Optima Blue Top 75Ah 900CCA Battery
Words & Images: Kosta Linardos In the world of boating, there’s one absolute truth – you’re only as good as your power system. It doesn’t
Megabass Magdraft Hasu Raver
When it comes to iconic lure brands, few can match the legacy of Megabass. Known for producing high-quality, innovative products that are trusted by anglers
Shimano Vanford FA
Shimano has long been a household name in the world of fishing reels, and with the release of the Vanford FA series, it has once
Daiwa Free Swimmer BR 3000 and 5000
Since Daiwa released its Free Swimmer BR range, snapper anglers have been eagerly waiting for smaller sizes to complement the already impressive 8000 and 10000
Daiwa 24 Certate Review
Fishing gear is put to the ultimate test when targeting fish near structure – it places the most pressure on the gear and the angler
Yamashita 2024 Live Search Jigs Review
Hooked Up and Yamashita Japan Regular readers of Hooked Up and viewers of Hooked Up Video (our YouTube channel) will know I regularly fish with
Meridian Swordfish Skirts
When it comes to outfits for sword fishing, precision and reliability are paramount. This is a fish where we’re making a 200km round trip and
Shimano Stradic FM
We are spoiled for choice when it comes to reels from Shimano, whose range of reels is better than ever – and every three to
Daiwa 23 Kix
It’s fair to say that Daiwa’s LT (Light and Tough) range of reels has revolutionised the light tackle market. These reels have become smaller, lighter
Yo-Zuri Ebi Q
When squid jigs were still in their infancy in the early 2000s, the Yo-Zuri Shrimp Hunter came out and changed the game forever. It was
Shimano Bantam ArmaJoint
Swimbaits have become extremely popular over the past six years, and with good reason – they catch a variety of big fish on a regular
Glowbite Jack Flash and Grumpy Fish
The new Glowbite jigs out of New Zealand are certainly the most advanced I have ever seen. They feature water-activated flashing lights, rattle chambers and
Samaki Redic SF90
In the realm of Australian fishing, pursuing trophy-sized flathead with lures has evolved into one of the most popular angling styles. While large soft plastics,
Daiwa Bait Junkie 2.95″ Flick- Review
Flick baits were once the king of fish imitations but have lost the limelight to the classic paddle tail over recent years, so I was
Shimano Extraction
Shimano extraction Rods Review Over the course of six weeks, I rigorously tested the new Shimano Extraction series of rods in Port Phillip Bay targeting
St Croix Avid Panfish
While St. Croix rods aren’t exactly a household name in Australia, I believe they soon will be based off the model I just reviewed. Juro
Evergreen Ultra Sledge
As dedicated anglers, we’re always on the lookout for high-end gear that can give us an edge on the fish while at the same time
Shimano Bantam BT Enber
Since the launch of Shimano’s Flash Boost system for its Sephia squid jig range, anglers have been thinking about how effective the design would be
Shimano Sedona FJ
Words & Images: Dean Norbiato I have been a fan of the Shimano Sedona nameplate for close to two decades. I first encountered them, while
Tokuryo Line Lab Finesse Game x4
Words & images: Dylan Brennan While Tokuryo aren’t yet a household name for some anglers, they produce some fantastic lines for a variety of fishing.
Black Magic Sunakku Jig
Words & Images: Colby Lesko Tai Kabura jigs are a Japanese design that’s over 200 years old. Tai means snapper and these jigs were designed
Yo-Zuri Hydro Monster Shot
By Colby Lesko The Yo-Zuri Hydro Monster Shot certainly has an incredible-sounding name but does it live up to it? This long-casting stickbait is a
Humminbird Apex
I have been running Humminbird multi-function displays since 2014 and have owned each model to come out over almost a decade. Each time they release
Daiwa’s New Lure Range
Daiwa is renowned as a world leader for its outstanding rods and reels. While this Japanese tackle giant has always delved into other sectors of
Amegari S&P Series Lures
The new Amegari S&P range features its first collection of ABS plastic production offshore lures. Amegari is known for incredible hand-crafted wooden poppers and stickbaits,
Shimano Miravel
Shimano’s range of inshore spinning reels needs no introduction. Reels such as the Stella, Sustain, Stradic and Sienna have all been stalwarts in anglers’ arsenals
Daiwa 23 Airity
Upon the Airity’s release the only spec I really took note of was how light it was (super-light at 150g) and I put the pressure
Versus Meiho Tackle Storage
In 2014 I first visited Japan for the Osaka tackle show. It was three days of viewing amazing tackle without being able to buy any
Shimano Exsence Strong Assassin
There’s no question that the jerkbait was the first style of lure to gain worldwide attention. Invented in the mid-1930s, it has since evolved to
Eagle Claw Circle Baitholder
The circle hook is widely used to target many different species with both live and dead baits. I use many different brands of circle hook
Megabass SuWitch
I was recently given the opportunity to fish one of the more innovative lures I’ve seen in quite a while – the Megabass SuWitch. It’s
Evergreen Sea Drive Rattlin’ Bone
Targeting trophy-sized flathead on swimbaits and glidebaits has quickly become one of the most popular methods of fishing along the east coast of Australia. However,
Black Magic BMax 70
While Black Magic might distribute its products globally, its home base is in New Zealand, home to some of the best trout fishing in the
Daiwa Presso Rod & Reel
Words: Kosta Linardos I’m a big fan of dedicating outfits to a specific species and technique. This isn’t something everyone has the luxury of doing
Hayabusa Snapper Flasher Rigs
Flasher rigs have been around in some form for a long time; how long, no one really knows, but anglers have been tying fly materials
Shimano Curado DC 200
Words & Images: Dean Norbiato From its customary electric purr to a similar size and bulletproof casing, the Shimano Curado DC 200 HG is near-identical
Fins Finesse Monofilament
Words & Images: Kosta Linardos Fins are obviously known for their braid; they were one of the first companies to bring braid to the mass
Daiwa Free Swimmer BR
Words & Images: Kosta Linardos I think it was in the early 90s when I owned a Daiwa spin reel with a Bite’N’Run or free
Gosen Answer Egi Braid
Much like a reel, there isn’t a lot that separates a good egi braid from any other good braid. When targeting squid, abrasion resistance isn’t
Banax Ionix Light 2500
Regarding specs, there isn’t much that a reel needs to make it a good egi reel. The main three features are size (2500 or 3000),
X-Braid FC Absorber 
When it comes to leaders there are two primary leader types – monofilament and fluorocarbon. Both have their pros and cons but as a simple