Article by Larry Jock
Each year, all the big-wigs in the fishing tackle industry gather in Las Vegas at the ICAST show to display their products and introduce a host of new ones that they hope will be selected as a “Best of Show” winner in its category.
I picked a few of the winners from the 2009 show.
Best Fishing Accessory
If you are like me, your key ring looks like a weapon, with car keys, boat keys, dock box keys and numerous other keys. These products are the first codeable locks, meaning that you determine what vehicle key you want to use to open the lock. For example, if you want to use your truck key, all you do is insert your key, turn it once and the lock learns your key. Very simple and very convenient.
In their Codeable Lock Series, DuraSafe offers a receiver lock, padlock, cable lock, motorcycle disc brake lock, spare tire lock and a swing away tongue trailer lock.
All of the locks are made with a solid zinc core and have the highest rating for corrosion resistance.
The locks have a MSRP of $27.95. At press time, I hadn’t received a sample of this product, but it looks fairly simple and is probably an idea that is long overdue. For more information, log on to www.durasafe.com.
Best Fishing Line
Berkley spent four years designing their new Trilene TransOptic fishing line which is a nylon monofilament line that captures UV rays to physically change the line’s color, making the line a hi-visibility gold above the water and transparent below the surface where the UV rays are filtered out.
The line comes in 220-yard spools in 4-25 lb. test and has an MSRP of $8.85 to $10.95.
For more information you can log on to www.purefishing.com.
Best Saltwater Reel
The Daiwa Saltist Lever Drag Reel won the award for best new saltwater reel at the ICAST show.
The reel comes in single and 2-speed models and offers:
• Fast, one touch gear shift that takes you from high power to high speed (2 speed models)
• Stainless steel gears
• Seven corrosion resistant ball bearings
• A drag system with dual carbon discs
• Infinate Spin free spool for maximum casting of live baits and lures
• A main shaft bearing stabilizer that prevents excess side pressure on spool bearings regardless of drag tension
• Dual system Infinite Anti-Reverse (single speed models)
• One piece aluminum frame and left sideplate for added strength
• Aluminum rod clamp
The Saltist preset lever drag allows easy drag adjustment where you can push the lever past the stop and aggressive cam takes you to maximum drag for near-boat fish control.
The Daiwa Saltist series comes in six 2-speed models and six single speed models, ranging in price from $179.00 for the single speed reels up to $250.00 for the 2-speed “big game” reels.
For more information, log on to www.daiwa.com.
Best Electronics
The winner of the best new electronic product was the Lowrance HDS-10 Fishfinder/GPS Chartplotter.
The unit takes advantage of high-definition technology and comes with a 10.4-inch Super VGA display that the company claims provides excellent clarity even in direct sunlight and outstanding wide-angle viewing.
In addition to the high definition display, the HDS-10 offers:
• Built-in Broadband Sounder
• Internal 16-channel GPS Antenna
• Built-in High Definition Mapping Options
• Largest selection of Chartcard options
• SIRIUS Satellite Weather and Stereo-Quality Radio Capability
When I checked online, the Lowrance HDS-10 retails for around $2,500.
For more information, log onto lowrance.com.
Best Apparel
I’ve always been a big fan of Costa Del Mar sunglasses, owning multiple pairs of their Hammerhead model.
This year, the company introduced their “Zane” frame which features a medium large lens size in a large nylon frame, Costa’s signature 3-hole venting system to alleviate fogging and no-slip Hydrolite nose pads. The CR-39, Costa 580 or glass lenses are are available with the Zane frame. Frames come in matte black, silver or tortoise.
The suggested retail price for the Zane glasses are $139.99 with the CR-39 lenses and $239.99 with the Costa 580 lenses. Big price difference and I’m personally not sure it is worth it. Check out the 580 lenses for yourself and make the call on whether they are worth the extra $100. In any case, you can’t go wrong with Costa Del Mar sunglasses. The company stands behind their product. They are great on the water at cutting down glare and they look good.
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When it comes to trolling for striped bass, a good pair of outrodders really comes in handy. My boat has an 8-foot beam, so by placing a pair of outrodders on the boat, I pick up an additional 14 feet of width to my trolling spread.
If you are unfamiliar with outrodders, they are typically metal tubes welded into an “L” shape. The bottom part sticks into your rod holder and the top section is where you place the butt of your fishing rod so your rod points directly off the side of your boat.
Unfortunately, the stress placed on the fishing rod from the weight of the fish or even just the tension from the lure can make it difficult to get your rod out of the tube.
Tournament Grade Tackle came up with a great set of outrodders that are much easier to use. They call theirs the TGT?Rod Rigger.
The red rod rigger goes into your port side rod holder and the green rod rigger slips into your starboard side rod holder. The neat thing about these outrodders is how easy it is to get your fishing rod out of the outrodder. Instead of having to reach over the side of your boat and pull the rod out of the tube, with the TGT Rod Rigger you simply use one hand to lift the foregrip up and use the other hand to push the butt end down. Then you simply slide the rod out of the Rod Rigger. It really is that easy.
Another excellent feature of the Rod Rigger is the patented Z Notch that locks the Rod Rigger into the rod holder. Anybody who has owned the traditional outrodders I’m sure has experienced their outrodder almost falling into the water as they were trying to remove their rod during a hook-up. The Z Notch will prevent this from ever happening.
The set is made from marine grade stainless steel and has rubber pads to protect your reels while they are sitting in the Rod Rigger. Each Rod Rigger comes with a safety strap to secure your rod and reel.
TGT’s set costs $289.00 which is more expensive than your traditional outrodders that typically run around $150 to $200, but they are definitely worth the money.
If you like to troll, and you want to add some space between your lures, then give these Rod Riggers a try. I think you will like them.
For more information, log on to www.tgttackle.com.
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Back in December, I swung into Lewes Harbour Marina to pick up some pictures for the Winter Issue. As you see in this issue, some really nice stripers were caught in the Delaware Bay. Several of them were caught while trolling. I asked Joe Morris, owner of Lewes Harbour Marina, what the “hot” trolling lure was this past fall and he showed me a Stretch 30 Cabo Sunset. Wow! What a good looking lure. I have always been a fan of Mann’s Stretch 25’s and 30’s, and have caught a good number of stripers and bluefish on them. I immediately bought the last two that Joe had and tried them a couple of days later.
Well, needless to say the first time out of the box the lure produced. I caught 18 good size striped bass and easily 6 or 7 were caught on this lure and another 2 came loose during the fight. I trolled the 11-inch lure on 60 lb. braid line with a 4-foot monofilament leader.
The Cabo Sunset also comes in a Stretch 25 model that is 8-inches in length and weighs 2 oz.
A lot of anglers troll Stretch 25’s and 30’s, and I’m sure there are several others that work well. All I know is that the Cabo Sunset has become a mainstay in my spread, right along another Stretch product that always produces for me, the Stretch Imitator Dolphin.
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This past fall, I purchased new boots for fishing at Foot Management in Pittsville, MD. I ended up buying a pair of Muck Scrub Boots and I absolutely love them. They are light, waterproof, warm and extremely comfortable.
The boots have a rubber bottom with a neoprene top. The rubber bottoms are reinforced in the toe, heel, achilles and shank areas. The neoprene upper is seamless, waterproof and actually extends down into the boot for a warm, comfortable feel. The sole is a ribbed tread that really grips the deck of my boat. I haven’t had any problem with slipping, which is always a good thing. The boot even has a kick rim so you slip your boots off without using your hands.
The boots retail for around $75. Foot Management really does a great job fitting you with the boot and carry a bunch of sizes. They are located just off Rt. 50 on Friendship Rd. in Pittsville.
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Another product that enhances the comfort of the boot, and any other shoe you would wear, are the new Action Arch Marine Insoles. Quite honestly, I now have a pair of these insoles for every shoe I own. They are that comfortable.
I can really feel the difference in my legs after a long day of running around the ocean. My legs aren’t as tired and they definitely aren’t as sore. These inserts in the Muck boot really make a great combination.
The insoles retail for $20 and can be found in local tackle shops.
