Fishing Gear Review; June 2004

May 2004 Issue

Gear Review: May 2004

Boat Bring-alongs

Sometimes it’s the little extras that make the difference

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DECK SHOES

Irish Setter casuals, the Chukka boot Irish Setter Legend
www.irishsetterboots.com

Two models of Irish Setter casuals, the Chukka, and Oxford, both available from Cabela’s, are made from Irving’s Watershed Waterproof leather, which features a low absorption rate and quick drying time. They are lined with a breathable three-bar knit lining, and to guarantee your feet stay dry no matter what, they’re both protected with a 100% waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX bootie. The non-marking outsoles have an open tread design for traction and stability on just about any type of surface; plus, they won’t pick up mud.

SIMMS Skiff Sandal
www.simmsfishing.com

Although normally only utilized by tropical flats anglers, on warmer days a sandal can be the ideal alternative for Alaska anglers. Designed with a textured footbed to minimize slippage and a non-marking Vibram sole, the SIMMS Skiff Sandal was built for anglers who spend their time moving around a sometimes-slippery boat deck. Nylon webbing and an adjustable neoprene strapping system ensure your feet are tightly but comfortably seated.

BITE VStream
www.bitefootwear.com

The BITE VStream sandal offers even more options to anglers, including the perfect reason to leave the waders at home in July and try a little wet wading. The VStream sandals feature a siped Aquatrac outsole that provides exceptional traction on both boats and underwater rocks and a wide base for added stability. The protective, quick-drying Durahide uppers can be pulled snug utilizing BITE’s elastic lacing system. And if you’re planning to take the sandals off the boat and try them out in the river as well, this model features a patented Toe Guard for superior protection.

BITE Release
www.bitefootwear.com

Providing extraordinary traction on a number of surfaces—in a number of conditions—the BITE Release was designed to be the ultimate boating shoe. The uppers are constructed of a lightweight sandwich mesh that offers breathability and instant drainage, while the lightweight, non-marking DXL outsoles feature Bee Sticky rubber for hard surface traction. Also added to this model of the BITE Footwear lineup are built-in arch supports and removable, supportive compression sockliners.

FIGHTING BELTS

Bombay Fighting Belts by Braid
www.braidproducts.com

Each Braid fighting belt in the Bombay series is crafted from durable, high-impact plastic and backed with high-density non-slip foam for an extremely lightweight fit. The Medium-Duty Stand-Up belt, rated for use with 40 to 60-pound tackle, comes with a stainless steel gimbal pin that allows for complete control of the rod at all times during the fight. The Heavy-Duty Stand-Up belt features an extra-wide surface area, which enables the angler to put more pressure on the fish, and like the Medium-Duty belt, a stainless gimbal pin means complete control of the rod can be had at all times. Both belts are also attached via quick, easy on-and-off Velcro straps.
To take the pressure of your arms and shoulders while fighting particularly large or stubborn fish, Braid also offers the Bombay Deluxe Summer Harness. Lightweight and extremely durable, the harness can be utilized with either the Medium or Heavy-Duty Stand-Up fighting belts.

ORGANIZATION

G Loomis Tackle Bags G•Loomis Tackle Bags
www.gloomis.com

With a solid reputation as a manufacturer of top-of-the-line rods and reels, G•Loomis now offers a series of tackle bags that feature the same quality of construction and flawless, highly functional design. Made of 100% waterproof and highly durable materials, the Loomis tackle bags protect your gear from rust, mildew, and other detrimental effects of the marine environment. The Vertical Stack tackle bag has a hard polypropylene bottom that maintains the bag’s shape when loading or unloading.Eight G•Loomis utility boxes are included with this bag. The Horizontal Stack tackle bag utilizes a rigid frame to support the entire bag and includes four utility boxes.

Cabela Storm Proof Tackle Bag Cabela’s Storm Proof Tackle Bags
www.cabelas.com

Made to withstand the toughest conditions the sea can muster, Cabela’s Storm Proof tackle bags are constructed of heavy-duty tarpaulin that repels water, while a hard plastic bottom withstands soaking and prevents seepage. The bags come in two sizes, the large accommodating five Cabela’s 3600 series utility boxes and the extra-large nine of the larger 3700 series boxes. Both have a front exterior pocket and a rear exterior mesh pocket that allow easy access to critical items.

Patagonia Great Divider
www.patagonia.com

The Great Divider is a padded, portable, highly water-resistant storage bag for anglers, photographers, and others who’ve been seeking the ideal way to carry their valuable equipment afield. The body is constructed of 840-denier nylon and double-coated with polyurethane. With 1,600 cubic inches of storage space, the Great Divider will keep its contents dry in the face of rain, standing freshwater, and even saltwater up to the point of extensive immersion.

Fishing gear - Pelican hard case Pelican Cases
www.pelican.com

Sometimes anglers must carry expensive and/or sensitive equipment aboard the boat, that equipment most often related to photography. If you must travel with professional camera equipment— whether digital, film, or video—nothing offers as much protection as a Pelican hard case. Locking panels adjust to fit any configuration desired and hug the gear to give protection against impact, vibration, and thermal shock, while the waterproof case itself protects against moisture and dust. Besides the padded dividers, an optional lid organizer can be added to any Pelican case, enabling more efficient and better protected storage of lenses, film, filters, light meters, flashes, and just about anything else you may think to bring along.

Igloo Max Cold Coolers
www.igloocoolers.com

Coolers are an incredibly important piece of angling equipment, though many people probably don’t think too much about them. Imagine 100 pounds of halibut or a day’s worth of salmon steaks thawing out in the July heat, however, and you’ll probably want to think a little longer on which cooler to bring along. To that end, one of the best choices you could make is the Igloo Max Cold series of coolers, which boast highly efficient UltraTherm foam insulation in both the domed lid and body. The 70 and 100-quart models have odor and stain-resistant refrigerator-quality liners, and of particular interest, the 150-quart model sports saltwater-resistant stainless steel hardware.

Igloo Marine Series Coolers
www.igloocoolers.com

Long a favorite of boaters and anglers, the Igloo Marine Series coolers are tailor-made for the saltwater traveler. Every model in this line comes with stain and odor-resistant liners, and the lids can double as a seat (you can even purchase optional seat cushions). The exteriors are constructed from a high-impact plastic material that resists chipping, while the stainless steel hardware won’t rust. An optional tie-down kit can be used to secure the cooler to the deck.

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When fishing Alaska, hauling along bushels of angling accoutrement is often not only impractical, it’s impossible. If not flying out to a remote headwater lake or lodge, where gear is limited by floatplane weight restrictions, anglers are usually piling onto boats—whether fishing in the salt or freshwater—and there space is still a commodity.

Deciding what to bring along and what would be better left back on shore, then, is of the highest importance. Forgetting a vital piece of equipment can make for a long and frustrating day on the water, while showing up at the dock with the entire contents of your garage will not help get you off on the right foot with the skipper, to say the least.

Rods, reels, lines, and terminal tackle are at the head of the list of things to bring—for good and obvious reasons—but there is an assortment of additional items that can be just enough to turn a good day on the water into a great one. And, in the rush to make sure all the proper angling gear is accounted for, it’s these items that are the most prone to being overlooked.

For instance, how many anglers really put a lot of thought into the shoes they wear aboard a boat? Most of us will go to the ends of the earth to find a pair of well-designed, durable wading shoes, but then we’ll turn around and pull on a pair of old sneakers or super-slick rubber galoshes when heading for the halibut grounds. In reality, however, quality footwear can be just as important for the boat-bound angler as it is when wading a freestone stream, and for the same reasons, like traction and comfort.

Another item many anglers don’t consider for themselves is a personal fighting belt. Most charter boats will have a few on hand, but by carrying your own, you’ll make sure to have one that fits properly, and just as importantly, one that works properly. Admittedly, a fighting belt may seem superfluous. After all, Alaska’s saltwater anglers aren’t going to be battling tarpon, billfish, or giant tuna to the deck. However, all it takes is hauling a triple-digit flatfish up from as little as 200 feet before plenty of strain is felt. With a belt, anglers put themselves in better position to apply more leverage, while taking some of the pressure of their arms and backs.

One of the biggest considerations saltwater anglers face, of course, is the limited amount of space available on most sport-fishing vessels. For a lot of us tackle hogs, that often means we need to leave something behind. But there are solutions, namely the array of bags available that are designed with the sport angler in mind. These bags help organize the gear you do bring, maximizing space, and ultimately, they’ll allow you to carry more—while taking up less room on the boat.

And while we’re talking about taking up room, what about the ubiquitous cooler? Every angler, especially those heading out for a day on the salt, needs one—for keeping drinks and lunch cool throughout the day and then to keep the catch cold while it’s on the way home. But what makes sense? After all, coolers come in a maddening range of sizes, some large enough to house a side of beef, others so small you might have to cut the crust off your sandwich to get it to fit.

In the end, when purchasing a cooler for the boat or anything else, common sense should dictate the right choice to make, as anglers will look to balance needs with functionality and price. Here, then, are a few models of each.