What Gimmicks Do You Remember? 2024

Josh Smith reply :

Hey Guys,

We had a similar thread about gimmick lures, so I figured maybe we could do one on rods and reels. I'm wondering what gimmicks you guys remember on rods/reels/etc.

I remember back before I got out of fishing for a while, it seemed every new spinning reel to come out had a danged trigger on it! I tried one and couldn't like it.

What about you?

Josh

Jeff H reply :

You'll find more gimmicks on reels than on rods. Twitchin' bars and the like on casting reels appeared to be gimmicks to most of us. Some consider Daiwa's TWS to be a gimmick, there'll be plenty more to come from others on this subject.

I liked the Quick Fire trigger on my Shimano Spirex I had many years ago. That reel was uber tough and took one helluva beating for many years, and that trigger always worked.

Josh Smith reply :

You know, the TWS makes sense to me, but I also see it as one other thing to break.

I figure you can have a fragile(???) TWS, or have friction at when the line comes off the outside of the spool while casting, or you can transfer that friction to a non-disengaging levelwind (my preference as I feel there's more to be done there than the disengaging levelwind).

Josh

FloridaFishinFool reply :

A rod gimmick you ask? Here's one:

tater555 reply :

Alrighty then... Back on subject. I think the biggest gimmick I have seen is the wave bar line guide system on the u.s. reels. I will admit though, I have never fished one but it just screams gimmick. They might actually work, but I just don't see it happening.

ww2farmer reply :

One that stands out to me was a Cabela's house brand rod with the guides on the inside of the blank.

Scott F reply :

I bought an Ambassadeur 5600AB anti-backlash reel for my wife several years ago for a fly-in fishing trip to Canada. since she had never fished a baitcaster before, I thought it was a good way to let her use a baitcaster without going through the learning process. Most reviews by fishermen has nothing good to say about them. It worked just fine for my wife. I had problems using it because for it to work, you have to keep your thumb off the spool. No problem for someone not used to using a baitcaster but difficult for me because I kept forgetting and let my thumb slow the spool down which causes a backlash. I guess you can still buy them, but they have to be considered a gimmick.

a1712 reply :

Shimano DC Reels, the Daiwa's where the line guide separated into 2 pieces when you pressed the thumb bar, and the Wave Spinning Reels. Brian.

smallie.mike reply :

Hagane... sorry i couldn't help myself

Preytorien reply :

The Shakespear "Clear Tip" - I'm not sure what the purpose of a clear tip is. Their rods are strong as can be, but both of mine have a clear tip.....for....what exactly?

buzzed bait reply :

"carrot fibers" spun into a rod blank

J Francho reply :

Anything with words "nano," "erratic," or "attraction" in it.

the reel ess reply :

On 1/15/2016 at 12:37 PM, a1712 said:

Shimano DC Reels, the Daiwa's where the line guide separated into 2 pieces when you pressed the thumb bar, and the Wave Spinning Reels. Brian.

I almost bought that Daiwa.

Spinning reels with the bail flip lever. They invariable fail if used a lot and removing one screws up the whole rotor's balance.

Flippin' switch on BC reels. I have one on an older ABU reel with a composite or graphite frame. If you used this reel for flipping or pitching much it would warp the frame quickly. I know because I warped the frame with regular use and it'll only cast half a decent distance. In fact, I consider a composite frame on a BC reel to be a gimmick designed to lure unsuspecting first time users. I've owned two and was sorry both times. If I bought one as my first reel, I might have quit using BC's.

the reel ess reply :

On 1/15/2016 at 11:32 PM, J Francho said:

Anything with words "nano," "erratic," or "attraction" in it.

Or EXTREME. I hate that word.

BassWhole! reply :

micro guides and aluminum (by any other name) gears...

A-Jay reply :

Any product that includes the words Ronco or Popeil may be suspect.

Also if the term "Just pay separate shipping & handling" is somehow involved, I usually steer clear.

A-Jay

Darren. reply :

The rocket fishing rod...

As seen on TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp4d-KE3k-c

the reel ess reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 12:00 AM, Darren. said:

The rocket fishing rod...

As seen on TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp4d-KE3k-c

My bro-in-law asked what I thought of that. I had the feeling he was fishing for Christmas gift advice. I told him it was garbage for sure. That cat loves a late-night info-mercial.

DTack reply :

On 1/15/2016 at 12:21 PM, ww2farmer said:

One that stands out to me was a Cabela's house brand rod with the guides on the inside of the blank.

Man, I had forgotten that one!!! Seemed great as a concept! ha

Darren. reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 12:34 AM, the reel ess said:

My bro-in-law asked what I thought of that. I had the feeling he was fishing for Christmas gift advice. I told him it was garbage for sure. That cat loves a late-night info-mercial.

LOL.

I bought one years back when Roland Martin was
the shill for the product. Yeah. Gimmick for sure.

DTack reply :

It becomes pretty clear that when people start using words like "nano" "extreme" and other keywords on their fishing equipment as a gimmick.. They haven't been that interested in it long enough to remember many of the TRUE awesome gimmicks! HAHA

DTack reply :

The color-c-lector maybe?

Raul reply :

There are plenty ones, here are some:

Color C-Lector device and Color C-Lector "approved" finish on lures

Daiwa Interline rods ( which later Cabela´s acquired )

Daiwa Computerized reel

Flipping Switch on BCs

Flipping/ pitching specific reels ( Ardent has one, Shimano had one, yes, even Shimano screws up once a while )

Oval fishing line designed specifically for BCs ( Magnum 7-20 & 14-40 )

chefdadfishingGa reply :

What about those lures that spun like a torpedo they had a grub body and a tail like a fan blade

*Hootie reply :

1982 Bassmaster magazine.

Hootie

the reel ess reply :

How about those spinning rods with the "Tennessee handle" I think they were called? Weren't you supposed to tape your reel on? I think they were technique specific.

*Hootie reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 6:25 AM, the reel ess said:

How about those spinning rods with the "Tennessee handle" I think they were called? Weren't you supposed to tape your reel on? I think they were technique specific.

Yes, I have one. It's a BPS Billy Westmoreland worm rod. I'll take a photo later and post it. Taped on reel and all.

Hootie

*Hootie reply :

Here ya go. The rod is all of 5 ft. long.

Hootie

smallie.mike reply :

Uhhh there's nothing gimmicky about a Tennessee handle on a spinning rod.

EvanT123 reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 7:04 AM, smallie.mike said:

Uhhh there's nothing gimmicky about a Tennessee handle on a spinning rod.

Ditto, only the most comfortable spinning reel seat out there, in my opinion.

MFBAB reply :

ha ha, I knew the TN handle would have some supporters

I never tried it, but it's pretty popular with the Slider fishers in Middle and East TN for sure!!

the reel ess reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 7:04 AM, smallie.mike said:

Uhhh there's nothing gimmicky about a Tennessee handle on a spinning rod.

Do you still use one? I was too young (broke) when they came out to have technique specific rods. I had one MH 5'6" and one M 5'6" BC combos to cover all my fishing. And we don't hve super clear water here so we usually just overpowered our bass back then.

EvanT123 reply :

I do

smallie.mike reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 7:36 AM, the reel ess said:

Do you still use one?

Yes absolutely! Most of my spinning rods have Tennessee handles. You'd be surprised how many people use Tennessee handles. Nothing gimmicky about them at all.

smallie.mike reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 7:39 AM, EvanT123 said:

On 1/16/2016 at 7:39 AM, EvanT123 said:

Nice! What kind of tape do you use?

Sweet reel too. Those certates are awesome

EvanT123 reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 7:47 AM, smallie.mike said:

I think it's called "Tommy tape" it's a self adhering silicone tape used in plumbing. It works really well for me. I have rods where I have used it all season without having to re-tape. The only reason I take the reels off is to clean the cork now and then.

Scott F reply :

On 1/15/2016 at 11:05 AM, Josh Smith said:

.......I remember back before I got out of fishing for a while, it seemed every new spinning reel to come out had a danged trigger on it! I tried one and couldn't like it.

What about you?

Josh

ALL my spinning reels used to have triggers on them. I liked that when you backed up the handle, the bail stopped in the correct position to make the next cast. I miss that on the new reels, but instant anti-reverse is good too. Back then I used Quantums and Shimanos. Never had a failure with the trigger

On 1/16/2016 at 6:25 AM, the reel ess said:

How about those spinning rods with the "Tennessee handle" I think they were called? Weren't you supposed to tape your reel on? I think they were technique specific.

If you are picky about balancing your spinning outfit, the Tennessee handle lets you put the reel anywhere you like.

The other gimmick that did not work was G finish lures.

the reel ess reply :

OK guys, I get it. TN handle is not a gimmick

smallie.mike reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 8:02 AM, EvanT123 said:

I think it's called "Tommy tape" it's a self adhering silicone tape used in plumbing. It works really well for me. I have rods where I have used it all season without having to re-tape. The only reason I take the reels off is to clean the cork now and then.

I use the same thing. Sometimes I'll go over that with regular 33+ electrical tape.

*Hootie reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 8:02 AM, EvanT123 said:

I think it's called "Tommy tape" it's a self adhering silicone tape used in plumbing. It works really well for me. I have rods where I have used it all season without having to re-tape. The only reason I take the reels off is to clean the cork now and then.

I used plain old black electrical tape. I call it "Hootie" tape.

Hootie

Alonerankin2 reply :

Carrot Stix original.. company marketing claimed it was made with real carrot fibers..

Ridiculous.. Bugs bunny liked the story..

Raul reply :

Gimmick is something that is hyped to perform and doesn't, just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's gimmick, Ten. handles and spinning reels with triggers are not gimmick.

tander reply :

I have had both the spinning reels with the trigger and the Tenn. handles. I still have 2 rods with the Tenn handle, a Lew's and a Skyline. There use to be a casting rod that came out, the guides started on the top and wrapped around to the bottom, never had one of those. The most gimmick I have seen is a wood handle for a casting rod. This guy came to the biggest sporting goods in town advertising a wood handle. This was when pistol grip was the norm. He would cut off your pistol grip and install his wooden grip on your rod. Claims you can feel better with the wood grip. He destroyed many a good rod that day !!! Yes, I got one.

jbw252 reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 8:12 AM, the reel ess said:

OK guys, I get it. TN handle is not a gimmick

Charlie Brewer Sr. and Jr. forgive you. Tennessee handle rods are still sold on their Slider site.

James Pondscum reply :

Shimano fighting drag? A lever on casting and spinning reels to increase or decrease drag when landing a fish. Circa. Late 80,s to early 90,s?

Raul reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 11:24 PM, nickles said:

Shimano fighting drag? A lever on casting and spinning reels to increase or decrease drag when landing a fish. Circa. Late 80,s to early 90,s?

Not a gimmick either or not a gimmick to my eyes, I have a couple of Sedonas with Fighting Drag and it actually works but not for "landing" a fish, actually it´s for fighting the fish. It comes specially handy when you are fishing with light line ( 6 lbs ), no need trying to adjust the drag, just move the lever and the drag immediately is reduced to the half of what you set, returns to or adds.

James Pondscum reply :

Sorry.

Josh Smith reply :

Dang, some folks are getting offended.

Maybe I should have not used the word "gimmick" but rather "things that didn't last"?

The fightin' drag looks like a gimmick to me. I have no trouble spinning a drag knob while fighting a fish. I never heard of that TN handle. It looks like the simplest solution to a real problem, though not one I've encountered.

The TWS makes sense, sorta, but there are just too many moving parts to make me happy.

"What was the helicopter lure of fishing reels" may have been the best way to phrase it.

I seem to recall Boron fishing rods. Sensitive but broke easily, right? They were phasing out in favor of graphite, I think, by the time my memories of gear beyond my Zebco 33 started.

Regards,

Josh

Raul reply :

Boron was another alternative and well, at it´s beginnings graphite was also quite brittle, boron wasn´t able to catch up in the end with graphite since graphite composites evolved and got a lot better and cheaper.

Josh Smith reply :

Thanks Raul. Reckon you have 10 or 15 years on me. I'm 38 and some of this stuff I remember quite dimly.

Josh

Robert Riley reply :

Banjo Minnow anyone?

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 1/19/2016 at 4:48 PM, Robert Riley said:

Banjo Minnow anyone?

I caught a lot of fish on a Banjo Minnow

Robert Riley reply :

I remember made fun of our friend who bought one. Pretty sure he outfished us that day.

Catt reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 6:16 AM, *Hootie said:

1982 Bassmaster magazine.

Hootie

Flip it over & they had a bait casting rod where the line ran under the rod!

Sam reply :

I received as a Christmas gift many, many years ago the book, Fishing Tips and Tricks.

The publication has over 300 "guide-tested" tips.

It also has many of today's techniques shown that we use all the time, such as the wacky rig.

The book was published in 1990 by Creative Publishing International, 18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317.

800.328.3895

www.creativepub.com

I have no ide if this company is still around but you may find a copy of the book on Amazon or eBay.

Catt reply :

Why can we no longer delete post?

scaleface reply :

Kevlar rods didnt last long . Dont know how well they worked . I think they were made by Shakespeare .

*Hootie reply :

Here ya' go guys. How's this for a gimmick. Needless to say, it didn't go over too well.

Hootie

Evan K reply :

On 1/19/2016 at 7:01 PM, Sam said:

I received as a Christmas gift many, many years ago the book, Fishing Tips and Tricks.

The publication has over 300 "guide-tested" tips.

It also has many of today's techniques shown that we use all the time, such as the wacky rig.

The book was published in 1990 by Creative Publishing International, 18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317.

800.328.3895

www.creativepub.com

I have no ide if this company is still around but you may find a copy of the book on Amazon or eBay.

I have this book as well. Not a bad book for browsing on a bored winter evening.

BaitMonkey1984 reply :

On 1/19/2016 at 4:48 PM, Robert Riley said:

Banjo Minnow anyone?

I do not know why there is constant hating on this lure. My grandpa had the entire kit. Some long time ago he gave me a couple holdovers. They were the larger ones, est. 5", in a chartreuse color and with the nose weight and nose hooked. Those baits flat out caught fish by twitching the bait and letting it fall. I have tried looking everywhere for this particular size and color but keep coming up goose eggs. If anyone has these, and hate them - send them my way. I will show you all the fat girls those things can catch.

WIGuide reply :

The flying lure was one. I had a topwater bait that when you popped it, it'd pull a string making the tail of it move up and down much like a child's toy. Not sure what that one was called but it was a gimmick. The vampire spinnerbait by Manns. I think they had one called the undulator as well with a segmented blade. I know there are plenty more, but I'm having problems coming up with them off the top of my head.

Robeng reply :

Love the Rocket Rod. Looks great for gag gift and a few beers.

Steveo-1969 reply :

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Pocket Fisherman yet!!

greywalls reply :

How about the electronic crankbaits that purportedly emit baitfish sounds? Similarly, how about the LED lighted lures that "catch fish in low-light conditions"?

Someone already mentioned the Color-C-Lector -- man, that brings back memories... As a teen I wanted one SO badly when they came out.

Also already mentioned: the Banjo Minnow. Yes, it's probably a somewhat of a decent soft plastic, but, man oh man, did that company overdo its TV marketing!

Flying Lure -- it glides backwards beneath docks where the "hawgs live!"

Helicopter Lure -- money-back guaranteed... to twist your line into a mess.

Gator Bait -- synthetic fish attractant...

The Bionic Minnow...

a1712 reply :

On 1/23/2016 at 11:36 PM, greywalls said:

How about the electronic crankbaits that purportedly emit baitfish sounds? Similarly, how about the LED lighted lures that "catch fish in low-light conditions"?

I wouldn't call a lure that helped win the Classic a Gimmick. Brian.

greywalls reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 2:03 AM, a1712 said:

I wouldn't call a lure that helped win the Classic a Gimmick. Brian.

C'mon... You can't say that with a straight face, can you? Maybe the color and trueness of the crankbait, or the luck of an experienced angler, had something to do with it? Or, maybe... We've figured out how to embed into a crankbait an intelligent chip that computes in real-time all physiological information from largemouth bass weighing in excess of 6lbs w/in a 10' perimeter of the lure and presents accordingly a biological stimuli lab-proven to elicit predatory responses from each of the largest and most proximate bass?

Still a gimmick, IMHO.

a1712 reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 3:19 AM, greywalls said:

On 1/24/2016 at 3:19 AM, greywalls said:

C'mon... You can't say that with a straight face, can you? Maybe the color and trueness of the crankbait, or the luck of an experienced angler, had something to do with it? Or, maybe... We've figured out how to embed into a crankbait an intelligent chip that computes in real-time all physiological information from largemouth bass weighing in excess of 6lbs w/in a 10' perimeter of the lure and presents accordingly a biological stimuli lab-proven to elicit predatory responses from each of the largest and most proximate bass?

Still a gimmick, IMHO.

C'mon... You can't say that with a straight face, can you? Maybe the color and trueness of the crankbait, or the luck of an experienced angler, had something to do with it? Or, maybe... We've figured out how to embed into a crankbait an intelligent chip that computes in real-time all physiological information from largemouth bass weighing in excess of 6lbs w/in a 10' perimeter of the lure and presents accordingly a biological stimuli lab-proven to elicit predatory responses from each of the largest and most proximate bass?

Still a gimmick, IMHO.

Randy Howell won the 2014 Classic with the help of a Livingston lure. I typed this with a straight face. Brian.

greywalls reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 3:50 AM, a1712 said:

Randy Howell won the 2014 Classic with the help of a Livingston lure. I typed this with a straight face. Brian.

I know. I'd like to think that Randy's success was more specific to his judgement and angling skills and his selection of a crankbait that ran true at his desired depth and presented his desired coloration than it was owing to a microchip inside the crankbait.

I don't at all mean to argue. I think Livingston makes fine crankbaits. They were not the first to market electronics inside crankbaits, though -- and my generalization wasn't targeted at them.

IAY reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 3:57 AM, greywalls said:

I know. I'd like to think that Randy's success was more specific to his judgement and angling skills and his selection of a crankbait that ran true at his desired depth and presented his desired coloration than it was owing to a microchip inside the crankbait.

I don't at all mean to argue. I think Livingston makes fine crankbaits. They were not the first to market electronics inside crankbaits, though -- and my generalization wasn't targeted at them.

Fish sees a blur of colors when they see a crankbait being cranked near them. Randy caught a limit using DT-6, but switched to the Livingston to cull the fish. If the sound system doesn't matter, then he would have caught the same fish with DT-6 no? Quality of movement between the Rappala and Livingston may be different but you don't have enough of a case to say that the sound doesn't matter.

greywalls reply :

Okay, I'm sold. Just now put $500 on my AMEX. Can't wait for Spring!

IAY reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 4:11 AM, greywalls said:

Okay, I'm sold. Just now put $500 on my AMEX. Can't wait for Spring!

No one is trying to sell you anything. I think its wrong to blatantly call it gimmick.

greywalls reply :

Wasn't joking, and I no longer think it's a gimmick... Worth a shot, and I'm excited to try 'em.

IAY reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 4:25 AM, greywalls said:

Wasn't joking, and I no longer think it's a gimmick... Worth a shot, and I'm excited to try 'em.

Cool man, I think you will do really well with them! Do give us a report after you try a couple .

2136

What Gimmicks Do You Remember? 2024

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic