Long term test: Speero Tackle luggage
Launching earlier this year, Speero has already made their mark with some rather clever and unique products. Since their inception, CARPology editor, Joseph Earl-Wright, has been trialling their kit and so far it’s been nothing but praise
1 Net Retention Float DPM
You can’t really wax lyrical about a net float, right? What I will say, though, is the Retention Float incorporates an elastic net mesh retention loop which is really handy with deep meshed nets. And unlike some net floats I’ve used in the past, this one is ultra buoyant yet isn’t the size of a lifebuoy - in fact, it measures a teeny 26cm long by 4.5cm in diameter.
£7.95
2 Tiptops Rod Lead Band DPM
When Thinking Anglers introduced their rod bands back in the mid-Noughties, they quickly became the go-to rod retaining system for the travelling angler. Fast-forward to 2019 and Speero’s taken the concept to the next level. They’ll hold 12 or 13ft rods tightly together, whilst the soft-touch inner on the supplied rod band ensures zero chips and dinks to your much-prized rod blanks.
£9.95
3 SP 5/6 Rod Holdall DPM
Put bluntly: I love this product. It’s probably my favourite piece from their range. For the last 20 years I’ve used a quiver to transport my rods around - and the rod guides will prove that. However, thanks to this camo brute, I now carry my five 12fters (my marker rod’s actually 12.5ft and I can just squeeze it in) made up, all surrounded with luxury padding, Velcro straps and zipped compartments. A sixth rod can be strapped to the side, along with two landing net poles, matching nets, a sling and retainer. It really is an exceptional piece of kit which I cannot praise highly enough.
£115.00
4 Rucksack DPM
I’ve long been a rucksack patriot, ever since I purchased my first DAM ruck’ back in the mid-90s. Designs and materials have moved on massively since my early years but I still love this style of luggage item to cart my kit around in. In my eyes the Speero Rucksack is the pinnacle of the rucksack design principle - it’s made up of a collection of well placed pockets, both on the outside (one medium-sized and two smaller ones which are ideal for hookbaits on the left-hand side, and one large, full-length pocket on the right) and inside (think: seven bankstick slots, two large pockets, one of which is mesh). Once you’ve configured how you want everything stored, it makes living out of a rucksack so much easier. It should go without saying that it’s darn tough; Speero are building their name on their craftsmanship and hard-wearing materials for goodness sake, but I can concur it’s hardy and will take whatever you throw at it (or drag it through).
£129.95
5 Rig Tray
Until my recent trip to Meadow Lake in France, I never knew just how useful a rig tray could be. Speero’s features their signature 600D Cordura, and this covers the hardy EVA tray. Of course it’s designed to fit perfectly into any one of their modular bags or rucksacks (which I can confirm it does, being a user of their Rucksack), and thanks to those curved sides, it ensures you’ll never lose another baiting needle/pair of scissors/hook beads, etc., etc. again.
£6.95
6 Spare Spool Case Green
I always like to carry two sets of spools: one loaded with mono and the other braid. But with spare spools not coming cheap, they need protecting. The reinforced outer and fully padded inner combination - plus foam dividers - works a treat at ensuring all three of my beloved big pit spools don’t come to any harm when a mountain of gear is precariously balanced in the van.
£13.95
