Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
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Daiwa Report
New Daiwa Zillion 10.0
A 10.0: 1 gear ratio. Think about it. In basic terms, that means you get ten rotations of the spool for every full crank. That’s some amazing pick-up, ideal for moving lures at break-wind speeds and pulling uncooperative fish from structure and cover. And that’s precisely what Daiwa’s new low-profile Zillion 10.0 puts in your hands.
The Japanese engineered and manufactured Zillion 10.0 yields technique-specific brilliance, especially in the realm of bass fishing. It’s high speed retrieve lends perfection for fishing topwater baits, like frogs and buzzbaits. Daiwa’s Zillion 10.0 is equally as proficient burning lipless crankbaits and other hardbody lures when retrieval speed is the key.
After the hookup, the Zillion 10.0 also gives you the power and velocity to get fish up and out of precarious environments. Pitch a jig into timber, along pilings or in deep vegetated pockets, and that bass better come boatside quickly, or lose it back to the lake. Daiwa’s Zillion 10.0 gives you the authority to bring that fish home.
Due to popular demand to add a fast reel back to the Zillion line up where we used to have a 9.0:1 in Zillion, we accomplished the wishes of the public and developed the faster more powerful Zillion 10.0:1 reel, said Daiwa Field Marketing Manager Marc Mills. “Frog guys and Lipless guys you are going to love it!”
From a design standpoint, Daiwa incorporated premium componentry, all aimed at delivering speed and power in a lightweight, comfortable and durable reel. For starters, Daiwa’s signature G1 Duraluminum SV Spool is perfectly balanced, light and efficient, and conceived for making controlled casts.
Unlike other reels, where the pinion gear constantly rides the spool shaft, Daiwa’s unique free-floating G1 Duraluminum SV Spool rests independently on precision, stainless steel ball bearings. And because the pinion rides its own separate shaft, the spool spins freely, unhampered by gear train friction when casting.
While on the topic of aluminum, the Zillion 10.0’s exquisite innerworkings are housed in a frame with side plates constructed of the same premium alloy.
More aluminum means gears are kept in precise alignment. Lesser reels that aren’t encased in aluminum get sloppy over time. The Zillion 10.0’s aluminum shell ensures tighter tolerances and a reel that simply lasts longer.
The Zillion 10.0’s performance is further bolstered by Daiwa’s exclusive T-Wing System (TWS). The “T” aperture allows line to flow freely on the cast, reducing the sharp angles and friction that cause line to stall when exiting the reel. With the Zillion 10.0, on the retrieve, the line drops into the narrower, lower channel of the T-Wing for even greater distribution across the spool width.
Daiwa's exclusive and comfortable Swept Handle moves the paddles closer to the rod's centerline. The result is less wobble of the rod and reel in your hand as you crank. That means less wasted energy and a more powerful retrieve.
Masters at delivering premium, technique-specific reels, Daiwa dares you to find a lighter weight, more effective tool for burning baits and bringing trophies back to the boat. We dare say the Zillion 10.0 has no challengers.
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Shimano report
While the nation goes all out with support to local businesses that are feeling the economic brunt of COVID-19, Shimano has ramped up its efforts to support local tackle shops through its connection with Locally.com. Through the fish.shimano.com web site, anglers can buy Shimano rods, reels and lures, G. Loomis rods, PowerPro braid, and Jackall lures through their nearest in-stock tackle shop by simply clicking on the ‘Find it Locally’ banner on every product description page.
“Locally.com had an amazing reaction to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. Their service can truly keep the lights on for tackle dealers nationwide and help them reach consumers who are limiting their shopping experiences. Shopping locally will have a positive impact on local commerce, and Shimano is proud to have partnered with a great forward-thinking company to offer this service to anglers,” said Jim Lupinski, Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. senior sales manager.
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Strike King Report
Strike King KVD 2.5 Wake Bait
The new 2.5 KVD Wake Bait is built off of the very popular KVD 2.5 Squarebill design that anglers love.
The difference is the unique bill design that is angled so the bait wakes the surface of the water instead of diving. The 2.5 Wake is designed where it can be reeled both fast and slow speeds and will not blow out – an issue that is common in other wake bait designs. Being able to reel it fast allows the fish to not get a good look at the bait, enticing more strikes. Additionally, internal rattles create a unique clacking sound that drives fish crazy.
The new KVD 2.5 Wake comes in 12 fish catching colors and with a MSRP of $6.99.
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Storm Report
Smaller and Larger Sizes Now Offered in Storm 360GT Swimmer Jigs
To help anglers match the hatch on multiple waterbodies with baitfish of different sizes swimming at multiple depths, Storm 360GT Searchbait Swimmers Jigs are available now in two new sizes – one a quarter-ounce lighter than the original model, and one a quarter-ounce heavier.
The new ⅛-ounce 360GT Swimmer Jig comes armed with a 2/0 VMC Coastal Black Hook and pre-rigged on a 3-½-inch 360GT Searchbait soft-plastic, boot-tail swimbait body. The new ⅜-ounce Swimmer Jig comes armed with a 7/0 hook and pre-rigged on a 5-½-inch body. The original 360GT Swimmer Jig model weighs a quarter ounce, features a 4/0 hook and comes pre-rigged on a 4-inch body.
“One big deal with the action of any swimbait is being able to fit the head to the body of the plastic, and not have a larger head size on a smaller body, or vice versa,” says Rapala Pro Davy Hite, a Bassmaster Classic Champion. “These fit perfectly.”
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Abu Garcia Report
Zata - the newest line of reels from rod and reel maker Abu Garcia – were debuted at this week’s Bassmaster Classic Expo.
“The aesthetics of the Zata reels and combos are as unique as the line’s combination of performance and features, which are ideally suited to meet the demands of almost any bass-fishing scenario an angler might encounter,” said Abu Garcia Vice President of Marketing Jon Schlosser. “Bass anglers are going to be impressed by the compact, lightweight design, the quality of the components and the way it performs.”
Zata Baitcasting Reel from Abu Garcia
The new Abu Garcia Zata line includes two models of baitcasting reels, with both right- and left-handed configurations, as well as three spinning reels (Sizes 20, 30 and 40). Additionally, there are four Zata baitcasting combos and two spinning combos.
The new Zata baitcasting reels feature 10+1 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth casting and retrieval, graphite frame and side plates for additional weight savings, Carbon Matrix drag system and a Duragear brass gear. All of the features are incorporated into a sleek and compact reel.
The Zata baitcasting reels will carry an MSRP of $169.95.
Abu Garcia Zata Spinning Reel
The new Abu Garcia Zata spinning reels, which also carry an MSRP of $169.95, deliver 10 stainless ball bearings and an IM-C6 one-piece gear box with computer-optimized gearing for smoothness and performance in a variety of presentations. Built around a compact, lightweight aluminum frame, the Zata spinning reels feature Abu Garcia’s Rocket line management system and a braid-ready, machined-aluminum spool as well as a stainless-steel main shaft and components for additional strength. Both the baitcasting and spinning versions of the new Zata reels will also be available as combos, with the reels paired with lightweight and perfectly balanced graphite rod. The MSRP for the Zata reels paired with 24 Ton graphite rod is $199.99.
For more information on the new Abu Garcia Zata reels and combos, go to http://bit.ly/AbuGarciaZata.