New Equipement Put to the test this Year

[Slipknot]

Daiwa Samauri braid, I like the softness but I had too many issues with light stuff causing windknots and lost way too much line. maybe i was using too heavy lb test I don't know, gonna try power pro.

Backbeach plugs - I tried a couple and while they seem to work well I didn't catch diddly either. I'm not giving up on them though. They sure look nice.

M & D's pencil popper- cast longer than any plug I own, the paint doesn't hold up that well from the hooks but they catch fish well so who cares. cheap too.

Northbar bottle darter, great action and catches very well. nothing real big for me yet but they are nice plugs.

[Rmarsh]

30 lb. Boga worked ok but locked up alot from small amount of sand, even after thorough rinsing. Nice to have in the kayak for Blues except when they have lockjaw and won't open their mouths.

Northbar bottledarter caught well for me.

Daiwa sp minnow caught three fish over 20 lbs and countless others for me this year. Cast and swims better than bombers or redfins.

Simple D-Ring on my wading belt to hold my rod when I need both hands.

[afterhours]

simms headwaters wading boots with wearbar studs- i'm in love...

2 tube mak bag- nicest bag i've ever owned...

grudens fleece top with rubber sleeves and front- made for the ccc...

cts 1201 rod- rocket launcher...

[tobias]

Originally Posted by afterhours

cts 1201 rod- rocket launcher...

Ditto

Jerry Brown solid braid

Shimano Power Aero Albrid

[Stewie]

Daiwa Saltist 20H conventional reel. Not really new this year. I wanted to give it two seasons before I talked about it.

I decided not to maintain this reel, one drop of of oil on each spool bearing and one on the handle knob every month, that's it.

After almost two years, something finally started to go wrong, the clutch lever got stiff. I opened it up and found that there was some salt crap built up in the guts of the right sideplate. The backup (Abu style) antireverse was also stuck with crap. A good cleaning and relube made it like new again. Since the inside of the left side was sparkly clean, I assume the salt crud snuck in through the drainage holes in the bottom of the right side. This winter, I'll take it apart again and use silicone to seal these weep holes.

After using/repairing Abu level winds for years, it is a delight to just use a reel and not worry about it. The drag is sweet, strong and smooth, the reel casts very well and is comfortable in the hands.
What more could you ask for?

I never had a non levelwind Abu and nearly all the problems I had with those reels was with the pawls and worms and gears relating to the level wind function

[RoyL]

Rods:

Shimano Terez: I was really taken away with the strength and back bone of these rods. More of a bait rod with its soft tip they can easily handle tuna to 300lbs. The colors are a little funky, but they do grow on you.

G Loomis IMX Surf: I took the 1325 11' model which is rated for 3/4-5oz. Like most loomis blanks this rod cast metal and bucktails a country mile. My only issues were I wish the rod was a little faster action and the bulky fore grip. The adjustable reel seat is pretty cool and the new k guides are awesome...everyone thinks there bent. I'm liking this rod a lot as i can both jig and plug with it. This is a two piece which I don't mind, but its price might be hard for some to jump on as I think they retail for $555

REELS:

Shimano Trinidad: I tried out the newer model which is a better and much sharper looking reel then the already great older one. I think like the sw this will be its last change as the reel is perfect.

Shimano Tallica ll: I am in love with this conventional reel. It is small enough to cast and fit in your hand tho this real is a two speed and equivalent to a 50. Talk about using the same reel for anything from sea bass to tuna...I love it

Shimano Bait runner: Now this is a real that has always performed great for me and never thought it needed any change. But what they did with it has brought it to another level. These much smoother slimmed out versions can even be used as a plugging reel if someone chose too.

Plugs:

Big Fish Double shot: What a pencil for where I fish. I took a lot of big fish this year on this one. It cast a mile and even tho it sinks like a rock it effortlessly comes to the top, even in almost slack water.

Left hook sm canal pencil: This little missile can reach places you never thought of. Even on a 1209 with 65lb braid. This pencil was perfect this summer as it was the perfect size with all the tinkers around.

Shimano waxwing: I tried the jr and at 1.5 oz this subsurface swimming jig cast pretty good. The best part was it seemed to really get bit. The negative side of it is that the hook up ratio can be tuff. I replaced the double hooks with a 6/0 vmc siwashi which help a lot. Anything else took away from its action

Allan's new pintail: Even tho it doesn't get as much attention as other rubber baits. This has got to be hands down the best top water rubber i've used. The new pintails are amazing and have some any options of rigging that they find a nitch in every application. Still a must have in my bag

Storm Deep shad: Kick @ss smaller shad. The hook seems to be a bit tight but a old timer told me to bend it of set and now it kicks @ss
Terminal:

Tactical clips: After dropping a pig last year on a breakaway. I vowed never to use another one. So this year I tried the 120lb tacticals which are just a little bigger then the 80lb BA. These clips are great. They can take a 9" shad with ease and will not give out. A big winner for me and hands down the best clip on the market in my book

Power Pro Hollowcore ace: I like this new braid off shore, but am still curious as to if it will perform on the surf. Being hollow I feel like it will twist on a spinning reel after many long cast.

As elite bags and belt: I love the bullet proof materials and big tubes on the bags and the belt keeps its spine after many days on and in the water. The Cobra was a great up grade on the most popular of the bags, and has some great added features like its extra pockets and spool dispencer...I really loved this bag

[likwid]

Originally Posted by RoyL

Power Pro Hollowcore ace: I like this new braid off shore, but am still curious as to if it will perform on the surf. Being hollow I feel like it will twist on a spinning reel after many long cast.

Jerry Brown is still cheaper. (blue and yellow are stiffer than the white too)
Won't even consider it until Streamline tests its ABS.

[BassDawg]

1 swivel/brkwy snap holder from Red Top's this Spring; made tieing leaders a breeeeeeeze!!
easily the coolest and MOST used gadget for my 2010 season,,,,,,,,,,,,and it was FREE!!

1 of Back Beach's Conrad's in blk over silver; absolute FishFinder!! when they were there,,,,,,,,,,,
schoolies to my pb for AYC(32#'er). incredible action, LUV the winged lip, very easy to control/vary the wobble, and it casts faaaaah too! THANKS, Mike,,,,,,,,,,,

will demo a VS250 this w/e for the first time, thanks to the Gifted One~~~
which will hopefully get put thru the paces,,,,,,,,,,,,South County Style,
then i'll put it thru The OTHER Cape's rigors of Autumn.

[new jack]

Originally Posted by BassDawg

1 swivel/brkwy snap holder from Red Top's this Spring; made tieing leaders a breeeeeeeze!!
easily the coolest and MOST used gadget for my 2010 season,,,,,,,,,,,,and it was FREE!!

:

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

Daiwa Samauri braid, I like the softness but I had too many issues with light stuff causing windknots and lost way too much line. maybe i was using too heavy lb test I don't know, gonna try power pro.

That was last year's new equipment, for me. I found that while it's great for plugging, it doesn't have enough abrasion resistance for jigging, and it undertests. The 55# braid broke before my 40# mono leader on several occasions, causing me to lose too much line. That kind of did away with the extra distance I was getting over Big Game braid.

I'm not going to run a 30# mono leader for jigging.