Better Tackle

BOOM
Hope you are all doing well with all this going around.
Check out this video a customer sent us.
We could not have done a better job ourselves of showing off what Better Tackles Rapid Release Rigs can do and this is all from just one rig.
https://bettertackle.com/
 
We are Aussie made and owned and the Rod that Graham here is talking about is the GUNNEL ROD which is a Cairns inventor designed and manufactured right here in oz.
I have used one of these bad boys with our gear and they are brilliant.  Almost as brilliant as our Pre-made rigs.   Check them out also
 

video-1586168274.mp4

Good stuff thank you

Hopefully the below link will take you to a current report re prawning around Brisbane.
 
cheers
Greg
https://www.bnbfishing.com.au/greater-brisbane-prawning-report/?mc_cid=69c9eafe97&mc_eid=47674f88e7

Alright, sounds good. I'd love to use those whiting rigs when you are done with the trial and tweaks. 🙂
Cheers Hamish
 

Mate for now though.  I am slowly working on a lot more gear in the background and we will be releasing larger poppers hopefully before the end of the year but surf poppers are something I do want to work on.
I have always been a bait fisho though accept when chasing GT's.  I am currently working on a few whiting rigs this season but I am taking the entire season to work out which ones are working the best and then tweak them a little bit more.  
I am also just concentrating just for now in 4 packs of rigs.  Just really simple classic fishing rigs but with great gear.  Something you can grab, know that it is something you really can trust and making sure the packaging is all eco-friendly.
Over time I will work on other collection and I do also specialty orders for a lot of people but I would need to work on surf poppers for a long time to make them up to a standard I would be happy with. 
Thanks for your comment though mate.   
 

G'day Better Tackle
Those rigs you are manufacturing look spectacular - they are done with such dedication just by looking at the video. Do you make rigs for the surf (surf poppers) by the way?
Cheers Hamish

Hey all.
Been a big year for me with Better Tackle and trying to get more mobile.
Struggling a bit with the back today even though i need to make more stock instead I thought I would show off a little bit about the quality I am doing and the reasoning behind my designs.
 

Hey all.
Been a big year for me with Better Tackle and trying to get more mobile.
Struggling a bit with the back today even though i need to make more stock instead I thought I would show off a little bit about the quality I am doing and the reasoning behind my designs.
 

Ellicat the rig was a bottom basher Paternoster with about 12inches between sinker and between the  two hooks but when there on like this you could use just about anything. There was a medium SOUTH TO NORTH drift .

Here is a mixed bag of fish like Snapper ,sweetlip, tuskies,  and pearlies taken about 8 ks off Double Island Point few weeks ago now. Weather was a bit windy but fishable. Used pillies and squid which they gobbled up pretty quickly so you had to be on your toes...

This article can be also found on my website here if you would like to help and support my little proud Aussie hobby business  https://bettertackle.com/blogs/fishing-tips-and-info/what-is-the-best-colour-for-flasher-rigs What colours do fish see?
November 11, 2019  Do you know what colours fish see when you want to increase your hookups?   Are you getting the most out of your fishing rigs?     This is one of the questions and discussions that come up very often when choosing your colour variants for flasher material and lures.
When you look at the multitude of information around sometimes this can seem contradictory and confusing. Some of it is because of bro-science (or wives tales) and some of it is because fish at times can be very fickle.
    This video below shows different colours with longer and shorter light waves and how they change in the water the deeper you dive.
     from Kendall Robergs channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2O-1u_SliVgt7gagnspG8A
 
Lighter colors lose their visibility first and then darker colours including ultra violet colours like fluorescents slowly lose their vibrancy while shorter spectrum colours like blue, black and purple becoming the most distinguishable the deeper you go.
      This is caused by the scatter effect meaning that water absorbing the light effect the sharpness of colours  and dulls them so they can no longer be seen or distinguished from other colours  or the become less vibrant the deeper they go.
 
As seen in this diagram below light penetration between coastal waters and open ocean can also have an effect on the colour spectrum.
      NOAA Deep Light diagram   Do fish see like we do?

If you take into account that the human eye and fish eyes are similar but also very unlike on how we see colours and shapes in our natural environments. It is realized by many, what we see and what they see is different.
Colours will lose their intensity and become invisible to the naked human eye the deeper they go, fish, on the other hand, have an added evolutionary advantage in deeper waters than we humans do.

Eyeshine or scoptic vision gives fish and other predatory species of animals a distinct advantage over their prey in low light conditions. The reflector that is just behind their retinas, reflect visible light and increases the brightness of what they can see in low light conditions. This though effects their perception of objects and makes them blurry.   Photo courtesy of Dave Condon Fishing
   
Scientific research proves that fish do not see colours the way we do and that different species perceive different colours or are repelled or attracted to different spectrums.
Many species of fish are Trichromats means they can see in all three primary colours but this only accounts for half of the fish species.
Predators, on the other hand, are colour blind and have a keener sense of distance then than other non-predatory species.        
Then there are deep-sea fish and blind cave-dwelling fish but in general, the species we are targeting can see a hell of a lot better in low light conditions then we can.
Fsh can see better in these environments then us humans can, we still have to be aware of the depth we are targeting for the species we are hunting.
It is not just enough to have a singular colour for your flasher.
Even though some species of fish can still see these light colours in deeper depths than us fishos we still want to maximize our efficiency in luring them to our bait and onto our boat as much as possible.
     
This is why when you are making your own flasher hooks or lures or buying them you will want to pick colours and two tones contrasting colouring that will give you an added edge over their evolution.       By using this very advantage fish have in seeing better than we can in low light environments that also blurs their vision, you can see why flasher rigs like our flasher hooks, that use distinct contrasting colours as well as beads that mimic eyeshine work so well in increasing your hookups. 
 (Colorblind comparison to show the importance of two-tone coloring)

 
Everyone is familiar of how well pink lures and flashers work well on many species. Even at depths that we humans would never be able to distinguish.
Some fishos claim that lighter colours attract just as well in the deep, suggesting that is the flasher itself that increases the hookups or the contrasting colours used.

This is why paired colours are so important when selecting your flasher hooks that you buy or make yourself. Your flasher hooks and lures will not be as effective or enticing to the target species you are angling for without paired colours.
  Then what colour should you choose when you are out fishing?

Well, there are a few variances you have to consider:
   How deep is the structure you are targeting?
How sunny is the day?
How far are you to coastal waters?
      Water turbidity (how cloudy or hazy the water is)
    Some colour basics when choosing your flasher or lure.

Sunny days- Colours like bronze or gold or metallic colours like chrome work best on sunny days.  
  Close to the surface- Reds and pinks work best on shallow reefs       Dark Background- Hyper colours like Chartreuse and white.       Depth- Black, Blue, and Dark green work well and are very vibrant in deeper water.       Rough Days- on rough and choppy days’ lighter coloring are not going to be as effective so select darker colors on rough days as this will increase the effectiveness of your flasher hooks.       Matching the hatch  a term that is thrown around a lot and that is because it is a tried and true effective approach to selecting your flasher hooks and lures.   So in answer to the question what colors do fish see?
Well, for fish that are not color blind, all of them including UV colouring that we cannot even see ourselves.       What humans think is black or too dark to see in the darker depths of the ocean becomes more metallic and vibrant the lower they drop.         These darker colours attract your target species just as well as the lighter, shinier colours as they are distinguishable when other spectrum variants have already lost their pigment.
We have all caught fish at night so we know that there is enough light from the moon and stars for fish that are in shallower and murkier waters to find their prey. Vibrations, smell and shape having a large part to do with this as well as lumo beads.   So do not be scared to mix it up with the colour chart that is written above. What works for you, in all honesty, is what works for you. This is probably because of where you are used to fishing you can rely on experience and first-hand knowledge. But do not be afraid to follow this guide as you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Having a range of different colour flashers or lures is always your best option when heading out fishing.
If your tried and tested coloring is not working mix it up.
With Better Tackles Rapid Release Rigs this process will take you less than 2 minutes. We don’t just help increase your hookups but also give you a better experience each and every time when you are out on the water pursuing your next PB. CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE SELECTION TODAY 
Wishing you all tight lines and thanks for visiting us.
The Better Tackle Team
 
I had promised this article awhile ago but have been a bit flat chat with the business lately. I hope this helps everyone out in selecting colors for their lures or flashers in the future

This article can be also found on my website here if you would like to help and support my little proud Aussie hobby business  https://bettertackle.com/blogs/fishing-tips-and-info/what-is-the-best-colour-for-flasher-rigs What colours do fish see?
November 11, 2019  Do you know what colours fish see when you want to increase your hookups?   Are you getting the most out of your fishing rigs?     This is one of the questions and discussions that come up very often when choosing your colour variants for flasher material and lures.
When you look at the multitude of information around sometimes this can seem contradictory and confusing. Some of it is because of bro-science (or wives tales) and some of it is because fish at times can be very fickle.
    This video below shows different colours with longer and shorter light waves and how they change in the water the deeper you dive.
     from Kendall Robergs channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2O-1u_SliVgt7gagnspG8A
 
Lighter colors lose their visibility first and then darker colours including ultra violet colours like fluorescents slowly lose their vibrancy while shorter spectrum colours like blue, black and purple becoming the most distinguishable the deeper you go.
      This is caused by the scatter effect meaning that water absorbing the light effect the sharpness of colours  and dulls them so they can no longer be seen or distinguished from other colours  or the become less vibrant the deeper they go.
 
As seen in this diagram below light penetration between coastal waters and open ocean can also have an effect on the colour spectrum.
      NOAA Deep Light diagram   Do fish see like we do?

If you take into account that the human eye and fish eyes are similar but also very unlike on how we see colours and shapes in our natural environments. It is realized by many, what we see and what they see is different.
Colours will lose their intensity and become invisible to the naked human eye the deeper they go, fish, on the other hand, have an added evolutionary advantage in deeper waters than we humans do.

Eyeshine or scoptic vision gives fish and other predatory species of animals a distinct advantage over their prey in low light conditions. The reflector that is just behind their retinas, reflect visible light and increases the brightness of what they can see in low light conditions. This though effects their perception of objects and makes them blurry.   Photo courtesy of Dave Condon Fishing
   
Scientific research proves that fish do not see colours the way we do and that different species perceive different colours or are repelled or attracted to different spectrums.
Many species of fish are Trichromats means they can see in all three primary colours but this only accounts for half of the fish species.
Predators, on the other hand, are colour blind and have a keener sense of distance then than other non-predatory species.        
Then there are deep-sea fish and blind cave-dwelling fish but in general, the species we are targeting can see a hell of a lot better in low light conditions then we can.
Fsh can see better in these environments then us humans can, we still have to be aware of the depth we are targeting for the species we are hunting.
It is not just enough to have a singular colour for your flasher.
Even though some species of fish can still see these light colours in deeper depths than us fishos we still want to maximize our efficiency in luring them to our bait and onto our boat as much as possible.
     
This is why when you are making your own flasher hooks or lures or buying them you will want to pick colours and two tones contrasting colouring that will give you an added edge over their evolution.       By using this very advantage fish have in seeing better than we can in low light environments that also blurs their vision, you can see why flasher rigs like our flasher hooks, that use distinct contrasting colours as well as beads that mimic eyeshine work so well in increasing your hookups. 
 (Colorblind comparison to show the importance of two-tone coloring)

 
Everyone is familiar of how well pink lures and flashers work well on many species. Even at depths that we humans would never be able to distinguish.
Some fishos claim that lighter colours attract just as well in the deep, suggesting that is the flasher itself that increases the hookups or the contrasting colours used.

This is why paired colours are so important when selecting your flasher hooks that you buy or make yourself. Your flasher hooks and lures will not be as effective or enticing to the target species you are angling for without paired colours.
  Then what colour should you choose when you are out fishing?

Well, there are a few variances you have to consider:
   How deep is the structure you are targeting?
How sunny is the day?
How far are you to coastal waters?
      Water turbidity (how cloudy or hazy the water is)
    Some colour basics when choosing your flasher or lure.

Sunny days- Colours like bronze or gold or metallic colours like chrome work best on sunny days.  
  Close to the surface- Reds and pinks work best on shallow reefs       Dark Background- Hyper colours like Chartreuse and white.       Depth- Black, Blue, and Dark green work well and are very vibrant in deeper water.       Rough Days- on rough and choppy days’ lighter coloring are not going to be as effective so select darker colors on rough days as this will increase the effectiveness of your flasher hooks.       Matching the hatch  a term that is thrown around a lot and that is because it is a tried and true effective approach to selecting your flasher hooks and lures.   So in answer to the question what colors do fish see?
Well, for fish that are not color blind, all of them including UV colouring that we cannot even see ourselves.       What humans think is black or too dark to see in the darker depths of the ocean becomes more metallic and vibrant the lower they drop.         These darker colours attract your target species just as well as the lighter, shinier colours as they are distinguishable when other spectrum variants have already lost their pigment.
We have all caught fish at night so we know that there is enough light from the moon and stars for fish that are in shallower and murkier waters to find their prey. Vibrations, smell and shape having a large part to do with this as well as lumo beads.   So do not be scared to mix it up with the colour chart that is written above. What works for you, in all honesty, is what works for you. This is probably because of where you are used to fishing you can rely on experience and first-hand knowledge. But do not be afraid to follow this guide as you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Having a range of different colour flashers or lures is always your best option when heading out fishing.
If your tried and tested coloring is not working mix it up.
With Better Tackles Rapid Release Rigs this process will take you less than 2 minutes. We don’t just help increase your hookups but also give you a better experience each and every time when you are out on the water pursuing your next PB. CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE SELECTION TODAY 
Wishing you all tight lines and thanks for visiting us.
The Better Tackle Team
 
I had promised this article awhile ago but have been a bit flat chat with the business lately. I hope this helps everyone out in selecting colors for their lures or flashers in the future

Yeah mate.  That was the first time he had used our gear.  What a bloody awesome fish to show of the gear right?  Ha my heart was pounding watching his uncut version.  He worked that red beautifully 

Great fish for landbased

This monster land based snapper was picked up but the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
Promoting what can be caught land based in Victoria this snapper season.
The video was from Fishing Frenzy and you can check him out by follow the link on his name that will take you to his you tube channel.
I have been a bit busy the last few months with new gear and trying to keep up with orders on our existing stock so I apologize for not keeping up to date here.
Here is the edited version of Fishing Frenzy's catch with out the show and tell of our rigs and the bit of language of the 6 minute fight.
It is well worth checking out his full vid which is in this link here
Below is the edited one from VFA.
You can check out my hand made gear that this was caught with on my site https://bettertackle.com.
Will be also posting a article later this week I have been working on which is jam packed with some good info for all us fisho's.
Enjoy fisho's and tight lines
 

Hey mate I lived in Yeppoon for Term 1 of this school year calendar and I used to fish Farnborough beach a fair bit. Head up the top to Corio bay and fish the mouth on the run in. I used to catch Blue Salmon, Trevally, GT, Queenies and massive Dart. Mostly used pilly cubes on 2/0 hooks and whiting shanks. Sometimes metal slugs into the back of the waves and reel in.

Try Three Rivers beach as well have caught good queenies and mackies there at the right time of the year with pillies and slugs. The drive down the quad track is work the trip when I used to live there. Sharks can be plentiful as well. Five rocks is good to fish off just keep an eye on the tide!
Scoota...
 

All good mate and coincidentally since I last wrote this they just bought a bit of my gear to sell in store. 
This had nothing to do with my suggesting to see the team at Secret Spot,  this only happened yesterday.
Yeah mate, used to 4wd around a lot when I was younger and had a lot more time on my hands. these days the boat gets me access to a lot of places that I could not even get to via 4wd.
Tight lines mate and throw us all some pics when you get back from your adventure

Thanks Josh ill try that paternoster rig i like the sound of that. Ill pop in and speak to chappy, local knowledge is gold if they are willing to give it. 
You should invest in that new truck, plenty of good fishing spots only accessible by 4wd.
Cheers

Ever wondered what exactly is a flasher rig or snapper rig?
Are they just for snapper?
Are they like a lure?
Do you need bait with them?
The most accurate way to describe a flasher rig is, simply, it is the best of both worlds of lure and bait fishing. Lures work by utilizing color, shape and movement that attracts fish to bite them. Bait, on the other hand, attract fish by smell and enticing them to their favorite snack.
The same happens with flasher hooks. They move with the current to mimic bait fish and the color spectrum.
 Better Tackles flasher rigs are designed to mimic the hatch coloring your target species is currently feeding on.
But unlike a lure, adding bait throws in a whole new level of sensory overload to your fishing. On top of color, movement, and shape, the smell of bait attracts fish to your rig swallowing your hook and fighting into your waiting net for your next PB.
Originally designed for reef fishing, flasher rigs are not a new concept. Around 50 years ago, some experienced fisho’s used to make a similar style of hooks called wog heads or wogs (it was a different time, before political correctness) and were used to target reef fish and mackerel.
These days we know that they work in almost all saltwater conditions and not just for snapper or reef fish. While you can catch pelagic fish like tuna and mackerel on them, we also have other styles of fishing rigs to target these species.
  We have personally tested flasher rigs from the beach, the rocks, jetties, estuaries and reefs and we guarantee these rigs will increase your hook-ups compared to just bait alone. 
Use them just like you would a normal bait rig. You can use these flasher rigs for any style of fishing you would normally use for bait.
Just like lure fishing, matching the hatch your target species currently feeds on is important.
Through testing, we found that two contrasting colors work best but keep in mind how deep and dirty the water you are fishing in as many colors will fade the deeper you drop.
Most flasher rigs are found in paternoster or dropper rigs but we have found they work just as well on most fishing rig set-ups and will be bringing out more ranges to reflect this.
 We were originally going to call ourselves Lazy Man Lures before deciding on Better Tackle as we specialize in pre-made flasher rigs. We also branched out into other specialties of fishing rigs and gear.
We are the original Rapid Release Rig winding board innovators that many competitors now use to wind on their rigs.
Fathers day is coming up and to thank you for all the support  here is 20% off.
https://bettertackle.com/discount/FathersDay
until monday the 26th as it takes about 5 days to get gear to you via mail and we want this in your hands by Fathers day.
 
Tight lines guys and a huge shout out to Australian fishing admins and members.  You all ready know what a great community this is so keep up the awesome job.
This article can also be found at https://bettertackle.com/blogs/faq/what-are-flasher-rigs

mate head over to secret spot bait and tackle and speak to Chappy.
It has been awhile for me since I have been up to 5 rocks but as for lures I am a bait fisho and way out of my depth with them though I do use poppers.
Might be time for me to buy another truck and head up there.
 
Now as for fishing from the rocks I always suggest a paternoster about a 5/0 rig with a flasher and bait it up with squid or whatever you have available. 
Seriously though pop into that tackle store and speak to chappy.
Josh.
Better Tackle 

1170 is **** fishing Robbie, better off going to 1770.
 

mate head over to secret spot bait and tackle and speak to Chappy.
It has been awhile for me since I have been up to 5 rocks but as for lures I am a bait fisho and way out of my depth with them though I do use poppers.
Might be time for me to buy another truck and head up there.
 
Now as for fishing from the rocks I always suggest a paternoster about a 5/0 rig with a flasher and bait it up with squid or whatever you have available. 
Seriously though pop into that tackle store and speak to chappy.
Josh.
Better Tackle 

Heading up to Five Rocks in Byfield for the first time next weekend.
Wondering if anyone has fished much from the Rocks and Nine Mile beach? Looking for a few tips on where to fish and best way to fish from the Rocks and beach? 
Im thinking of floating Pillies on gang hooks out from the Rocks on one rod and casting some 40 - 60g chrome slices out on the other rod with a fast retrieve. Also trying my luck with some poppers and surface lures, stickbaits.
From Nine mile beach im thinking of using a light setup with Whiting rigs and using beach worm, pippies and prawn for bait. Mainly targeting whiting, dart and maybe flathead. Do you think its worth throwing some lures from the beach? 
Thanks in advance and happy fishing.
 

Went up to 1770 over the weekend with Lance headed out early Saturday morning stopped and got livies then had a quick look at a close wreck with no luck. Put the throttle down and aimed for our 1st spot up around the reefs it was glassing out and we were loving the weather.
The 1st drop with live yakkas didn't take long with the livie shaking on the line it was inhaled by a nice trout. This was the next couple of hours fishing as baits just hit the bottom you were on, we got good trout and moarie cod on the livies but they soon ran out as silly us didn't take enough up. 
The red throat emperor were scarce as were the tuskies and by midday it had shut down we fished hard for not much but the ever present hussar. Late in the arvo we fished some red emperor ground and were rewarded with a couple of these fish for the box. Losing big Reds was heart braking on a couple of drops and by sunset it was time to find our anchorage.
It was a calm night and the next day was the same we didn't get any wind above 5 knots for the 2 days. The sea was like glass and we cruised to all our spots chipping away at our bag of reefies but again by midday it just shut down. Lunch and a few beers was a good way to bide the time till we headed for the red grounds and yes another red hit the deck.
We droped the anchor again in the same spot for sunday night with the wind finally increasing a bit after we had dinner it got to 20 knots but we had a good spot behind the reef. Monday morning the wind had dropped off and we found some more mixed reefies before we headed for a quick trip into fitzroy lagoon for a swim and a shower. The lagoon had crystal clear water with beautiful reef everywhere this was a great way to finish the trip.
We stopped in town at a freinds place for the night and drove home the next day then got a picture of the catch before filleting.