Powered
<p>I was curious as to what you fellas thought about this new fangled contraption...</p>
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<p>It's a rod holder with an automatic hook setting feature... Basically it's a spring loaded rod holder with a "trigger" that (when pulled) releases the holder and delivers a "hook setting" jerk upwards to set the hook unattended.</p>
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<p>Being the fishing gadget geek that I am, I purchased one when I saw it... I had to try it out... Lo and behold, it functioned exactly as advertised... I placed it and set it on the river bank with my tried and true copper bell on the tip of the rod... It hooked one fish that would not have jingled my copper bell! I thought it was a "misfire" caused by the river current, but it was indeed a redhorse on the line. On the next try, the fish was able to ring the copper bell on the first pull, but on the second it set off the contraption and produced another well hooked redhorse.</p>
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<p>I've had mixed reviews when talking to fellow fishermen about this gadget... Some say "it takes the thrill out of fishing" (I can honestly say it doesn't... or at least for me), some say "that's a great idea! where can I get one??", and some say "that's unsportsman like"...</p>
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<p>I use it for my unattended rod when I have multiple rods in the water testing different setups. </p>
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<p>I'm curious what your opinions are regarding it's use and whether or not it would take away from your thrill of the catch.</p>
Interesting. Spring-powered hook-setting devices are illegal where I live in Minnesota, but I guess I don't see much of a problem with them where legal. I don't see why you'd need them, either, but if they work for you, great!
It's nice that it's hooked some fish you otherwise wouldn't have noticed- that's great.
It really does look barbaric though, especially in that first picture!
Seems like a lot of work to avoid just being aware enough to see your rod bounce. I'd say its a lot more easy and ethical the original way. Also if you're not around when it hooks, your rod may go for a ride.
I'm the king of lazy but thats a little too lazy for me.
I have to agree with the laziness. As I said before, I love collecting outrageous gadgets and things that take absurd measures to simplify tasks that are already simple.
I'll never use it on a consistent basis and make it a permanent addition to my fishing arsenal. It's just pretty unique and I took it along when I was already trying a100% hands on technique with my other rod. It was pretty slick how well it worked, but unnecessary. I totally agree that I wouldn't leave a rod unattended, but it was pretty neat not having to drop my rod and run to a ringing copper bell.
I saw the other thread about fishing technology and some posts in there about the "laziness" of some fishermen and figured I would put this up to see some opinions.
I swear they will market anything to make a buck in the fishing market. Hopefully someday they will market a device that will bait your hook, cast it out, and reel in the fish. And make it cheaper than hiring a guide.
Could we at least acknowledge its practicality in spaced out bowfin fishing? This summer I did a lot of fishing for them in a lake w/two spaced out (50 or so feet) pockets of water, and we had to bolt as soon as we heard the bell. With Bowfin especially, we ended up missing a decent amount of hits on the farther pocket.......I don't think that would qualify as laziness.
And yes, I imagine that a lot of missed bowfin hookups are because they grabbed the bait wrong, but still, I can't help but wonder if setting the hook every time.
That's one crazy looking mouse trap meets rod holder contraption lol. I guess as far is it setting hooks it's really no different then speed trolling with rods in the holders, the fish slam it and at that speed are hooked up anyway, then it's kind of a flip a coin for who fights it and reels it in and who has to hold the beer. I'd be worried about missing strikes though big time, anyone who has fished with bigger minnows or full crawlers (not wrapped in a ball) knows you rip their lips at first bite and you'll be reeling in minnow and crawler heads all day long. Finicky fish, I'd rather keep my rod in my hands so I can feel what's happening down there. (Ok that sounded really bad lmao) You could also run into problems, especially in rivers with a lot of junk floating by, logs, snags, and such as your bait bounces around on the bottom, where you can feel its not a fish and often times finesse your line back out of trouble. In those cases the springomatic 9000 from binford will drive that hook deep into everything that puts tension on the line. Interesting though, I suppose in some situations with the right bait and active fish it would work. Wonder what happens when it misses or snaps the line? I could imagine hearing the spring go off, only to turn around and see my Loomis catapulting thru the air into a big patch of poison ivy!! Ok, so, aggressive fish (check), small bait or treble hook (check), no snags (check), no poison ivy (check), all systems go for auto hook-up!! Good fishing gang!!
too many situations when it wouldn't work right... e.g., what happens when the fish moves toward the rod & the line goes slack???
P.E.T.A. sucks!!! Plants are living things, too -- they're just easier to catch!
It sets the hook on the first tug. You'll miss a lot of fish.
Eli
Regardless of how people feel about this invention, I gotta admire the person that came up with this idea, then pursued that idea to its creation. I think a lot of fisher-people are never satisfied, theyr'e continually tinkering & modifying every single piece of gear.