Ten innovations that elevated fishing

Ken Perrotte's outdoors column

Date published: 7/24/2008

THE SPORTFISHING industry convenes each July for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show. New products debut, business relationships renew and the state of the industry is assessed.

The industry also celebrates the incredible history of fishing. One superb idea this year was a top-10 list of the most influential products that transformed how people fish. The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (rbff.org) and the American Sportfishing Association (asafishing.org) announced the Anglers' Legacy Innovations Awards at the show last week.

The organizations surveyed thousands of Anglers' Legacy Ambassadors who chose these as the products they considered the most instrumental over the past 75 years:

Original Floater Minnow (1936), still one of the most successful and widely copied hard lures in history. Original and current manufacturer: Rapala.

Spring-loaded Bobber (1947) made suspending a baited hook at a desired depth simpler and easier. An item still in almost every angler's tackle box. Original manufacturer: Nibble Nabber; Current manufacturer: Various companies.

Mitchell 300 (1949) was the first commercially successful spinning reel and remains one of the most commonly used. Original manufacturer: Mitchell; Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing.

Creme Plastic Worm (1949) changed the sport forever as the first (and still famous) long-lasting artificial worm that both looked and felt real. Original and current manufacturer: Creme Lure Company.

Closed-Face Spincast Reel (1949) made fishing easy and affordable to everyone regardless of age, size, gender and expertise. Original manufacturer: Zero Hour Bomb Company; Current Manufacturer: ZEBCO.

Lowrance Fish Lo-K-Tor (1957). The "Little Green Box" introduced anglers to using sonar in locating individual fish. Original manufacturer: Lowrance Electronics; Current manufacturer: Lowrance/Navico.

Monofilament Line (1958) improved the durability, affordability and casting ability of fishing line while reducing its visibility to fish. Original manufacturer: DuPont Stren; Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing.

Minn Kota Trolling Motor (1958) was the first electric, gear-driven trolling motor. It allowed anglers to quietly maneuver and position their boats. Original manufacturer: Minn Kota; Current manufacturer: Johnson Outdoors.

Fenwick High-Modulus Graphite Rod (1972) with its super-sensitive carbon (graphite) fibers, revolutionized fishing rods. Original manufacturer: Fenwick; Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing.

Shakespeare Ugly Stick (1976) with its special construction, created an affordable, unbreakable and dynamic rod still used today. Original and current manufacturer: Shakespeare.

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Date published: 7/24/2008