Tackle Tests

We receive many new innovations, designs and improvements in tackle, to test for the manufacturers. With the many days we spend on the water in amongst the fish, our rods, reels, lines, harnesses and terminal tackle, including lures, hooks and the likes, get tested to the limit. In a charter situation it either works well or it doesn't work at all. We have to make sure our clients catch and land fish so there is no time for breakdowns or lures that don't produce strikes. This page will let you know first hand, as to the success or failure of the tackle we test. It will also give a very good guide for your tackle purchases - and the most fundamental factor in successful fishing is having faith in your tackle.

HIDES - multifunctional eyeware necessities

Every now and again a product comes along that is so creative yet simple that it leaves you shaking your head and using the good old phrase "why didn't I think of that". When I received a mail from Mike McLain, sales coordinator for HIDES, my first reaction was it's just another strap for sunglasses ... how wrong first impressions can be.

For anyone spending time outdoors and more especially on the water, sunglasses not only reduce the glare and keep your eyes cool, they are a necessity to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. I spend most of my days on the water and without sunglasses I would be blind by now (well so my optometrist tells me). And South Africa has some really harsh sun most of the year.

My problem is that I go through about 4 pairs of sunglasses in a season ... and all the expensive polarized kind at that. I, like many others who get busy at sea, tend to abuse my glasses by throwing them down on the consol when they get splashed and I need to work with clear vision. I also change from blue lenses on bright days to yellow lenses in low light so I always have a pair of glasses lying somewhere. The result is they get so scratched I can't see out of them anyway - and it's time for a new pair.

Mike sent me one of his products, the HIDES TECHNOSKIN to try. When I first unpacked the product I was amazed at it's simplicity and functionality. The microfibre cord material is tough and durable yet soft enough not to scratch your neck, especially the sunburn. This product is the only eyeware retainer with a soft case and cleaning cloth hidden inside.

Now let me try to explain what this sunglasses neck cord is all about. You attach each end to the arms of your sunglasses so you can hang them round your neck ... clever hey? Yeah I know ... you've seen loads of these things around and probably already use them. WRONG.

This strap is divided into three sections - one for each arm of your glasses and detachable middle section that opens up to wrap your glasses in to protect the lenses from being scratched when you decide to abuse them ... and you will. The centre section of the microfibre cord unrolls to become a lens-safe cleaning cloth and can be stretched from hinge to hinge across the glasses to become a convenient soft case.

If that alone isn't clever, you can take out the middle section and clip the two arm sections together which makes the strap smaller and saves your glasses from being blown off in the wind or falling off your face when leaning over the side of the boat.

I have now used the HIDES strap for some time and still wear the same sunglasses I started off the season with. Now that to me is a huge saving and makes these HIDES a valuable piece of my fishing equipment.

There are 4 designs, being 'Classic', Technoskin', 'H²O' and 'Goggleskin' for divers or motorcyclists. Each has a practical function depending on your required application. The colour range is extensive and you're sure to find your favorite colour amongst them.

For me to suggest a product it has to be good, tested by ourselves to ensure the quality and practicality and it must be a functional fishing product. And I recommend you take a look at the HIDES range at a store near you. If you can't find them you can drop me a mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or check out the web site www.hides.com

Get them, they're good.

'Depth Charge' and 'Wrecker' Deep Diving Lures by Williamson Lures.

Depth Charge

Wrecker

It had to happen and at last it did. Williamson Lure manufacturers are undoubtedly the most innovative and progressive lure manufacturer in Africa. We have been asking for a swimming plug which covers greater depths and makes a noise and true to their word, they produced a lure which does just that. Some may say they're a copy but once you've used them you will see they are best described as an improvement.

Berkley Trilene Big Game IGFA Monofilament lines

There can be no more strenuous test for a monofilament fishing line than to end up on a charter boat. I am constantly asked what brand of lines we use, why we have a preference for that particular brand and what brand would I recommend. It is mainly because anglers require different properties in a line and subject their lines to different rigors of use that I have always been hesitant to recommend a particular brand of fishing line.

Over the years we have fished with many different brands of lines and enjoyed varying degrees of success. Basically they all initially do what they are supposed to, what makes one line better is when it retains its design properties longer than the others on the market.

IMPALA 18 Swimming plug by Williamson Lures


	Impala Lures	Impala 14

Impala swimming plugs by the South African lure manufacturer, Williamson Lures, have been around for a number of years and I for one have been a little hesitant to use them on the boats, rather opting to pay more for the well known Rapala lures.

We were recently sent a batch of the new design Impala's to test. I must add that I was impressed with their finish and, although they look identical to the Rapala, they are slightly heavier and their colour range is different. They are certainly more robust, being manufactured from a hard resin based material - hopefully the hooks won't break out the back of these as they do with Rapala's.

Cedar Plugs by Williamson Lures

cedar-pugs

While speaking to the guys at Williamson Lures regarding new lure developments for the coming season, I mentioned how difficult it was for us to obtain a decent Cedar Plug. One thing I must say about Williamson Lures is that they produce almost any saltwater lure you can think of, they give it a lot of thought and then produce it well. "Not a problem, we'll send you some Cedar plugs to try out" and two weeks later they arrived.