May 23, 2016
By In-Fisherman
The River Toadz jacket is the perfect addition to every man's daily weather prep, as it's as effective at blocking the weather as it is fashionable.
It's ultra lightweight and self-packable in its own built-in storage and pack pocket — froggtoggs.com
Under Armour Storm Covert Pants
Advertisement
Under Armour's entry into the fishing industry won fans, with their Storm Covert Pants voted best. The Storm Technology involves a breathable DWR finish to repel water, keeping the wearer dry and the garment light, $79.99 — underarmour.com .
Gill FG Tournament Jacket
After a history in the sailing industry, Gill has turned attention to fishing, with a variety of top products. Their FG Tournament rain suit is breathable, durable, and waterproof, and its Vortex Hood causes air to flow around the hood through a dedicated channel and out through collar vents. This eliminates the nagging and pulling effect felt at high speed, while keeping it tightly in place — gillfishing.com .
Advertisement
Live Target Hollow Body Sunfish
Livetarget returned to the winner's circle with the Hollow Body Sunfish, a weedless topwater that's in the frog genre, but with the realistic hues of a sunfish. Its curved body also makes it easy to walk it on the surface, $13.49 — livetargetlures.com .
Savage Gear Line Thru Trout
A wealth of giant soft-body swimbaits wowed showgoers. Savage Gear topped the field with a 16-inch Line Thru Trout. Looking just like a 2½-pound rainbow, it wobbles and swims naturally, then sits upright on the bottom — okumafishing.com .
Terminator Walking Frog
Terminator's Walking Frog was available shortly after the show and it's already drawn rave reviews for both its uncanny ability to pivot on a dime and its excellent hookup percentage — terminator.com .
Walleye tactics remain tied to live bait in many parts of North America. In-Fisherman has been central in leading anglers down a different road, with long-time In-Fisherman Editor In Chief Doug Stange preaching that walleyes often respond best to aggressive tactics with lures. This video is a tribute to such aggressive tactics and illustrates a variety of techniques that are as much fun to fish as they are productive, $14.95 — in-fisherman.com .
Shimano Stradic C3000HG-K
Shimano took the prize, for the Stradic C3000HG-K spinning reel, built with the "Hagane" design concept. The Japanese term refers to toughness and durability, based on a cold-forged drive gear, large, precision-cut gears, and a Hagane body, built for rigidity and impact resistance, $199.99 to $229.99 — fish.shimano.com .
Penn Clash
In the marine realm, the Penn Clash spinning reel took top honors, boasting a CNC gear technology system, precision-built main gear and pinion for smooth operation in tough saltwater conditions. The sealed drag system is protected from corrosion and has a wave spring instead of the traditional coil spring, $179.95 — pennfishing.com .
Daiwa SV
Daiwa's new SV reels have a new mechanical Air Braking System for easy casting with light lures, but an aluminum frame and Zaion side plate provide power and balance. Standard and Finesse models are available, in gear ratios from 5.8:1 to 7.9:1, weighing 6.2 or 7.8 ounces — daiwa.com .
Abu Garcia Revo MGX
Abu Garcia's new Revo MGX spinning reel is the top dog of the Revo clan, with Carbon Matrix Drag, C6 Carbon body and rotor, and X-Mag Gear Box. It makes a handsome, light, and durable package. Among baitcasters, Revo Toro Beast is retooled to increase cranking power and line capacity to conquer the toughest fish in freshwater or salt. The Power Stack Carbon Matrix Drag allows immediate adjustments in the heat of battle, a unique feature among such reels. Aircraft-grade aluminum reduces weight, while its Duregear system, large EVA handle knobs, and 15 pound max drag complete the package — abugarcia.com .
YETI Hopper 20
YETI's Hopper 20 won out, a portable cooler that easily fits in onboard storage areas, while offering durable construction to withstand the toughest fishing conditions, while delivering chilled drinks and food. D-Ring Tie-Downs allow attachment to kayaks or ATVs and a ski-proof bottom keeps it stable. A HydroLok waterproof zipper eliminates leaks, $299.99 — yeticoolers.com
KastKing Rack'em Up Rod Rock
KastKing Rack 'em Up Rod Racks won out over stiff competition, as their versatile, cushioned racks hold from 9 to 24 rods. Efficient designs hold big saltwater rods, too, and the carrying handle is neat, $76.98 — kastking.com .
RinseKit
The RinseKit is a slick tool to rinse tackle, boats and motors, waders, and more, removing grime, mud, and invasive species. It's a portable, pressurized freshwater source that's refilled with a Remove Refill Accessory or at a spigot, and needs no batteries, $90 — rinsekit.com .
Costa del Mar Rooster
Costa del Mar scored with the Rooster, named for that eclectic member of the jack family. Their large frames and side shields block glare, while vents help prevent lens fogging. Frames are made of super-tough co-injected molded nylon, with sturdy hinges. The hypoallergenic rubberized interior lining and nose pad keep them comfortably in place. Available in an array of frame and lens colors in the company's patented color-enhancing polarized 580 lenses, $169 — -costadelmar.com .
Wiley X Tide
Wiley X brought several new styles, including the Tide, in the company's Climate Control Series, with removable Facial Cavity Seals that block wind, dust, and peripheral light. Available in colors for various fishing conditions, including a new gold mirror lens — wileyx.com .
