The home-made one with the cable ties is much better. The flyline doesn't tangle and I can cast a lot further. I am constructing my first basket too. I am using the weed eater string also. I'm thinking I can pretty much carry everything needed and hold my basket up too.
Lines flows right down the gut into the basket.
No holes I don't put drain holes in the basket. And with the use of a basket insert that raises your line a little above the bottom of the basket so collected waters has a lesser effect. This would be more for a boat, I realize it wouldnt work worth a toot if you were wading. I haven't tried it myself but some of my friends have used deeper than usual wash tub baskets and liked it. All rights reserved.