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Halo Rods Report
Halo XD III Pro Series
When Halo Fishing became part of the American Baitworks family, it set out to prove anglers don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a high-quality fishing rod. That certainly is the case with the newly designed Halo XD III Pro Series that consists of six casting and two spinning rods, each selling for $99.
“When we took on Halo, one of the things we were most passionate about was creating a functional rod for the serious angler that included more quality features than you will find in similarly priced rods,” says Halo Brand Manager Walt Roberts.
The XD III was designed from the butt to tip with quality in mind. The stylish blank is crafted from high-end, graphite with proprietary, exposed blank reel seats strategically placed to ensure the angler has direct contact with the blank during retrieves. The XD III features EVA foam with integrated “Sensi-Touch” cork rings to maximize sensitivity.
“The reel seat is designed to provide a comfortable feel and to transmit vibrations into the hand for detecting those subtle bass bites,” says Roberts.
Spinning models have a double-ring adjustment to avoid overtightening when securing the reel to the rod. Both casting and spinning rods have a hook hanger located on the blank. The quality doesn’t end there. The XD III Pro Series features stainless steel guides with zirconia inserts to enhance sensitivity even more.
“Our XD III rods have more guides than most $99 rods and the top three guides are strategically placed to add even more rod sensitivity,” explained Roberts.
The lineup includes casting rod lengths of 7-0, 7-3 and 7-6 and in actions from medium to extra heavy with spinning models in 7-0 medium and medium heavy. The new Halo leadership team is as passionate about providing good service as well as quality products. The XD III Rods are backed by a solid five-year warranty.
“We know our customers work their butts off all week so they can fish hard on weekends,” says Roberts. “The Halo team is not only passionate about providing customers quality products for their hard-earned dollars, but we’re equally committed to a vastly improved customer service program for anglers and our dealer network.”
For more information about Halo Fishing Rods, visit www.americanbaitworks.com.
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Navionics Report
Navionics Adds High-Res Shading to Platinum+ and HotMaps Platinum Maps
Navionics, a unit of Garmin, announced that high-resolution relief shading is now available for Navionics Platinum+ marine charts and HotMaps Platinum lake maps, as well as on the Navionics mobile Boating app, for U.S. coastal waters and more than 150 lakes. Platinum products and the mobile Boating app will also feature updated SonarChart™ Shading and improved satellite imagery. These updates prepare the most bold and ambitious anglers, boaters, and divers to feel confident and aware of what lies beneath them as they explore a full suite of rich bottom topography content.
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KS II Elite Series Rod
Halo Fishing has stepped up its efforts to provide tour grade fishing rods at an affordable price with the new KS II Elite Series.
Halo’s new leadership is strongly committed to integrity to their customers and products and driven by a passion for building high quality rods at affordable prices. The KS II Elite exemplifies the attention to detail and quality Halo demands from every product they manufacture. Demonstrated in the KS II Elite rods build quality which is manufactured with premium components on a super light, ultra-sensitive Nano-fiber carbon blank.
The KS II Elite Series consists of six casting and one spinning model all of which were designed with input from Halo’s pro fishing team. Retailing at $169.99, the series is built with premium Fuji guides featuring zirconia inserts that heighten rod sensitivity even more. The KS II Elite’s rock solid, proprietary reel handle is made of AAA cork with green Eva Foam highlights for comfort and sensitivity. An exposed, “two-finger” section in the reel seat provides anglers a direct feel to the blank for those delicate bites.
“Nano-fiber carbon not only is stronger and more sensitive than graphite but it’s more durable as well,” says Halo Brand Manager Walt Roberts.
The spinning reel seat also features a double-nut attachment to keep the reel secured to the rod. Both casting and spinning rods have a hook hanger integrated into the blank.
“Halo is working closely with our pro staff team to get our input on rod lengths, features and actions,” says Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year. “We’ve made huge strides in improving the overall quality of the rods and dialed in the actions to meet the needs of serious anglers.”
In addition to focusing on quality products, the new Halo leadership has doubled down on its commitment to anglers and customer service. The KS II Elite rods are backed by a five-year warranty.
“We know our customers work hard all week so they can fish harder on weekends,” says Roberts. “The new management team is not only passionate about providing customers a quality product for their hard-earned dollars, but we’re equally committed to a vastly improved customer service program for anglers and our dealer network.”
Halo is a subsidiary of the American Baitworks Co. American Baitworks has made significant strides to overhaul the rod company since moving the business from Florida to Mississippi in 2019.
For more product information, visit www.americanbaitworks.com.
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Z-Man Report
Z-Man Now Offers Two Super Soft Frog Models
Z-Man Fishing now offers the Z-Man Leap FrogZ in two models: a Walking Frog and a Popping Frog.
Major League Fishing angler Luke Clausen contributed several valuable assets to the design of the new pro-grade topwater frog.
“One cool attribute frog anglers will appreciate, we molded both versions of the Leap FrogZ with a deep-V belly that acts like a rudder to carve the surface and empower easy walk-the-dog retrieves,” says Clausen.
Clausen also calls attention to the frogs’ hollow, super soft body, which collapses with minimal pressure, activating the custom, heavy-duty double hook. “We forged this special frog hook with the perfect, slightly ‘open’ angle to yield super-high percentage hooksets,” he said.
The bait has a sealed eyelet to prevent water from entering the cavity, while a rear drain hole sheds excess moisture.
Extra-long, multi-colored silicone legs resemble amphibian appendages and webbed feet— slowly trailing down as the frog rests then flaring when the legs kick and stop.
The popping version of the Leap FrogZ is sculpted with a deeply concave mouth to create a popping sound.
Available now at retailers and at www.zmanfishing.com, the Leap FrogZ is built in 2.25- and 2.75-inch sizes in both Popping Frog and Walking Frog body types. Five different naturalistic frog patterns, 3D eyes and premium paint apps max out the lure’s attraction.
Suggested retail is $7.99.
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Strike King Report
Strike King Baby Squadron Jig Head
The Strike King Squadron Jig head lineup has been expanded to include the Baby Squadron Swimbait Head for finesse swimbait tactics.
The Baby Squadron Swimbait Jig Head comes with a wide-gap, chemically sharpened 2/0 black nickel hook and durable finish and is sized to fit the 2.75 & 3.25 Rage Swimmer, along with the 3.5 Shadalicious.
The Baby Squadron Jig Head is available in three sizes ranging from 1/8, 3/16 and 5/16 ounce and comes in 7 colors. Although it was designed for use on swimbaits, the Baby Squadron SwimbaitHead is also the perfect match for grub style baits as well.
Suggested retail is $4.99.