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Published: 05 January 2018

Provided by Rapala

Rapala BX Brat: A Balsa Squarebill with Durability

There’s a new bully on the block and bass better hide their lunch money. The Rapala® BX™ Brat features a balsa core encased in a brawny co-polymer shell, so this unpredictable square bill bait can take a punch.

“A lot of straight balsa baits, you know, they’ll get a little beat up,” says Rapala Pro Mike Iaconelli. “But not the Brat. It’s the perfect lure for fishing around heavy cover. It’s got all the characteristics of balsa, but with plastic on the outside to protect the bait.”

“That combination of a hard outer shell and a soft balsa core makes for an unbeatable square bill,” says Rapala Pro Randall Tharp. “You can bounce it off of dock posts, you can bounce it off of rocks, but you still get all the benefits of balsa,” he says. “It will float back up out of cover without getting hung up. It’s just so versatile.”

It’s also erratic. The BX Brat’s modified square bill design creates crazy, unpredictable caroms.

“The lip comes to a very slight point in the middle, but it still has these hard corners that allow it to bounce off of cover really, really well,” says Rapala Pro Ott DeFoe.

“That modified lip acts as both a deflector and a protector,” Iaconelli explains. “It’s going to actually protect the treble hooks, and it’s what’s going to make the bait deflect and careen off objects. That’s what’s going to trigger reaction bites. There’s no better bite to get, especially when the fish are inactive.”

BX Brats will excel when power fishing around rocky shorelines, laydowns, dock posts and scattered grass. “There’s really not a bad place you can throw it,” Tharp says. “Whether it’s just being grinded through the bottom, or deflecting off a rock, a stump or a piece of grass.”

Unique flat sides and a V-cut belly create additional swimming action. “When you watch this bait in the water, the way that it swims is because of the shape,” DeFoe says. “Because of those hard edges.”

Another benefit of the BX Brat’s co-polymer shell is that it adds weight, which enables it to cast “like a dream,” DeFoe says. “You can’t ask for much else in a small crankbait. It really reminds me of the Rapala DT-6, one of the best-casting ones out there.”

The BX Brat is available in two models. One dives to 3 feet, and the other to 6 feet.

Both versions of the BX Brat measure 2 inches, weigh 3/8 ounce and come armed with two sticky sharp VMC® No. 6 Black Nickel Treble round-bend hooks. Both are available in 12 color patterns: Blue Ghost, Blaze, Bone Craw, Carbon, Delta, Haymaker, Homer’s Buddy, Mossy, Pearl Gray Shiner, Tamale, Silver and Rock Solid.

“So no matter what the water clarity is like, or whatever the forage is that you’re trying to match, Rapala’s got you covered,” Palaniuk says.

It will sell for $8.99.

For more information, visit www.Rapala.com.

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Published: 04 January 2018

Provided by Humminbird

Humminbird Basemap Gets Anglers Fishing, Right Out of the Box

The moment anglers press the power button on any Humminbird HELIX, G2 or G2N (networking) unit with GPS, they will now have access to the new Humminbird Basemap, a vast, pre-loaded coastal and lake map resource built into all units.

According to Humminbird Brand Manager Ray Schaffart, "We wanted to make it easier for anglers to navigate and start catching more fish the second they hit the water. By improving our cartography coverage with Humminbird Basemap, theyíll be able to locate fish-holding structure and experience more successful fishing adventures. Saltwater anglers will also appreciate the technology, which calls out hazards and depths, making for a more relaxed time on the water."

The Humminbird Basemap helps anglers pinpoint fishing hot spots by showing freshwater depth contours in 10- and 20-foot increments for more than 10,000 American lakes, not to mention precise coverage of the entire U.S. coastline thanks to NOAA-based charts, the most trusted source of coastal data. The Basemap also includes navigational aids, marker buoys, depths, points of interest and launch locations to improve the boating experience. In addition to the pre-loaded lakes with contour mapping, the Humminbird Basemap provides shoreline-only maps to hundreds of thousands of other lakes. It also displays highways, roads, railroads, bike paths, and streams, along with more than 200 icons.

To support consumers who recently purchased a HELIX, G2 or G2N GPS model, or any first generation HELIX 9, 10 or 12 model, the Humminbird Basemap will be available as a free software download. Consumers will need to visit www.Humminbird.com to set-up - or log into - their MyHumminbird account. Once logged in, they can download the software for their applicable model(s). Another advantage of the Humminbird Basemap is that it is updatable, so future enhancements and expansions will be made available.

"Humminbird is the leader in providing complete fish-finding solutions, whether on a lake or on the coast," Schaffart says. "The Humminbird Basemap is yet another innovative way we improve the angling experience every day."

The Humminbird Basemap are now be included on all HELIX, SOLiX, G2/G2N GPS models.

For more information, call Humminbird at 800-633-1468 or visit www.Humminbird.com/Humminbird-Basemap.

Details

Published: 03 January 2018

(Provided by Shimano)

Curado K Baitcaster

With a new look and technology focused on reliability and durability, Shimano’s all-new Curado 200 K series baitcasting reels are ready for anything from hardcore tournament use, to day-after-day, weekend-after-weekend performance.

A long-time favorite among bass anglers and also for coastal saltwater use, 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. Each now features a host of new innovative Shimano baitcasting reel technology, most notably MicroModule gears, SVS Infinity braking system, and a smaller platform ergonomic shape.

For smoother and sensitive rotation, Shimano’s MicroModule gearing provides more gear engagement between the drive gear and pinion gear. Shimano’s upgraded SVS Infinity centrifugal brake system – introduced on the Aldebaran reels - offers both adjustable internal brakes and a wider adjustment range with the external dial. It allows the new Curado reels to cast everything from light to heavy lures without opening the sideplate. The new compact Hagane Body – 10-percent smaller than past versions - is easier to palm and yet has a wider spool opening.

“Not only will anglers notice a definitively smoother operating Curado than previous models, the smaller platform without any line capacity reduction will be the other instantly noticeable feature,” said Shimano regional sales rep Drew Sadler.

Along with the new Shimano technology on the new Curado K reels, anglers will notice the overall lightweight feel from the aluminum frame, the CI4 material ‘A’ side sideplate, and a graphite ‘B’ side sideplate. Even the appearance of the new reels will appeal to anglers who have been using Curado reels for nearly an entire generation – the sideplates have a matte black finish, with ‘Curado green’ color on the spool and cast control knob.

With longer 45mm length handles for both comfort, leverage and power, all six Curado K sizes – when filled with PowerPro Maxcuatro braid - can hold from 230 yards of 30-pound test, and up to 120 yards of 65-pound. With mono, the reels hold from 180 yards of eight-pound, and up to 110 yards of 14-pound. The 200/200K and 200/201KHG reels weigh 7.6-ounces, while the high-speed 200/201KXG reels tip the scale at 7.8-ounces. All sizes have six shielded anti-rust ball bearings – an added plus for saltwater use, along with a one-way roller bearing for zero handle back-play.

The reel sells for $179.99.

For more information on Shimano’s new Curado K series baitcasting reels, see your local tackle dealer or visit www.fish.shimano.com.