Are these things really fishing tackle??
I've seen them at varying prices but I get the impression they were never designed with fishing in mind. Are they just re-packaged devices with a huge hike up??

i think thats exactly what they andy, 10 quid for 3 in my local shop and they look lik ethey would fall apart at the first opportunity

In principle they are very similar to hose-line connectors used for fuel! But whether they an adaption of that design or not is besides the point. Do they work as an item of fishing tackle? Yes, and very well too. I initially bought one so I could quickly remove a landing net from its handle whilst boat fishing. Now I have them on my bite alarms and keepnet, for the rare occasison that I use it! Its not what they are that matters, but what they do, and they do it very well.

In short, they're brilliant.. if they're not here to stay, well, I'd be amazed. What they do is: they obviate the need to handle a fish. You can quickly detach your net head and weigh your fish in the net, without having to handle it. Nine times out of ten, if you fish barbless, the hook will come out by itself, so you won't have much unhooking to do either. I bought three, gave two away, and the recipients each rave about them. It just saves so much time, when time is of the essence: getting the fish back into the water as quickly as possible, with the least amount of handling as possible.
They might turn out to be the next best thing since the silicone float adaptor.. who knows?

silicone float adaptors?

What exactly are these connecters?

[ 07. June 2004, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Lee-sox ]

I would add my (considerable) weight in support of these little devices, having bought three at the Go Fishing show.

They do just what they say, a simple quick release connector, invaluable for landing nets.

Basically its a two-part machined aluminium connector. One end screws into your landing net handle, (for example), the other has a female thread into which you screw your net.
The two parts are securely fastened together with a sprung loaded retracting ball device similar to that used in the aircraft industry and on fuel /air lines. The coupling is released by pushing back the sprung collar this can be easily achieved one-handed. The whole thing is only a couple of inches long and has a flat for a spanner to aid securing if necessary, though hand tight is good enough in my experience.

I wish I had thought of using such old technology in this way.

are they really secure? if they are i may have to give them a go!

Sell 'em at Tackle Direct at Beccles Lee-Sox!

Jeepster, Silicone float adaptors from Middy means that you can change floats without having to break down each time. Ask in your local tackle shop. Once you have seen them then all will be obvious. Next best thing to a float!! They fit on the bottom of a float, bit like a condom! But unlike a condom they have a hole in the end to thread your line through. Just change floats by errr changing them!!

i was pretending to be a tackle luddite peter, used float adaptors for years. my jokes seem to get less funny every post, sorry everyone