Join The Rod Pod Squad

No:

Hell no!

Yes:

Rod Pods. It nearly makes me cry when I spot some bloke bait fishing off the bank at Lake Jindabyne, or Glenbawn Dam, using a forked stick he broke off a tree – and shoved down into the mud. Even worse is shown two pics above, with rods lying all over the wharf just waiting to be dragged into the drink. Without sounding like a know-it-all, it’s doubly bad when the fisho has a small sinker running down to a swivel, and then a short trace to his baited hook. That set-up can only be made worse by the addition of a little bell clamped to the rod tip. Why? because they only alert you after a fish is hooked. Way better when you're alerted that the fish has picked up your bait and is moving away. That gives him time to get your bait down:

What too often happens with that set-up is, the bug or ball sinker sinks into the mud. It’s no longer a running sinker. Of course you will still catch some fish. But you are depending on the fish being so hungry or so stupid that it bites straight down on your bait, doesn’t mind the tug from your anchor buried in the mud, and immediately hooks up and takes off making the bell ring. Very few big fish – especially trout and jewfish – are stupid enough to do that. Here's a way better alternative:

Rod Pods. A fantastic way to maximise your bait fishing hookups – and make sure your rod doesn’t get pulled into the water. Here’s how ours works. Firstly, open the zippered bag with handle they come in:

Screw the legs onto the frame. Legs are adjustable, for when you're fishing on an uneven surface:

Attach the buzzer/flasher alarms:

Cast out your rods to cover an arc in front of where you’re fishing:

This is a fantastic bit of kit. Your fish is not going to feel any resistance when picking up the bait and moving away with it. We recommend Tru-Turn hooks (which are deadly, especially on trout) and a lead weight with a swivel molded into it. The big ring on the swivel lets the line run through smoothly. After casting out, turn on your buzzer alarm and either open the bail arm (if no wind) or, set a very loose drag. The fish will pick up your bait and move away with no resistance whatsoever. But you’ll know it’s happening because the buzzer alarm will sound and the blue LED light will flash. All you need to do is pick up the rod, tighten the drag, and you’re on:

Not only have you moved beyond a dodgy forked stick, but you’re presenting your bait in the best possible way for a wary fish. No tension. Note they work just as well on the saltwater, for bream and jewfish:

Rod pods. Ours looks good and works great. More info here:

ROD PODS AND BITE ALARMS

Thanks for reading and wishing you a top summer on the water
Andrew Hestelow

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