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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine

By Louie Stout

This is the time of year anglers are reading about new products for the upcoming season.

There are a lot of cool things for anglers out there but not all of them get the attention they deserve. They remain obscure unless you hear about them from another angler.

Well, I’m here to tell about a little known company that offers a lot of cool “solutions” for annoyances that Michiana anglers often encounter. Company personnel know those problems because they are on the water several days a week.

Garmin Report

Garmin LiveScope™ Plus SystemGarmin LiveScope™ Plus System

Garmin International, Inc. announced this week the LiveScope™ Plus System with brilliantly clear live scanning sonar returns and 35% improved target separation over the existing system.

Now with sharper resolution, reduced noise, and Garmin’s clearest images, it’s easier than ever to see structure, bait and fish around the boat in real time, even while stationary. With three modes – Forward, Down and Perspective – the LiveScope Plus System also includes the popular Perspective Mode Mount.

Optimized for precision and accuracy, the new design of the LiveScope Plus transducer not only delivers 35% improved target separation, it’s also capable of identifying and separating targets as small as 14” at distances 100 feet from the boat. With brilliantly clear sonar returns – available with seven vivid color options – anglers can see exactly what they need to with improved image stitching, reduced noise and fewer on-screen artifacts that impede the picture of fish and structure. LiveScope Plus is also equipped with additional sensors that allow it to constantly adjust the sonar beams to compensate for boat motion, so even in rough conditions, anglers will still see a steady sonar image.

Lew’s Report

Team Lew’s Tournament LFS Baitcasting ReelTeam Lew’s Tournament LFS Baitcasting Reel

Built for the most hard-fishing, all-day, any-season anglers, Lew’s introduces the new Team Lew’s Tournament LFS Baitcasting Reel. 

Key to the extreme light weight of the Tournament Lite is the wildly popular LFS one-piece aluminum frame with C45 carbon side plates, paired with an aircraft-grade double anodized Duralumin 34mm spool.  The reel weighs in at only 5.3 oz.  This is a critical benefit for all-day fishing, particularly in heavier applications.  

Lowrance Report

Lowrance Electronics pushed out an update to its Lowrance® App this month including satellite view capability, weather overlay, track sharing and personalized push notifications. The update adds more functionality to the app that connects your smart phone with Lowrance fishfinders and chartplotters.

The Lowrance app now offers satellite overlay view for premium subscribers, enhancing situational awareness with the option to choose between full view or land-only. In addition, users can select the transparency level of the layer.

Another popular update for anglers is the weather overlay on the charts, which includes data such as pressure, precipitation, air temperature, wind and gust. During route planning, users can see what weather is predicted at a specific time and location during the route, opting for the weather overlay both from main charts or during route creation.

p>Gamakatsu Report

Gamakatsu Under Spin Head MiniGamakatsu Under Spin Head Mini

Gamakatsu has launched a mini version of their popular Under Spin Head when a little finesse is in order.

The Under Spin Head Mini features Gamakatsu’s premium size 1 Finesse Heavy Cover 60-degree hook, the wide gap design means you can still rig bulkier plastics and have plenty of bite. Ideal for smaller finesse presentations, the head profile is streamlined to glide through cover. Gamakatsu’s Spring Lock holds swim baits and other plastics gently but firmly, keeping the presentation straight on the hook.

Attention-getting, recessed lifelike eyes provide a focal point for predators. The small chrome willow blade is attached to a quality ball-bearing swivel so it spins freely, even with slow retrieves to simulate baitfish and create a subtle trigger