Evergreen Wide Seeker
I don’t recall when I first became aware of Evergreen — it was probably their squid jigs — but my eyes really opened when I first went to the Osaka Tackle Show in Japan in 2014 and saw the pandemonium around their booth. In terms of popularity and people trying to get onto a booth, it was Shimano, Daiwa and Evergreen that were the top three. I learned while I was over there, and have learned since, that they are widely regarded as one of the GOAT brands in Japan. It’s an extremely influential brand when it comes to rods, with Evergreen early leaders in the big bait rod scene as well as widely being accepted as the founders of
Daiwa 25 Revelry Review
The Daiwa Luvias, when it was in production, became one of the most popular light tackle reels in the country. I had quite a few of them and they were always a great reel. It was superseded in 2021 by the Revelry. The Luvias was Japanese made and the change came mainly because Daiwa Japan ceased production. Rather than face the backlash of a country of origin change (now Made in China), Daiwa Australia renamed it to Revelry. It also introduced FC (finesse custom) and HD (heavy duty) models, giving anglers a lightweight finesse option and a more robust inshore reel. HISTORY We were sent both versions of the original Revelry back in 2021 – a 2000 FC and a
Shimano Sustain FK Review
The Shimano Sustain has always been a great reel and one I’ve had a lot of experience with across multiple generations. I’ve owned several over the years and still regularly use the previous FJ models. These reels have seen heavy use — the 5000 as a snapper reel and the 3000 primarily as an egi reel — and they’ve handled everything thrown at them including saltwater, fish slime and squid ink. Both are still going strong with nothing more than basic self-servicing. For this test of the new Sustain FK, I opted for the C3000XD, as it’s such a versatile size. It allows you to run a wide range of line classes and target multiple species, which makes it ideal
Hooked Up 167 April 2026
This issue is stacked with plenty of fresh gear, including a heap of new lures, some seriously good reels for the cooler months, and technical apparel built for real-world fishing conditions. Our cover story dives into autumn squid, one of the most consistent and enjoyable fisheries of the year. Stable weather, clear water, and big, aggressive squid that are easy to access without burning through fuel. We also break new ground with our first ever feature on targeting western blue groper, covering how to catch them on both bait and jigs. On the review front, we put two of the hottest reels to the test, the Daiwa Revelry HD MQ and Shimano Sustain FK, along with a standout jerkbait for
Voortrekka Cape Review
The Voortrekka Cape is a clever travel bag designed to keep clothing organised and easy to access on fishing trips, camping adventures and road-based travel. As anglers, we probably spend about 98% of our packing time organising tackle, rods and the boat, and maybe 2% thinking about our clothes. But the reality is clothing matters a lot. Depending on where you live in this country and what season you’re fishing in, there’s a surprising amount of gear that needs to come along. Rain jackets, bibs, UPF shirts, T-shirts, thick socks — the list grows quickly when you’re packing for changing conditions. Here in the south we get that strange seasonal mix once autumn arrives where mornings and evenings are freezing
Hooked Up 166 March 2026
The March issue of Hooked Up Magazine is here: • Epic marlin action on the south coast • Golden perch tactics in our rivers • Sight casting to golden trevally on the flats Gear reviews: Salty Crew Apex & Fathom Shirts- Daiwa Tatula 200H- Tackle House Contact Node 150F
Tackle House Node 150F Review
Japan’s tackle industry is crowded with innovation, but what truly separates it is honour in design and manufacturing – precision that consistently produces world-class gear. That influence shines brightly in fishing, and one company that always springs to mind is Tackle House – Tokyo Creative Company of Anglers. We first reviewed a Tackle House product in 2012, our first year of publishing. It was the Feed Popper, tested by a Darwin-based guide who had no time for average gear. I remember the phone call clearly: “It’s one of the best poppers I’ve ever used.” I then ordered a few for myself, experienced the same results, and have since recommended it to countless anglers who all fell in love with it.
Salty Crew Apex Hoodie & Fathom Tech Shirts
The idea that fishing or boating clothes should be old, worn-out or purely sacrificial is outdated. Those days are well and truly over. We now have access to clothing that looks good, performs properly, and is designed specifically for the conditions we fish in. One brand that continues to push that idea forward is Salty Crew. Last year I reviewed the Long Range bib and jacket, (click here to read) and I still wear that combination every time I’m out in the wet or cold. It’s affordable, comfortable, keeps me warm, clean and dry, and it removes the need to wear old, uncomfortable gear just because it might get dirty. That same philosophy carries straight through into Salty Crew’s fishing