AnglerCo's Retractable Venting Tool is made in Florida.
March 17, 2025
By Ed Killer
Fishing tackle companies strive to develop products that are relevant and transfer easily to regular use. Sometimes these products hit grand slams, like shallow water anchor systems that seem to be on every boat now in saltwater and freshwater. Sometimes these products may debut a little before their time, like the automatic robot-driven jigging pole.
Of special interest to Florida anglers are new products designed—and in some cases built—right here in our home state. Many such innovations are uniquely recognizable to us, solutions to common problems we face in our day-to-day fishing, inspiring the proverbial, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
The following innovations new to the market in recent years were produced by creators based right here in the fishing capital of the world, Florida.
AnglerCo Retractable Venting Tool AnglerCo venting tool co-founder Jesse Hunt and a stud Gulf gag grouper. Josh Rimmer and Brand Stotter are the other co-founders. A harsh reality of bottom fishing Florida waters greater than 50 feet in depth is barotrauma. Species like grouper, snapper and even snook inhabiting an offshore reef sometimes will be reeled up boatside with eyes popping out of heads, stomachs protruding out of mouths and bloated bellies. Gases in swim bladders expand as the fish comes towards the surface causing sometimes irreparable internal damage in the fish.
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That’s why a venting tool is a necessity on any boat actively engaged in bottom fishing. When properly used, a venting tool can release those gases and enable the fish to return to its reef habitat with little more than a sore jaw.
Venting tools are nothing new. But co-founders Brandon Zotter, Josh Rimmer and Jesse Hunt, three Lakeland-based anglers, created a more efficient and easier to use tool because of their love of fishing for snapper and grouper. Descending devices, which often use a weight and release clip to return fish to the reef, can help, too, but the founders of AnglerCo feel their product is also valuable.
“We felt that while descending devices work well in some scenarios, they’re too slow to keep up when the action is nonstop,” Hunt explained in an email. “In these moments, anglers need a venting tool they can trust to work quickly and effectively.”
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Hunt went on to say that many other venting tools on the market are “flimsy and unreliable” which can lead them to break or become unusable right in the middle of the best action.
“That’s why we developed the Retractable Venting Tool to solve this problem with a durable, high-quality design that can withstand the toughest fishing conditions,” he added.
Key features include:
A retractable needle—protects angler and tool.
Marine-grade materials—superior corrosion resistance in saltwater. Ergonomic grip—safe and easy handling, even in rough seas.
Pocket clip—so every angler can have their own venting tool ready at a moment’s notice, rather than sharing one tool for the whole boat. The idea for the tool developed in 2023 and took a year to design and test prototypes. The finished product arrived in west Florida tackle shops in June 2024. It’s now a go-to tool for conservation-minded anglers everywhere, Hunt said.
“This tool is built with conservation in mind. It meets and exceeds fisheries guidelines for venting and is designed to help anglers do their part in preserving fish populations for future generations. It’s a product born and tested right here in Florida, crafted by anglers who understand the challenges of offshore fishing,” Hunt added.
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Sea Swivel Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket Sea Swivel places the trolling motor where its torque can most efficiently move the boat, while allowing for optimal angles for stowing on deck. Mark Berta knows boats. The Key Largo native attended the Marine Mechanics Institute to develop an extensive career background in all things boating especially outboard motors.
In 2023, it occurred to Berta that many boat owners installing bow-mount trolling motors might not have optimal orientation of torque angles for propelling the full weight of the boat through the water.
“The installation angle required to clear the rub rail on the bow is different than the angle required to stow the motor on the gunnel,” Berta explained. “Installers usually ask the owner, “Do you want to block access to the anchor locker or to the hatch?’”
Enter Berta’s concept for an adaptable trolling motor mount—Sea Swivel. In 2023, Berta built a couple of prototypes by hand to begin testing the concept on the water. Several of the early attempts broke hardware and Berta learned that the larger trolling motors mounted on center consoles are sometimes as long as 100 inches and exerting about 100-foot pounds of force will put almost 1,000 pounds of force to the bracket. Berta worked out those issues and has a patent pending on the product.
The bracket really helps boaters protect hulls from damage and $5,000 trolling motors from disappearing into the depths. The concept works on three strong but lightweight plates and single bolt that anchors the bracket when swiveling into position.
“It’s been a lifesaver for us,” said Hal Chittum, a skiff builder in Palm City. “The trolling motor doesn’t block the walk around the bow. It levels out. Being offset is useful. When you’re poling someone on the bow, the trolling motor often blocks your view. When it’s off to the side you can see in front of the boat.”
“Everything is sourced and built right here in the U.S. We’re using aircraft-grade aluminum tested for up to 3,200 pounds of force so the brackets won’t fail,” Berta said.
The Sea Swivel trolling motor mount is fast becoming a common add to manufacturers’ options to customers since builders like SeaVee, Yellowfin and Seahunter are already laminating mounting spots into their hull caps, Berta said.
For existing boats, all that’s needed is an 8-inch by 8-inch mounting space. The mounting bracket, backing bracket and all other hardware is included.
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Tigress Outriggers & Gear Needle Band Holder The Tigress rigging needle band holder quickly and easily mounts using suckers and keeps bait bridle components at the ready when fishing. Suckers hold the rigging needle band holder in place. Magnets hold the needles. Slots make accessing the bands easier. One of the trickiest techniques on board a boat while kite fishing is rigging up a bridle on a lively goggle eye or blue runner. Trying to manage tools, bands, needles, rigs and squirming slimy bait can be a challenge even for the most experienced mate.
That’s where the Needle Band Holder by Tigress Outriggers & Gear in Lake Worth really comes in handy. This easy to use, easy to mount station can really lend an assist in the rigging process. It holds rubber bands in place and has slots for needles, too, when it’s time to scoop up another volunteer to deploy overboard for sailfish, kingfish or other pelagic targets feeding along the rip.
Key features include:
Will hold needle and rubber bands for bridling baits while kite fishing or trolling Dual suckers keep device secure on flat and wet surfaces 4 magnets to securely hold rigging needle while not in use Multiple ridged tube allows anglers to remove band easily with a needle or hook Low profile allows device to be close to reels without interfering with anglers’ fish One smart part of the design is its use of magnets to easily hold the needle in place when it’s not being used. Suction cups help keep it in place while being used when a mate’s hands are busy bridling a lively bait.
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Danco Premio USA Pliers Danco Premio USA Pliers Pliers are one of those fishing tools that we take for granted until we have a problem. The constant enemy is corrosion to the fine parts from exposure to saltwater. Other complaints decry worn-out cutting edges, pivot point damage from dirt and sand buildup and misalignment of pliers’ jaws over time. Quality materials are of critical importance with high-end pliers.
It’s one feature that sets apart danco sports Premio line of titanium fishing pliers. Danco uses solid aerospace grade 5 titanium (stronger than pure titanium, believe it or not) which makes for super strong, corrosion resistant, lightweight fishing pliers.
“Premio pliers are engineered to be lightweight yet heavy-duty, perfect for withstanding the toughest conditions anglers face,” said Matt Nyman of danco. Premio USA includes a versatile 6.5-inch and an offshore 7-inch model. The standard Premio line includes five models, all titanium, from a lightweight 5-inch to a 7.5-inch universal. New for 2025 is the Premio lite targeted toward fly anglers with 5-inch and 6-inch models weighing only 2.3 ounces and 2.9 ounces, respectively. Both offer a low profile design and unmatched strength to weight ratio.
The pliers are designed, manufactured and packaged by fisherman in Florida to embody quality and craftmanship, Nyman said. Premio USA pliers are enhanced with Cerakote for unmatched protection and performance and thus, a lifetime warranty.
Danco Premio USA Pliers: Crimping die (top) is actually functional on the aerospace-grade titanium plier. Center section, the Halo hinge (below), can be used to tighten terminal tackle. Cutters easily slice through braid or mono (right) and can be replaced if needed. How to buy
Cost : $299 for 6.5 inch Premio USA pliers; $149 for 5.5 inch Premio pliersOnline : dancopliers.com Phone : 772-219-2570 or 844-danco-44Seaqualizer Fusion Snap Swivels When closed, the Seaqualizer snap swivel doesn’t come undone like others can. It’s one of those details you would easily miss if you weren’t looking for it. It’s found on a tiny snap swivel smaller than your little finger. Once you see it, you’ll smack your own forehead with the palm of your hand because it’s such a no-brainer.
The snap swivel designed by Seaqualizer is genius in its simplicity and execution. It’s by no means the largest of innovations, but seating the open end of the snap swivel snugly within the barrel wraps of the top of the swivel is clearly one of those changes that we all say, “Why didn’t someone think of this years ago?”
“The team at Seaqualizer spends a lot of time on the water targeting species in almost every genre from big game to backwater. The products we develop are typically conceived from a headache or a hurdle we’ve encountered while in pursuit of a target species,” said Ryan Brown with Seaqualizer. “The Fusion Snap Swivels are no exception.”
Two years ago, the innovators began wondering how they could “reinvent” the snap swivel as a way to eliminate potential failure of such an important component of terminal fishing tackle.
A lot of times, conventional snap swivels will inadvertently pop open resulting in lost rigs and fish.
“By concealing the hook of the snap in the barrel, rounding the cut-off ends, and using slightly heavier wire, we’ve addressed issues that have haunted us in our personal pursuits and feel strongly that other anglers will benefit from the improvements,” Brown said.
The Fusion Snap Swivels use appropriate size dual rotating brass ball bearing swivels and are available through their website, at Amazon or at several South Florida select tackle shops. There are six sizes available: 75-pound test, 135-pound, 175-pound, 225-pound, 325-pound and 500-pound.
How to buy
Cost : $39.99, 10-pack, 75# or 135#. See site for others.Online : seaqualizer.com or AmazonPhone : 305-209-4436
