, once I was able to retrieve it, and the other one I lost. Here are the pieces:
SlingShot ($10) (I had this already).
Slingshot Power Bands ($5.50)
1 inch (25.4 mm) diameter Chromium Ball Bearings (10 for $15.00) – this weighs about 1.5 oz.
Ball bearings with zip tie
Fishing Rod holder ($5.00)
You need a fishing reel + rod of some type. I had a rod/reel already from my fishing hobby – it is an open-faced reel. This would be expensive to buy if you did not already have it.
To shoot, I stick the fishing rod holder in the ground, and then place the rod/reel in it. I tie the fishing line to the ball bearing, open the reel so that line will feed out, line up the shot, and let it fly. Generally, I need to shoot fairly vertical or else the ball bearing can go too far and it is difficult to find because the fishing line is not that visible. I have done 60 foot shots with this, have not had the need for anything higher. I will get a big-shot eventually, but this fills the void until then.
The 1” ball bearing is about the minimum weight for this –I have thought about trying a 1.5. inch diameter ball tied directly to lightweight throw line but have not done it yet.
I have seen pictures of the reel attached directly to the base of the slingshot by others, but I did not go this far - keeping the rod/reel separate works ok for me.
I am a recreational tree climber and suck at throw bag tossing. I have been lusting after a Big Shot but some other piece of gear always seems to take priority. I cobbled together a slingshot system from some things I had in the garage and thought that I would share it. The only reason that this is more economical than just buying a big shot is because I already had some of the pieces.
The system uses a normal slingshot + 1” ball bearing +open-face fishing reel/rod. I use the slingshot to shoot the ball-bearing into the tree, with fishing line attached. I create a tie point on the ball bearing, I put a zip-tie around it, and then used ‘JB-Weld’ to cement the zip tie (see pic – I also tried super glue but this was not effective). I have been using this for a while, and like it. I have only had the ball bearing get hung up in the tree twice, once I was able to retrieve it, and the other one I lost. Here are the pieces:
SlingShot ($10) (I had this already).
Slingshot Power Bands ($5.50)
1 inch (25.4 mm) diameter Chromium Ball Bearings (10 for $15.00) – this weighs about 1.5 oz.
Ball bearings with zip tie
Fishing Rod holder ($5.00)
You need a fishing reel + rod of some type. I had a rod/reel already from my fishing hobby – it is an open-faced reel. This would be expensive to buy if you did not already have it.
To shoot, I stick the fishing rod holder in the ground, and then place the rod/reel in it. I tie the fishing line to the ball bearing, open the reel so that line will feed out, line up the shot, and let it fly. Generally, I need to shoot fairly vertical or else the ball bearing can go too far and it is difficult to find because the fishing line is not that visible. I have done 60 foot shots with this, have not had the need for anything higher. I will get a big-shot eventually, but this fills the void until then.
The 1” ball bearing is about the minimum weight for this –I have thought about trying a 1.5. inch diameter ball tied directly to lightweight throw line but have not done it yet.
I have seen pictures of the reel attached directly to the base of the slingshot by others, but I did not go this far - keeping the rod/reel separate works ok for me.
