 |
FishLab Goes Hard with BBZ Swimbaits
When Bill Siemantel of BBZ fame joined the Fishlab team
we all knew it was just a matter of time before the company would be introducing
hard bodied BBZ swimbaits. This ICAST the company launched the FishLab BBZ Hard
and took home a category award in the Best of ICAST event. |
 |
Okuma Launches New Flagship X-Series Spinning Reels
This ICAST Okuma launched a new halo-reel in their
spinning lineup called the X-Series. These new reels are designed to deliver the
performance and reliability of aluminum versus going to carbon, with a design
that maintains strength while cutting weight in the frame. |
 |
Still Ugly? The Ugly Stik GX2 Gets a Makeover
America's favorite fishing rod received a makeover this ICAST with the introduction of the GX2 Series, and the changes are
more than cosmetic and designed to improve both durability and sensitivity. But
the big question is are they still Ugly?
|
 |
Jackall and Shimano
Launch New Poison Adrena Rods and They Are Solid
When it came to high-performance rods one of the most interesting introductions
this ICAST came from Jackall, in the form of the co-branded Shimano-Jackall
completely refreshed Poison Adrena B Series rods. There are even two very
special rods in the new lineup that are designed specifically for forward facing
sonar and strolling style lures. |
 |
Daiwa Spins Out Two New Tatula Baitcasters, adds SV Boost
There was a time when you had to get a Zillion to
access Daiwa's higher end features but the company has gone all-in on the Tatula
mainstream line and this ICAST is introducing two new Tats, starting with the Tatula SV100
which features the latest ergonomic form factor with a number of upgrades including
their SV BOOST casting system.
|
 |
Z-Man Launches a Tungsten Chatterbait EVO and Realistic
Shadtron Swimbait at ICAST
Z-Man always goes big at ICAST and this year the company expands their portfolio
with a range of new baits including a heavy metal tungsten Chatterbait EVO,
realistic Shadtron swimbaits, and even a few products for BFS and inshore
anglers.
|
 |
First Casts with the Magnumlite Series Shimano Vanford A
Spinning Reel
The Vanford gets a complete makeover this season and
the new Vanford A Series inherits a number of features from Shimano's flagship
series, but with a focus on finesse applications with a MGL rotor and
lightweight CI4+ carbon infused body. A week before ICAST I had the opportunity
to fish these new reels and these are the first impressions.
|
 |
Shimano's Conquest 30/31HG Delivers a Joy and Enthusiasm Not Felt Since...
In 2022, Shimano Japan introduced a shallow spool variant of their popular Metanium platform. I wasn't very interested in that model waiting instead for the update to the Metanium
DC. I also didn't see any benefit to having a reel that sat between conventional
and finesse applications. Then, this year, Shimano Japan did the same thing in
another platform, Conquest. |
 |
Sunline's Next Generation Braided Line
In the world of fishing line manufacturers, if
there's one that can be accused of resting on their laurels, Sunline is not it.
Case in point, if there's a technique or presentation that could benefit from a
specialized extrusion of fluorocarbon, with close to twenty different skus,
Sunline likely has the solution. However, the category of fishing line where the
manufacturer has me most excited recently isn't fluorocarbon, its braid. |
 |
Feeling the Most Significant Fenwick Rod Refresh Ever
- 10 Takeaways
The new Fenwick rods have
arrived at TackleTour, and instead of just one rod from each lineup, we were
surprised with an extensive selection spanning all four newly
refreshed series. After commencing testing these rods for three months, we are
ready to share our initial impressions with ten key takeaways before delving
into detailed standalone reviews of some of the various key models. |
 |
Dialed In - Shimano's Metanium DC A Baitcaster
Shimano
unveils its lightest DC reel to date with the new Metanium DC 70A, constructed
on a familiar one-piece CoreSolid magnesium frame. This innovative reel features
the advanced I-DC5 digital braking system and an MGL III spool, yet weighs a
mere 6.2 ounces. Could the Met DC 70A be the most refined Metanium ever?
|
 |
The Custom Rod Builder that is
"Nameless"
Nameless Rods, a custom rod brand from Southern
California, specializes in crafting high-quality swimbait rods with a focus on
custom design and performance. We sat down with the owner and creator of the
brand to learn more about its origins and the latest intriguing offering: a
swimbait rod featuring CULTxVANS waffle grips |
 |
The Versatile G-Flag 150 by Grow Design Works
I totally missed the boat when
the manufacturer of today's product released their first bait, the Flag 170 and
255, but then, by sheer luck I managed to monitor and eventually nab a bait on
their release of the second. Here's a look at Grow Design Work's G-Flag 150.
|
 |
ARK Fishing's Intriguing and Affordable Gravity BFS
Two years ago, ARK burst onto
the scene with not just one, but three tiers of casting reels. For this year,
they are refining that lineup with a specialty reel in response to the
burgeoning trend of finesse casting gear. Here's our look at ARK Fishing
International's Gravity BFS casting reel.
|
 |
Feeding that Enthusiast Hunger : Daiwa's 2024 Certate
If Shimano's Scorpion 1000 was my gateway into JDM
casting reels back in 2003/2004, Daiwa's original Certate was my introduction
into JDM spinning reels. I've fished two iterations of the reel since the
original, but it's been a while since I've had a new Certate in my hand. When I
caught wind of a new refresh for 2024, I felt it was about time I revisited the
platform. Here's a look at Daiwa's 2024 Certate. |
 |
There's No Way A-Round It, Shimano's Conquest MD is Legit
If there is one series of fishing reels that truly
pushed us over the edge into the realm of enthusiast, it has to be Shimano's
Conquest (the JDM variant of Calcutta). We have been dedicated users of the
original Calcutta platform and always admired the Calcutta GTs, but when we
unboxed our first Conquest, the 51, back around 2004, it was game over.
|
 |
Redefining the Big Bait Stick Genre : Evergreen International's Giant Dire Wolf
"Dire Wolf" has become a series within itself in Evergreen International's high end rod lineup. In 2022, I fished their GTR-C70MHR-SXF Dire Wolf, and late in 2023, while window shopping virtually at TackleWarehouse's
site, I came across a surprising
discovery, the Giant Dire Wolf RS IRSC-611XXXHR-SXF - a JDM Evergreen
International rod offered domestically! |
 |
Abu Garcia's Formula for BFS Success - Part One : The Rods
As manufacturers scramble to
develop components to participate in the burgeoning BFS (bait finesse system)
market, few are as equipped as Abu Garcia is t o address both sides of the combo
equation. Most can offer a quality rod or reel, but how many can credibly offer
both? Yes, I said credibly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Peeling it Back - The BFS Shallow Spool Challenge
Coming out of the TackleTour lab we peel things
back in a look at some historical reels and shallow spool designs as we put
these designs to the test in a challenge to see just how much variance there is
between the various BFS designs. Let the "peel weight spool test" begin...
|
 |
G.Loomis Launches Refreshed GLX Bass Series Rods, do they Live Up to the Legacy?
This morning G.Loomis unveiled a refresh to their popular GLX Series rods
leveraging the latest materials and build processes. The new rods showcase some
familiar premium components further tying the legendary series to its higher-end
siblings while maintaining traditional design and actions that has made the
series legendary among bass anglers. |
 |
The Final Piece of the Revo5 Puzzle, Abu Garcia's STX
Having worked my way through
the majority of Abu Garcia's refresh of their Revo platform, I didn't think
necessary to investigate the remaining model, STX. However, as circumstance
would have it, one landed on my desk here at TT HQ.. |
 |
Where Form Lags Behind Function : Lew's SuperDuty GX3
As the big bait tide continues to rise in bass fishing waters, manufacturers are responding with reels better suited to slinging these oversized lures. Realizing that bigger reels are not necessarily the answer, but simply, more line capacity, we're seeing a return the old school strategy of the deep spool to carry more length of thicker lines. |
 |
A Gateway Swimbait – The Gracely Baits
Finesse Gill
Many anglers commonly associate "swim-baits" with
"big-baits," and indeed, most swimbaits on the market are full-sized baits
necessitating specialized gear to cast. However, there exists a lesser-known
category of smaller swimbaits that deliver a comparable experience in a more
compact, less daunting form. Gracely Baits played a pivotal role in defining
this segment... |
 |
SPRO Enters the
Value Rod Market With Their Slayer Series
For those anglers out there that like the idea of brand matching their combos, manufacturers are making it easier and easier to accomplish this task with many rod manufacturers now offering reels and vice versa. This past year, SPRO
released both at the same time... |
 |
A Big Bladed Kick in the Bass : The Donkey Slayer
The Donkey Slayer is a handcrafted bladed jig, distinguished by its
massive blade, hand polished or plated tungsten head, and paired with hand-tied
hybrid silicone and living rubber skirts. Originating from the California Delta
region, this custom lure has thus far been fished by a select group of anglers
in the know - until now. |
 |
Is the Revo X Still a Factor?
Back in 2018, we shared our experience with Abu
Garcia's newest member of their Revo lineup, the X. Surprisingly, that $99 reel
ran away not with a Best Value Award, but our Editor's Choice. Having such a
positive experience with the recent, fifth generation refresh and the SX
platform, left me to wonder if the X still had the factor to capture my
attention. Let's find out! |
 |
A "Tail" of Two Baits: Baitsanity Explorer Gen 2 Swimbait
Updates
At first glance, the latest generation of the
Baitsanity Explorer may appear nearly identical to the original glidebait that
the company originally debuted to launch their brand. However, there are a number of
updates that have made significant improvements to the bait's capabilities and
performance over even last year’s models. In this update, we explore these
latest improvements, fresh tail designs, and a bones option. |
 |
Berkley Channels Science to Launch New Forward Facing Sonar
Optimized Baits
Like it or not forward facing sonar, also known as
live-sonar, has forever changed the fishing world. This powerful tool has
enabled anglers to evolve and adapt like never before by providing them with the
ability to see how fish react to baits in real time. To arm anglers with baits
designed specifically to maximize effectiveness with forward facing sonar
Berkley is launching three new baits optimized for this technology. |
 |
Shimano Launches New 70 Size Metanium DC and SLX Baitcasters
Shimano is kicking off 2024 in a big way by going smaller with the
introduction of new Metanium DC and SLX baitcasters in compact 70 sizes. Both of
these new reels feature numerous updates driving versatility and performance
enhancements, and the Metanium 70 represents the lightest and most durable DC
reel to date. |
 |
Fishing Lew's New ParaMag Featured in the Elite-Ti SLP
This past year, at ICAST, Lew's
announced a low profile reel to usurp the Pro-Ti atop their food chain. The
Elite-Ti SLP is the new top dog at Lew's and sports a brand new braking system
that just might lead the way for their next generation of reels. |
 |
Battle of the Turd Baits -
Dropping the Missile Bomba Worm
Just when you've grown comfortable into
thinking lure designers and manufacturers have exhausted available profiles for
soft plastic baits, something rumbles in the creative bowels of those designers
and out shoots another... |
|
 |
Denali's Kovert Lite KW764MP Swim Jig Stick
Denali's Kovert Lite KW764MP is a seven foot, six inch (7'-6") casting rod built
from an IM8 graphite blank. It features a split rear grip made of a polymer
material similar to that found on golf clubs and an EVA butt. |
 |
The Stick To Go With That Bait : SPRO's KGB Signature Series B79H
Keeps it In the Family
Searching for a stick to fish
the new SPRO and KGB Swimbaits collab bait, the Chad Shad 180? Well, the two
manufacturers do their best to eliminate this challenge with another joint
venture. Here's a look at their complimentary collab fishing rod, the SPRO KGB
Signature Series B79H. |
 |
Beyond a Bargain: Kastking's Mg12 Elite Baitcaster
KastKing has built a well-earned reputation for providing reels at
competitive prices. However, in recent seasons, they have significantly elevated
their offerings, venturing into the high-performance segment. The Mg12 Elite
stands as KastKing’s most advanced, and most expensive, compact
baitcaster to date. |
 |
Denali's Middle Child, the Novus Pro Casting Reel
Denali is no longer just about
fishing rods. At ICAST 2023, the company rolled out a complete line of fishing
reels (2 spinning, 3 casting). Today, we take a look at the middle child in
their casting reel lineup, the Novus Pro. |
 |
Shimano’s Stella FK
Spinning Reel is a Moping Legend
The Stella is to Shimano what the NSX is to
Honda or the GTR is to Nissan, the pinnacle of engineering, a halo product
showcasing the latest technology. Serving as both a flagship for these
respective companies and as a brand builder, there are very few spinning reels
that can even claim to compete with the Stella... |
 |
Enabling Swimbait Mode with BFS Gear -
Zappu Bredy Weedless Underspin
Zappu is a JDM terminal tackle company with innovative takes on terminal tackle. If you like to tune and tweak your bait offerings, or just keep up with some of the more interesting and inventive rigging trends from Japan, diving into the product offered by this manufacturer is a great place to start.
|
 |
Swimbait Rod Build: A Blank to Handle All your Big Bait Needs and More: Phenix Titan Long Fall
Today, there are quite a number
of choices for those slinging baits that weigh up to about six ounces or so.
However, once you cross over to the truly large baits, rod options seem to
dwindle. Throw in the additional wild card of needing that stick to be no longer
than seven feet, eight inches, and there might be just a handful of production
rods that can handle the assignment. |
 |
Elusive No More : SPRO's KGB Chad Shad 180
Spend any time in that kind of underground, social media world of
big baits and you'll eventually come across discussion of the popular KGB Chad
Shad. This bait came on the scene a number of years ago and built a reputation
as the best shad glide bang for the buck. In the big bait world, reputation like
that inevitably leads to scarce availability which eventually raises that
buck-bang higher than retail.
|
 |
SPRO's Very Affordable Vortex-E Casting Reel
2023 marks the year SPRO
completes the transition from a bait company to full
blown creator of just about everything you need to go fishing with the introduction of their own rods and reels. Today's focus is on their brand new Vortex-E casting reel priced at just $89.99.
|
 |
Illude Lunker Fighters Zombie
Gerbil – A Deadly Walker
The Lunker Fighters Zombie Gerbil is a rat-style
swimbait that is a resin version of the original cedar-wood Illude Narle Gerbil. The
Illude Gerbil is one of the rarest wood rat-style baits, with only a handful of
batches ever made. While it's easy to assume that the wood version is superior
in every way, there are many interesting attributes that the resin-based Zombie
offers, making it both effective and desirable.
|
 |
Follow the Leader : A Look Into JDM Options
Given the accessibility and affordability of so many nylon monofilament brands, you’d think finding one to rely upon for my leader game would be easy but for one specific application... |
 |
Built for Life and Wherever It Takes You: The Costa
Aransas
The Aransas frames have recently undergone a makeover, incorporating more
eco-friendly bio-resin materials. In this article, we will delve into the
Aransas frame design and examine the impact of these updated materials on the
frame's construction and overall user experience. |
 |
3 Decades of Green -
Shimano's 200 M Baitcaster
The refresh of the new Shimano Curado 200 M flew under the radar this
ICAST as the new Stradic FK took center stage. The new Curado iterates on a
proven formula, and while it does not stray too far from the previous version,
it does offer a number some improvements in design and feature-set for
mainstream anglers.
|
|
|
|
