NEW RANGE OF TACKLE.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
- Bassman takes out one of the AFTA Trade Show awards.
Having recently been to the 2009 AFTA Trade Show at the Gold Coast, all I can say from an angling point of view is “wow.” A huge number of exhibitors showed off the latest trend in tackle and other fishing related products set to hit the stores in the coming months. In a three day exhibition that would leave your avid tackle rat drooling at the mouth, retailers were privy to inspect and get the full run down on everything from offshore game reels to small soft plastics and everything in between. The quality of our Australian made tackle speaks volumes with overseas interest from tackle giants like Japan suitably impressed with several new products. It’s amazing how well some of these smaller cottage industries have pushed Aussie ingenuity out into the angling world. Bassman, a commonly used spinnerbait in our local waters for Murray cod and Golden perch was just one to hit the big time and take out one of the prestigious AFTA trade show awards.
You really did need the full three days to inspect just a fraction of that available at any depth. Around every corner lay new treasures, some with a different slant on last season’s hot products while others were totally new. A full array of rods from several leading companies were backed by the latest in spin and low profile baitcasters with Dave Hodge, Australia’s premier trick caster putting the new range of Quatam reels through their paces. In a freakish display he was able to hit cans and plastic bottles thrown mid flight with a casting plug. Soft plastics continue to have a huge influence on anglers and this was evident by the thousands of different makes and models hanging finely packed from the walls looking more like a confectionary shop than that of a tackle display. There seemed to be soft plastic treats for everything from Marlin to mullet with a vast array of different scents that included garlic and aniseed.
A few new angling essentials that we might see a bit more of in our general area were a range of upsized landing nets that would be suitable to deal with the largest of Murray cod. In testing we were able to lift a 75kg adult male in one of these nets with the only damage incurred being that of the lifters. There were also some very impressive large jointed shad styled lures that are sure to tempt the taste buds of our local cod and golden perch. And for those of us whose arms are no longer able to hold the newspaper far enough away to have a read, a great range of affordable bifocal sunglasses that cut the glare and make knot tying and reading just that little bit easier. The list of goodies goes on, but instead of me spoiling the surprise why not walk into your local tackle shop and see what they have on order for the coming season? I can’t wait for next year’s show, it’s like being let loose in a giant tackle box full of fishing’s finest ideas.
