Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
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Lew’s Unveils Their Lightest, Toughest Reel at Bassmaster Classic
Team Lew’s new ProTi SLP baitcast reel was introduced at the recent Bassmaster Classic.
Combining a one-piece aluminum frame and aluminum side plates with Titanium composition, the reel is the lightest, toughest ever produced by Lew’s. Hard aluminum alloy “Speed Gears” provide precision gear mesh that maximizes smoothness and durability. A premium 11 bearing system with double-shielded Stainless Steel ball bearings and a Zero Reverse one-way clutch bearing add to the smoothness and durability of this reel.
Not only is the Pro-Ti SLP light and tough, but it’s also extremely user friendly to make the angler’s day on the water a success. The proprietary brake shoe geometry of the externally adjustable 6-pin, 27-position QuietCast Adjustable Centrifugal Braking System (ACB) means a quieter and smoother braking system. The exclusive and patented Speed Dial® line indicator means no more forgetting what type of line is spooled on each reel, and the patented Speed Keeper® hook keeper provides a convenient place to keep baits at the ready when not in use.
The new Team Lew’s Pro-Ti SLP is offered in both left and right-handed models with a 7.5:1 gear ratio. It will sell at suggested retail price of $349.99.
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Provided by Loomis
Classic Introduction: Loomis Reduces Weight, Adds Durability in New E6X Rod Design
G. Loomis introduced a redesign to its popular E6X Series at this week’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic to make the popular rods more durable and even lighter.
The E6X series will sell from $189.99 to $199.99 while a new 8-foot swimbait rod will retail for $249.99.
Available for the 2018 fishing season, the new E6X bass rods includes 33 models offered in both technique specific, along with G. Loomis’ universal ‘Mag Bass’ (MBR) casting and ‘Spin Jig’ (SJR) spinning actions.
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Provided by Shimano
Classic Introduction: Shimano Brings Back Bantam 150 with Modern Day Features
Shimano introduced anglers to Bantam - its first low-profile baitcasting reel some 40 years ago and they’re bringing it back in a new, refined model that was introduced at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic this week.
The Bantam 150 MGL will be offered in six models - the Bantam MGL150, 151, 150HG, 151HG, 150XG and 151XG. It will retail for $349.99.
“With the new Bantam MGL reels, we went back to the legacy we built with the original metal construction reels, and took advantage of 40 years of ever-expanding technology,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development staff. “Anglers will discover the entire concept behind the Bantam MGL reel is all about rigid, solid, and sensitive. We incorporate specific design elements and technology to focus on that concept.”
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(Provided by Shimano)
Shimano Introduces New Stella FJ Series at Classic
Shimano will unveil its new Stella FJ reels at this week’s Bassmaster Classic.
The flagship in Shimano’s spinning reel line-up will have five new models in sizes for everything from trout and panfish, to bass and walleye as well as saltwater models.
Setting it apart from past series, anglers will quickly notice new Shimano technology, including MicroModule II gear system, enhanced HAGANE concept constructed gear and body, X-Protect and SilentDrive.
“Anglers around the globe know we are always pursuing perfection,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development team. “As our reel manufacturing abilities evolve and improve almost constantly - the Shimano way - we’re able to share that technology in new reels like the Stella FJ series.”
Shimano’s MicroModule II gear system includes “gear teeth which are designed to the ideal shape to reduce vibration, providing a smoother performing reel,” Epich explains. “We then take smooth rotation to an even higher level with SilentDrive, a long list of micro adjustments and enhancements to reduce any handle play and eliminate any clicking noise in all moving parts.”
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(Provided by Zoom)
Versatile Zoom Frog Ready to Make Some Noise
Zoom Bait Company announces the release of the new Zoom Frog, the latest addition to our world-leading line of soft plastics. Zoom already had the category leading "buzz frog" in the form of the Zoom Horny Toad. The Horny Toad will remain the standard-setter for times when the perfect pitter-patter of ultra-vibe legs is demanded, but this new model provides more bulk and a more violent noise than any other bait of this kind.
"It has a unique sound to it," said FLW and Zoom pro Randy Haynes. "It leaves bubbles behind it and you can buzz it on top or work it like a prop bait. Most importantly, the frog floats, so when a fish blows up on it you can leave it in the water and they'll come back and get it."
Haynes is known as an offshore wizard, with six of his seven FLW Outdoors wins coming on the TVA system. Yet over the past year he's been secretly enjoying incredible success in skinnier water, most of it with the early prototypes of the new Zoom Frog.
"Last fall I fished it over the holes in the hydrilla at Pickwick," he recalled. "You can use it in the Florida hay fields and I caught them on it at Seminole in the early spring. I love it because it gets lots of bites and the material stretches, but doesn't tear up like some others."
The Zoom Frog is 4 inches long and weighs Ω ounce. It will initially be available in five universally applicable colors - White, Black, Zebra Green, Sexy Shad, Natural Brown and Baby Duck. They'll be sold in groups of three in the same type of ultra-protective clamshell packaging that houses the Zoom Swimmer. Look for the Zoom Frog at leading tackle stores and online retailers.