Gamakatsu Hook Guide
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EWG
EWG Ringed Superline
EWG Superline
EWG Superline Weighted
EWG Monster
EWG Monster Weighted
EWG Superline Spring Lock Weighted
EWG Deep Throat
EWG Super Deep Throat
EWG Double
Skip Gap
G-Lock
Oversize G-Mag
Offset Shank O’Shaughnessy Bend
Offset Shank Round Bend
Straight Shank O’Shaughnessy Bend
Straight Shank Round Bend
Straight Shank Superline
Straight Shank Light Wire
Straight Shank Wire Guard
Split Shot / Drop Shot
Finesse Wide Gap
Finesse Wide Gap Weedless
Shiner Straight Eye
Shiner Upturned Eye
Skip Gap Shaky Head
Jack Roll Wacky Head
Round 211
Round 26
Football 24
Darter 26
Cobra 27
Tube Head
Trailer SP
Magic Eye Treble Round Bend
Round Bend Treble
Superline Treble
EWG Treble
2X Strong Round Bend Treble
Feathered TrebleA Fishy Story about The World Record Bass Rod and Reel
A fishy tale about the world record rod
Every angler has a rod and reel that just seems to catch more fish than the rest of the combos in his or her boat. Manabu Kurita, catcher of the pending world record largemouth, is no different.
On his lucky rod (Deps Sidewinder Flipping Edition) and reel (Shimano Antares DC 7-LV), Kurita had landed an 18 1/2-pound largemouth last year by catapulting a 12-inch Mother swimbait (handcrafted by Roman Made). And what’s more, he caught the pending world record fish on this combination. But perhaps what makes it most lucky is the fact that it was still in his possession when the 22-pound, 5-ounce bass swallowed his sunfish on July 2 of this year.
Just one month earlier, the rod and reel were lying on the bottom of Lake Biwa.
In late May, Kurita was using the Deps/Shimano combo to fish a live ayu on Lake Biwa. Ayu is a popular food fish (about the size of a sardine) in Japan during the summer months, and bass forage on this fish spring through fall. After casting the weightless live bait, he had set the rod down while working on some tackle. While not paying attention, a bass ate the live ayu, dragging overboard his favorite rod and reel combination. He watched it sink to the bottom of Lake Biwa, which at its deepest point is 300 feet.
He assumed it was lost forever.
However, almost one month later, he was fishing near the same spot when he noticed a large bass floating in the lake. He trolled up to the dead, double-digit fish, to find a line coming out of its mouth. After pulling on the line for several minutes, Kurita’s lucky rod and reel appeared from the bottom of the lake.
“It was scratched up from where the bass dragged it around the lake bottom, but it still works perfectly! It really is lucky,” Kurita grinned.
Hard to argue that fact.
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New products For 2010
Z-Man TriggerHook
One of the more interesting pieces of terminal tackle to come down the pike in a while, the TriggerHook makes rigging soft plastics a breeze. The hook fastens soft baits in place using a double-barbed point at the line tie end, while the business end of the hook is slid through the lure body then skin-hooked on top. The hook, which comes with small rubber grommets to keep soft plastic baits in place, is offered in sizes 3/0 to 5/0 and in weighted and unweighted versions.
www.zmanfishing.com | 800-822-3398
Damiki DC Series Crankbaits
These crankbaits, available in sizes 100 and 200, cast like a bullet, have a realistic baitfish profile and are available in seven colors. The 200 series dives 6 to 7 feet and is a great fall bait for anglers chasing schools of baitfish.
www.damiki.com | 213-387-8836
Zoom Swimmin’ Super Fluke
For those of us who thought Zoom could not improve on what is widely considered the best soft plastic jerkbait on the market, we were wrong. Very wrong.
Arriving at a store near you soon, the Swimmin’ Super Fluke has a paddle tail akin to a hollow-body swimbait, but it swims upright without the aid of a weighted hook and has an action only the cousin of the original fluke could have. This is certainly one of those lures you’ll want in your tacklebox — well-hidden from your buddies, of course. The lures will be available in a host of the company’s most popular colors.
Falcon BuCoo Rods
The seven rods in this new series are some of the best values to be had. They provide bass anglers with the lengths and actions they are looking for but for a price that is easy to swallow: roughly $100. The rods are made using the company’s own graphite blanks and are not only lightweight but sensitive as well. Additionally, each rod has no fore-grip and comes with an exposed blank Fuji reel seat, split handle grip and EVA foam grips.
www.falconrods.com | 918-251-0021
NetBait Big Thump
New from NetBait is a paddletail worm with a real paddle tail. The Big Thump is ideal for Texas rigging, flipping and pitching, Carolina rigging and even going weightless. Its tail thumps and pulsates when retrieved. Like all of NetBait’s plastics, the Big Thump is loaded with pork fat, scent and lots of salt.
334-382-3080
Creme Mad Dad Minnow
One of those lures that gets a whole lot better looking in the water, the Mad Dad Minnow gives anglers the action of a lipless rattler in a soft bait. It has bug eyes, an interchangeable hook system to allow for double, single or treble hooks and looks alive in the water. The lure is available in two sizes, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 inch, and comes in nine colors.
www.cremelure.com | 800-445-8737
Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip Treble Hook
If you want the treble that Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam uses to keep fish buttoned up, look no further. He designed these hooks, which have short shanks, to reduce tangling and have the holding power to prevent fish from bending them during a lengthy fight. They are available in No. 6 through 3/0 sizes and are sticky sharp.
www.mustad.no | 315-253-2793
Cablz
One of the more innovative products the industry has seen in a while, Cablz provides anglers with a very simple but effective means of keeping their eyewear attached but out of the way. Made of a surgical-grade steel cable covered in rubber tubing, Cablz fasten easily to the arms of any size or shape of eyewear. But unlike other eyewear holders, Cablz stay up off the back of the neck when sunglasses are on the face.
Ardent F700 Denny Brauer Flip-N-Pitch reel
New from Ardent reels is a technique-specific flipping and pitching reel — the F700 — based on the popular F500. This reel is the result of flipping and pitching expert Denny Brauer tweaking the F500 to his demanding specifications. Improvements include more bearings (7+1), an anodized blue case and, most importantly, a flippin’ switch that automatically engages the spool when pressure is taken off the button. This allows one-handed hook sets and quicker reaction times on hook sets. The drag is permanently locked at 22 pounds, and the narrow spool has a nipple in the center to anchor braided line, so you don’t need backing. Like all of Ardent’s products, the F700 is 100% made in the USA.
Wilson Frazier’s Sonar & GPS DVD series
Known as “The Professor,” Wilson Frazier has been the Elite Series pros’ go-to guy for mounting, maintaining and reading electronics. He has more than 30 years of experience as a Lowrance technician. Wilson has now come out with a DVD series based on his seminars, SONAR/GPS, Class is in Session. Currently the first and second installments are available: 101 and 201. The first in the series covers SONAR/GPS basics while the second installment delves into more advanced SONAR and GPS operations.
DuraSafe Codeable Locks
One of the more innovative products the industry has seen in years, these locks allow you to use one key for all of your locks. Simply insert your vehicle key into any of the company’s locks, and the combination is electronically stored in that lock, meaning you can have one key for everything from wheel locks and trailer locks to spare tire locks and pad locks, among others. The company’s locks match up to nearly 90 percent of cars on the road today.
Lazer TroKar
These bass hooks were all the rage at ICAST 2009 in Orlando, and for good reason. Made using surgical sharpening technology, the TroKar is razor sharp but said to be much stronger than other hooks as well. They come in all the popular styles, such as Heavy Duty worm, Magworm, Extra Wide Gap, Swimbait and Drop Shot. But the Flippin’ hook — a heavy duty straight shank with a plastic keeper on the shank to keep soft baits pegged — will likely be one of the most popular styles.
XCalibur Zell Pop XZ3
This new topwater chugger is based off of a carving Zell Rowland made then handed over to XCalibur to produce. Like the smaller, original Zell Pop, the XZ3 features an etched-scale finish, realistic gill plates, and a shad spot behind the eye as well as a feathered rear treble. This plus-size topwater spits, gurgles and chugs when given the slightest action.
www.lurenet.com | 803-754-7000
Abu Garcia Vendetta
One of the best looking rods at ICAST 2009, the Vendetta balances function, design and ergonomics to create a rod that is a pleasure to look at as well as fish. The rod, which looks like some $400-plus Japanese sticks, is inexpensive, lightweight and comes with no fore-grip and a split-grip handle. There are 22 models in the lineup: 12 spinning and 10 baitcasting.
www.purefishing.com | 803-754-7000
Tuscaroran Pro-Lures Rude Frog
One of the most realistic soft plastic frogs on the market, the Rude Frog supposedly solves one of the most vexing problems for fishermen: rolling. If the lure rolls upside down during the retrieve, all an angler needs to do is stop the lure, and it will turn upright. Also, the lure is made of a soft but durable soft plastic, enabling it to stand up to numerous fish.
Rapala Flat Rap
Though it might seem odd to see a jerkbait with flat sides, don’t judge the Flat Rap before you fish it. The flat sides and triangular lip give this slow-rising balsa lure a dancing and darting action that is one-of-a kind. The lure is available in 3 1/8- and 4-inch sizes and a host of popular colors.
www.rapala.com | 952-933-0046
Sunline Super Fluorocarbon
Sunline’s Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon is one of the most popular lines among Bassmaster Elite Series anglers; pros such as Tommy Biffle and Aaron Martens call it their top choice in fluorocarbons. The company’s newest line should be no less popular. It’s billed as supple, highly abrasion-resistant and strong — three of the most important qualities in a fluorocarbon. The line comes in sizes 8- to 20-pound-test sizes and on 200-yard spools.
www.sunlineamerica.com | 310-347-5077
Custom Lures Unlimited IKONIC series
With input from Mike Iaconelli, Custom Lures Unlimited has created the IKONIC Wrap, or “wooden trap.” Each IKONIC Wrap is hand-crafted, hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-assembled. They are wooden lures that are naturally buoyant and are designed to swim between 6 inches and 2 feet depending on rod angle. They have a 3-D mouth, gills, eyes, and scales.
Strike King Rage Eeliminator
For 2010, the company expanded the hugely popular Rage Tail line with four new lures. One that’s sure to be a favorite with bass anglers is the Rage Eeliminator, a soft plastic that can be used as a topwater lure or fished below the surface on a swimming jig, Carolina rig or Texas rig. When fished on the surface, the lure’s tail swims erratically, giving it the appearance of a rat or frog. Under the surface, the Eeliminator subs as a great, compact creature bait. The lure comes in eight colors, including green pumpkin and white.
www.strikeking.com | 901-853-7606
Punisher’s Castglo LED fishing light
Punisher’s Castglo simplifies night fishing by illuminating the water, the bank and your line with one unit. The Castglo box houses 48 LEDs on the front and eight on the back. The back lights face toward the angler to provide ample lighting for tying knots and finding baits. The upper half of the 48 forward-facing lights can be toggled between green or black light, while the bottom half is all black. Black light is the best choice for fishing because it illuminates most fluorocarbon lines and is noninvasive to fish. The green lights are ideal for illuminating the bank. The Castglo box attaches to your boat via suction cups and a 1/4-inch plug that draws power from your batteries. LED lights last longer (10,000 hours) and draw less wattage than conventional cylindrical black lights.
Jewel Bait Co.’s Shakey Style Jigheads
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin Short raves about this little jighead, which combines the company’s Spider Jig head with a pin extending from the eye to keep soft plastics pegged on the hook. Though there are hundreds of jigheads currently on the market, and many of them also have pins or screw locks, what sets this one apart is the shape of the jighead, says Short. He says it comes through cover, even rock or wood, like a breeze; and he even uses it to fish small creature baits, such as the Zoom Baby Brush Hog. The jighead is available in 1/8- and 3/16-ounce sizes.
Two Way Boat Alarms
Two Way Boat Alarms brings the same technology of a car alarm to your boat. Using a key fob, you can “lock” your boat and its contents up with the push of a button. Locking the boat arms the vibration sensors installed in key areas, such as in rod lockers and tackle storage. When a sensor is tripped, a 125dB alarm blasts and the key fob lights up and vibrates in your pocket. The alarm can be set so only the fob goes off, allowing you to meet the offenders face to face.
A&M Baits’ Halo Jig
A&M’s Halo Jig offers a different approach to fishing rocks and grass. The flexible plastic “halo” affixed to the head deflects rocks when the line is tied behind the halo and is a weedguard for the weedguard when tied in front. A small, straight-shank hook is used as a keeper so plastics stay on until you want them off. The jigs are customizable as you can match a jig weighing from 5/16- to 9/16-ounce with a hook from 3/0 to 5/0.
Quantum’s
KVD Tour Reel
Designed by and named for bass fishing’s biggest star, Kevin VanDam, this new reel features a large diameter spool, is available in the Burner 7.3:1 gear ratio and has 11 ball bearings. But since most anglers are not as proficient at casting as KVD, the reel’s self-adjusting cast control — which makes overruns a thing of the past — may be its best attribute. The reel is available in three gear ratios: 5.4:1, 6.6:1 and 7.3:1.
J.J.’s Magic’s
Dippin’ Dye
“Permeate your bait” is what J.J. Polak says. His Dippin’ Dye gets into (permeates) soft plastics for long-lasting scent and color that doesn’t wash away like normal dipping dyes. Since J.J.’s infuses the bait rather than coats it, it won’t affect the action of the bait. This unique dye is available in four colors, all of which have a potent garlic scent.
Hildebrandt’s
Elite Pro Series
From the folks who brought you the Tin Roller and The Blade comes the Elite Pro Series spinnerbait. The Elite Pro rounds out Hildebrandt’s spinnerbait collection by giving this bait a UV coating on the head and blades that “pop” in stained water or low light conditions. The Elite Pro also features Hildebrandt’s quick-change system that allows for fast swapping of the top blade. The bait is available in three sizes and eight colors.
Sebile’s Onduspoon
New from Sebile is the Onduspoon. This spoon takes design cues from crankbaits and has internal beads for a rattling action when cast and worked horizontally. It also acts like a traditionally spoon for vertical jigging. The Onduspoon is available in two sizes, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 inches, and four colors.
Tru-Tungsten’s
Tru-Life Mad Maxx
New from the leader in tungsten weights is the Mad Maxx, “the furious frog.” Tru-Tungsten designed Maxx to excel where other frogs fall short. It has a pro-drain system to keep the frog from becoming waterlogged, hook grooves to keep the hooks flush to the body until a fish strikes and internal tungsten rattles to call fish up from under the thickest slop.
JymSu Bass Baits’
Flip/Swim Jig
New from JymSu is the Britt Myers Flip/Swim Jig. The Flip/Swim is a versatile jig that is equally at home punching matted vegetation as it is swimming around docks, stumps or other isolated cover. The jigs are hand-tied, available in several different sizes for flipping and swimming and come in the most popular bass-catching colors.
Sperry Top-Sider’s ASV
All shoes shield your feet from the elements and provide some measure of support. The Sperry ASV goes one step further, however, in that the shoe dampens dramatically the persistent pounding of waves and engine vibration as well, a lifesaver for boaters. Made using a proprietary material as the midsole, the ASV absorbs and disperses shock with ease, all the while delivering stability and comfort. The shoe is also made of a quick-drying, antimicrobial fabric and has a Hydro Grip sole not prone to slipping.
www.sperrytopsider.com | 800-247-6575
Ardent’s Reel Kleen
Never get around to cleaning your reels? Ardent has made it easy. Ardent’s Reel Kleen reel cleaning kit has everything you need to keep your reel in top form: Reel Kleen degreaser, Reel Butter grease, Reel Butter oil, a multitool screwdriver for disassembly, a silicone-treated cloth, four synthetic swabs for precision application of Reel Butter, a cleaning brush and an Allen wrench. No more excuses for dirty reels.
www.ardentoutdoors.com | 660-395-9200
Omega Custom
Tackle’s
Pro-Mega Jig
Designed specifically for fishing deep, rocky structure, and billed as the “perfect structure-fishing jig,” this lure is a great choice for stroking a jig on a ledge. But this jig is no one-trick pony. Unlike the common football jig, which has a tendency to hang up around wood, the Pro-Mega Jig is also able to come through brush extremely well. Available in three sizes (3/8, 5/8 and 7/8 ounce), the jig is equipped with a Gamakatsu hook and available with silicone and living rubber skirts.
www.omegacustomtackle.com | 636-368-2405
Berkley’s PowerBait
Hand Pour Curled
Tail Worm
New from Berkley is a hand-poured worm of the 5-inch variety. Bassmaster Classic champion Skeet Reese calls them “fish-catching machines.” He has found the addition of a curled tail appeals to more aggressive bass, and the multilayer hand-poured colors make the bait stand out in the water. Add Berkley’s exclusive PowerBait formula, and you’ve got one explosive worm that fish are said to hold on to 18 times longer. These worms are available in 12 color schemes to suit any fishery in America.
www.berkley-fishing.com | 877-777-3850
Deep South Rod Co.’s
Rod Collection
Deep South Rod Co. builds technique-specific rods from the ground up for a fine-tuned and accurate action. Deep South uses its own blanks for a unique and solid, slop-free feel. With input from nearly 30 pro staffers and guides, Deep South builds over 30 actions including a Lake Seminole Special, Lake Toho Special and a shiner rod to take on the plus-size bass shiners attract. Deep South offers a high-end lineup, the Deep South Series, and an affordable option in the Redneck Series. Both use high-modulus graphite and premium components.
www.deepsouthfishingrods.com | 352-638-6868
Lucky Craft’s
Rick Clunn
Signature Series Kit
Now available at Bass Pro Shops locations across the country and online at www.basspro.com, the 2009 Limited Edition Rick Clunn Signature Series Kit includes six Lucky Craft RC series crankbaits in several exciting limited edition colors only available in this package. The kit includes an RC 1.5 in red craw; an RC 1.5 DRS in homer; an RC 1.5 DD in phantom green craw; an RC 2.5 in river red shad; an RC 2.5 Wake in copper green chartreuse shad; and an RC 3.5 in midnight shad. The kit also includes descriptive information about the baits, Clunn and his fishing techniques and strategies.
Zoom Bait Co.’s
Magnum Trick Worm
Combining Zoom’s best selling Trick Worm and its new Magnum Finesse Worm into one, the new Magnum Trick Worm keeps the characteristics of the original Trick Worm but features a beefed up profile. Thicker than the original, this bigger version is designed for targeting big bass. Whether flipping and pitching, Texas rigging or Carolina rigging, the bait should be fished with a 5/0 or 6/0 hook. The worm is 7 inches long and available in 12 different colors.
www.zoombait.com | 706-548-1008
Northland Fishing
Tackle’s Slurp Jig
Featuring a lifelike head designed to mimic one of the bass’ favorite forage, a live minnow, the Slurp Jig has a Mustad Ultra Point hook and a unique “BarbWire” keeper that securely grips and holds soft plastics firmly in place. The bait can be rigged with a soft plastic jerkbait and fished in the upper half of the water column, or it is also great for swimming 4- and 5-inch grubs. The jig is available in four sizes and six color choices.
www.northlandtackle.com | 218-751-6723
Wiley X’s Jake
New from Wiley X, the folks who protect our troops’ eyes as well as Skeet Reese’s, is the Jake. The Jake is the newest addition to Wiley X’s Climate Control Series of sunglasses that feature a removable foam insert that “seals” the wearer’s face out from wind, debris and sunlight. The effect is total protection as well as enhanced polarization. Fishermen will be interested in the Jake with bronze lens and gloss brown fade frame, or the new emerald mirror amber lens with gloss black frame, both of which are polarized.
Columbia’s
Sea Ray Boat Shoes
If standing to fish all day leaves your feet aching, the sole problem might be your shoes. Instead of taking a seat, try the new Sea Ray boat shoes from Columbia. With a TechLite injection molded “footbed,” the shoe combines contoured support with a cushioned design that disperses pressure across the bottom of the foot to enhance long-term comfort. The uppers feature breathable, quick drying leather and mess stitched directly to the midsole, and the outsole is a non-marking “Omni-Grip” rubber compound with traction control to prevent slipping on slick surfaces. Suggested retail is $80.
www.columbia.com | 800-547-8066
Yum’s Money Craw
The soft plastic Money Craw combines the action of a swimbait with the enticing profile of a crawfish. Each bait is hand painted with crawfish spots and eyes, creating a realism not found in other soft plastic crawfish imitations. Available in three sizes and seven color schemes, the bait can be used in a variety of applications. Whether pitched on a Texas rig, swam on a jighead or fished as a trailer behind a jig, this natural-looking crawfish has great action in the water.
www.yum3x.com | 479-782-8971
Berkley’s PowerBait Crazy Legs Chigger Craw
Improving on the soft bait Boyd Duckett used to win the 2007 Bassmaster Classic, Berkley has now added a pair of crazy legs to the lure. The legs greatly enhance the bait’s action while swimming or on the drop. This new feature, along with the Chigger Craw pinchers and PowerBait’s fish-attracting scent formula, makes it completely irresistible to bass. It can be fished alone or as a jig trailer, slow or fast, and the pinchers and crazy legs swim wildly back and forth.
www.berkley-fishing.com | 877-777-3850
Strike King’s KVD Signature Series Sexy Shad
Available exclusively at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, being held in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Strike King will be offering a limited edition Kevin VanDam Signature Series Sexy Shad crankbait. The Series 5 Sexy Shad crankbait, which KVD helped design, has helped him win numerous Bassmaster Elite Series events as well as the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
The Limited Edition crank will come packaged in a re-sealable clamshell package complete with limited edition graphics that have personally been autographed by the four-time Angler of the Year himself.
With a limited number available for purchase, fans can buy them at several select on-site retailers during the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. You can find them by looking for the life-sized cutout of KVD. The expo will be held in the Shreveport Convention Center Feb. 20-22.
www.StrikeKing.com | 901-853-1455
Zoom Bait Co.’s Magnum Shakey Head
Like Zoom’s original Shakey Head, the Magnum Shakey Head features a fat head and tapered tail. But unlike the 5-inch original, this new model comes in at 7 inches and is designed to be fished on heavier fluorocarbon with a large (1/4 ounce) jighead. According to Zoom, the ideal outfit for this bait is a 6-6 medium-heavy spinning rod and a 5:1 spinning reel. The bait is available in 11 different colors.
ZoomBait.com | 706-548-1008
Northland Fishing Tackle’s Slurpies Rock-R-Minnow
The latest offering in soft plastic swimbaits, the Slurpies Rock-R-Minnow, boasts a lifelike baitfish profile and wobbling paddle tail that is said to produce a “rockin’ and rollin’” swimming action that drives fish wild. The belly is slotted for easy weedless rigging, and the bait is meant to be thrown on heavy gear to target large fish. The baits, available in either a 4 1/2- or 5-inch size, are packaged with a custom weighted Gamakatsu swimbait hook and are offered in eight colors.
www.northlandtackle.com | 218-751-6723
Lowrance’s High-Definition Systems
Available in either an 8- or 10-inch model, these high-performance GPS chartplotter and fishfinder combo units are the first products on the market to combine high-definition navigational capabilities and Lowrance’s award-winning Broadband Sounder functionality into a single, easy-to-use system. Ideal for boaters designing a custom electronics package, the HDS system is a fully networkable and expandable electronics solution featuring Sirius satellite weather and radio options as well as other advanced capabilities. The system uses Lowrance’s award-winning Broadband Sounder technology, said to find more targets with greater sensitivity and higher definition. The result is superior target separation in all cover, in thermoclines and in surface clutter. With Broadband Sounder technology, sonar displays show less noise and more targets with crystal-clear clarity.
Lucky Craft’s Redemption
Debuted in July at the ICAST show in Las Vegas, the Redemption spinnerbait features tungsten components and a head finish quality equal to the company’s hard baits. Two sizes — 1/4 ounce and 3/8 ounce — are currently available, with other sizes planned for release in 2009. A straight-wire (shallow water) version is currently available, and a bent-wire (deep water) version will be released next year. The spinnerbait, available in seven color choices, features a small Colorado blade on the front and a large willow blade on the back.
Zoom Bait Co.’s Magnum Super Fluke
A new spin on a Zoom classic, the 7-inch soft plastic Magnum Super Fluke is designed to catch bigger fish than the traditional 5-inch model. Whereas the 5-inch Super Fluke pairs nicely with medium spinning and casting gear with 10- to 14-pound test line and a 4/0 to 5/0 hook, the new, beefier Fluke needs to fished with medium-heavy tackle, 15- to 20-pound line and a 6/0 to 12/0 hook. The bait can be fished weightless, like the 5-inch Fluke is typically fished, or it can be fished down in the water column by using a weighted swimbait hook. The bait is available in nine different colors.
ZoomBait.com | 706-548-1008
P-Line’s CX Premium & Floroclear
This line manufacturer has added color to two of its most popular fluorocarbon-coated lines. CX Premium, which combines copolymer and fluorocarbon technologies for a low-memory, long-casting line, is now available in Hi-Vis Fluorescent Green. Floroclear, a fluorocarbon-coated copolymer with a special silicone treatment, is now available in Mist Green — a color that provides a more stealthy presentation in a variety of water conditions.
www.p-line.com | 800-537-2394
Action Lures’ Action Minnow
Billed as a buzzbait, spinnerbait and crankbait all combined in the same lure, the Action Minnow is said to attract any kind of gamefish. The hard bait can be fished with a slow or fast retrieve, or it can be ripped like a jerkbait. The Action Minnow features an open-mouth design, the inside of the bait housing a patented centrifugal fan, making it a diving crankbait like no other. The lure is available in 14 different color choices.
www.actionlurescompany.com | 877-326-5873
Falcon Rods’ Expert Series
Featuring the company’s “CrossMatch” rod-building technology, which utilizes a weave of carbon fibers, all 15 rods in the series weigh less than 4 ounces. The rod series, which features Fuji components, offers rods for virtually any bass fishing application with 10 casting models and five spinning models — with sizes ranging from 6-6 to 7-10 and in a variety of actions.
www.falconrods.com | 918-251-0020
Live Eyewear’s Quattro
The Quattro eyewear collection features Live Eyewear’s impact- and scratch-resistant PolaréPC polycarbonate lens system. The polarized lenses offer UV protection, and the sunglasses are very lightweight and come with a lifetime warranty. The collection offers four different frame styles with various color options and multiple lens-color options, depending on application. All four Quattro styles retail for less than $50.
www.quattrosunwear.com | 800-834-2563
Ima Lures’ Skimmer
Designed to tempt fish even when the topwater bite isn’t particularly aggressive, the Skimmer is a slender, “walk the dog” style hard bait with a side-to-side surface action. When the bait is paused, it slowly drops down to a 70-degree angle resting position — when many of the strikes will come, says the manufacturer. A weighted tail makes casting long distances easier.
www.imalures.com | 951-676-6384
Gene Larew Lures’ Biffle-O
A hybrid between a worm and a tube, the Biffle-O — named by Bassmaster Elite Series angler Tommy Biffle — is about as versatile a lure as can be thought-up. The 8-inch offering can be walked on the surface as a topwater, jerked below the surface like a jerkbait or fished via Texas or Carolina rig. Another great option, especially in areas where smallmouth are prevalent, is to place a tube jig inside the bait, which allows the tail to dance wildly as the lure is hopped over the bottom. However it’s fished, the Biffle-O’s tail will never stop quivering when in the water.
The bait comes in packages of eight and in 13 color choices.
www.genelarewlures.com | 918-949-6291
Shimano’s Cumara Rods
Constructed from IM-10 graphite blanks, the new Cumara bass rod collection from Shimano features a mix of 15 casting and spinning rods. The rods, which are said to be incredibly sensitive and lightweight, yet still having enough backbone to wrestle big fish out of cover, are designed for bottom bouncing techniques.
The casting rods in the series range from 6 feet, 8 inches to 7 feet, 2 inches in size, featuring powers of medium to heavy and actions from fast to extra fast. The spinning rods in the series range from 6 feet, 8 inches to 7 feet, 6 inches in size, featuring powers of medium to medium heavy and actions from fast to extra fast.
Wrapped with Gudebrod thread, the rods feature Fuji SIC guides, shaped EVA foam grips and the company’s patent-pending integrated hook keeper.
www.shimanofishing.com | 949-951-5003
FlickShake Worm & Wacky Jighead by Jackall
This Japanese lure company’s newest bass bait, the FlickShake Worm, is a soft plastic worm with a curved tail that gives the lure a writhing, squirming action when rigged up with the company’s new Wacky Jighead. The tungsten jighead features a 90-degree eye and is available in either 1/16 or 1/32 ounce. The worm is available in two sizes and eight color choices. www.jackall-lures.com | 562-493-0300
Reaction Innovations Bad Mother Flipping hook
Currently the most popular new hook on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail, the Bad Mother Flipping hook is about as well-thought-out as a hook can be.
Created for anglers who like to flip using bulky baits, the BMF has a straight shank for fewer missed fish, heavy wire to prevent hook failure and a welded eye to prevent braid and other superlines from sliding out.
What really makes the hook different from all others is that, even as a straight shank, anglers can easily fish large baits, such as tubes and creatures baits, since it has a much deeper bite than most straight shank hooks.
Another innovation available on the hook is the BMF Barb, a piece of plastic that can be threaded onto the shank of the hook and heated, preventing soft baits from sliding down the shank.
The hooks, made exclusively for Reaction Innovations by Gamakatsu, are available in 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 sizes.
For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.reactioninnovations.com.
Tru-Life Swimbaits
Tru-Life Swimbaits from Fish Harder Companies were developed by BASS Elite Series pro Ish Monroe and professional angler Matt Newman.
These baits offer anglers an adjustable weight system that allows the lure to swim from top to bottom. Without weight, Tru-Life Swimbaits will snake along the surface, creating an enticing wake as they travel back toward the boat. With all four weights inserted they’ll fall 30 feet in about 30 seconds and create the same enticing action at the deepest depths.
Each lure is carefully balanced to maintain a true, vertical attitude at a slow or fast retrieve speed.
Tru-Life Swimbaits will be available in four colors — tilapia, shad, bluegill, trout — and two sizes — 7-inches and 8 1/2-inches. www.tru-tungsten.com
Rock Hard Platinum Swim Baits
Castaic Soft Bait’s new line of “Rock Hard” Platinum Swim Baits offers original, realistic designs with versatility that runs top to bottom. The new line of lures comes in five fish-attracting colors, three sizes (4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch) and three different buoyancy ratings
The buoyancy ratings — floating, slow sinking and fast sinking — will enable anglers to choose the rate of fall that best suits their fishing conditions. Each product is hydrodynamically engineered for ultra real life-like action.
For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.castaicsoftbait.com.
Ardent XS1000 Baitcast Reel
Ardent announces the addition of the new XS1000 baitcast reel to the company’s line-up of fishing reels and accessories, all of which are made in the U.S.A.
The XS1000 represents a redesign, upgrade and enhancement of the company’s popular XS baitcaster, which was introduced in 2005. Many of the features that helped make Ardent’s XS baitcaster successful have been refined, improved and incorporated into a redesign to create the XS1000, a lightweight, low-profile reel. Palm Ardent’s XS1000 and be impressed with how its sleek, ergonomic styling fits into any size hand. The XS1000 is backlash-resistant, even when casting into the wind, and friction has been reduced so dramatically that users will cast farther — and with less effort — than ever before.
Ardent’s Strike Saver” Drag System delivers an ultra-smooth drag with total lock-down capability, while the quick-release mechanism on the reel’s side cover provides easy access to a 6-pin centrifugal brake system. The XS1000 is easily disassembled — and reassembled — for regular maintenance. Its lightweight, one-piece machined aluminum spool holds 140 yards of 8-lb. line, 120 yards of 10-lb. line, or 100 yards of 12-lb. line. The XS1000 will also accept Ardent’s new Reel Extra Ultra High Capacity Spool (optional) should heavier monofilament or braided lines be required by anglers.
Ten stainless steel ball bearings, a stainless steel clutch bearing and an all-purpose 6.3:1 helical gear ratio help keep Ardent’s XS1000 working no matter how hard — or often — it’s used.
Ardent’s XS1000 and XS600 are the only magnesium-framed casting reels backed with a 3 year warranty. The Ardent XS1000’s minimum advertised price is $249.99. For more information, visit www.ardentoutdoors.com.
Both New Bassmaster Video Interviews with Manabu Kurita now up on site!!
You can watch both part one and part two of James Hall of Bassmaster interviewing Manabu Kurita about the world record bass on lake Biwa at the main site now. http://delawaretrophybass.com
What Is Wrong With The IGFA?
Northeast Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass
Northeast Bass Fishing Welcomes All Womens Professional Bass Anglers
If you are already a professional angler or a co-angler fishing any of the womens trails or any other trail, Northeast Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass wants to help with your promotions and articles, sponsors and information. Just stop by the forums and register and we will get back to you withing 24 hours to talk about promoting you and helping with whatever we can. We know how hard it is to get started or keep going in today’s economy and after many years of guiding and tournament fishing we know how hard it is and what it takes. So stop on by today and talk with us and other members who you may already know such as Marsha Gipson, Tami Curtis Jennings, Denese Freeman and many more. http://delawaretrophybass.com
New World Record Bass Will Most Likely Be Approved By IGFA.
The bass fishing world has been waiting on the edge of its collective seat for the past two weeks, waiting for the International Game Fish Association to announce whether or not Japan’s Manabu Kurita will becertified as holder of the new world record largemouth bass.
As of this writing, IGFA is waiting for a response from the Japanese Game Fish Association concerning the rumor that Kurita was fishing in arestricted area when he boated the giant bass. Perhaps the following information will clear up any questions about the catch.
You can read more and visit with Manabu Kurita in person and see pictures that appear nowhere else at Northeast Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass at http://delawaretrophybass.com
Kurita caught the bass beneath the Biwako Oohashi bridge, which connects the west bank (Katata) of the giant lake to the eastern shore (Moriyama).The pilings of this bridge are numbered, giving anglers and boat captains a reference when navigating beneath the structure. It is illegal for anyone to stop between piling four and piling six, as this is the tallest portion of the bridge (it rises closer to the west bankto allow for high-mast boats) and all boat traffic is directed throughthis area.
It is important to note that the law states you cannot stop in this area. It is not illegal to troll this area or otherwise fish while moving. This is a moot point, however, because Kurita was fishing the eastern side of the bridge, well away from this restricted area.
Further supporting Kurita’s innocence, July is a very popular month for tourists on Lake Biwa, and the boating traffic from sightseeing tours, commercial fishing boats and jet boats would have made the area virtually unfishable and extremely dangerous.
The rumor of his fishing in a restricted zone may well have come from local anglers, according to Takuji Naruo, a local fisherman and representative for Jackall Bros. Lures, whose office is located on the banks of the lake.
“Many bass anglers agreed to not fish any ofthe bridge pilings because it could be dangerous with big wakes from the sightseeing boats. And we also do not want to interfere with commercial fishing nets, which are often in the area. However, it is not at all illegal to fish there.
The only government law concerning the bridge has to do with the area between pilings four and six. If you stop there, you may get a ticket,” Naruo explains.
So, Kurita might have broken a gentleman’s agreement between bass anglers on the lake, but he did not break the law. Once the JGFA explains this to theIGFA, barring any unexpected hiccups, Mr. Kurita’s bass is likely to be granted world record status.
Stop in the forums and talk with Manabu in person and view all the photos in the gallery section.
Steve vonBrandt Hall Of Fame
Steve was Inducted into the NAFC “Hall Of Fame” by catching and releasing over 568 “Trophy Class” fish, from seven different species from 1998 to 2002. Steve is also an outdoor writer and video producer as well as radio and tv show personality.
Steve vonBrandt
Sponsored by: GYCB(Yamamoto),Terminator, and Delaware Tackle. The main website is located at http://delawaretrophybass.com
Steve was the owner of S&K Guide Service in Wilmington, Delaware. He also is tournament angler and freelance outdoor writer. He has over 35 years of fishing experience in the Northeast, 5 years exp. in California. He has fished freshwater and saltwaterer since 1962, and has devoted to freshwater only since 1989. He has fished tournaments from 1990 to the present, and won the Delaware State Sportfishing Tournament multiple times, registered a Chain Pickerel in 2000, just a few ounces shy of the State Record and a Largemouth Bass caught in 1999, that was registered in the Bassmaster Lunker Club at 10.16 pounds. Just 5 ounces shy of the Delaware State Record. It also appeared in a feature article by the “News Journal” (Gannett Publications), and in all of Bass Pro Shops and Redhead Master catalogs for 2003. He has worked with Operation Bass in assisting with Red Man Tournaments before they were the BFL, and competed in and won, several different tournaments both local, regional, and national. He was also the 1998 Big Bass World Champ/De. He has been published by numerous magazines, including NAFC/ “THE FISHERMAN” Savannah rd. Lewes, De. He has appeared on the cover numerous times, and has written several articles for “The Fisherman-Mid Atlantic Edition”-Eric Burnley, editor.
He was profiled for fishing achievements in the “News Journal,” Gannett Publications/Basin Road/ New Castle DE /Profiled by the “Middletown Transcript” for fishing acheivements in 2001. He is also a contributor the the “N.A.F.C.” series of hardback books, and is currently in the processing of publishing his own book, “Bass Fishing The Northeast”. He also produces bass fishing videos. He was inducted into the N.A.F.C. “Hall of Fame” in June, 2003, and is a regular guest on radio talk shows, such as “Alex Langers”, “Outdoors This Week”, and on “Delaware Valley Outdoors Radio”, with host Bob Murray. He has also appeared on “Delaware Valley Outdoors Television”, on Comcast cable in 2004. He now has his own radio show on his website and on “Delaware Valley Outdoors” called “Beyond Bass Basics”. He is also a regular columnist for “Delaware Valley Outdoors”, “Water and Woods Online magazine,” and “Cyberangler”. He is also giving seminars and running a Bass Fishing School in Delaware and Maryland. Steve also writes for many other top 10 websites, including Landbigfish, FindtheFish, and BigFishTackle. He recently completed an interview with “Delaware Today” magazine on fishing opportunites in Delaware.
Steve vonBrandt Hall Of Fame
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