Many boating anglers use five-gallon buckets to stow cast nets, hang lures, hold dead bait and, in an emergency, bail water. Yet the regular wire handle can corrode, and sometimes proves too weak for boat use. Cut that off and replace it with a rope handle. Drill a ½-inch hole through the side where the old handle used to attach, then slide a section of 3/8-inch rope through the holes and tie a knot on each end. Add a stainless-steel fender washer between the knot and inner bucket wall for greater strength. For stowing cast nets, more elaborate eye splices through the holes will minimize snags.
