Checking out new marine products is one of my favorite things to do. I like to see if they can really benefit either the boat - by making a task easier or more efficient - or our fishing. Some companies continually perform upgrades and initiate improvements that make huge differences in how their products perform from year to year. While building the new Brier Patch, I constantly searched for systems and equipment like the ones I used on the old boat but also relied heavily on the boys at Merritt's for improvements and equipment upgrades. I am always looking for more reliability, more robust performance and ease of service. If we can't fix it while traveling, or in a foreign port, it's really hard for that product to make the cut. Let's take a look at a couple of things that you could probably live without, but if you have a need for an upgrade, you would do well to consider.
1. Lindgren-Pitman S-1200
When it comes to heavy-duty bottom and commercial gear, Lindgren- Pitman earned its stellar reputation for building quality stuff years ago. And for those of you who might like to try some deep-dropping or want to catch a swordfish on the bottom in broad daylight, the Lindgren-Pitman S-1200 electric reel takes all the pain out of fishing deep. The high-powered 12-volt electric reel features a removable spool so you can change line classes or types in between drops. This interchangeability means that you can make deep drops during the day with braided line, and then swap out the spool and be ready for nighttime swordfish action. The new cantilever spool design allows for a completely sealed drive system to ensure long, reliable, maintenance-free use. The gear-driven level winder wraps line automatically for hands-off, carefree retrieval. It is the most rugged and ergonomically designed electric reel available. And with electronic control and switching, a two-stage drag system, 60 pounds of drag, two-speed retrieve, manual retrieve and line counter, the S-1200 handles any offshore challenge with ease. For more information, visit www.lindgren-pitman.com.
