Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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Rapala Report
They say spring fishing, like the season itself, is a time of abundance. Well, wait until they try Rapala’s new Snare 50.
The Snare 50 is a versatile lipless crankbait ideal for casting, ripping through cover or jigging off bottom. The Snare’s slender profile is belly weighted for long casts and has a unique shimmy action on the fall. Its internal rattle is uniquely subtle, and, combined with the tight vibrating action at any speed, entices reaction strikes. Two No. 4 hooks handle the job of keeping the fish pinned.
The Snare 50 falls heads down on a realistic, bite-inducing 45-degree angle, whereas competitors tend to fall on the horizontal. No underwater weeds can hinder this determined lure, which is built to easily rip free from weeds and grass.
“It’s the best lipless bass lure we have ever done,” said Travis Tuma, Vice President of Sales at Rapala VMC Corporation. “There have been more pictures of bass passed around on this than on any other hard bait we’ve launched.”
This lure is being released with a body length of 2 ¼-inches and ½ oz. weight.
The Snare 50 is available in 18 delicious colors: Ayu, Big Shad, Classic Craw, Chartreuse Rootbeer Crawdad, Crystal Craw, Diablo, Green Gizard Shad, Ghost Sexy Shad, Lemon Shad, Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Pro Chrome Blue, Pearl Sexy Shad, Red Crawdad, Royal Gold, Royal Shad, Rootbeer Crawdad, True Gill.
The suggested manufacturer’s retail price for the Snare 50 is $7.99.
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St. Croix Report
St. Croix now offers all-new GXR Walleye Combos package matched with Sevin reels.
The rod/reel combos come in five of the most versatile lengths, powers, and actions utilized by walleye anglers at all levels. These medium-light and medium power, fast and extra-fast action spinning combos support everything from vertical jigging and snap jigging to pitching and rigging. GXR Walleye Combos feature SCII carbon fiber blanks, stainless-steel hybrid guide trains, premium-grade full cork handles, and smooth and ultra-reliable 8+1 bearing 3000-size SEVIIN spinning reels.
They are available at retail for $205 to $215. Visit www. Stcroixrods.com for more info.
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Daiwa Report
DAIWA’s AIRD 80 baitcasting reel offers a quality reel for $99.99.
At a time when manufacturers are fearful of publishing prices, DAIWA shouts “$99.99!” from the mountaintops. “It’s a great price and will stay that way – but let’s not forget about the reel behind the price,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “It might be a basic baitcaster, but the new AIRD 80 is a performer and looks great while doing it.”
The sleek and palmable AIRD 80 is a prime gateway reel into fishing a baitcasting reel. “The frame is compact and comfortable in anyone’s hand, making it a great tool for anybody wanting to advance their bass fishing, including women and kids,” said Martin.
One of its pinnacle technologies is DAIWA’s classic MAGFORCE magnetic spool braking system, which reduces overrun, aka backlash – the nemesis of anglers, especially those new to baitcasting reels. Martin added, “You can adjust the braking system, too, depending on factors like the weight of the lure and wind conditions. For example, set it around 4 for throwing small swimbaits or Texas rigs and crank it closer to 10 for bulkier lures like spinnerbaits or buzzbaits.”
The AIRD 80’s MAGFORCE braking system works in concert with DAIWA’s inventive LC (Long Casting) Concept. “We use a specially shaped spool and magnetic control to maximize casting distance,” explained Martin. “Focus is put on preventing overrun in the beginning and then extending the end of the cast, particularly with midsize lures like ChatterBaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, weighted plastics, and crankbaits.”
The affordably priced AIRD 80 gobbles up the right amount of line for its multifaceted applications. Martin says it comfortably spools 120yds of 12lb monofilament or fluorocarbon; 110yds of 14lb monofilament or fluorocarbon; 125yds of 30lb braid; and 95yds of 40lb braid. For all-around use, he specifically recommends 30lb J-BRAID Grand x8.
AIRD 80 FEATURES:
LC (Long Cast) Concept
DAIWA’s LC Concept enhances casting distance through a specialized spool design, reduced friction, and optimized braking. The concept prioritizes lightweight construction, large spool diameters, and specific spool geometries to maximize casting efficiency, especially during the final stages of the cast, and is engineered for use with midsized to large lures.
MAGFORCE Cast Control
DAIWA’s masterpiece magnetic braking system reduces backlash and improves casting performance for midsize to large lures. Magnets in the reel's side plates apply constant and controlled braking pressure to the spool, preventing overrun during casts. As you start a cast and the spool approaches maximum speed, the spool's rotor is kicked out towards the magnets, creating a smooth braking pressure to prevent backlash.
90mm SWEPT HANDLE
Designed to enhance cranking power, comfort, and aesthetics, DAIWA’s signature curved handle shape improves ergonomics, providing better leverage and a more comfortable grip compared to standard straight handles.
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Savage Report
Savage Gear is redefining high-end glide baits with the all-new Savage Gear Scandal, built for swimbait anglers to consistently catch more fish.
With an oversized profile, cross-tail design, and cutting-edge wide gliding technology, the Scandal stays in the strike zone longer, maximizing opportunities for a big fish to commit. Its wide, sweeping action mimics a vulnerable prey fish, drawing aggressive strikes from giant bass, stripers, pike, musky, snook, and tarpon. While its irresistible swagger tempts big fish with wide gliding, chopping, or twitching retrieves.
“The Savage Gear Scandal isn’t just another glide—it’s a statement,” said Jared Kutil, Savage Gear Product Manager. “We poured everything we know from building swimbaits over two decades into this bait to make sure it outperforms in every possible way as a premium glide without the several hundred-dollar price tag. The wide gliding action, precision weighting, water flow side-channels for perfect balance, adjustable sink rate system in the tail, and the photo printed color patterns all contribute to an unmatched level of realism and performance. We also go the extra mile to include a set of feathered hooks for fish that inspect the bait without committing, and the Scandal comes in a ventilated carry bag to dry the swimbait and protect it for your next adventure! If you’re serious about hunting for trophy fish, this is the bait you need in your arsenal.”
SAVAGE GEAR SCANDAL – KEY FEATURES:
- Incredible detail and precise balancing
- Wide gliding action to stay in the strike zone longer
- Adjustable sink rate by squeezing water out of the tail
- Rotating hook hangers to help land more fish
- Photo print colors and 3D scanned details from an actual trout
- Ventilated carry bag to dry and protect the swimbait between trips
- Two sets of premium hooks, feathered and non-feathered
Size: 200 (8”) • 250 (10”)
Colors: Golden Shiner • Brown Trout • Hitch • Ghost Bone • Rainbow Trout • Gizzard Shad
MSRP: 200 - $79.99 • 250 - $99.99
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Shimano Report
Shimano North America Fishing announces the debut of its Exsence B spinning reel lineup with a new 2500-size option, tailored for light-tackle anglers targeting freshwater species with techniques. As the flagship model in Shimano’s MagnumLite series, the Exsence B sets the standard for performance in finesse applications.
“When we talk about finesse, we’re talking about control — and that’s where this Exsence B dominates,” says Kade Gewanter, Freshwater Product Marketing Manager at Shimano North America Fishing. “The new size offering within the redesigned Exsence series — the Exsence 2500XGB — expands access to Shimano’s premium technologies for finesse bass fishing, allowing more anglers to fine-tune their gear for specific techniques using a premium reel equipped with Shimano’s MGL Rotor. Whether shaking a dropshot, or strolling a minnow, the Exsence B delivers the performance edge.”
Exsence B is engineered with Shimano’s most advanced reel technologies, empowering anglers with longer, more accurate casts, ultra-responsive control, and smooth, powerful retrieves. The lightweight frame is now available in a 2500-size option with ultra-fast XG gearing (6.4:1), making it the perfect spinning reel for targeting bass with finesse tactics.
At the heart of the Exsence B lies the MGL Rotor, constructed from a lightweight carbon-infused CI4+ material. The rotor’s asymmetrical design slashes rotational inertia to give anglers instant startup and agile bait control with every handle turn. For those who rely on precision presentations, this means subtle bites and executing fluid retrieves with ease.
Exsense B is built to perform under pressure with proprietary Shimano technologies. InfinityLoop enhances spool oscillation and line lay to deliver longer, more fluid casts. Infinity Drive provides effortless reeling under load and InfinityXross gear design for improved durability. Exsence B also features Rapid Fire Drag to enable fast and precise drag adjustments in the heat of the fight, while the DuraCross drag system provides silky-smooth resistance with added durability. The Anti-Twist Fin further enhances line management by maintaining consistent tension and reducing slack.
From the backcountry to the sweet water, Shimano built the all-new Exsence B series for anglers who want to cast further, feel more, and fight smarter. For more information about this new offering and Shimano's complete range of innovative fishing tackle, visit fish.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Gordon Brown at gordon@darbycommunications.com.