Readers' Most Hated Gear: Equipment to Avoid

As promised, here’s the darker side of the Reader Test Panel applications. We asked the fishing applicants the question, “What piece of gear were you recently disappointed with and why?” This is what they said:

Scott H. of Ladoga, Indiana said:
“The Plano Soft Satchel Bag. Although it was advertised as waterproof, the stitching came apart and it leaked after a really rough day on the water, the stitching came apart and leaked.”

John O. of Juneau, Alaska:
“The Penn 105 CS. It only lasted one year of salmon fishing even though I rinsed it every day and kept it oiled.”

Don P. of Calgary, Alberta:
“Abu Garcia’s AG4F spinning reel. The reel handle broke due to poor metal casting. The Garcia warranty department would only replace it with a sales receipt.”

Aaron K. of Knoxville, Tenn.essee:
“My Quantum Catalyst PTI spinning rReel. The drag had been consistently loosing smoothness; then, while consistently and while catching I was reeling in a stripper, it completely froze.”

Jim L. Murrysville, Pa.ennsylvania:
“Berkely Gulp Power Bait. I just don’t get as many bites as I do on regular Power Bait and it hardens if out of the water for a few minutes.”

Get the word out. Let us know what you bought that didn’t work.

Comments

[George C. Atkinson]

Rocky Bear Claw insulated boots.
While sitting by a campfire with my feet extendiing towards the fire, the soles got hot and came off. I was able to reapply them before they cooled off but then they eventually came apart in pieces. Rocky would not repair them but they did send me a new set of soles. Shoe repair businesses in my area could not vulcanize the new soles to the boots so, I had to trash a pair of well worn in boots.