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Print versionThe Future of Fishing Tackle
With the introduction of the new decade, I’ve been asked a lot recently by both anglers, and tackle retailers, what major advancements we’re likely to see in gear in the next ten years.
Having been involved with tackle development now since 1990, I think this coming ten years will see significant change in some areas and will be a decade that sees innovation only witnessed by the sea angling world previously during the pace setting 1970’s.
Expect lines to take a quantum leap. There are new advancements being worked on that will produce ultra thin, super strong lines and these will not necessarily be multi filament braid type lines. Single strand, supple chemical lines with diameters less than current braid lines are almost with us that have the potential to supersede braid. Development is at an advanced stage and only price for a while may be the limiting factor.
Without doubt, due to green issues, we may also see the first true bio-degradable fishing lines. These will have a set life span where degrading starts to impact the breaking strain after 6 months, the lines probably changing colour to indicate decreasing strength. Sounds daft? I’m saying no more, but watch this space!
I think casting reels will see the introduction of electronic aids for casting control and also provide the angler with other information such as the true casting distance achieved and depth. These will obviously be top end reels but the technology is already here, again it’s just the price that holds its introduction back.
The current trend to smaller more powerful reels, and especially the low-profile reels, will continue. Reels the size of 6500’s with drag capabilities of 20 plus pounds are already available and there’s more technological improvements re frame/spool materials etc in the pipeline that will further reduce overall weight and size.
Hooks are likely to become stronger but with thinner wire diameters, and I also again see improved bio-degradability being introduced to satisfy green issues and obviously contribute better to overall conservation of marine stocks.
Clothing for anglers is currently lagging well behind other outdoor sports in fashion, performance and practicality. This decade will finally see a brave manufacturer bite the bullet and transform the looks of sea anglers providing us with ultra lightweight, waterproof, warm, good looking clothing. The market is waiting, and as someone who has to take regular photos of sea anglers holding fish wearing washed out sweat shirts and bland black and green waterproof coats that kill any chance of a decent photo are thankfully coming to an end.
Rods, regarding material and components, then I don’t see massive change. There are one or two material changes that could develop in to rod manufacture that America developed for use in their space craft some 20-years ago that may filter through, but current costs prohibit this. Rings are likely to become lighter, stronger and with tougher liners inevitably as modern concept materials used in a variety of industries become cheap enough to incorporate, but there’s nothing imminent I’m aware of.
I do think that surf and boat rods are now at their longest practical length, in fact for many surfcasters they may actually be using rods that are too long for both their physical strength and casting ability, so don’t expect too much development there.
Where I do envisage development is in lure rods. The scope for lure rods is immense and I personally feel that current rods, even the top end price band, are still no where near where they need to be. I can’t go in to greater detail as I’ll be giving too much away, but when new science lure rods do hit the market, and it’s only a couple of years away, they will not initially be massive sellers as the leap between current rods and these new generation rods will require time for anglers to adjust to the new concept. New brand names and developments take at least two years to establish themselves and more often three years before sales start to climb, so the new generation lure rods will require anglers to re educate themselves and adjust to the new type rods.
Just a few things then, that you’re likely to witness in the next ten years or so.
I wrote in Angler’s Mail early in the last decade that sea angling would be the “new” carp and got laughed at, but that’s pretty much what’s happening and that’s what the sport has been lacking, an equal acceptance alongside coarse, carp and game fishing.
Sea fishing is now the fastest growing discipline within angling, and this means greater overall sales for the tackle companies. Increased sales in turn provide greater revenue for tackle and method development, so expect sea angling to become possibly as dominant in the “Teenies” as carp did in the “Noughties”.
Happy New Year!
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