| Equipment |
Topic |
Comments |
Livewell
Offshore Products 42 gallon oval (leaning post)
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
This tank has worked out extremely well. So far, the only times
we've lost a lot of bait have been due to operator error, like accidentally
turning off the tank instead of the nav lights (doh!). |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Due to the more exaggerated motion of the skiff in rough
conditions, water would splash out occasionally... More >>> |
| What's planned: |
Possibly replace the leaning post arrangement with a lower 3-scoop
tank that can be used as a seat with back |
Livewell pump
Shurflo Piranha
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
After a faulty first unit, the Shurflo Piranha has worked out
well. |
| Other products tried: |
Shurflo Bait Sentry 500, 800 |
| What's happened: |
The Piranha started out as a quiet pump, but got noisier as time
went on. Replaced under warranty by Shurflo. More >>> |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Outriggers
Precision Marine Econoline Outriggers
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
Still too early to tell. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Trying different halyards and release clips |
Rod Riggers
Reliable Aluminum
|
Status: |
OK, but... |
| In a nutshell: |
A useful tool, the Reliable rodriggers need some design
improvements |
| Other products tried: |
Windline SS |
| What's happened: |
Plastic liner tossed, safety lines fell off...More >>>
|
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Downrigger
Cannon Unitroll HP
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
Still too early to tell... |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
15-JUN-2002: Popped spool under tension (replaced under warranty) |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Downrigger weights/planers
Z-wing® 250, 500
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
The Z-wings work well, but below 2-3 knots, a traditional lead
ball seems to work better. |
| Other products tried: |
12 lb Cannon pancake weight |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Horizontal rod racks
Fentress Polyethylene
|
Status: |
OK, but... |
| In a nutshell: |
Works well, but the bungee cord tiedowns seem to stretch out
fairly easily |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Bungee cord hold-downs are getting stretched out |
| What's planned: |
Replace or re-knot elastic |
Gunnel rod holders
Lee SS 15 degree
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid product. No problems. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rail-mount rod holders
Perko Clamp On Rod Holders
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
These inexpensive rod holders seem to work well, but we have
serious concerns about the longevity of the chromed zinc components in salt
water. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Considering a comparison to Precision Marine SS rod holders |
Vertical rod rack Fentress
polyethylene 3-rod, with knife and pliers slots
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
Works well, However, the polyethylene-like material seems to
retains dirt and grease. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
One cracked vertical tube, replaced. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Livewell Net
Precision Marine 9" diam, 24" handle
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid, well built and designed product. The rings around the rim
prevent premature wear on the netting material from rubbing on the tank sides. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
The butt cap kept coming off, glued it in place. Otherwise an
excellent net |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Flatline clips
AFTCO Roller Troller
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid, well built product. A click detent would be a nice touch
to make it easier to reproduce release tension. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano Torium® 20/30
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A "poor man's Trinidad", these are great casting reels. The 6:1
retrieve ration is a useful feature for jig fishing. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano TLD® 15
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid light trolling reel. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Accurate 870 Boss Magnum® Twin Drag®
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A smooth running, tough reel. A little complicated to service. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Got sloppy on maintenance, managed to lock the spool on the drag
lever, preventing the reel from going into freespool. Disassembly is a little
tough, but after a good lubing, things are back to normal. Took out a spacer
washer to lighten up minimum drag setting |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano Thunnus 16000
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
To early to tell. Purchased to test new
Japanese deep jigging techniques |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
G. Loomis Pelagic Series PSR84-30CSU |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
This has turned out to be a solid multi-purpose
rod. Stiff enough to be used as a long trolling rod with 30 lb test, flexible
enough to be used with as a general purpose medium duty rod. Concerns over the
light guide frames have not been justified. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
Calstar WCDH-6480-C |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A great casting rod for metal jigs; handles both light and heavy
jigs well. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
Shimano Terramar® TMC-X80MH |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A nice casting rod, but the finish is a little funky - wavy gloss |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Fly Rods
G. Loomis Cross-current, 9' 8 wt. FR1088-3CC |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A nice casting, reasonably priced fly rod. A good choice for
medium-light saltwater. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Fly Fishing Accessories
Pleskunas Designs 12" Travelling VLMD
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
VLMD = "Vertical Line
Management Device". If you're
in to salt water fly fishing, this gadget, or the similar Line Tamer, is
invaluable when fishing from a boat. Keeps the fly line and the rod under
control in the cockpit. Highly recommended. |
| Other products tried: |
Home-made variations, including collapsible leaf bags, gift wrap
storage boxes, and the 15" diameter version of this device. |
| What's happened: |
Nothing. Note that the 15" diameter VLMD proved to be too wide to
fit in some sections of the cockpit. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Multi-Purpose Pliers
Braid Multi-purpose, #32911
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid tool, but if it's SS and designed for use
around salt water, why is there so much rust on the hinge and on the
various set screws? |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
These pliers are supposed to be SS, but have been rusting around
the hinge. Regular application of WD-40 required. |
| What's planned: |
Need to call Braid and find out what's going on... |