Petzl NAO reactive automatically adjusting Headlamp

Until now, head lamps have been only able to adjust to the lighting conditions when the user instructs it to with the push of a button. If you are reading a map, you set the head lamp on low, if you are trying to see a fish washing up on the beach ahead, you set the head lamp on high beam and so forth.

Petzl has created the worlds first smart head lamp. The NAO is a reactive automatically adjusting headlamp, and it uses some pretty exciting and innovative technology to do it. While it still may require the odd button push, the two high powered LED’s are designed to adjust for current light conditions and needs almost instantly.

Using a sensor, the headlamp measures and analyzes the ambient light, and the inbuilt microprocessor tweaks the head lamp to output just the right amount. This has obvious battery life implications, by saving power where it can. Combined with the fact that LED’s use very little power means this unit could effectively have one of the most efficient battery drain times on the market.

Another handy feature is the fact the unit has a lithium Ion rechargable battery. Everybody hates getting ready for a fishing trip last minute, only to find the head lamp batterys have died.

The unit also comes with operating system software, downloaded for free at the Petzl website. You can fine tune your NAO’s performance and personalise it to suit your needs. This giant leap in headlamp technology will be available for purchase around July 2012.

http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/headlamps/nao

Spirit Venus Fish Kayak on the water

The Venus Fish Kayak has been on the market for some time now. Already a proven angling vessel, Spirit has been continuing to improve the Venus fish, and I was lucky enough to water test one of these fishing behemoths.

The Venus Fish is Spirits premium fishing vessel, and it comes with all the fruit! Rod holders, tie down, fish storage, tackle storage, anchor points and a whole lot more. The Venus Fish is made right here in Western Australia, and I am always proud to see such quality products coming out of our own back yard.

After picking it up from the Spirit Kayaks factory, I was impressed by the sheer girth of the vessel. Knowing that anglers are often of a bigger build, this kayak would no doubt cater to the larger angler. The problem with wide boats is that you do lose out on speed in exchange for stability and buoyancy. Lucky for us, there is no need to set any speed records while wetting a line.

The Venus fish can support up to 250kg of load capacity and has an average weight of 28kg. While it is easy enough for most adults to lift 28kg, the girth again made it difficult to mount onto a high vehicle and we suggest having a spare pair of helping hands when loading the vessel. Not a problem either if you fish in pairs, as many kayak anglers do for safety and enjoyment purposes.

It’s a very reasonable 3.7 meters in length and 270mm deep. Realistically you don’t want anything more on a one person yak. The length and width where more than ample to fish comfortably for long periods. Maneuvering the vessel was easier than expected. The boat turns well and got me into the spots I needed.

Spirit has positioned the inbuilt rod holders well. The adjustable rod holder could get in the way while paddling, so it’s important to slide it further forward while on the move. The front hatch was relatively easy to access, although it did require me to squat on the boat, luckily the width made for a stable platform. Importantly my car keys and Iphone were kept dry in the storage port positioned in the floor between my legs.

Overall the stability of the Venus fish was great, but I wouldn’t recommend using it as a stand-and-cast yak. It is much more suited to sitting down and relaxing. I found the boat easy to paddle and got up to a good pace with out too much hard work. There is nothing worth than having to drag a poorly designed boat around, only to be too tired to fish by the time to finally get to your destination.

The new improved poly fish pod on the rear holds an enormous amount of fish, crabs or what have you. The front hatch is easily accessible and the pod is removed painlessly for cleaning and storage. The polyethylene is a super tough and hygienic material, making it a piece of cake to clean out what’s left of your days catch.

The adjustable rod holder is another handy feature. Despite having multiple inbuilt flush mounted rod holders, its always great have an adjustable holder at arms length. This comes in a particularly handy when fishing with multiple rods. See the use of this in the video.

The Spirit Venus Fish is a worthy kayak for any angler. The boats size and girth makes it a comfortable fishing platform, and the hoard of accessories fitted or available to fit mean this vessel can be customized to suit just about any anglers needs. This quality, Australian kayak is designed with Australian fishing conditions in mind and they have catered well for us die-hard fisho’s. They are available now and

http://www.spiritpaddle.com.au/

Shimano Tropical Tackle System

After working in the industry for some years, I’ve seen many a customer bring back hardbody lures that have “exploded” in the Australian heat. Whether it’s been sitting on a dash when its 40 degrees celcius out,and double that in the car, or on just sitting the deck of a boat up north, lures and soft plastics can be annihilated by the heat. The lures are more often than not made overseas, and aren’t designed to cope with such extreme conditions. So until the lure manufacturers start taking this into account, it’s up to the angler to keep their tackle boxes at a reasonable temperature.

Shimano Australia seems to have solved this ongoing problem with their new range of protective tackle bags. Shimano’s Tropical luggage. The body is made from a tough tarpaulin to keep the sun out and your gear cool and dry. Waterproof zippers and heavy strapping is standard on all Tropical Tackle models.

Shimano have integrated leader dispensers into the Tropical tackle series, no more tangled leaders is always a welcome bonus. The bags will fit Shimano’s 360 or 370 size boxes, which is roughly the same as Plano’s 3600 and 4000 size trays. More at http://www.shimanofish.com.au

Mieho Versus Shoulder Bag VS-B6069

As a shore based wading angler, finding a tackle bag that is easily accessible when you are waste deep in the wet stuff is always a challenge.

There are literally hundreds of options out there for tackle bags but not many catered to anglers who fish on the move. Backpacks are the obvious solution and great for storage, but impossible to access quickly.

Waist/bum bags are great for access in shallow water wading, but if are feeling brave and venture a bit deeper then before you know it your gear going to be submerged. Of course there is shoulder sling bags that don’t offer much security for your gear.

The Meiho Versus VS-B6069 shoulder bag seems to have solved all my problems. The over shoulder-across the chest design allows the bag to be rotated around with ease. The zips are positioned so that you have direct access to all the pockets from top down.

The bag contains 3 pockets and 3 meiho/versus tackle trays. The build quality is exceptional and this follows through to the high quality japanese moulded plastic trays. Meiho has hundreds of tackle tray designs available. They are one the largest, if not the largest, manufacturers of fishing tackle trays in the world. If the three trays that come with the bag don’t suit, then no doubt there will be another one available.

The bags over the shoulder straps are held together by an large easy  to use buckle. Keeping the bag securely on your back but quick and easy to take off after a hard days fishing. It’s simple black and grey design is sure to suit many anglers and the back of the back and straps are all padded for comfort.

All in all, the Mieho Versus VS-B6069 shoulder is the bag that all us waders have been looking for. High quality, comfortable and most importantly designed with anglers in mind. These bags are available from Japan for around $80AUD.

The japanese manufacturers website Meiho Gaku http://meihokagaku.co.jp/

CUSH-IT by Luna Sea

We have all had that experience, the gimbal belt getting hooked up on things on the boat, or just generally in the way. If that isn’t bad enough, you’re usually not even wearing it when you get an almighty strike jigging. You have to respond quickly or that fish will bust you off against the reef.

Well, thast where the CUSH-IT by Luna Sea is different. It’s placed on the end of your rod, so it there whenever you need it.

The guys at Nomad Sportsfishing Adventures have seen it all, and on with both tuff customers, and tough fish. They recently picked up the CUSH-IT and have been finding it great for their GT Fishing. GTs don’t offer second chances, so its all about being ready to go as soon as the lure is in the water!

At Tackletester, we have been send a couple to try by Nomad Sportsfishing Adventures, and we hope to get them out jigging over the coming months. If you can’t bear to hear how we have been doing, then run down to their online shop, and grab one for yourself  

 

Kracken Kool Gear Apparels

KrackenKoolGear.com, 100% microfiber angling apparels is manufactured from top of the line multi-layered, performance fabrics. The microfiber performance fabric gives you up to 50UPF skin protection and surpasses the leading brands moisture wicking performance with the state of the art, Dye-Sublimation process done in house, based out of Tampa, Florida, United States of America. The custom designed fish images are not screen printed onto the shirt. The images are applied using a process known as Dye-Sublimation (Dye-Sub). The “cool” thing about Dye-Sub is the fact that you cannot feel the image on the shirt as you can with traditional screen printing. During the transfer process, the image is actually gassed into the fabric on a near molecular level. The image will not crack, curl, fade, or peel. “It will last the life of the shirt” according to owner and founder of KrackenKoolGear.com (KKG), Damien Lavellee.

Micro-Fiber polo shirts, Micro-Fiber long sleeve shirts, Micro-Fiber short sleeve shirts, cotton long sleeve t-shirts, cotton short sleeve t-shirts, hats, visors, accessories, and stickers, are just some of the products that KKG has to offer. They have just under 400 products in their inventory.

I have personally put one of the shirts through 27 washes now and the image still looks brand new. What is the point of wearing high quality wick shirts with any other process like heat printed images, when the image will stick to your body and eventually peel, crack, or fade? The Dye-Sub technology and process allows any images or logos to feel like there is nothing there at all. When held up to the light, you can actually see right through the fibers as if there were no image. The microfiber materials are what you actually feel, silky smooth, cool when hot, and warming when cold, perfect for almost any climate, especially in South Florida or any Tropical region for that matter.

“Dye-sublimation is a high quality printing process. The term, sublimation, refers to the fact that the dye transitions between the solid and gas states without going through a liquid state. Many consumer and professional dye-sublimation printers are designed and used for producing photographic prints. Under high temperature and pressure, the dye turns into a gas, permeates the fabric, and then solidifies into its fibers. The fabric is permanently dyed so it can be washed without damaging the quality of the image. The dye(s) do not build up on the fabric which is why the print cannot be felt on the garment. Colors can be extraordinarily brilliant due to the bonding of the dye to the transparent fibers of the synthetic fabric. Truly continuous tones can be achieved that are equivalent to photographs, without the use of special techniques such as half-screen printing”, according to Damien.

100% Micronized Polyester Denier Fabric or (Microdenier), commonly referred to as “microfiber” textiles are woven with 100% polyester fibers that has been micronized.  This extremely thin fiber allows for the production of fabrics that are tightly woven yet soft, silky and light weight.  The term “moisture wicking” refers to the fabric’s inherent properties.  Unlike cotton, microfiber will not swell and/or absorb liquid.  The smooth plastic nature of the fibers causes liquid to be continually dispersed, like a domino effect, farther and farther from its initial point of origin by Capillary Action or capillarity:  the ability of a liquid to flow against gravity where liquid spontaneously rises in a narrow space.  This effect can cause liquids to flow against the force of gravity or the magnetic field induction. It occurs because of inter-molecular attractive forces between the liquid and solid surrounding surfaces.

KKG intends to be the largest manufacturer of custom microfiber apparels for the outdoor industries. The Kracken brands can be recognized on two different realms, first by Kracken Kool Gear’s signature brand of clothing and the highly detailed images that take an extreme right turn away from the industry norm. Secondly, Kracken can be recognized as a fulfillment center that specializes in manufacturing customized apparels and accessories.  Kracken manufactures private labels and prints apparels for a wide range of clients including other fishing and dive apparel brands, tournaments, fishing teams, artists, corporate logoed uniforms, private retailers, schools, sports teams, and marathon/running/fitness organizations. The list goes on.  At Kracken, they do not believe in the term “competition”.  They will work for and serve the needs of any other brand(s) and/or organizations with the same diligence and pride that they have for their own brand.  They recognized that consumer’s personal tastes in apparels are broad and ever changing.  “There is plenty of room for us all, we believe in the power of team work, the relationships it creates, and the long term profits it gains”, says Damien.

Please visit www.KrackenKoolGear.com for more details.

Aquapac Mini waterproof case for Iphone, Galaxy S, HTC and more

In a sport where water inevitably surrounds us, keeping your electronics and valuables dry is always a challenge.

These days, smart phones are just as handy a tool to have in your tackle box as any other. Being able to check your smart phone for a updated weather report or to utilize a navigation app on the water means exposing your pricey gadget to the elements. This is where Aquapac’s Mini waterproof case comes into its own.

The Mini case will fit most phones, including the popular Iphone, Galaxy S and most HTCs. For larger phones such as the Galaxy S2, they will fit but it’s a tight squeeze. In which case you might be better off going up to the “small” case.

Touch screens still work fine through the Aquapac cases, including cameras and capacitive touchscreens. After some extensive testing on the water, I can’t seem to flaw the case on usability. There seems to be no problems with audio. Everything comes through loud and clear.

If you plan on using your Aquapac mini case for underwater photography, this can be tricky, as the capacitive touch screens will not work under water. You can however explore your Jacques Cousteau side by pressing the “record” button above the waterline. With the new Iphone 4S recording in 1080p HD, this case opens up a whole new world of fishing film possibilities. It is rated to 5 meters.

A handy feature is that if you accidentally drop your phone into the water, the case will float thanks to a perfect seal and trapped air. The high-frequency welded seams form a super strong, super water proof bond to keep water out. The patented Aquaclip® opens and closes on the top of case with a simple twist of two levers.

The verdict? This handy little accessory is now going to have a permanent place in my tackle kit. Being a modern day gadget savvy angler, I love the advantages that smart can give us on the water. Tide and weather information at your finger tips, HD video and high quality cameras. Being able to safely access all these features is crucial and the Aquapac Mini case does just that. Available now at all good retailers.

For a list of Australian stockists check out Everest sports http://www.everestsports.com.au/retailersb.php

http://www.aquapac.net/

 

 

2011 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Boat Show

The 2011 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Boat Show at the Convention Center was a great event in despite of the rain. Fort Lauderdale is also known as and nicknamed the “Yachting Capital of the World”, and the convention center hosted their 51st annual event for the boat show.

The show runs from Oct. 27th (Prime Time Preview)-Oct. 31st, 2011, with more than 3 million square feet of space over five locations. The show’s transportation network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can easily navigate the boat show and its expansive waterways system.

Show exhibits range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels were displayed including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, flats boats, skiffs, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes, and extraordinary superyachts. Added attractions include The Blue Wild Dive Show, IGFA’s School of Sportfishing, and Hook the Future’s Kids Fishing Clinics. The show also hosted some of the top names in angling as they gave seminars, tips to the trade, and priceless rigging demonstrations.

I was invited by Damien Lavellee, owner of www.KrackenKoolGear.com Apparels and Carey Chen, Marine Artist, as they will be be featured in future articles. It was an honor for me to attend the show as a guest. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit the wide variety of sport fishers, bay boats, flats, and the superyachts in the marinas due to the weather.

The show displayed many of the top brands in the industry and some products in prototype phases. I also had the privilege to Meet Stu Apte, member of the IGFA Hall Of Fame and past holder of 44 World Records and part of the FINS - Situational Braided Spectra Lines – family. As a Pro Staffer for FINS, I was honored and humbled by his presence as he signed a FINS staffer catalog for me.

Be sure to come down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, next year and check out some of the newest and hottest ticket items on the market and get the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the industry and most products are discounted at the boat show.

Visit Florida, the “Fishing Capital of the World”and be sure to check out the Miami, Florida, Boat Show in March, 2012, when all the big boys come out to play. Please check for dates and times. Life is great, get out and get some. No one else will do it for you. Take a kid fishing and pass the knowledge, not the ignorance.

Tight Lines!

Check out the rest of the pics in the gallery below..

Filtrate Eyewear Decki Sunglasses Giveaway!

Filtrate Eyewear’s polarised shades manage to keep your style in check, without that “hole in your wallet” feeling after purchase. Filtrate has an extensive range of frames to all tastes. The entire range features Stainless steel hinges, that are strengthened to last the distance.

The Polarised polycarbonate lenses block out a whopping 99% of polarised light waves, and 100% of the harmful UV rays(UVA, UVB & UVC). This makes a them the perfect companion for any angler spending time on the water. Keeping your eyes safe for years to come.

The frames are also made of a strong high quality polycarbonate. The memory flex injected frames are a great example of Filtrates practical use of materials for an item that is inevitably going to get knock around a bit.

Our friends over at Filtrate Eyewear have kindly sent us a pair of their affectionately named ”Decki” glasses to give away. So how do you get your hot hands on a pair? Simply reply below in the comments section, and answer the following question:

What would you use your brand new pair of Filtrate Eyewear Deckie polarised shades for?

*Just make sure you include a valid email! Don’t worry, it won’t be used for annoying spam it is just a method of contacting the winner. Tackle Tester will pick a winner before the end of the month.

Check out the above design and many more at http://www.filtrateeyewear.com/

SeaHunter Boat dropped 20 feet!

We have seem some pretty extreme claims by manufacturers putting their products to the test, but this one by Seahunter Boats takes the cake.Seahunter were so confident in the strength and build of their vessels they dropped the boat onto concrete from over 20 feet(that’s over 6 meters for us metric folk!)

As you can see from the video, the hull not only survives, it drives just as well as a brand new one would immediately after the test. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, Seahunter then cuts the boat in almost half. Cutting the vessel takes almost 3 hours to do thanks to the layered and almost impenetrable construction of the vessel. The Seahunter is then put back in the water for another sea trial.

Amazingly the boat STILL drives, and by the looks of things even gets up on the plane! Crazy stuff and a must watch video.

http://www.seahunterboats.com/

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