Gear Roundup: New & Noteworthy Fishing Gear

Sonar, boats, sweaters, heaters, reels, softbaits, and more!

March 19, 2025 By In-Fisherman Staff

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Bundle Up

Studio photo of a Garmin fishing sonar electronic. — $1,999.99 | scheels.com

Garmin’s latest live-sonar ice-fishing bundle, Panoptix PS22-IF, has a unique bracket and rotator design that eliminates the need for a pole mount, making the bundle ultra-portable. Includes ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv touchscreen with keyed assist and offers both LiveVu and DownVu, showing live sonar images up to 100 feet in any direction. The transducer has removable lens for easy sonar optimization.

$1,999.99 | scheels.com

Schaefer Outfitter

Studio photo of a gray pullover sweater. — $155 | schaeferoutfitter.com

Schaefer Outfitter, established in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in1982, has dressed generations of cowboys, farmers, and outdoors folks, including anglers, most recently also outfitting actors, including Kevin Costner, on the set of Yellowstone. Their Elkhorn Pullover is a quarter-zip sweater, incredibly soft and comfortable, perfect as a versatile mid-layer that combines warmth and style on the ice or open water.

$155 | schaeferoutfitter.com

Caymas Boats

A Caymas fishing boat speeding on the water, creating a rooster tail. — caymasboats.com.

Designed and built by legendary builder Earl Bentz, Caymas Boats offers beautiful yet rugged multispecies rigs in their DV Series (DV 19, 20, and 22). The flagship DV 22 (22 feet) is available in three deck configurations with oversized compartments for rods up to 10 feet in length, and built-in tackle stations in the cockpit area. Smooth, dry ride with top-end speed and performance. Check models and features at caymasboats.com.

Portable Directional Heat Sources

Studio photos of a small blue portable propane heater. — $79.99 | scheels.com

The Clam CH-4200 Portable Propane Radiant Heater is a handy-dandy tough-as-nails small portable heater. Foldable legs keep the heater stable and upright. The heater is powered by a disposable 1-pound propane cylinder and has a maximum BTU of 4,200. Check other new heater introductions, too.

$79.99 | scheels.com

Tackle Backpack

An angler reaching into a tackle-box backpack on a dock. — $139 | aftco.com

The AFTCO Tackle Backpack holds five 3600-size boxes and one 3700 box, plus offers deep pockets for bulky gear, along with a felt-lined sunglasses pouch and a water-resistant compartment. Adjustable shoulder straps make it easy and comfortable to tote, while a rain fly protects from the elements.

$139 | aftco.com

Big Eye Fry

It’s a minor change to the ever-popular Glass Fry lineup from J and S Custom Lures, but it has a “big” impact on the overall look. The result is the Big Eye Fry, including a 1/32-ounce size with a #12 hook and 1/16-ounce size with a #10 hook. These custom designs usually are gone before the season begins.

$6.95 | 8mybait.com

Hot off the production line in time for action on ice (and open water) the Berkley Gulp! Alive! Stonefly looks like the real thing and tastes like it, too, as it oozes a proprietary scent formulation that both attracts and triggers panfish. Meanwhile, the PowerBait Trilobite offers a flat-bottom body that produces a beautiful glide on the fall, while multiple appendages wiggle seductively. Fish won’t let go once they sample it.

purefishing.com | $4.99 (trilobite), $5.99 (stonefly)

High-Speed Spinners

Studio photo of a fishing spinning reel. — $79.99 | scheels.com

Lew’s Speed Spin CRX spinning reels offer a 10-bearing system on reel sizes from 100 to 400. A 75-size reel has a 9-bearing system. So, the reels are smooth as silk but also tough customers, with a hybrid carbon drag system and a high-speed gear ratio—6:2.1 on larger reels and 5:2.1 on smaller reels—for lightning-fast retrieves. Meanwhile, a graphite body and skeletal C40 carbon rotor reduce reel weight. And, as one can see, they’re beautiful reels to behold. Check combo options, too.

$79.99 | scheels.com

Fish Scout

Studio photo of a Vexilar underwater fishing camera. — $449.95 | opticsplanet.com

A high-definition underwater camera with a 5-inch monitor that registers temperature and viewing direction, the Vexilar Fish-Scout Predator also offers an SD slot for storing photos and recording videos. A built-in Li-polymer battery powers the unit, which has a 50-foot cable marked in 1-foot increments. Camera lights making viewing in difficult conditions a snap. Tucked in the carrying case it weighs 3 pounds.

$449.95 | opticsplanet.com

Finesse Tips for Great Lakes Smallmouth Bass with Capt. Ross Robertson

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Finesse Tips for Great Lakes Smallmouth Bass with Capt. Ross Robertson

Renowned Great Lakes walleye guide and owner/operator of Bigwater Guide Service, Capt. Ross Robertson shares some smallmouth bass fishing tips, especially regarding finesse applications. Robertson knows how important the right hook is for anything that swims and he has reliable solutions for your next smallmouth adventure. Good stuff here, check it out!

Coors x Ross Reels Collab

Mayfly Outdoors and Ross Reels are launching a new Coors Banquet Cimarron reel in a 4/5 size, with additional sizes and a limited-edition drop to follow. The goal is to raise up to $100,000 for river conservation efforts through their partnership with Trout Unlimited.

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Doug Stange: Early In-Fisherman Magazine Development

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Doug Stange: Early In-Fisherman Magazine Development

In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange sits down with host Thomas Allen for his second interview reminiscing about the early days of In-Fisherman magazine.

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In-Fisherman Classics: Lift-and-Drop Baits For Walleyes

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In-Fisherman Classics: Lift-and-Drop Baits For Walleyes

Walleyes are known to be finicky critters, but applying the right jig and bait combination is key to increased success. Color, weight and trailer are all important parts, but the action you impart on the presentation might be the most important part. Bothers Ron and Al Lindner break down the famous lift-and-drop presentation for big walleyes.

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In-Fisherman Classics: Big Jigs for Big Walleyes

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In-Fisherman Classics: Big Jigs for Big Walleyes

Dave Csanda and Northland Tackle's John Petersen target big walleyes with big jigs and discuss the power of meaty presentations. The combination of rocks and walleyes on the Canadian Shield should make catching fish easy, you usually don't find one without the other. Hop in the boat with two walleye legends and learn how walleyes often prefer a bigger meal.

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In-Fisherman Classics: Snap Jigs for Big Walleyes

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In-Fisherman Classics: Snap Jigs for Big Walleyes

Snap jigging has been around for a long time, and it continues to be a solid presentation for walleyes--even through the ice. In this throw-back video, the crew works on making big walleyes attack a snap jig--they talk about presentation selections, colors, weights and action. Al Lindner shares the secrets about effective snap jigging. Does the technique discussed in this video still hold up to what we know today?

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In-Fisherman Classics: Big Walleyes Love Jigs Tipped with Soft Plastics

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In-Fisherman Classics: Big Walleyes Love Jigs Tipped with Soft Plastics

In this throw-back In-Fisherman video, Al Lindner talks about livebait alternatives that work wonders in locations, rivers especially, when livebait may not be allowed. Check out this video and let us know how much has changed over the years.

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In-Fisherman Classics: Specialty Walleye Rigs in Rivers

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In-Fisherman Classics: Specialty Walleye Rigs in Rivers

River-run walleyes act like walleyes should. If you ask Al Lindner, he'll tell you his favorite places to fish for walleyes during spring and fall are known river walleye destinations. What are the top presentations you need to keep handy to make the most out of a trip on the river? Listen in and begin writing your list--and how much has changed over the years?

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In-Fisherman Classics: Late Ice with Legendary Ice Angler Dave Genz

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In-Fisherman Classics: Late Ice with Legendary Ice Angler Dave Genz

In-Fisherman contributor Matt Straw joins Dave Genz to ply frozen waters looking for big panfish late in the ice season. The duo offers some tips and tactics based on seasonal movements and an deep understanding of where the fish prefer to be just prior to ice out. This is relevant information today, just as it was back then. Good stuff.

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In-Fisherman Classics: Proven spring crappie tactics

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In-Fisherman Classics: Proven spring crappie tactics

In this throwback In-Fisherman video, the team talks about proven spring crappie tactics as the fish work their way through the spring months into prespawn and spawning phases of the year. Big crappies are among the most popular species to pursue before summer sets in, and the staff help illustrate a few reliable methods to find and catch big springtime crappies. How does this information hold up to today's crappie standards and techniques?

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In-Fisherman Classics: Understanding the Seasonal Movements of Yellow Perch

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In-Fisherman Classics: Understanding the Seasonal Movements of Yellow Perch

Renowned perch jerkers Jimmy Lindner and Matt Straw work to find and catch quality yellow perch throughout the seasonal periods. They are considered a panfish and make some of the finest table fare, but they are easy to find if you understand where they like to feed and breed. The key is understanding their seasonal movements--listen to what the guys have to say to solve the perch puzzle.

Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Giant Brook Trout Canadian Adventure

Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Giant Brook Trout Canadian Adventure

Brook trout are among the most beautiful fish that swim, and they are a blast to catch. Matt Straw shares a cool experience in breathtaking Canadian waters, along with some tips and techniques to catch more fish. The adventures of Canadian fishing are truly world class--this video is no exception.