(Provided by Shimano)
If you consider yourself a bass angler, you've probably caught your share of either largemouth or smallmouths.
But what about the Suwannee or spotted bass? Have you hooked into a Guadalupe bass - or a shoal or redeye bass? It doesn't matter if you bass fish in Alabama or California, in Pennsylvania, Maine or Wisconsin, and don't forget Florida, Texas and Oregon. All these states - and every other one outside of Alaska, are home to at least one of the nine species in the black bass family.
With Shimano's introduction of the newest models in its iconic Curado baitcasting series, the tackle manufacturer has issued the "Curado Bass Slam Challenge," kicking off this past week - the first target is a northern-strain largemouth. Shimano's Kurt Mazurek and B.A.S.S. Elite pro Keith Combs will be towing a boat - loaded with nothing but Curado reels matched up with Shimano's new Curado rods, along with a few Expride flipping and Zodias cranking rods, starting on the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.
"Our mission - and we were happy to accept it, is to travel from Wisconsin to Texas, then east to Alabama and Florida, and then head up the East Coast to the Chesapeake Bay," said Mazurek. "Between Keith's fishing skills, and my abilities in finding the right lakes and rivers, we'll try to complete the 'Bass Slam Challenge' in just under two weeks."
During the 'Challenge' travels and when on the water fishing, Mazurek and Combs will post daily live coverage on Shimano's social media pages - https://www.facebook.com/fishshimano/, https://www.instagram.com/shimanofish/, https://www.youtube.com/user/FishWithShimano - and those following the fun with have the opportunity to win prizes. They will also be creating a YouTube mini-documentary airing on the Shimano channel once their mission is complete.
After this initial adventure, Shimano is issuing a challenge to any and all anglers who want to attempt the "Curado Bass Slam Challenge." If you complete the entire slam by December 1 - and that includes a northern largemouth, smallmouth, Florida largemouth, Guadalupe, redeye, shoal, spotted, Alabama spot and Suwannee bass, you'll receive a new Curado K reel and a Shimano prize pack including hats, stickers and more swag.
All those who do complete the 'Curado Bass Slam Challenge' are eligible for the events grand prize - a fishing trip with a Shimano pro. Details on entering the Challenge and prizes can be found on the Shimano Facebook page and web site - http://fish.shimano.com.
With a focus on reliability and durability, Shimano's Curado 200 K baitcasting reels - winner of the ICAST 2017 ëBest Freshwater Reel' award - are ready for hardcore tournament use, or for any angler who simply appreciates quality tackle and day-after-day, weekend-after-weekend performance. The six new Curado 200K reels - both left- and right-hand retrieve models offered include the 200K and 201K with 6.2:1 gear ratios, the 200KHG and 201KHG with 7.4:1 gear ratios, and the 200KXG an 201KXG with 8.5:1 gear ratios - now feature a host of new innovative Shimano baitcasting reel technology.