Technology / Improvements In Gear

[Ken A]

The last 10 years have seen a lot of changes in fishing tackle & a lot of new technology become available to the average angler. Things like GPS right through to chemically sharpened hooks. There has been a lot of improvements & new technology come out in both fishing reels & rods also. The range of lures both HB & SP has improved out of sight as well.

What gear has helped you out the most & made your fishing either more successful or just made life easier. Just the top few items please.

The 2 things that have been a big benefit to me over the last 10 years are GPS & the braided / gelspun lines.

[Red]

The trusty GPS and my current sounder have helped me no end

My GPS is over 10 years old though

Red

[troutboy]

Fire line has to be up there for all of us, but for me the biggest advance has been switching from fibreglass/composite rods to high modulus graphite

[Whitto]

1 big thing,

Better boats / motors.

1 little thing,

Circle hooks

[Jethro]

Braided / GSP lines would have to be number one for me. After my first 2 or 3 sessions using it while tossing lure for flathead I would never go back........ Make me wonder how many fish I missed fishing with mono over the years??

To compliment the new lines the graphite rods are awsome and so much more affordable.

[Lightweight]

I would have to say for me it is the Finesse gear that is available to the modern angler. The light rods, reels, lines and lures all make life much easier than it used to be.

I must not forget the advancement in 4 stroke motor technology. I know that 2 strokes still have a very important place in the boating industry, but the smoothness, efficiency and enviromental factors of the modern 4 stroke engine is a huge drawcard and has pushed things forward for all of us.

LW

[Grantm]

When I switched to higher quality gear the biggest noticeable difference for me was the overall lightness of the outfit, which made casting all day a lot more pleasant and managable, as well as being able to cast light lures further than before.

I Agree with LW about motor technology which plays an important role too. I will add though that the new two stroke technology will see them make a big comeback over the next 5 years. My Etec is unbelievably good in all areas.

Without out doubt the biggest technology winner for me is the internet and sites like this, which allows you to learn and share valuable info which would otherwise have taken a lifetime to learn.

[hightide]

good topic,im always updating tackle,rods and reels just keep on getting better,braided line has been the best for me,its made a difference in my fishing,great stuff.

[ankles]

hi there and high tide

[hightide]

Thanks for the welcome ankles.

[yellow submarine]

I reckon Fireline and Resin jig heads, finally the pl aying field for breaming has been evened

[The Iceman]

For me electric motors fireline and fishing forums top the list followed by SPs made for aussie fish and aussie designed rods for finnesse fishing in our waters

[trev]

I think there is a trend here. Fireline, light graphite rods and soft plastics. I also aggree that the use of forums has enabled greater knowledge sharing.

Cheers

Trev

[harold]

Well, for me it has definately been this web site, it has really enabled us to accelerate gaining our knowledge about fishing in the Hawkesbury, given we moved up after 15 years of fishing on the harbour.

Harold

[macman]

Fireline for trolling and casting, definitely got me back into lure fishing in a big way.

I was interested in Swoffas remarks about the internet enabling anglers to broaden thier horizons, and learn new techniques,that is certainly the case. I've also noted that the internet seems to be good at starting cliques of narrow minded pains in the asses. Or maybe they were always there, but now just more visible

Matt

[Ken A]

I've also noted that the internet seems to be good at starting cliques of narrow minded pains in the asses

Fair comment. They have always been there but are more vocal on the net where they hide behind anonomous names & the keyboard

Good old braid /gelspun is popular choice so far on this thread.

[Pukka]

I thought of Fireline, then I thought if I really had to, I could easily 'get away with' one of the new higher quality mono's goin' around.

Same goes with the sounder. It seems a must to have one now and in new territory it almost is, but considering I mainly fish shoreline type structure, I think I could get away without one of those too.

The internet is obviously a wonderful thing and it has helped my learning curve along a little quicker than had it not been around. However if, heaven forbid, I had to give up the computer one day, I wouldn't necessarily feel all that bad about goin' back to all the 'old' sources of information like magazines, tv, radio, books and not forgetting the ol'faithful, 'chewing the fat' with like-minded anglers face-to-face.

After taking into consideration all of the above, I came to the conclusion that the one thing I couldn't bare to be, or do without, is an electric motor.

The Electric helps me move and cover more area than I could ever dream of without it. It also gives me the opportunity to hold in a spot while casting in situations where it would be impossible or extremely difficult to operate without one, like on windy days or in fast flowing water.

Therefore my pick is the electric, definitely the most important piece of new(ish) technology out of all my tackle and accessories.

Pukk'

Edited July 11, 2005 by Pukka

[Jthefisherman]

For me it has to be Fireline and the Electric motor, followed by SP advancement.

[Guest bluecod]

Like Fish'n, I too have given this some thought

A lot of my gear on which I still catch good fish is at least 20 years old. I've also got a couple of old tinnies and a canoe, so I could easily survive on that stuff alone. I don't have a problem with holding a boat or canoe steady on the oars for a mate to have a fish, so a leccy is out [don't have one anyway]. I mainly use either mono or braided dacron, both have been around for ages. I still have a lot of my marks for the outside sweet spots, although a GPS is handy and inshore hot spots were reliable for my father [and still are for me]. It is fairly safe to say that improved equipment is not it for me.

What has been the biggest asset over the past couple of years has been Internet access, not only to sites like this that have broadened my fishing styles [fly] and knowledge in a concentrated timeframe, but also to access tide, weather and oceanic information to enable safer and more productive trips outside.