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UPDATE NEWS: Paddle On: Kayak Fishing at ICAST
WON GEAR REVIEWS
Kayak Fishing at ICAST
By Paul Lebowitz/Western Outdoor News Staff Writer
Kayak anglers fish everywhere, even the blue water miles offshore. That makes covering a trade show as huge as ICAST a real challenge. About the only new gear I can discount is the stand-up stuff for cow tuna or other items suitable only for power boats.
There’s a lot to look forward to this year. Saltwater reels continue to get smaller while preserving their power. This isn’t just at the high end. Other trends include trigger sticks with miniature guides that supposedly cast farther and shrug off line loops, and fishfinders that display a photo-realistic view of anything under the boat.
I can only cover a fraction of the promising and fascinating products coming down the production line. First, the gear specific to the sport.
Temple Fork Outfitters introduced the Heroes on the Water series of rods. These are fish sticks with a noble purpose, to assist the rehabilitation of wounded veterans. TFO donates to the HOW program with every rod sold.
Designed by Gary Loomis and field tested by a couple of bigger-name kayak pros, these 6-ft, 6-in and 7-ft spinning and trigger sticks boats kayak-appropriate actions and reduced-size butts for sit-down style fishing. The components are solid: SIC guides, AAA cork handles, a beautiful red and blue finish. The medium-heavy rated 8-17-lbs looks solid for inshore bassing. Fairly priced too, only $99.
You can’t get any more fundamental than the boats themselves. It was exciting to see three new fishing-friendly craft debut at the show.
Inflatables excel when it comes to compact storage and light weight. We don’t see many of them offshore, but they are comfortable and capable rides in the bays and lakes, and virtually ideal in the Sierras. Sea Eagle has one of the fishiest looking inflatables I’ve ever seen, the FastTrack. It features a first of its kind bow keel and a removable aft skeg that will keep the craft firmly on course – a real plus for beginning paddlers. The floor is impressively rigid, so much so standing up is a real option. Only 35-lbs, it’ll carry up to 620, and Sea Eagle offers a diverse line of accessories including a fishing module: elevated decking, a mesh swivel seat, and rod holders. Weather permitting, WON will show one off at the Big Bear Troutfest.
Those who like to stretch their legs while kayak fishing are getting more options. Texas-based Diablo Paddlesports introduced the Adios earlier this year. Think acres of flat deck space, beamy and stable, a cross between a kayak and stand-up paddleboard, absolutely superb for bass fishing. You can see! Now it has a little brother, the Chupacabra, a compact 10.5-ft long and 37-in wide, just the thing for pocket water.
The Freedom Hawk 12 Ultralite rounded out the trio. Its predecessor, the Freedom Hawk 14, was the first fishing kayak to claim the high ground. These are the unique split tail boats – flip a couple of levers and the stern section turns into a pair of outriggers. Clever! The new model shows off years of field-tested refinement in a handier size and weight. Again, these fall more on the freshwater and bay side.
Kayak tackle storage is always a challenge. It’s so wet, taking anything but a handful of tackle is a mistake – it rusts. Waterproof tackle storage has been hard to find, and not especially trustworthy. Plano looks to have the answer. They’ve redesigned the Stowaway line, improving the O-ring seal and beefing up the latches. The company’s Liqua-Bait Locker System is also worth a close look.
I stopped buying quality pliers a while back. Tools are the one thing I tend to lose overboard. Not anymore. Boomerang Tool Company’s new line-up comes with an integrated spring-loaded retractable Kevlar cable leash. The price is right too, $40 to $60 for cast or machined aluminum pliers in a variety of jaw styles, all of which include replaceable tungsten carbide cutters.
•
RODS FOR A GOOD CAUSE – Jim Dolan of Heroes on the Water shows off the
rod named for the organization that takes wounded veterans kayak
fishing. A Gary Loomis design, it retails for $99. Manufacturer Temple
Fork Outfitters donates its portion of each
• ONE OF SHIMANO’S
ICAST AWARDS – The Waxwing jig is said to swim much like a surface iron.
The upper wing causes it to zig-zag, while the lower fin prevents
rolling. The fast reel imparts all the action.
Enough with the tools. Let’s talk about reels and one hot new lure.
Shakespeare had the most promising new low profile baitcaster I saw at the show, and it costs a paltry $40. Another ten buys a combo. Yes really.
I’m talking about the EZ Cast. This thing is virtually backlash proof. A mechanical brake jumps in when the spool threatens to over-run. On the show floor, it was bullet proof. No birds’ nests, no way, no matter how crazed and out of control the cast. The EZ Cast is going to make the transition from spinning to casting gear much easier. First timers will love it. Kids too. Once they educate their thumbs, they can move up to pricier, higher performance casting reels.
Shimano’s redesigned Trinidad A claimed Best Saltwater Reel honors. This beauty is 30% smaller than prior models, with the same cranking power and line capacity. The frame is now a single piece of machined aluminum, and boasts a boatload of engineering refinements.
Shimano’s highly original Waxwing hard bait generated big buzz. It swims something like a surface iron, but supposedly with more of an irregular kick. Company rep Marc Mills said it’s deadly for calicos over the kelp (the hooks are turned-up), while kayak guide Jim Sammons reported nailing yellowtail up top. It requires a blazing fast reel, a minimum of 6.9:1, and doesn’t weigh much, just 1.5 or 7/8ths-oz.
Okuma’s attractive new Andros 2-speed is another available in mighty mite size. It sits low on the reel seat, reducing weight and probably improving ergonomics. Okuma’s John Bretza said line capacities are 70 to 120 yards higher than on competitor’s products. $399. The redesigned Alumina low profile goes for $99. It has a closed, large arbor spool and magnetic and centrifugal casting brakes.
There was much more, including a lot of improved moderately priced rods and reels, but I’m out of space for now. Expect to see these new items make their way to store shelves between now and early 2011.
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WON GEAR REVIEWS Kayak Fishing at ICAST By Paul Lebowitz/Western Outdoor News Staff Writer Kayak anglers fish everywhere, even the blue water miles offshore. That makes covering a trade show as huge as ICAST a real challenge. About the only new gear I can discount is the stand-up stuff for cow tuna or other items suitable only for power boats. There’s a lot to look forward to this year. Saltwater reels continue to get smaller while preserving their power. This isn’t just at the high end. Other trends include trigger sticks with miniature guides that supposedly cast farther and shrug off line loops, and fishfinders that display a photo-realistic view of anything under the boat. I can only cover a fraction of the promising and fascinating products coming down the production line. First, the gear specific to the sport. Temple Fork Outfitters introduced the Heroes on the Water series of rods. These are fish sticks with a noble purpose, to assist the rehabilitation of wounded veterans. TFO donates to the HOW program with every rod sold. Designed by Gary Loomis and field tested by a couple of bigger-name kayak pros, these 6-ft, 6-in and 7-ft spinning and trigger sticks boats kayak-appropriate actions and reduced-size butts for sit-down style fishing. The components are solid: SIC guides, AAA cork handles, a beautiful red and blue finish. The medium-heavy rated 8-17-lbs looks solid for inshore bassing. Fairly priced too, only $99. You can’t get any more fundamental than the boats themselves. It was exciting to see three new fishing-friendly craft debut at the show. Inflatables excel when it comes to compact storage and light weight. We don’t see many of them offshore, but they are comfortable and capable rides in the bays and lakes, and virtually ideal in the Sierras. Sea Eagle has one of the fishiest looking inflatables I’ve ever seen, the FastTrack. It features a first of its kind bow keel and a removable aft skeg that will keep the craft firmly on course – a real plus for beginning paddlers. The floor is impressively rigid, so much so standing up is a real option. Only 35-lbs, it’ll carry up to 620, and Sea Eagle offers a diverse line of accessories including a fishing module: elevated decking, a mesh swivel seat, and rod holders. Weather permitting, WON will show one off at the Big Bear Troutfest. Those who like to stretch their legs while kayak fishing are getting more options. Texas-based Diablo Paddlesports introduced the Adios earlier this year. Think acres of flat deck space, beamy and stable, a cross between a kayak and stand-up paddleboard, absolutely superb for bass fishing. You can see! Now it has a little brother, the Chupacabra, a compact 10.5-ft long and 37-in wide, just the thing for pocket water. The Freedom Hawk 12 Ultralite rounded out the trio. Its predecessor, the Freedom Hawk 14, was the first fishing kayak to claim the high ground. These are the unique split tail boats – flip a couple of levers and the stern section turns into a pair of outriggers. Clever! The new model shows off years of field-tested refinement in a handier size and weight. Again, these fall more on the freshwater and bay side. Kayak tackle storage is always a challenge. It’s so wet, taking anything but a handful of tackle is a mistake – it rusts. Waterproof tackle storage has been hard to find, and not especially trustworthy. Plano looks to have the answer. They’ve redesigned the Stowaway line, improving the O-ring seal and beefing up the latches. The company’s Liqua-Bait Locker System is also worth a close look. I stopped buying quality pliers a while back. Tools are the one thing I tend to lose overboard. Not anymore. Boomerang Tool Company’s new line-up comes with an integrated spring-loaded retractable Kevlar cable leash. The price is right too, $40 to $60 for cast or machined aluminum pliers in a variety of jaw styles, all of which include replaceable tungsten carbide cutters. • RODS FOR A GOOD CAUSE – Jim Dolan of Heroes on the Water shows off the rod named for the organization that takes wounded veterans kayak fishing. A Gary Loomis design, it retails for $99. Manufacturer Temple Fork Outfitters donates its portion of each • ONE OF SHIMANO’S ICAST AWARDS – The Waxwing jig is said to swim much like a surface iron. The upper wing causes it to zig-zag, while the lower fin prevents rolling. The fast reel imparts all the action. Enough with the tools. Let’s talk about reels and one hot new lure. Shakespeare had the most promising new low profile baitcaster I saw at the show, and it costs a paltry $40. Another ten buys a combo. Yes really. I’m talking about the EZ Cast. This thing is virtually backlash proof. A mechanical brake jumps in when the spool threatens to over-run. On the show floor, it was bullet proof. No birds’ nests, no way, no matter how crazed and out of control the cast. The EZ Cast is going to make the transition from spinning to casting gear much easier. First timers will love it. Kids too. Once they educate their thumbs, they can move up to pricier, higher performance casting reels. Shimano’s redesigned Trinidad A claimed Best Saltwater Reel honors. This beauty is 30% smaller than prior models, with the same cranking power and line capacity. The frame is now a single piece of machined aluminum, and boasts a boatload of engineering refinements. Shimano’s highly original Waxwing hard bait generated big buzz. It swims something like a surface iron, but supposedly with more of an irregular kick. Company rep Marc Mills said it’s deadly for calicos over the kelp (the hooks are turned-up), while kayak guide Jim Sammons reported nailing yellowtail up top. It requires a blazing fast reel, a minimum of 6.9:1, and doesn’t weigh much, just 1.5 or 7/8ths-oz. Okuma’s attractive new Andros 2-speed is another available in mighty mite size. It sits low on the reel seat, reducing weight and probably improving ergonomics. Okuma’s John Bretza said line capacities are 70 to 120 yards higher than on competitor’s products. $399. The redesigned Alumina low profile goes for $99. It has a closed, large arbor spool and magnetic and centrifugal casting brakes. There was much more, including a lot of improved moderately priced rods and reels, but I’m out of space for now. Expect to see these new items make their way to store shelves between now and early 2011. |
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