Disability Fishing Rod
For many with a disability fishing is a popular pastime. A spinal cord injury such as quadriplegia affects arm and hand function. A battery powered fishing rod like Roef Engineering’s disability fishing rod can assist disabled fishermen with limited hand or arm function. For quadriplegic wheelchair users perhaps the largest drawback with Roef’s however is no self-casting mechanism. Disabled fishermen unable to cast are restricted to fishing from a boat or jetty. Retailing at $295.00 we road test Roef’s lightweight 12 volt battery powered disability fishing rod and give you all the pros and cons.
Handicap Free Reef Fishing
A keen fisherman before spinal cord injury and quadriplegia I was eager to get out and go reef fishing. So my brother adapted my electric power Quickie P200 wheelchair into a powerful wheelchair fishing rod. Hauling massive fish from 80 feet below no longer a problem we hired a charter boat from the Noosa Boardwalk. No more handicap fishing for me wheelchair thrill-seekers. A handline bolted onto the powerchair rear wheel gives me complete control over winding in and out. Friends are amazed how I’m able to wind fast and slow in time with the rocking motion of the boat. Leaves me one hand free for a cold beer!
Deep Sea Wheelchair Fishing
On our latest off-shore wheelchair adventure we spent three days at sea fishing the continental shelf out of Seventeen Seventy Australia. The guys tied me to the refrigerator on the shaded rear deck in my power wheelchair fishing rod which assisted me in catching the second largest fish, a huge red emperor. We left my wheelchair and carried me to and from bed. Steak sandwiches, cold beer, good company and a couple of days fishing, what more could a salty cripple want. Make sure your wheelchair is fully charged and battery life strong. Sea sick tabets are recommended.
Hi,
I am an Occupational Therapist working in Brisbane Australia. I have a client with C5 quadriplegia who is really keen to return to fishing. I was wondering where you are based? My client lives at the Sunshine Coast. Do you know of any fishing support services in this area?
Kind Regards
Annabelle
Hi Annabelle, we are based in Brisbane.
I suggest contacting the Mooloolabah Marina (1). I’ve never taken a fishing charter out of the Maroochy River but do know they offer day fishing trips to the reefs off Point Cartwright. Keep in mind most charters do not cater for wheelchairs, so you have to cater to them or you will limit your options drastically. Most charter fishing operations don’t have a problem taking wheelchair users, as long as they don’t need assistance. Best if you can get a few friends to go that can lift you and your wheelchair onboard. Understanding this, I have found the Noosa Marina (2) accepting and very helpful in the past.
One of my favourite ways to fish is from a houseboat. Again if you get a few mates to go, the cost is reasonable. Houseboats give greater freedom onboard in powerchairs, longer time – days or weeks, and you can fish, crab, prawn net, sleep, drive around yourself etc. I’ve been up the Noosa River and lake systems from the Noosa Marina (2) several times on houseboats with my family and it’s always a tonne of fun.
Bribie Island Boat Hire (3) has B.B.Q boats for hire half day and full day. These are a flat pontoon with railing around the outside, bench seats, gas bbq in one corner, enclosed toilet the other, all covered with full shade canopy. No boat license required with a center console steering wheel even I can drive. I use these quite a bit as I cannot cast but drop my line over and let the current drag it out. You can fish a good stretch of the Bribie Passage from the bridge to Tripcony Beacon at Donnybrook. Tell Brendon (the owner) I sent you for a discount.
The old Combie Trader ran disability fishing days out of Scarborough, Redcliffe. $10.00pp to board, they ferry cars over to Moreton Island, drop them off, back up and anchor, let you fish for a few hours, load up with cars again and return. They supply lines and tackle. It’s been a few years since I spoke to the guys running this however, worth looking into. — scratch that. I now see the Combie Trader was sold — There are other fishing charters that run out of Scarborough Harbour, this one (4) with a big rear deck could be great for power wheelchairs.
You’re the O.T. Annabelle but if I may, I suggest starting off small. Get him a rod, modify it, then take him to a quiet jetty or pier where he can experiment. Contact your local Lions or Rotary club, TADQ (5) and RAD — Recreational Association for the Disabled — Wurtulla (6). They may be aware of, or will offer to, assist in fishing rod modification and recreational fishing activities. I’ll keep my eye out Annabelle. I love to be on the water. Let me know what you come up with.
(1) http://www.mooloolabamarina.com.au
(2) http://www.noosamarina.com.au
(3) http://www.bribieboats.com.au
(4) http://www.moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au
(5) http://www.tadaustralia.org.au
(6) http://www.sportandleisure.com.au
Thanks so much for all that information. Very helpful!
Hello,
I’m working with a product developer that has a product idea we are interested in submitting to your company. The idea is currently in patent pending status. We are searching for a company that could help us make and distribute the product. We feel it could financially benefit your company. Does your company take outside submissions from product developers? If so, what is the process for submitting the product idea to you?
Thank you for your time.