Author: BD STAFF

Baitcasters aren’t just for largemouth bass. You’ll see plenty of guides and anglers turning to baitcasters when chasing reds in the Gulf or calico bass on the West Coast. The reason is simple: long casts, fast retrieves and accuracy. With that in mind, Okuma Fishing Tackle introduced the all-new Cedros low profile, high-speed baitcast reel, for both right- and left-handed anglers. The new Cedros fills a need for a premium, low-profile baitcasting reel constructed to meet angler’s inshore saltwater fishing needs — namely strength, corrosion resistance, fluid handling, line capacity and a drag system that’s up to the challenge of…

Just about every year it seems a new player shows up on the scene in the tackle world. The latest company to make a splash, Montauk Fishing Gear, offers a line of high-speed conventional jigging reels and a series of spinning reels. Founded by fishermen, Montauk Fishing Tackle is now in the process of building a tight dealer network to get its products out to the public. The company takes its name from Montauk, New York, the legendary fishing town at the point of Long Island. But the founders travel all around to conduct their research, putting their gear to…

When you think of big-game fishing, the United Kingdom is definitely not the first country to come to mind. Be that as it may, the designers at Fox International introduced a two-speed spinning reel that is definitely one of the most unique reels to hit the market in a long time. Keep in mind that we have not tested this prototype, but we did handle it at ICAST, the large tackle trade show, and it looks to be legit. The Stratos 20000 TS Twin Speed Spinning Reel is the first reel of its kind. The English, like many European big-game…

To round its Santiago line of offshore reels, Fin-Nor released the 130 Unlimited. Built to tangle with the largest fish in the ocean, the 130 Limited is built with two things in mind — strength and line capacity. When you’re chasing 1,000-pound marlin or bluefin tuna, you need to hold a ton of line and a 130 is the only way to go. The Santiago 130 Unlimited holds a monstrous 1,200 yards of 130-pound mono and 2,500 yards of 200-pound braid. Strength comes through unity — so Fin-Nor used a solid one-piece machined 6061-T6 aircraft-grade integral aluminum frame to increase…

Whether you need to downshift to turn the head of a sounding yellowfin tuna, or crank like hell to gain line as the captain runs down a billfish, two-speed reels help you make the most of any situation. The latest reels to hit the market from Fin-Nor, the Marquesa Two-Speed, offer two vastly different gear ratios in one tough package to make sure you’re covered no matter what fish you’re pursuing. The Marquesa Two-Speed reels feature an extended gearbox design allowing the angler to pick up 51 inches of line with every rotation of the handle when using the 6.1:1…

When battling big tuna on stand-up, line capacity and drag strength are your two main considerations. You want a reel that can hold enough line for those long runs, but wide-bodied reels can feel awkward and unbalanced when fighting fish. You won’t have that problem with Shimano’s new Talica TAC-50II, a two-speed reel that provides anglers with a compact, high-speed castable lever-drag reel that can hold enough line to battle just about anything that swims. “There’s a certain breed of angler who choose to fight fish from the rail that will instantly see the potential for this reel — and…

Shimano has a long history of consistently improving upon its already very good reels to bring to market a top-of-the-line product. That’s exactly what the company did with the introduction of the new Sustain FG series of spinning reels. The five reels in this line are offered with Shimano’s X-Ship feature, which is also found in the award-winning Stella FE reels. But one of the coolest features is an innovative ‘kickstand’ that folks out to keep the reel from laying on its side. The kickstand will keep the reel from getting damaged and looking good. A spinning reel with a…

Shimano’s baitcasting reels have been serving anglers for a decade so the company decided to make a few tweaks and improvements to this popular reel for 2012. The new Chronarch E series now includes two new sizes, a 200 and left-hand retrieve 201 in 7:1, 6.5:1 and 5.5:1 gear ratios. Shimano also introduced the compact-size Chronarch 50 and left-hand retrieve 51 reels with a 6:4.1 gear ratio. “We provide Chronarch anglers with the right reel in the right size and right gear speed for just about any and all bass fishing techniques,” said Kenichi Iida, Shimano American Corp.’s reel product…

Shimano (Shimano Caius 200)recently launched a new reel that showcases its proven baitcasting reel quality and dependability — the new Caius 200 and left-hand retrieve 201. Both reels are made for those anglers wanting to step up to the fishing benefits of a low-profile casting reel. These reels are easy to operate and come with several simple to learn features to help any angler improve his or her cast. The Caius reels are offered with Shimano’s new Easy Mag II Braking System — a magnetic cast control that provides anglers with a true free-spool setting when firing off baits. “With…

California Fishing Means Variety With about 850 miles of coastline, California fishing offers anglers a vast array of options. Anglers in California can target inshore species such as calico bass, sand bass and surfperch. Move a bit further offshore and you can fish the kelp paddies for yellowtail and tuna. There are also billfish to chase when fishing in California, namely striped marlin and broadbill swordfish. But, we’re still just scratching the surface. Many anglers enjoy bottomfishing as well. You never know what you might hook into when you drop some baits down on some structure. Some of the more…

Okuma’s new Komodo Low-Profile baitcaster takes its name from the Komodo dragon, a ferocious predator that dominates every environment it enters. The Komodo reels give anglers a choice of a 7.3:1 high-speed or a more powerful 5.4:1 low speed to either work baits fast or turn the head of a big catch. Okuma Komodo baitcast reels start off with an impressive foundational structure. The low-profile Komodo features premium components within its lean frame and weighs in at just 6.5-ounces. An aluminum frame constructed of all-new T480 aluminum alloy couples with aluminum sideplates. A machined-aluminum spool, cut from A6061-T6 aluminum completes…

The new Orra S spinning reel from Abu Garcia was born from the company’s Revo DNA and constructed with high-quality materials, to come up with a high performance, mid-priced spinning reel. The Orra S also makes a perfectly balanced match for the Abu Garcia Vendetta Rod. Abu uses six HPCRTM (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing to give the reel a smooth feel when cranking. The X-Craftic alloy frame features a one-piece gearbox to keeps gears in line while the Hybrid Carbon Matrix drag improves drag performance over standard felt drags. Abu uses a brass Duragear…

Levelwind reels present a helpful tool when it comes to laying line uniformly on the spool as an angler reels it in. But, that same levelwind can be a major nuisance when you cast. The line can hang up in it, interfering with distance and accuracy. To help anglers get the most out of every cast, Daiwa came out with a unique levelwind mechanism called the T-Wing System. At the heart of the T-Wing system is a unique, T-shaped line guide aperture, designed to reduce casting friction, yet provide a precise levelwind upon retrieve. According to Daiwa, when using an…

Daiwa has good news for surf casters and those looking to sling baits farther than ever. Daiwa recently began selling two of the European in the United States, including the 7HTMAG and factory “super tuned” M7HTMAGST. The spools on the Millionaire is capable of reaching 30,000 rpm! With proven, record-class performance in European casting competitions, these reels offer maximum distance in an off-the-shelf reel. Both reels are built under Daiwa’s watchful eye at its Japanese factory to ensure maximum quality control. To control the high-performance spools of these reels, Magforce Z (called Magnofuge in Europe) automatically applies smooth magnetic braking…

If you have an educated thumb, a baitcasting reel offers you improved accuracy with your casts. But if your thumb doesn’t know when to put the breaks on, you’ll end up with a bird’s nest that will steal away valuable fishing time as you try to pick the mess apart. A new line of baitcasters from Daiwa, the , offer new technology to avoid backlashes and make you look like a pro. The Magforce Z baitcasting reels are built with the line capacity and durability for heavy freshwater and light saltwater use. They also offer what Daiwa calls one of…

Daiwa Certate-HA spinning reels Daiwa completely redesigned and updated its popular Certate line of spinning reels and relaunched the spinners as the new Cerate-HA. Anglers will find the smooth dependable reel they’ve come to rely on, but it’s now loaded up with cutting-edge technology for better performance. As you probably know, salt water destroys just about everything it comes in contact with. And for spinning reels, the rotor bearing has always been a susceptible area for water intrusion. To combat this issue, Daiwa borrowed a trick from NASA’s fuel delivery technology and began using magnetic oil to protect the rotor…

The fishing industry continues to borrow new technology from other industries. The latest technology comes from aerospace. One of the latest materials to show up in fishing reels is “Zaion Carbon,” which Daiwa used to make its four new . The Zaion Carbon is used in the construction process to make the Ballistic reels corrosion-proof and lightweight. Rivaling magnesium for lightweight strength and rigidity, Zaion Carbon material is impervious to saltwater corrosion, making it an excellent choice for both fresh and saltwater reels. To handle the harsh saltwater environments and keep the reel running smoothly, Daiwa uses an oiled-felt seal…

Abu Garcia decided to add two more sizes to its popular line of Revo Premier spinning reels. Using NanoShield technology, the reel sports components that are up to 50 percent lighter than aluminum and about 300 percent stronger than graphite, according to the company. The two new sizes, a diminutive PRM10 for light and ultralight applications and the larger PRM40 for bigger fish give anglers more choices when picking their next reel. The Revo Premier is extremely resistant to corrosion, abrasion and cracking and it’s smooth as silk with 11 HPCRTM (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) stainless steel bearings. The bearings…

Baitcasters continue to evolve into lighter, smoother casting reels and the new Abu Garcia Revo MGX low-profile reel falls in line with that evolution. Abu Garcia used a compact design, a one-piece X-Mag magnesium alloy frame and lighter-than-aluminum C6 carbon sideplates to create this line of ultra-lightweight baitcasters. The reel weighs in at just 5.4 ounces. The Revo MGX impressed the judges at the recent ICAST tackle trade show so much that it took home the Best Freshwater Reel Award. The Revo MGX also uses what Abu calls the Infinitely Variable Centrifugal Brake system (IVCB-IVTM), which can be adjusted externally…

The new Orra SX spinning reels from Abu Garcia, comes in five models from a 10 to a 60 to cover a wide range of fishing situations. Each features a corrosion resistant X-Craftic alloy frame and eight stainless steel HPCRTM (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) bearings plus a roller bearing with Instant Anti-Reverse. The proven sealed Carbon Matrix drag system provides a smooth, consistent drag while the brass Duragear, stainless steel main shaft and other components should stand the test of time. Slow oscillation makes sure mono or braid lays nicely on the spool and the Everlast bail system and rotor…

Since 1975, the names of the anglers who have won the prestigious Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament have made up a virtual who’s who in saltwater fly-fishing. The 35th annual event is set for September 13-16 for those fly-fishermen who would like to join that coveted list. The “Fall Fly,” as it’s called in elite circles, is a test of skill and stealth for up to 25 competitors. It has attracted seasoned anglers like Flip Pallot, brothers Sandy Moret and Randy Moret, Billy Pate and acclaimed “Striptease” author and Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen, a seven-time tournament grand champion.…

This weekend, Louisiana’s four percent state sales tax will not be levied on the first $2,500 spent on individual items of tangible personal use. The tax-free holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 5 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 6. Only state tax is exempt and all other sales taxes, such as parish taxes still apply. “It’s a great time for outdoor enthusiasts to gear up and save money on the items they want.” A tax-free holiday provides a savings opportunity for the hunter to be properly outfitted, birdwatchers to get the correct optics and anglers to update…

Casa Vieja Lodge, the famed sportfishing lodge based in Guatemala, recently announced the addition of Capt. David Salazar and Juan Cruz Anon to its Guatemalan management staff. Salazar will take on the roll of director of fleet operations. Salazar has more than 15 years experience in the charter-boat business, 10 of those years fishing the billfish-rich waters of Guatemala. Salazar owned and operated the Yellowfin, a 38-foot Topaz, one of Fins ‘n Feathers top game boats. Salazar later moved to the Man O War, a 38-foot Norseman and is presently the owner of the Spindrift, 38-foot Stolper and Bird’s Nest,…

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) secured a $500,000 federal grant to support the creation of additional public hunting and fishing opportunities. Hunting private lands in CA will be allowed by a grant, through California’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program, will allow public access for wildlife-dependent recreation on private lands. “This significant grant funding is the shot in the arm that the SHARE Program needs to finally expand beyond a mere pilot or regional program,” said Mark Hennelly, Vice President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). “Many new and exciting hunting opportunities will be…