Gamakatsu has long been known for their hooks and this year they are introducing a few new products to their catalog. The first is the Mini Heavy Cover Hook which is a medium wire hook that has a built in bait keeper designed for finesse applications in and around cover. They will be available in several sizes to address a wide range of baits that the angler might want to throw. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Gamakatsu
July 19, 2011 by ·
ICAST 2011: Shimano
July 19, 2011 by ·
Shimano is another company that has done a lot of revamping for the new year. The new Curado 200 G starts with a new green color and three spool colors depending on the gear ratio you choose.
Besides the cosmetic changes to the Curado, there are some changes that devotees will appreciate including a new 1/8 turn, Easy Access Attached sideplate for adjusting the braking system. The new reel will come in both right and left hand retrieve models, three different gear ratios, weigh 6.9 ounces and is a five bearing system. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Daiwa
July 18, 2011 by ·
For those Daiwa fans out there, you will be happy to know that there are several new products for this year led by the T3 Casting Reel. The T3 uses a Zaion Carbon frame and sideplate which is said to be rival the rigidity and strength of magnesium but doesn’t corrode. The biggest news with this reel is the new level-wind mechanism. Daiwa calls it the T-Wing. This piece of hardware significantly increases the free space that line has to pass through when casting, thereby reducing friction. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Abu Garcia
July 18, 2011 by ·
Next on our ICAST list is Abu Garcia. Their newest reel is the Revo MGX which incidentally, won the “Best of Show for Freshwater Reels”. This reel utilizes a magnesium alloy frame called X-mag and side-plates that are made of a lighter than aluminum C-6 carbon. [Read more…]
ICAST 2011: Quantum
July 18, 2011 by ·
It’s that time of year again for ICAST and we here at MVF are going to try to take you through the show one manufacturer at a time and give you the highlights of the new gear that has been showcased.
Let’s start with Quantum who once again, have managed to debut a totally new product without a lot of pre-show publicity. Last year they debuted the Smoke baitcasting series with the Smoke rods.
This year they are adding a spinning reel and rods to the Smoke lineup. The spinning reel will be available in two sizes. A 25 series and a 30 series. These reels utilize porting everywhere they are able to reduce weight but maintain structural rigidity throughout the reel. Both are 10 bearing systems and both weight less than 8 ounces. [Read more…]
Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig
July 15, 2011 by ·
Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig
I know that at this time of year a lot of folks are concentrating on fishing deep and slow or using finesse baits because the fish can be so sluggish from the heat. Today we’re going to take a look at the Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig. We’ve reviewed the Dirty Jigs finesse swim jig but this is a whole different animal.
The California Swim Jig is a big, beefy full bodied bait that is designed to be used in front of swim baits. I prefer four inch baits but you can stick a five inch or so behind this head and be perfectly fine. Now why would anyone want a jig like this? To give the fish a different look. It’s that simple and in the case of the California Swim Jig, gives them a bait that is designed to catch big fish. [Read more…]
Strike King Pro Model 6XD
July 12, 2011 by ·
Let’s look at another summer time bait that has the potential to put a bunch of fish in the boat for you, Strike Kings 6XD crankbait. Yes, this is another collaboration between Strike King and Kevin VanDam and one that KVD used en route to another Angler of the Year title last year.
The 6XD is designed to go deep and elicit the reaction bite. For a long time, the big name in the deep diving crankbait world was the Norman DD22. Will this offering from Strike King supplant the Norman? Who knows. However, it’s another very good tool that is available to anglers for these hot summer months to get down where the fish are and tempt them into striking.
So let’s look at the Strike King 6XD and see what if anything makes this bait unique. [Read more…]
Get Your Feet Wet With The Simms Pursuit Sandals, A Perfect Solution For Wet Wading
July 8, 2011 by ·
One of the best parts about summer for the fly fisherman is the ability to fish without having to gear all the way up. You don’t need to throw on your waders or layer up the clothes like you do in the winter time.
But you still need to protect your feet! [Read more…]
Basstrix Fat Minnow
July 5, 2011 by ·
Today we’re going to look at the Basstrix Fat Minnow. This lure is 4 inches in length with a hollow body and split tail design. Some folks may not recall, but Basstrix was responsible for the whole hollow-body, paddle-tail swimbait craze. In fact, I still know a few folks who simply will not try any other bait in this class.
I remember when they were first introduced and it seems as though they were virtually impossible to get. Outlets would sell out seemingly the same day they got them in. Man was that frustrating! [Read more…]
Aaron Martin’s Scrounger Head
July 3, 2011 by ·
The Scrounger
Today, let’s look at another piece of terminal tackle that has become the “flavor of the month”, so to speak. The Davis Baits Aaron Martens Fish Swim Jig or scrounger head as it’s known. These jig heads are molded to accept a collar that is made of a flexible clear plastic that when retrieved will impart a subtle side to side motion on fluke style baits. [Read more…]