Tournaments

New Fishing Gear and Apparel: April 2014

Check out some of the latest gear and products for offshore fishing.

April 22, 2014

There’s nothing worse than getting in a hurry and dropping an entire plastic container of presorted swivels or hooks onto the deck and watching the contents fly to all corners of the cockpit. Flambeau recently introduced the answer to many mates’ prayers with their Ultimate Tuff Tainers Series of plastic containers. The new compartmented utility boxes feature a watertight seal, three tight-sealing latches and Zerust corrosion protection. Molded directly into the dividers, the patent-pending polymer emits a harmless vapor, forming a protective layer around metal surfaces. Zerust provides up to five years of hassle-free corrosion protection. The Ultimate Tuff Tainers come in four sizes in both compartmented and open-core versions to meet the storage needs of every angler. For more information, visit flambeau.com.

The granddaddy of them all is back. The Bimini King line of rods became famous among saltwater anglers for its strength and durability, and Tycoon Tackle is bringing it back. Every Bimini King is custom-fit with Winthrop Tackle Excel Series Custom Gold Coated Roller Guides, and each guide frame is precision-machined from a solid aircraft-grade aluminum bar. The flocked foregrip helps prevent slippage and provides comfort through long battles. The Bimini King comes equipped with the American Fishing Tackle Co. Storabutt, a handle-and-reel seat combination designed especially for big-game anglers who use curved fishing rod butts but also may want to use a straight fishing rod butt at some point. Each Bimini King is wrapped with the classic Tycoon Tackle black-and-yellow wraps, which are still recognizable on decades-old fishing rods. For more information, visit tycoontackle.com.Cloverdale Photography LLC

More and more anglers are discovering how productive fishing live baits under kites can be; there are few methods that can beat a struggling goggle-eye pinned to the surface with no leader in the water. Pompanette recently completed its newest rocket launcher built by professional kite fishermen for all fishermen. This new eight-rod rocket launcher boasts a unique shape that actually makes kite fishing and covering multiple baits a much easier proposition. The curved manta shape allows two anglers to fish multiple rods at their fingertips, allowing them to cover more rods at one time. The additional bait tray allows mates to work faster and more efficiently, keeping all their rigging materials in one spot. This simply is a better mousetrap, and the unique shape is just plain cool. For more information, visit pompanette.com.

IOn America, the company that brought Wi-Fi connectivity to point-of-view cameras, recently introduced the iOn Air Pro 3 high-definition video camera. The Wi-Fi capabilities allow users to control camera functions and settings, preview scenes before shooting, instantly replay recordings, and immediately upload footage to Facebook, YouTube and other social networks. The new Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi records HD video up to 60 frames per second at 1080p, with dual streaming that enables users to “shoot and share” their recordings. A 12-megapixel image sensor offers up to 4,000-by-3,000-pixel still-image resolution with superior light sensitivity and wider dynamic range. For more information, visit ioncamera.com.

There’s no question that most crewmen nowadays prefer to wear colorful board shorts in the cockpit. Bluefin USA uses some of the most innovative technology and eye-catching designs to make board shorts that can be seen and almost heard. Bluefin’s new board shorts feature an incredible four-way stretch fabric that is ultra-lightweight, anti-microbial and quick to dry. The fabric allows for an enormous range of movement, so the shorts won’t slow your mate down on the leader. The shorts are made from a 90 percent polyester and 10 percent spandex blend. They also boast two side pockets and one back pocket, so you can carry all your gear hands-free. For more information, visit bluefinusa.com.

Getting all your gear from one place to another while traveling abroad can be a nightmare. Finding bags that are big enough to carry a heavy load and that can keep your stuff dry is almost impossible. Luckily, Grundéns recently added new camouflage versions of its highly popular Waterproof Gear Bags to its growing Gage Technical Gear line. Both the 105-liter Shackelton Duffel and 30-liter Rum Runner backpack now come in a choice of traditional black or new Kryptek camouflage. Both of these rugged bags are tailored from 500 denier PVC tarpaulin fabric with 100 percent radio frequency-welded seams and roll-top closures to keep clothing, tackle, ammunition, electronics and other gear dry and protected even in the wettest and wildest conditions. They are built for use on the high seas, wild rivers or in backwoods, and they are ideal for fishing, hunting, camping or any outdoor adventure. With its heavy-duty carrying straps and backpack option, the duffel offers a versatile way to transport and protect vital equipment, such as cameras, GPS units, marine electronics and more. For more information, visit grundens.com.

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