Rapala is expanding their colors this year, particularly the craw colors. They have launched the molting craw colors in several of their popular cranks as well as a new size in the Clackin’ Crank series. The new 55 square bill crank will give you that one knocker sound in a shallow running, square bill crankbait. This lure should excel in off colored water as well as spring time when the bass can be keying on smaller baitfish. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Rapala
July 23, 2011 by ·
ICAST 2011: Berkley
July 23, 2011 by ·
Berkley introduced their Havoc series to the world at the Bassmaster Classic this year. These baits have now been out there for a while with the pro’s figuring out new ways to fish them. The Ike’s Devil Spear was originally designed as a flipping bait but is gaining popularity as a trailer and, turned sideways, as a swimbait.
The Bottom Hopper is a finesse worm that comes in two sizes, a 6.25” and a 4.75”. It’s a slender bodied worm with a flat bottom that helps the bait glide in the water. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Okuma Fishing
July 23, 2011 by ·
In the past Okuma was known for their spinning reels. The last few years they have been building some respectable casting reels and this year they are pushing the bar higher than they ever have. The new big cheese in Okuma’s product line is the Helios LP Casting reel. This reel weighs in at 6.3 ounces, has a 10 bearing system, carbon fiber handle, EVA foam grips and will be priced around $220.00. It will be produced in right hand retrieve only for the moment and in just one gear ratio. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Koppers
July 22, 2011 by ·
Koppers, the company who has produced the Live Target series of baits is at it again this year, expanding and fine-tuning their baits. To begin with, they are introducing new colors in the Live Target Crawfish Crankbaits. The idea is to get even more realistic with the use of transparent palettes. These baits should be more effective in clear water than they have been up to this point. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Pinnacle Fishing
July 22, 2011 by ·
Pinnacle has been putting out value priced reels for the last year and this year they are upping the ante with the new Optimus XiHX Hand Tuned Casting and Spinning reels. Hand tuned means that every one of these reels is tuned by an individual before it leaves the factory to Pinnacle’s specs. When you get it, there is a card inside the box that allows you in one year to send it back to them for a one time free “tune-up”. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Lew’s
July 22, 2011 by ·
Lew’s made a big splash last year with the introduction of a quality line of casting reels and this year are introducing some new products to their line-up. The Lew’s TPS1 is getting an upgrade in line capacity and is available in both right and left hand retrieve and features their dual braking system which consists of both magnetic and centrifugal cast control elements. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Seaguar
July 22, 2011 by ·
Seaguar has been around longer than most of the guys fishing the tournament trail these days. They are known for and continue to produce some of the best fluorocarbon lines around. This year they are getting into the braid market with Kanzen. This line is tightly woven and is said to reduce the noise through the guides because it maintains its round shape. Kanzen will come in two colors, green and white and should be available in the next few months.
Seaguar is also expanding into the monofilament market with Senshi Monofilament Line. This is a low stretch line that is said to be soft, supple and castable while having the strength to move big fish out of cover. Expect this in stores in the next few months.
ICAST 2011: G Loomis
July 22, 2011 by ·
Last year G. Loomis introduced their new NRX rods which were an immediate hit. This year, the folks have re-designed their GL2 line of moderately priced rods. This is the entry level bass rod for Loomis and while, in the past, they were rated to handle a number of techniques, this year this series is very technique specific. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Luck E Strike USA
July 22, 2011 by ·
Luck E Strike is introducing the Rick Clunn Square Bill Crankbaits this year in a new size, the size 4. This is the largest of the popular series which now comes in 4 sizes, 1,2,3, and the new 4, which is the largest of the bunch. Rick Clunn designed these baits from custom carved wood baits that he used back in the 70’s.
The difference is that now, they are of course hard plastic. Like the smaller versions, the series 4 is a silent, no rattles bait and has the same wobble as its smaller siblings. The colors will be uniform across the board offering anglers a bigger profile bait for that big bite. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Wright & McGill
July 22, 2011 by ·
The big news from the Wright & McGill booth is the introduction of four new rods in the Skeet Reese Micro Honeycomb line. Two each of casting and spinning models. The new casting models are shorter versions of existing rods in the line while one of the spinning rods is a heavier powered stick for football head and heavy jig fishing with the other being a brand new 7’2” drop-shot rod.
Of course they will all feature the black and yellow motif that Skeet is known for and share the components of all of the rods in this series.
Wright & McGill have also teamed up with Rick Clunn to produce the Rick Clunn Glass Rod Series. These rods will be technique specific and provide an instruction booklet for the angler in which the optimum uses and techniques are explained. These should be in stores and ready to purchase shortly.