By Steve Dougherty
Excited for the dawn of each day, as fishermen we’re always innovating and adapting rigging techniques to beat fish with the greatest efficiency and consistency. Whether we are catching bait or blue marlin, advancements in tackle and technology continue to offer an unfair advantage. Yet considering the many variables we have no control over, tying reliable knots and creating fortified connections rests at our very own fingertips.
By ITB Editor
The masterful abilities of the Japanese in manufacturing excellence is undoubtedly correct. With great attention to detail built into their culture, the prosperous island country in East Asia breeds pride in engineering through a well-educated, industrious workforce and there are enormous efforts made in achieving a state of perfection. In similar fashion to Shimano and their high-performance bicycle groupsets turned fishing reel expertise through high-efficiency gearing with precise cold-forging of 3D metal shapes, Ken Matsuura’s high-end Japanese conventional reels bring about decades of experience engineering precision engine components for numerous motorcycle and race car factory teams.
It’s been two years since the last ICAST brought industry professionals together to get a firsthand look at the advancements in the sportfishing world. From July 20 to July 23, companies and brands showcased the latest and greatest products for both fresh and saltwater anglers. We’ve highlighted some new, innovative and just plain interesting products that were on display at this year’s event.
COLUMBIA, S.C., July 17, 2021—Few things get an angler’s heart beating like the feeling of a hook set and the drag peeling—especially when fishing in big-fish waters. When anglers target saltwater species, they demand a reel that stands up to saltwater conditions and delivers absolute performance.
By Capt. Danny Forde
Here is a proven big game offshore knot used by some of the best crews on the circuit. It’s simple and easy to tie and provides 100-percent strength. All you’ll need is a snap swivel and fishing line, that’s it.
Though we’re back from Los Sueños Costa Rica we made sure to catch up with the Jaruco team on their 90′ Jarrett Bay to see what gear is getting used offshore. Edward Barr gives us the 411 on rods, reels and everything between.
Kyle O’Conner breaks down the gear being used on the Eight Eights, a 72′ Viking, where he is first mate. From BlackFin blanks to the pink fluorocarbon, take some inspiration for your next offshore trip.
Can marlin see color? Look into the eye of this marlin and it’s difficult to think a marlin can not see color with such a human-like eye.
It’s an age old question that may never be answered scientifically, as it is far too subjective and intermingled with personal superstitions and general preference for one color versus another.
For example, nearly all men like the colors blue, black, white, purple, silver, green and gold. Is it any wonder that these very same colors are [Read more…]
The earliest known inhabitants of the Pacific crafted eyeless hooks from bone and shell with impressive elegance and ingenuity. A variation of the primitive methods employed in lashing hooks to line, the snell knot is widely favored across global fisheries. Creative anglers keen on advancing their collection of skills continue to perfect the craft with the latest iterations preventing tackle failure at traditional breaking points.
