Web site by: J Bailey               Copyright © 2008 Riviera Fishing Products - Gurdy-fish-stripper.com             Updated: 07 August 08

Product Review (Page 3)

What impressed me was the stainless steel construction and how the unit can be modified to suit any boat – you don’t have to order a system custom made for just one boat, and fishermen change boats all the time, as we know.

I saw parts of the gear where I thought some items could be made more robust and I said so, but Clive told me that we were putting the prototype through its paces and that many changes have occurred since, a fact confirmed when I saw a lengthy and well presented profile on the gear, distributed on email from its manufacturers, Riviera Fishing Products.

Here’s what they say: “The stripper box is trapezoidal in shape, with a large opening narrowing towards the actual stripper mechanism. The mouth is formed by a large-sectioned stainless steel walled U-tube, thereby creating an easy entry for both line and fish with no protrusions for the hooks to snag on. On entry through the mouth the fish slide onto a downward sloping platform; this together with the U-tube up-stand and enclosed sides prohibit the fish from escaping.

“The stripper mechanism is round walled to stop the snagging of hooks and thereby creating an easier passage between the stripper walls – an 18 mm gap. Being open ended, the top of the stripper enables rigging/de-rigging of the line to be much quicker and facilitates hand jigging. The versatility of the unit allows it to be used for either trolling or drifting and can be used on a wide range of size of boat.”

What will be important to many fishermen is that with a simple modification, the system can be used for squid fishing too, so yes, I can see potential, one or many can be fitted to different sized boats. It doesn’t matter which way around you want it, as in ten minutes it can be adapted using just a spanner.

The two drum outrigger does seem to work well, although I need to try the gear in various seas to give a firm opinion.

Following the trials we unbolted the gear, voted to dry-off from the torrential rain at my place with a cup of coffee against doing the same in the pub – well I do have to give the right impression when meeting someone new! Next time Clive it’s the Ferry Boat Inn, they don’t know much about a gurdy but do sell a nice pint.

Clive also explained to me another way of using the gear that eliminates the need for the hooks to travel within the boat, which is a fantastic idea. It’s not new and is not dissimilar to the system on the Darcie Girl, but it’s very suited to smaller boats.

The plan is for Clive to bring that arrangement down to Falmouth and I’m keen to see it working and look forward to reporting the idea. If you want a copy of the manufacturers’ report, email Roger Lean on: gurdyfishstripper@btinternet.com.  It is a well balanced report, with extensive pictures of the system, which is patented, and Clive is always on hand via the phone to talk ‘fisherman’s talk’.

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