For those with a disability fishing is a popular pastime. The Power Rod was specially designed to assist disabled people with limited hand or arm function. As a disability like quadriplegia affects arm and hand function making fishing with a regular rod and reel difficult to near impossible. One option is to use a battery powered fishing rod.
Power Fishing Rod Fwd/Rev Switch
These are really only suited to lightweight fishing from a pier, bridge or boat. Because like most powered fishing rods this one has no automatic self-casting mechanisim. Casting and retrieving is only done by forward and backward winding which is not idealy suited to an egg beater style fishing reel.
The Power Rod’s manual winding arm has been replaced with an electric motor, battery powered and operated by a switch capable of forward and reverse. All of the other functions of the reel are the same. The light weight Power Rod is suitable for estuary fishing. It can lift it’s own weight vertically (around 1 Kg).
The 12 volt rechargeable batteries are sealed in the butt of the rod where a 240 volt trickle charger plugs in for overnight charge. The motor is 12 volt 60 rpm and will typically run for 2-4 hours. It’s Australian made and retails for around $295.00 AU plus postage and handling. You can have your own rod converted if it’s possible. Also available are a motorized reel, switch, and cable (to run off a power wheelchair battery), backup battery packs, and a rod holder for manual chairs.
Power Fishing Rod Electric Motor
While useful for lightweight fishing with a disability I found the Power Rod struggles to land decent sized fighting fish. It is let down by rather cheap metal components used in the manufacture of the reel. I’ve also experienced a great deal of line twist making the use of a swivel a must. No automatic self-casting mechanism means you can only fish from a boat or jetty (unless someone casts for you).
Overall the Power Rod is handy for lightweight river or estuary disability fishing. Many would find it useful. I would like to see further development creating a more robust powerful self casting version. In any case the Power Rod is a good excuse to spend a day by the water.
Where: Roefs Engineering, P.O. Box 568, Pakenham 3810. Victoria. Australia.
Cost: $295.00 + postage, Phone ( 03 ) 5941 3525.
Rating: ***** Needs more torque, not self casting. Brochure is available from Roefs.
