Gardner Covert Terminal Tackle
Report by Darren Wilson,
Gardner Tackle are synonymous with being at the forefront of innovation within the specialist angling scene, and for 2009, they have still managed to come up with some innovative ideas, when the rest of the market has started to go stale. At DHP’s Tackle & Guns Trade Show in October 2008, Ray & myself spoke to Lewis Read, Head of Marketing & Development at Gardner Tackle, about the possibility of reviewing the company’s products. After a several emails and telephone calls between Lewis and Ray, I was handed a package of Covert Terminal Tackle to run my beady eye over and give my impressions on. Read on to see what I think…..
Covert Tungsten Tubing
As most anglers will know, tungsten tubing is one sure fire way of pinning your end tackle down behind the lead, camouflaging the line into the bottom. Gardner’s tungsten tubing is super dense and extremely heavy, ensuring that it will sink quickly without the need for additional weighting down with putty or lead wire. This means that a more streamlined presentation can be given without worry of tangles or bits of line or rig components sticking up off the deck.
The tungsten tubing is very supple indeed and does not kink when bent at acute angles, which is something that traditional PVC tubing’s can do. The bore of the tubing is clean throughout the sections I tested, but I must point out that the bore is of lower diameter than most rig tubing’s, and for easy threading it is essential that the line is dry before threading, otherwise a tube threader is needed. I could not thread my usual braided mainline through the Covert Tungsten Tubing without using a separate threader (or mono threaded through and the braid attached to it, and pulled back through the tubing). Like other Tungsten tubing’s available, the Covert tubing is perfect for use with Chod rigs should your venue have a leadcore ban.
The Covert Tungsten Tubing is available in 3 colourations to match the bottom colour that you are fishing over; Green, Brown & Grey. All colours are of a matt finish and are anti-glare to match up to the rest of the Covert rig components. I will be looking forward to trying this tubing out this coming season, and will update after I have put it through a few sessions.
Covert Sinking Rig Tubing
Rig tubing is rig tubing right? WRONG! Gardner have taken a good look at the rig tubing available and fixed 99% of the flaws in tubing’s on the market.
The Covert Sinking Rig Tubing is unique in that it is a traditional PVC compound tubing, but it is highly abrasion resistant (and I tested this out by running it under tension a number of times over the glass desk edge here with no damage apparent after around 50 strokes!), does not crack at low temperatures, distort or retain air bubbles inside the tubing itself (something that traditional PVC tubing is notorious for doing).
The tubing is thicker than other tubing’s available, but this is to ensure that a snug fit is made inside tail rubbers and also means that a larger internal bore can be utilised; this makes threading of line so much easier.
I managed to thread both mono and braid through the tubing without the need for a tube threader. The Covert tubing also retains its shape when stretched by returning back to its pre-stretched form!
Available in 3 colours to match the rest of the Covert rig components (green, brown & grey) and is supplied with 3 x 2m lengths per pack. One superb idea Gardner have done with the Covert tubing is to also produce a mixed pack, which gives the angler 2m of each colour in one package, keeping the initial costs down for the angler that fishes different venues.
Covert Q Rings
Only one word to describe these items – INGENIUS!
A round split ring with a quick connecting “hook” that has a multitude of uses to the thinking angler. Like all the metal components in the Covert range, the Q rings have been finished with an anti-glare coating so that they blend in on the bottom. Extremely strong for their size, they can be used for attaching hooklinks and lead with the utmost confidence that they will not open out. The size of the Q rings also mean that rigs are much neater and streamlined.
These rings are perfect for myself as I prefer to cut the swivels off my pendant leads as I tend to fish with helicopter rigs most of the time, but in doing this, I am limiting the use of the leads in my pouches unless I carry double the amount. I have found that when using lead clips, the lead is more unlikely to come off the clip as easy when snagged, but by using a Q ring attached to the loop of the lead and putting the Q ring in the lead clip, the lead then comes off much easier. The Q rings are also perfect for using with hooklinks on helicopter rigs as the Q ring will allow superb rotation of the hooklink on the cast, as well as doubling up as giving a quick change attachment and allowing better movement of the hooklink. These rings will be a permanent fixture in my rig box now, and if you are reading this Lewis, PLEASE, can I have some more?
Covert Speed Links
The Covert Speed Links are superb for quick attachment and removal of a variety of end tackle components such as hooklinks, leads, swim feeders, marker floats, lures, in fact anything that needs to be attached or removed quickly! Finished with the Covert anti-glare coating, visibility underwater is greatly reduced. The speed links are extremely strong for their size, and will cope with leads up to 5oz on the cast easily.
Even though it is not essential, it is recommended that all connections are covered with a silicone sleeve to negate the risk of the item coming off on its own accord. Essential in every anglers box, and will not break the bank.
Covert Flexi Ring Swivels – Size 12
These swivels are available in both size 12 and size 8 sizes, but I have chosen to review the smaller ones as these are the ones I will be using the most. The size 12 flexi ring swivels have been developed specifically for use with Chod rigs, as the smaller swivel size means that a wider range of bait sizes can be used without spoiling presentation.
The inclusion of the flexi ring to the swivel allows free movement along the leader and should a breakage occur, easy release of the hooklink over leader knots. The round eyes on the swivels also allow for maximum knot strength than if a diamond eye swivel was used.
Simply spot on, and I will be using these a lot in the coming months.
Covert Flexi Ring Kwik Lok Swivels
Specifically designed for use with helicopter rigs, the Flexi Ring Kwik Lok swivels allow for effortless and rapid hooklink change on helicopter rigs, which due to the nature of hooklink attachment make changing hooklinks a more time consuming task than other setups. The quick change crook is the perfect size for an anti-tangle sleeve to be pushed over so that the hooklink does not come off on the cast or when a fish is hooked. The flexi ring also allows for free movement of the hooklink when in the water and gives much more efficient hooking potential of rigs.
Covert Arrow Beads
The Covert Arrow Beads have been specifically designed and developed for streamlining helicopter rigs and connections, by being able to be pushed over lead connections at the end of the line or leader. The aerodynamic design of the beads allows for maximum casting potential with the rig, as well as offering a buffer for the hooklink to rest on during playing of a fish, lessening the pressure on the lead connection. Available in Green or Brown to match other coloured components in the range. I can see myself using these with all my rotary rig setups for the foreseeable future.
Covert Hook Stops
Designed to be used with the latest anti-eject hooking arrangements, the Covert Hook Stops are a specific but very important item in the thinking angler’s armoury. The bell shaped stops are made out of a tough, flexible compound enabling them to be fitted easily to a variety size of hook wire gauge.
The material has been designed to be anti-tear and will not split when being pushed over barbs. The fine bore of the beads mean that the bead will grip to the hook shank easily without the requirement of glue to hold in place, yet they are easily moved for precise bait placement on the shank. The stops enable a vast variety of bait presentations for pop-ups, bottom baits and particles.
The stops are available again in both the matt brown and green colours to camouflage in to the substrate that you are angling over. I will be giving these a good run through with a variety of presentations that will make up a second part to this review.
Covert Rig Rings
Rig rings are a vital part of most anglers armoury, and I probably have more rig ring variants in my rig box than any other item. Yet a lot of anglers overlook these items and the uses. The Covert rig rings are available in 3 different sizes; small (3mm), large (4mm) and oval (6mm). All the rings are finished in the anti-glare coating which also allows free movement where required, and also a smooth surface for knots to tighten up to without damage.
I primarily use the rings for attaching baits to rigs; either shank mounted or on ‘D’ type rigs such as the Chod, but they can also be used to attach low diameter lines together such as when floater fishing or under a float fished in the margins, where a swivel may be too heavy for perfect presentation. The oval rig rings are also perfect for attaching to the end of hook links instead of loops when a quick change setup such as stick rigs are needed. The use of rig rings is only limited to the anglers mind, and I will be adding these to my collection!
Covert Shrink Tube
I will be perfectly honest and admit that I don’t use shrink tube as much as a lot of anglers do, purely out of that most of my rigs don’t require the use of it.
The Covert shrink tube though will take a place in my rig box, simply because of the nature of it. Designed to shrink down at a ratio of 3:1, meaning that it will easily go over hook eyes or bulky knots before shrinking, gripping tightly to the part of the rig that you wish it to.
It also grips very well to the item it is covering and is tear resistant. Available in grey, clear or green, there is a colour in the range to suit all anglers. Gardner also do a mixed package of colours .
