Media & Images
Here are some of our media releases, what's been said about the Tiger Berley (Chum) Trail Indicator and some more images.
Tuna Pioneer now Helping Amateurs
28 April 2005
A Chance observation during a fishing trip at Coffin Bay allowed local identity Joe Puglisi to invent a new device to help anglers catch more fish.
The Tiger Berley Trail Indicator he developed together with his son Christopher is designed to show which way the current is flowing below the surface and is now for sale at tackle shops around Australia.
Mr Puglisi believes anglers for far too long have been casting in the wrong direction when the current is taking the berley and therefore the fish the opposite way.
The device was simple and affordable enough that he envisioned the day when a Tiger could be found in every boat.
"I see the day when everyone has one and they become a regular item in the tackle box" he said.
Mr. Puglisi who is recognised for being one of the founders of the tuna industry in Port Lincoln recently retired allowing more time to go fishing for fun.
The 67-year-old grandfather of eight explained he was fishing for whiting with friends and fellow anglers Allan Burrows and Des Boyce when he hit upon the idea of developing the Tiger.
Mr Burrows tossed his line out to the side, while everyone else cast their lines directly behind the boat where they thought the current was.
When the sideways line started catching all the whiting, Mr Puglisi said he realised the current was actually flowing perpendicular to the way the boat was pointed.
That gave him the idea for a device that tells fishers which way the current is taking the berley regardless of which way the wind is pointing the boat.
A recent fishing trip with Adelaide fish market identity Michael Angelakis and friends showed how well the device worked with bag limit achieved within 30 minutes.
The Puglisi's made the conscious decision to have the Tiger Berley Trail Indicator fully manufactured in Adelaide with the Royal Society for the Blind working on one part of the device.
Mr Puglisi was just a boy in the NSW fishing port of Ulladulla her had the nickname of "Tiger". He said it was his son's idea to name the berley trail indicator after his father's old nickname.
Invention showcased
A Port Lincoln man, best known for his contribution to the local tuna industry will show the nation his invention to help recreational fishers reel in the big ones as well.
Joe Puglisi will appear on ABC television's New Inventors program tomorrow night with his Tiger Berley Trail Indicator.
The device indicates the optimal spot to cast a fishing line in the underwater currents carrying berley from a berley pot thrown into the sea as a lure.
As the berley pot sinks below the surface a float connected to an underwater vane indicates which way the currents are travelling so recreational fishers can fish in the berley flow.
The episode will air on the ABC tomorrow night, Wednesday October 18 at 8pm.
New Inventors
Tiger Berley Trail Indicator (18/10/2006)
by Joe Puglisi
The Tiger Berley Trail Indicator lets fishermen (and fisherwomen) know which direction the current is flowing so they know where to throw their fishing line in.
+ ABC+ Gas Catch
+ Inventors Forum
+ SA Central
