Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Monday, January 20, 2025
- Details
FreeFall Ghost Aluminum Ice Fishing Reel by 13 Fishing
The new FreeFall Ghost Aluminum ice fishing reel by 13 Fishing builds on the legendary reputation of the FreeFall Ghost reel – a reliable, get-it-done, consistent performer at a great value.
It features the groundbreaking FreeFall trigger, enabling anglers to reach specific depths and achieve immediate hookups by releasing the trigger within the desired strike zone. This is a particularly effective feature when using sonar to pinpoint fish at exact depths.
The reel’s precision-engineered aluminum spool facilitates the quicker dropping of lighter lures. It boasts a new, ultra-smooth competition drag system, and features 3+1 stainless ball bearings for ultra-smooth, one-handed operation.
With features like no line twist, drop-speed control, and a tangle-free spool cap, the reel’s user-friendly design streamlines line management and enhances the overall ice fishing experience.
The new reel is available in left-hand and right-hand models. It features a gear ratio of 2.5:1 and retrieves 18.9 inches of line per turn.
The FreeFall Ghost Aluminum reel has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.99.
- Details
Seaguar Report
Seaguar Line Bags
Storage of your fishing gear is crucial for keeping it protected, organized, and in top operating condition. Seaguar has unveiled three new leader spool bags and a smart way to store larger bulk spools of line. These new line storage solutions serve a dual purpose of protective storage and to allow quick and easy access/spooling of your favorite Seaguar line.
“From rope holding leader spools together to re-purposed hard-plastic bins for storing spools, we’ve seen a myriad of home-made solutions for storing line over the years”, says Brian Evans, Assistant Marketing Manager for Seaguar. “Some have been quite creative but none have answered the needs for storage and access of line for all anglers from shore fishing to deep-sea trolling. We’ve taken the time to design bags that offer functional, compact, and portable solutions to managing line and leader,” he added.
The new Seaguar Leader Feeder bags are designed to store Seaguar leader spools and are available in three sizes to hold either 3 or 6 leader spools. Each of the three bags has a Velcro flap for easy access and secures the leader material inside, while the dual grommets allow you to feed the line for a simple and easy dispensing system. Each is made from durable, weather-resistant rip-stop nylon and custom-sized so that the Seaguar spools fit neatly and securely together. Now it’s easy to keep your leader assortment with multiple pound test sizes in one compact space for easy access.
The smallest Leader Feeder holds three small Seaguar leader spools that are 8 lb test or smaller. The middle size holds three larger leader spools but can also accommodate Seaguar mainline fluorocarbon and braided line spools. The largest size holds six leader spools, such as the new Seaguar Pounce Bass Leader or other Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders, fluorocarbon mainlines, or braided line offerings.
Purchasing your most-used line in bulk saves money in the long run, but storing the larger spools can also be a challenge. Enter the Seaguar Bulk Line Go Bag, which secures up to six spools of 1000-yard Seaguar fluorocarbon in one well-built bag that also assists with spooling right from the bag itself.
The Bulk Line Go Bag is made with durable, weather-resistant rip-stop nylon and padded sides to protect your spools. The bottom of the bag includes no-slip plastic feet and corner guards built to protect. Inside are adjustable dividers for customization and molded, rubberized line ports that allow spooling reels right from the bag.
Evans said this is a very logical product extension for Seaguar. “We’re seeing the shifts in the way anglers are using line as presentations get more technical. Today, it’s not uncommon for someone to have 3 different pound test sizes of leader material in the boat and shift usage based on conditions.” He also noted that line storage and spooling are always of top interest to anglers. “We help provide answers for storage and spooling on our website and now we are offering solutions that securely store, dispense, and spool line so anglers can focus more on reeling in fish.”
Seaguar Leader Feeder will be available in three sizes with an MSRP from $18.99-$24.99. The Seaguar Bulk Line Go Bag has an MSRP of $69.99.
For more information, call 502-883-6097, write Kureha America LLC, 4709 Allmond Ave., Suite 4C, Louisville, KY 40209, or visit us at www.seaguar.com. Find us on Facebook and on Instagram.
- Details
Legendary GLX Bass Series
G. Loomis now offers the revamped GLX BASS series. This comprehensive lineup of 36 purpose-built models represents proof of the brand’s continuous drive for excellence.
With structural upgrades achieved through a proprietary blend of high-modulus graphite and advanced resin technologies, the GLX BASS series is handcrafted in Woodland, Washington, and features rod blanks with boosted strength-to-weight ratios, heightened balance, and pumped sensitivity. To isolate and reinforce areas likely to fail under load and to provide maximum durability, G. Loomis engineers roll each rod on stepped mandrels machined with micro-tapers within the overall taper.
“If you're utilizing the latest in finesse fishing tactics, covering water with power fishing techniques, or picking apart heavy structure, the GLX Bass series is for you,” says Bob Mahoney, Freshwater Marketing Manager at G. Loomis. “We crafted this series to be as well-rounded as the anglers who utilize them.”
All GLX BASS models come equipped with a full tangle-free Fuji K SiC guide train to improve line management and reduce overall weight. Premium cork handles complement custom CI4+ reel seats designed to amplify an angler’s connection to the blank for enhanced bite transmission and all-day comfort.
Suggested retail is $525.00-$575.00.
- Details
Berkley Report
Berkley Forward Braid
Berkley has introduced its FORWARD Braid, a purpose-built line for use with forward-facing sonar.
FORWARD Braid’s proprietary technology provides the angler with a new tool that overcomes common pain points experienced when using forward-facing sonar – casting distance, sensitivity and sink rate. With Berkley FORWARD Braid anglers now have complete control of how they present their bait to fish.
FORWARD Braid’s unique longitudinal construction differs from standard braided line in that it is smooth and round in shape allowing for zero resistance when traveling through the guides of a rod, thus providing the angler with optimal castability. Where traditional braided lines flatten out, FORWARD Braid keeps its shape through the guides giving anglers using forward-facing sonar the ability to cast farther, placing their bait right where they want it at the right time, without any resistance.
Sink rate and sensitivity are also key concerns for many FFS anglers. The smaller diameters offered with FORWARD Braid allow it to cut through the water column faster, getting smaller, finesse-style baits to the fish faster. An additional, unique benefit of FORWARD Braid’s proprietary longitudinal design is that it reduces fiber crossover to increase sensitivity and provide a stronger, more direct signal back to the angler when compared to standard woven braid.
Key Features – FORWARD Braid
• The longitudinal construction provides additional advantages compared to conventional braid:
- Higher sensitivity due to reducing the fiber crossover which increases the signal back to the angler
- Maintains the line’s cross section integrity allowing for longer casts and more longevity over time
- Smaller diameters and weight ratios that create less wind resistance when casting a lure
- Ability to pack more line onto a reel
• Colors: Lo-vis Green • Crystal • Flame Green
• Spool sizes: 150-yards • 1,500-yards
• Pound tests: 150-yards (4 – 17-pound test) • 1,500-yards (8 – 17-pound test)
Suggested retail is $29.99 to $299.99.
- Details
Daiwa Report
Daiwa KAGE LT spinning reel
The new Daiwa KAGE LT spinning reel sports rich features, beginning with its extremely lightweight and rigid ZAION body. The woven high-density carbon resin ZAION material is also durable and corrosion resistant to extend the life of the reel.
The KAGE LT’s AIR ROTOR was engineered to be incredibly rigid and with minimal flex, especially at high drag pressures. Critically designed cut-outs reduce the weight of the rotor itself while adding stability and almost eliminating rotor “wobble”. The lighter the rotor, the less force it takes to spin around the reel, making it easier to turn the handle.
The KAGE LT also features a tubular AIR bail, which further reduces weight and offers more rigidity than standard wire, minimizing concerns over flex, bending, or breaking. The thicker material feels better to the fingers when flipping the tubular air bail as well.
A7075 aircraft-grade aluminum TOUGH DIGIGEAR® technology is another hallmark of the KAGE LT. The especially hard and lightweight aluminum is precision machined and digitally cut, making it considerably more resistant to wear than traditional gear materials on the market.
Anglers will also appreciate DAIWA’s brilliant Advanced Tournament Drag (ATD™) when setting the hook and fighting fish. The smart system applies an increased, instantaneous and calculated resistance during the hookset. After the hook drives home and the fish starts pulling, ATD automatically returns to the selected drag setting.
Where reel meets angler, the KAGE features a machined screw-in handle that connects directly to the main drive gear. The business end of the handle features a premium, compressed cork handle on the smaller 1000-2500 sizes and a larger rubberized T-handle for added grip on the larger 3000-4000 sizes.
THE PERFECT MATCH
Martin said DAIWA has made matching the new KAGE LT to a spinning rod simple. The recently released KAGE Bass and Walleye Series’ balance and fish ideally with premium, yet reasonably priced rods. Key features in both the bass and walleye versions include an Air Sensor Reel Seat, Fuji guides with Alconite rings, DAIWA’s elite SVF Nanoplus carbon resin, and x45 to eliminate blank twist.
The KAGE series is available exclusively at independent dealers. DAIWA strongly supports its vast network of dealers that are the heartbeat of fishing.
FEATURE REVIEW:
ZAION Body
Extremely strong and lighter than aluminum and magnesium, the woven high-density carbon resin ZAION material is durable and corrosion resistant to extend the life of the reel.
AIR Rotor
The smart design lessens weight, provides even rotary balance and stress distribution, and reduces vibrations, all while maintaining strength. Delivers a more precisely balanced reel performance than competitors.
AIR Bail
Innovative bail design features a hollow, tubular stainless steel bail that delivers maximum rigidity and strength with minimum weight. The smooth protrusion-free construction lets the line easily flow to the line roller for trouble free line control.
TOUGH DIGIGEAR
A7075 Aircraft Grade aluminum is forged into bigger gears with larger tooth patterns and perfectly meshed between an ultra-tough drive gear and pinion gears for optimized speed, torque, exactness, smoothness, and durability.
2BB Supported ATD (Advanced Tournament Drag)
The lightweight spool sits atop a pair of BB’s, resulting in a smooth, frictionless payout as the spool engages and rotates. This prevents fish from coming unhooked as drag pressure remains steady.
Machined Aluminum Screw in Handle
Precision tooling renders a smooth and secure fit. The ergonomic design delivers the ultimate in control and comfort with a secure grip.
Suggested retail is $249.99.