PVC Marker Buoy for Drift Fishing or Boating

Marker buoys are very handy for marking structure when you are drift fishing and can also be used to mark a search area if you've dropped something overboard.  If you remove the line, you could also use them as bumpers or dummies for retriever training.  They are easy to make and cost very little if you use materials that you have on hand.  For these I used some scrap PVC pipe left over from a previous project and an old foam pool noodle.  I've got less than $2 in both these markers.

You'll need the following

Foam Pool Noodle
1/2" PVC Pipe
1/2" PVC Caps
PVC Glue & Primer
Tape Measure
A saw to cut the pipe
A knife to cut the noodle
Nylon Cord
4 oz Fishing Weights

I used 1/2" PVC pipe because that's what fit into the hole in the noodle I had on hand.  They come in various sizes so match your pipe to the size that fits into the noodle you have.

I cut 4 pieces of noodle 2-1/2" long to make 2 marker buoys.

Measure the pipe to be 9-1/2" and cut with your saw.

Slide one of the noodle pieces over each end of the PVC pipe leaving about 3/4" of pipe exposed on each end.  Apply primer to the pipe and cap, then apply the glue to each piece.  Place the caps on the ends of the pipe and firmly push down on the caps until they seat all the way to the stops. 

Strip off 50 to 75 feet of nylon cord from your spool and wind it onto the PVC pipe between the noodles.  Tie a weight onto the end of the line.  I used a 4 oz lead sinker that I had on hand.  To keep the line from unrolling while they are stored in the boat, I stick a small nail through the hole in the weight and into the foam.  When you're ready to mark your structure, just remove the nail and toss the marker overboard.  The weight will automatically sink to the bottom and hold the buoy in place.  I use these to mark the beginning and end of my drift.  Using these I can repeatedly drift over the same hot spot.