
Well it happened to me when I was checking out Loon Outdoors' website and came across the monoMASTER.
When I saw this thing it all just clicked. I thought about all of the times that I have been standing in the water with a wad of used line or tippet full of wind knots, trying to figure out how to dispose of it.
Do I put it my chest pack?
Do I put in my pocket?
Finally, you settle on the pocket and a few days later, your significant other is screaming at you because this wad of fishing line is now completely tangled up the wash machine.
Even worse, you decide to put it in your chest pack and later on in the day, you go to pull out a new fly only to have that wad of line fall in the water - the very thing you were trying to avoid. As a result, you feel like a jerk and pretend that it's OK as you try to keep fishing.
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Easily attaches to chest/waist pack |
Initial impressions
The product seemed to be very lightweight, small but not too small, reasonable rugged, and quite simple to use. There was no need for instructions as it appeared pretty simple on how to use it; besides, I am man and don't use instructions. If it isn't entirely clear to you, or you aren't stubborn like me, head over to Loon Outdoors for some how-to instructions.
Short term impressions
I grabbed a spool of cheap line from my fishing bench, cut a few scrap pieces, and started disposing of them with the monoMASTER. I quickly figured out that the trick is to push the line in as far as you can and then start twisting. The little spikes on the spool need some line to work, so keep that in mind. Once I figured this out, it seemed to do exactly as I had imagined. I grabbed a new zinger, attached the monoMASTER to it, and put it on my fishing pack.
Long term
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Full of old tippet! |
I still found it a touch on the tricky side to get the line started at times, but I eventually figured out that putting it sideways (longways) in the monoMASTER allows more of the spikes to grab the line and once they grab, a simple twist of the little knob wraps up the line.
As far as durability is concerned, there have been no issues. I have thrown my pack in the back of the truck, dropped it on the ground, gotten it wet, and all of the other abuses that a fisherman could dish out
Conclusion
Loon Outdoors says that they strive to provide products that help protect the waters that fishermen use - this product does just that. The MSRP for the monoMASTER is $14.95 which may be the only real drawback. I think that more people would snatch these up two at a time if they lowered it to under $10.
Even with the $14.95 price tag, it's a tiny drop in the bucket to prevent used line from ending up in the waters we fish. It doesn't matter if you are a fly fisherman or pro bass fisherman, you always have a problem of what to do with that cutoff line. Well, now you have a solution and no more excuses to drop that line in the water.
Disclaimer: The monoMASTER was provided to us at no cost in exchange for a 100% honest and fair review. Absolutely no monetary or other compensation was given for this review.
nothing is worse then seeing wildlife tangled up in some douche bags wad of 50# mono
ReplyDeletedouche bags...
Sure is unfortunate, isn't it?
DeleteWhat a great sounding product! I've never heard of this but it makes perfect sense. I'd love to get one of these. We'd give it a lot of use - well, my mom and dad especially. LOL. Thanks for reviewing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out! It's so simple yet effective.
DeleteAh yes, the wad of line in my washing machine. I wish I would remember to empty my pockets ahead of time. This looks like a great little tool, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI knew at least one other person out there could relate to that one! LOL
DeleteThanks for that review. I've been wondering as I always seem to be tangled up in line.
ReplyDeleteproblem solved!
DeleteHoward and I needed this post, the way we waste tippet in trees!! Hey, I have heard of this gadget, but hadn't seen it yet. So, thanks for posting! I will have to order one, as my car seems to hide used rolled up leaders and tangled tippets in every nook and cranny!! (Well, I do bring them back to the car!)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you might wanna order two...one for your bag or vest and the other for the car. Maybe hang it on your mirror like an air freshener
DeleteWhat a clever device! It does get tiring cleaning the scraps of line out of the boat. So once it is full, how do you empty it out?
ReplyDeleteYou just unscrew the bottom section and the spool with all the line comes out - cut the line off, throw away, reinsert spool and you are good to go!
DeleteSounds easy enough. Thanks!
DeleteI have been on our tailrace and seen line usually from spin cast reels floating by or hung on a tree branch left by someone who cares nothing about the effects it would have on wildlife. Great product here and for me it is worth the purchase because my discarded line ends up in one of my pockets where I don't need it. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Bill! I experience the same thing where I fish. In the past, I have just sort of grunted at all the line I see, but didn't do anything about it because I had no where to put it. Now I actually pick quite a bit of it up
DeleteNice review, glad you like it. Have you used the Piopod? Similar idea but more universal.
ReplyDeleteI had not even heard of it until just now. I'll have to look into that - maybe see if I can get Fishpond to send one my way and do a side by side comparison.
DeleteInvented and manufactured by Grasshopper Outdoor Products.
ReplyDelete