Klik Sinkers terminal tackle is Best of Show at AFTA Awards

by Dannika Patterson, Morningstar Consultancy on 11 Sep 2011 Snap-on sinkers are set to become the new tackle box must-have after Klik Sinkers won a coveted industry award at the 2011 Australian Fishing Trade Association Awards on the Gold Coast.

The clever all-Australian invention was awarded ‘best of show’ after being voted the most innovative new product in the terminal tackle category.

Designed to make the sport of fishing even more relaxing, Klik Sinkers appeal to those who want to spend less time rigging and more time fishing.

The clamshell style hinge and clasp opening allows the easy ‘snap-on’ addition or removal of sinkers without the need to cut line or re-tie knots. The fast, practical system is a world-first and has an international patent pending.

The Klik Sinker project has been a labour of love over the past three years for two Queenslanders; Brisbane based industrial designer Scot Farley and Rockhampton based fishing enthusiast Rob Lange.

'We’re really proud of the final product and the way it’s evolved through the research and development phase. To receive the AFTA award is the icing on the cake. The recognition and positive response from the industry has been fantastic,' said Scot Farley, Principal Designer at F3 Industrial Design.

Farley expects the fishing community to find the new snap-on sinkers particularly useful in situations where you change your sinkers frequently, like surf casting, float lining and rock fishing, or where quick tackle system changes are required between fresh bait and lures.

'The snap-on system is also really easy for kids to use and a good option for people with poor vision or when used in low light situations, they also make storing or transporting your rods a breeze because they are so easy to remove and replace.'

Environmentally aware, Farley designed Klik Sinkers resilient outer casing to protect the user, wildlife and the environment from the effects of lead. The striking ‘blue bottle’ blue colour of the sinkers was chosen to dissuade sea birds and other marine life from ingesting the sinkers.

Klik Sinkers have partnered with iconic fishing reel and accessories company, Alvey Reels Australia, for distribution. The sinkers are currently available at more than 40 selected stockists in Queensland and New South Wales, with plans to supply retail outlets Australia-wide.

Scot Farley continues 'Klik Sinkers are a truly useful piece of tackle for avid anglers who can now enjoy the speed and convenience of changing sinkers without cutting their lines. We are very excited to finally be releasing our product nationally,'

'Klik sinkers are currently available in sliding ball configuration in four packs of size four’s and two packs of size eight’s, and retail for between $5 and $6 per pack.

How it works:
'The sinkers are a very simple concept, but as with all new innovations the devil is in the detail.

'The end result of a sliding ball sinker that can be snapped onto your line and then easily opened to release it is also deceptively basic, but there has been lot of thought, engineering and product testing that has helped evolve the product to what it is today.

'We've constructed the sinkers from two lead inserts made of 99.7 per cent pure Australian lead, which are captured within a resilient plastic casing that features a tough hinge at the rear and a strong latch on the front.

'Inside, a saw tooth detail provides the mechanical integrity and captures the line to stop it binding as it runs on the line.

The result is a product that quite simply just works. Early feedback from the market tells us people only need to try them once to get hooked.'