Shimano Vanford 500 Review
This review isn’t so much about the Vanford FA itself – we reviewed that back in the April edition, which you can read here. This piece is more about a new size in the world of fishing reels – the 500. The 500 is noticeably smaller than a 1000 and has been met with great enthusiasm among anglers. My first thought when I saw one was, “This will be awesome for trout in small streams,” and that’s exactly what I used it for during the test period. Now, if you’re not a trout angler but like the idea of an ultra-small, lightweight reel, the 500 would also be ideal for garfish and ajing – the Japanese art of targeting slimies
Hooked Up 162 November 2025
In this issue we’ve got a heap of news with some awesome new products dropping. After last month’s story on hover strolling, the industry has clearly taken notice, with new strolling plastics now hitting our shores and even more terminal tackle expected by next month’s issue. Many of the reels and rods launched at the AFTA Trade Show are also arriving in stores this month, so it’s a great time to visit your local tackle shop and see all the new gear we’ve been writing about in the flesh. In this edition, South Australian angler and marine aquaculture expert Jamie Crawford has put together an insightful piece on the ongoing algae bloom affecting SA’s coastal waters. Colby Lesko delivers some
Understanding Hover Strolling
You may have heard about a new technique named hover strolling, mid strolling, bottom strolling or stroll baiting; if you haven’t, I can guarantee you soon will. It’s a technique that was established in Japan, has taken off in the US in a big way and is just starting to gain traction here in Australia. It’s currently so big in Japan and the US that my Instagram feed (where I largely follow tackle companies from all the around the world) is filled with new strolling baits almost every day. Before I delve into all the details of this new and highly effective technique, I’ll break down some core elements of what it’s all about then you can decide if you
St Croix Rift 703 Review
Toward the end of last year’s school bluefin tuna season, my cousin Kosta (Hooked Up’s Editor) sent me some YouTube links to what we agreed was a great angler fishing for bluefin tuna off Cape Cod in the US. He was doing a few cool things we liked in a fishery very similar to ours, and we picked up some new tips when it came to both casting and trolling for tuna, but one thing Kosta noted was these anglers were casting for tuna (all in that 30-40 kg range) with poppers and plastics using what were short rods compared with what most anglers (us included) use in Australia. Most traditional game rods designed for tuna are quite short, as this
Shimano Stella SWD Review
When Shimano launches a new Stella, it’s always big news in the tackle world. The Stella is the crown jewel of its spinning reel range and a name that carries serious weight with saltwater anglers across the world. But a new Stella doesn’t come along often, and history tells us each release sets a new precedent for what a saltwater reel should be. The latest version, the Stella SWD, replaces the much-loved SWC, and we put the 14000XG through its paces on Bermagui’s yellowfin tuna. It was one of the hottest bites the region has seen in 40 years, and the perfect test for a reel that promises more drag stability, improved heat management and enhanced line control. The Stella
Hooked Up 161 October 2025
Snapper season is about to heat up in Port Phillip Bay and we break down everything you need to know to get on the bite, from the best wind and tides to the rigs and tackle that will see you getting more and bigger fish. What the hell is hover strolling? It’s taking the world by storm, growing in Australia and we break down exactly what it is, why it works and how to do it! The estuaries are warming up and big flathead are starting to fire, we break down the art of targeting them with big swimbaits. Our gear reviews cover some heavy hitters with the new Shimano Stella SW-D 14000 XG and the St Croix Rift pitted
Hooked Up 160 Sep 2025
Our cover story this month sees Sam Gilchrist head over to Oman chasing true giant GTs! It’s then back to Vic where snapper season is ready to kick off and we provide you with a buyer’s guide for bait anglers that covers rods, reels, hooks and rigs to get you sorted before the snapper really start to fire. It’s then over to SA where Ollie Wood is getting stuck into salmon in the surf using some very cool new slugs. We review a range of Decoy terminal tackle and the Meridian Demon. We also have the drop on all the latest tackle to hit the market.
Yellowfin Tuna On Top Water
Words & Images: Sam Gilchrist For generations the mighty yellowfin tuna has been revered by anglers as one of the pinnacles of saltwater sports fishing. In this article we introduce you to the new hardcore method of targeting this species by casting topwater lures at large schools of airborne fish that has changed the game forever. A crew of topwater enthusiasts started targeting large tuna off the mid-NSW coast and changed how Australian anglers viewed this fishery. The first I saw of this relatively new target method was through Mike Bonnici of Sydney, who kicked off his topwater YFT addiction with some healthy 30-40kg specimens over the shelf off his home city. The size quickly escalated to 50kg and then