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St. Croix Report
St. Croix rod designed for scopers
St. Croix has introduced three spinning rod “minnow shakers” designed specifically for forward facing sonar tactics.
Conceived and executed in science, technique-focused PHYSYX rods increase angler control in every physical act. SCIV+ hybrid tubular carbon fiber blanks, titanium guides, and anthropometric design manifest an evolved lever and conductor of energy. A molded carbon fiber TRIGON handle, DYNAMIX reel seat, and rear trigger afford bionic-level control, balance, tactile feedback, & maximum comfort.
Three all-new extra-fast and fast-action spinning models (PHXS63MLXF, PHXS63MXF, and PHXS66MLF) were purpose-engineered for minnow-shaking techniques expand PHYSYX to 28 rods for 2025.
St. Croix PHYSYX Minnow Shaker Rod
- PHXS63MLXF* – 6’3”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $345
- PHXS63MXF* – 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $350
- PHXS66MLF* – 6’6”, medium-light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $355
Handcrafted in the USA with a 15-year warranty, you can find more info at www.Stcroixrods.com.
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Shimano Report
Shimano's New Vanford A Spinning Reel
Shimano North America Fishing now offers the all-new Vanford A.
Building on a legacy of reducing weight, minimizing start-up inertia, and enhancing sensitivity, the Vanford A sets a new benchmark in the MagnumLite lineup by integrating advanced technologies inherited from Shimano's flagship series. Designed for finesse anglers, the Vanford A offers unparalleled performance for start-and-stop techniques and quick hook-setting executions.
“The Vanford A is engineered to meet the evolving standards of finesse anglers,” says Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. “With the integration of our latest technologies, such as Infinity Drive and InfinityXross, the Vanford A offers unrivaled smoothness, durability, and performance, making it the premier choice for anglers targeting big fish with finesse techniques.”
The MGL Rotor combined with the rigid, lightweight CI4+ carbon-infused body allows for immediate reel action and complete control of the lure within the strike zone.
This new addition to the MagnumLite spinning reel lineup boasts a refined gear design for finesse fishing techniques. InfinityXross technology significantly improves winding efficiency, a crucial feature for delicate presentation and precise lure manipulations. Shimano's Infinity Drive technology reduces contact between the spool shaft and pinion gear, ensuring a smoother and more efficient retrieval experience.
For more information about the Vanford A and Shimano's complete range of innovative fishing tackle, visit fish.shimano.com.
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Z-man Report
Z-Man Drop KickerZ
Finesse is an ongoing experiment. At Z-Man, it’s a perpetual push through the boundaries of what’s possible with soft plastic shapes and the devices that drive bait propulsion and action.
Z-Man Drop KickerZ - different applicationsChecking all these boxes and drawing beyond the bounds of tradition, the new Z-Man Drop KickerZ endows creative anglers with a sneaky little finesse trick—an extra supple baitfish-profile exhibiting equal talents as a soft jerkbait, swimbait or forward-facing sonar minnow.
“First time Z-Man put a pack of Drop KickerZ in my hands, I couldn’t wait to put the bait on a dropshot rig,” says Z-Man pro-staff angler Stephanie Hemphill-Pellerin. “As I quickly discovered, the little finesse minnow shines in dropshot scenarios. And I absolutely love it on a Ned rig, too, threaded onto my favorite finesse jig, the NedlockZ EWG.
Z-Man Drop KickerZ result
“But I also discovered the bait’s talents apply equally to live sonar applications,” adds Hemphill-Pellerin, a Texas based bass pro. “The Drop KickerZ’ buoyancy, slim minnow shape and specialized tail-driven action all combine to perform beautifully on forward-facing sonar— and while hover strolling. Rig the Drop KickerZ on a Finesse EyeZ jighead to optimize bites on Livescope—dropping it just above groups of fish, leaning on the little minnow’s tireless tail-wag to ‘talk’ bass into biting.”
Slender, extra soft and built for subtle, yet continuous tail motion, the Z-Man Drop KickerZ offers bite-inducing benefits in abundance.
Lined with prominent body ribbing, the Drop KickerZ’ belly section produces subtle bubble trails and underwater pulsations, enabling fish to better detect and locate the bait. Topside, concave dorsal grooves support the bait’s crisp action on the lift, while its ribs produce a slightly different motion when it descends.
To enable quick, dead-on rigging with a jighead or EWG-style hook, the Drop KickerZ offers dorsal and ventral hook slots. The bait is also impregnated with 20-percent salt (by weight) for a natural horizontal posture on dropshot or hover-strolling rigs.
The Z-Man Drop KickerZ features two sizes—a diminutive 2.75-incher and a slightly upsized 3.5-inch profile—to cover a broad spectrum of applications, from hover strolling and FFS patterns to Ned and dropshot rigging and beyond. Injected in 10 hand-picked color patterns by Z-Man pros, the Drop KickerZ covers diverse fisheries and an array of conditions. MSRP $4.99 per 6-pack (2.75”) or 5-pack (3.5”)—crafted and packaged in the USA.