Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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Shimano Report
New Computerized Shimano Curado Baitcaster Eliminates Backlashes
Utilizing a, Shimano brings its digital control technology (I-DC4) to a new series of Curado baitcasting reels that includes a microcomputer to control braking at every moment of the cast.
The new Shimano Curado DC reels will quickly allow all anglers - from the most to avid to those who are intimidated by baitcasting reels and the backlashes that can happen - to cast smarter by allowing the DC’s microcomputer to monitor spool speed 1,000 times every second, prevent backlashes and maximize distance.
The DC series includes the Curado DC150 and left-hand retrieve DC151 with 6.2:1 gear ratios, the Curado DC150HG and DC151HG with 7.4:1 gear ratios, and the even higher speed Curado DC150XG and DC151XG with 8.5:1 gear ratios.
They will retail for $249.99 and become available in August, 2018.
With the I-DC4 braking technology, anglers can fish a variety of lures and in any weather conditions, with limited or no adjustments to the reel. There are four external adjustable brake settings depending on fishing situations. The settings are a ‘max distance mode’ for ultra-long casts in calmer conditions; a ‘braid/mono mode’ for general all-around use of those types of lines; a ‘fluorocarbon mode’ that is best when using these stiffer lines; and a ‘skipping mode’ for challenging casts (under docks and piers) or extreme conditions.
“The Curado DC reels appeal to skill levels among anglers,” said Shimano product planning manager Trey Epich. “While everyone will appreciate how the reel curtails backlashes, anglers who already are accomplished with a baitcast reel will be able to skip docks without overruns and to bomb out longer casts.
"Tech-head anglers will focus on the DC technology and that cool noise the reels makes with each cast," added Epich.
Anglers will notice the overall lightweight feel from the aluminum frame, along with other key Shimano features including MicroModule gears, rigid HAGANE body, CI4+ material sideplates, X-Ship and A-RB anti-rust bearings. For smoother and sensitive rotation, Shimano’s MicroModule gearing provides more gear engagement between the drive gear and pinion gear.
The DC reels will hold from l50 yards of 20-pound PowerPro braid, or up to 120 yards of 10-pound 14-pound mono. The DC 150/151 cranks in 26 inches of line per rotation, while the DC150HG/151HG reels in 31-inches per crank.
The DC150XG/151XG, with a longer handle, blisters in 36 inches of line per crank.
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Z-man Report
Z-Man Bait BinderZ Doublewide
Anyone who’s fished the progressive softbait material figures it out pretty much after the very first bite: Z-Man’s ElaZtech® softbaits are different. Are they better? Do they catch more fish? Plenty of anglers would argue an affirmative “yes.” But facts are facts:
- ElaZtech baits are significantly softer than traditional PVC baits.
- The material is at least ten times tougher—a single Z-Man® softbait can hold up to several dozen fish catches, or more.
- ElaZtech is significantly more buoyant than PVC baits, translating to more action and more realism in the water.
- The material is non-toxic, both to the fish and within the aquatic environment.
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p>Provided by Booyah
BOOYAH ToadRunner Provides Fully Adjustable Wire Form TailFor a topwater bait to be effective, the bait must have the ability to disturb the water surface with attributes that create sound, action and vibration. The ToadRunner from BOOYAH Bait Co. not only has those qualities, but it gives anglers the ability to adjust the sound and action based upon fishing conditions.
The ToadRunner is built around a modified BOOYAH Pad Crasher body. Grooves were added under the body and the legs were shortened so the bait will not spin in the water. These modifications also give the bait a life-like appearance when it stops and floats. The key to the bait however lies in the patent pending Wire Form Tail, which will allow anglers to easily tune the bait so that it will make different sounds from subtle to super loud.
The Wire Form Tail consists of a pliable wire that is molded inside a translucent tail. The tail is connected to the body of the ToadRunner by a ball bearing swivel and a split ring, which allows the tail to rotate 360 degrees and produces a plopping sound. When the bait is placed in the water the translucent tail takes on the color of the water so fish will not hone in on it and hook sets will not be impacted. The pliable wire inside the tail can be bent to change the motion and the sound of the bait as needed.
The ToadRunner is designed to be fished around heavy cover and grass mats without getting hung up but it will fish just as well in open water or around sparse vegetation. The ToadRunner is a tournament-tested bait first used by professional angler Jason Christie, who fished the ToadRunner to a top-ten finish at the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Lake Sam Rayburn.
“Being able to adjust the tail to trigger strikes under different conditions is a game changer,” said Christie. “By being able to actually adjust the sound of the bait and make fish react is the reason I had a good finish on Sam Rayburn. With the translucent tail the fish will key on the body of the bait reducing short strikes, the grooves in the body and shortened legs will eliminate the chance of the frog rolling in the water.”
Learn more at www.BOOYAHbaits.com and www.lurenet.com.
Specifications:
Colors: Leopard Frog, Cricket Frog, Bullfrog, Albino Frog, Shad Frog, Sunburn, Night Train, Ole Smokey, Blue Gill, Bone Length: 4.5 inches Weight: 7/8 ounce Depth: Topwater Hook: Double MSRP: $9.99
*Pro Tip From Jason Christie*
If you miss a fish when Fishing the ToadRunner don’t change baits, just adjust the tail to make a different sound and cast back to him. More often than not the fish will strike again.
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Humminbird Report
New Humminbird App Gives Users Access to LakeMaster Maps and Software Updates
More than ever, anglers rely on their smartphones for communications on and off the water.
The new Humminbird FishSmart app puts the power of LakeMaster mapping in anglers' hands and delivers a more convenient path to important software updates for Humminbird fishfinders.
Operating through a clean, intuitive interface and working with a device's GPS, FishSmart allows users to view their precise location. But the true power of FishSmart is revealed when it's used in conjunction with a high definition LakeMaster. Within the app, users can purchase and download any of the 1,500+ high definition LakeMaster maps. From there, they can highlight depth contours and shallow water, offset the water depth based on seasonal changes, or even mark waypoints or routes.
High definition LakeMaster lake maps are easy to search, buy, and download within the FishSmart app, or through Humminbird's digital cartography store. Once purchased within the app, maps can wirelessly transfer to Bluetooth-enabled HELIX and SOLIX Series fishfinders. And unlike some lake maps that require annual subscription fees, once you buy a LakeMaster map, you own it with no additional fees.
"Our goal at Humminbird is to help people make the most out of their limited time on the water," said Ray Schaffart, Humminbird brand manager. "Whether navigating a lake or river in a canoe, kayak or boat, or walking or driving on the ice in the winter, we want to give anglers a solution that utilizes the power of our LakeMaster maps and leverages the GPS capabilities of their smartphones. The FishSmart app delivers that and more with the connectivity to Humminbird units."
The app is helpful while on the water and it serves as a resource while preparing for fishing trips or tournaments. Anglers can use the app to access any LakeMaster map purchased from ChartSelect and create a game plan for future excursions without having to be in the boat looking at their Humminbird fishfinder.
Another valuable feature of the FishSmart app is that it allows existing Humminbird owners to make valuable software updates wirelessly. Customers with Bluetooth-enabled HELIX and SOLIX fishfinders can now sync each unit with their phone using the app, search for any available software updates, and send the files wirelessly to the fishfinder's internal storage.
"Consumers want simplicity and convenience from their electronics, whether it be a smartphone or a fish finder. The FishSmart app lets us improve the angler's experience with the Humminbird brand, making it easier to stay on top of the latest product enhancements," said Schaffart.
FishSmart is available as a free download in the app store for Apple and Android users.
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Quantum Report
Smooth Quantum Vapor Spinning Reel at a Fair Price
Born from the same great cosmetic features that became so popular with the launch of a Vapor baitcasting reel in 2016, Quantum’s spinning version of Vapor is backed by a 3-year warranty, and built with an all aluminum uni-body construction called Reel Engine Design™ that keeps all the gears and key components in precise alignment for a smoother more durable reel, versus more typical 2-part reels.
Fans of the Vapor baitcaster will be quick to recognize and appreciate the durable, comfortable, and tactile cork rubber handle as they turn nine Performance Tuned bearings in anticipation of bites backed by rock solid hooksets, thanks to a brand new DuraLock™ clutch that has more rollers than previous clutches.
Following the hookset, anglers can be confident in Vapor’s patented CSC™ drag system that combines ceramic and carbon fiber to provide superior smoothness and heat resistance. Plus a newly designed adjustment system makes Vapor’s drag nearly linear.
Available in sizes 15, 25, 30 and 40, Vapor’s Performance Tuned nickel titanium bail wire is exclusive to Quantum and it won’t bend like the bail wires on competitive spinning reels are prone to. And at a price of just $139, it won’t break you.