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Provided by Shimano
Classic Introduction: Shimano Brings Back Bantam 150 with Modern Day Features
Shimano introduced anglers to Bantam - its first low-profile baitcasting reel some 40 years ago and they’re bringing it back in a new, refined model that was introduced at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic this week.
The Bantam 150 MGL will be offered in six models - the Bantam MGL150, 151, 150HG, 151HG, 150XG and 151XG. It will retail for $349.99.
“With the new Bantam MGL reels, we went back to the legacy we built with the original metal construction reels, and took advantage of 40 years of ever-expanding technology,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development staff. “Anglers will discover the entire concept behind the Bantam MGL reel is all about rigid, solid, and sensitive. We incorporate specific design elements and technology to focus on that concept.”
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(Provided by Shimano)
Shimano Introduces New Stella FJ Series at Classic
Shimano will unveil its new Stella FJ reels at this week’s Bassmaster Classic.
The flagship in Shimano’s spinning reel line-up will have five new models in sizes for everything from trout and panfish, to bass and walleye as well as saltwater models.
Setting it apart from past series, anglers will quickly notice new Shimano technology, including MicroModule II gear system, enhanced HAGANE concept constructed gear and body, X-Protect and SilentDrive.
“Anglers around the globe know we are always pursuing perfection,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development team. “As our reel manufacturing abilities evolve and improve almost constantly - the Shimano way - we’re able to share that technology in new reels like the Stella FJ series.”
Shimano’s MicroModule II gear system includes “gear teeth which are designed to the ideal shape to reduce vibration, providing a smoother performing reel,” Epich explains. “We then take smooth rotation to an even higher level with SilentDrive, a long list of micro adjustments and enhancements to reduce any handle play and eliminate any clicking noise in all moving parts.”
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(Provided by Zoom)
Versatile Zoom Frog Ready to Make Some Noise
Zoom Bait Company announces the release of the new Zoom Frog, the latest addition to our world-leading line of soft plastics. Zoom already had the category leading "buzz frog" in the form of the Zoom Horny Toad. The Horny Toad will remain the standard-setter for times when the perfect pitter-patter of ultra-vibe legs is demanded, but this new model provides more bulk and a more violent noise than any other bait of this kind.
"It has a unique sound to it," said FLW and Zoom pro Randy Haynes. "It leaves bubbles behind it and you can buzz it on top or work it like a prop bait. Most importantly, the frog floats, so when a fish blows up on it you can leave it in the water and they'll come back and get it."
Haynes is known as an offshore wizard, with six of his seven FLW Outdoors wins coming on the TVA system. Yet over the past year he's been secretly enjoying incredible success in skinnier water, most of it with the early prototypes of the new Zoom Frog.
"Last fall I fished it over the holes in the hydrilla at Pickwick," he recalled. "You can use it in the Florida hay fields and I caught them on it at Seminole in the early spring. I love it because it gets lots of bites and the material stretches, but doesn't tear up like some others."
The Zoom Frog is 4 inches long and weighs Ω ounce. It will initially be available in five universally applicable colors - White, Black, Zebra Green, Sexy Shad, Natural Brown and Baby Duck. They'll be sold in groups of three in the same type of ultra-protective clamshell packaging that houses the Zoom Swimmer. Look for the Zoom Frog at leading tackle stores and online retailers.
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Quantum Report
Swindle to Use $99 G-Force Rods in Elite Series Competition
Gerald Swindle is a tinkerer with a very creative mind for modifying fishing accessories to make them function more efficiently and perform more effectively.
Couple “G-Man’s” mechanical mind with two Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, and a rich history as part of the Quantum family, and you’ve got a recipe for building a great series of rods at a price reflective of his humble beginnings.
Actually he designed (5) G-Force rods made of best-in-the-business 30-ton Toray™ graphite for a series of sticks with great sensitivity, plenty of backbone, and enough forgiveness in the tip on certain models for lures like topwater poppers and shallow crankbaits.
Swindle’s creations include a 6’ 9” for poppers and small crankbaits, a 7-footer he calls his all-around workhorse for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and Zara Spooks, as well as a 7’ 2” rod he’s calling the best chatterbait rod he’s ever thrown, a 7’ 4” rod for swimjigs and frogs, and a 7’ 6” fast-action pitchin’ stick.
All rods are just $99, and Swindle is already using them in Bassmaster Elite Series competition to cash way bigger checks than that.
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Quantum Report
Quantum Smoke S3
Bob Bagby and Chris Littau have nearly 50 combined years of service at Quantum. Both are avid anglers with engineering degrees and straight-shooting personalities, and both are calling the new Smoke Series Three “S3” the greatest baiticasting reel platform Quantum has ever built.
That’s a mouthful, especially at a retail price of $169 that won’t choke avid anglers, and frankly, given the 18 Performance Tuned technologies Quantum built into this reel, it’s a very strong value at that price.