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PLANO, IL (July 8, 2015) – Wikipedia defines a raincoat as, “A waterproof or water-resistant coat worn to protect the body from rain. A rain jacket may be combined with a pair of rain pants to make a rain suit.” (My times have changed….citing Wikipedia as an “official” source of information.)
In fishing, we prefer the term “raingear” – a matched top and bottom. And at the core of raingear performance is this simple little notion of keeping you dry – raindrops outside, happiness inside. Beyond that, differentiators from suit to suit and brand to brand range from multiple layers of space-age fabrics to a precious little viewfinder on the wrist to apparently Snap Chat while you’re fishing.
The fit, finish and performance of Frabill’s new Stow Series raingear shockingly great in its price-range.
Frabill says never mind the bullocks. New for 2016, the company that redefined fishing-specific raingear, ushers in the most sensible, peak-performance and light-on-your-wallet raingear to date: the Stow Series.
As the name implies, it’s stowable. That doesn’t mean cramming a moldy suit back in the clear plastic bag it came in – Frabill saves that torture-treatment for the other guys. Rather, the Stow Series literally packs back into itself. The left-hand pocket of the pants becomes its own storage. Same goes for the left-hand pocket of the jacket. Easy as that.
So, you know the Stow Series packs like a pro and travels like a champ. But that’s only the icing on the cake…
New Stow Series jackets available in Coastal Blue, Black and Brown; sizes S – 3XL
At the root of all Frabill outerwear is fabric selection. Frabill uses the highest-quality and most technologically advanced materials across all of its outerwear models, raingear and winterwear. The Stow Series marries a trio of technologies to create total waterproofness and breathability. The outer shell is constructed of durable Nylon ripstop fabric. Beneath that lies a waterproof and breathable membrane. Sealing the deal is a topical treatment of 3M™ Scotchgard™, providing a powerful first line of defense against moisture. All told, with seams 100% sealed, Stow Series is a veritable safe-house for anglers.
Features on the jacket abound. Large outer pockets with zipper closures accommodate fistfuls of gear. The main zipper is protected by a pair of storm flaps, the innermost with a rain gutter to stream water droplets away.
A two-way adjustable, waterproof hood with reinforced brim/sun visor eases your eyes from squinting as well as water dripping off the tip of your nose.
New Stow Series pants available in Black and Light Brown; sizes S – 3XL
A-grade accoutrements continue with an adjustable bungee cord at the hem for a precise fit and internal elastic sleeve cuffs to keep comfortably snug at the wrists. A side-seam D-ring is perfectly placed for tethering your corded kill-switch or trolling motor remote. Augmenting safety, the Frabill Stow Series features 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material on the front and back. Last but not least, all Stow Series zippers are branded YKK or SBS, not nameless bargain-bin componentry.
The Stow Series pants are equally as exceptional. Like last year’s revolutionary F-1 Series Storm Gear release, the Stow Series pants feature removable, full-elastic shoulder straps. So if you prefer the feel of pants over bibs, simply shed the shoulder straps. The pant cuffs are also adjustable with cuff-to-knee, half-length leg zippers for easy in and out.
Other standout components include Frabill’s signature ergonomic, articulated knees. None of that straight-legged (aka “linear patterning”), starchy feel. The Stow Suit kneels and flexes with you. And like the jacket, the bottoms feature large hand pockets with zipper closures and a handy D-ring.
Stow Series jackets are available in Coastal Blue, Black and Light Brown. Pants come in universally matched Black and Light Brown.
Sizes span from S to 3XL. And, the Stow Series is backed by an impressive 2-year warranty.
Wear it. Stow it. Stay dry. That’s how Frabill fishes.
#frabillstowseries
Frabill Stow Series raingear conveniently packs into its own storage pockets
Stow Series Jacket
Stow Series Pants
After months of testing, we’ve found this bass fishing reel to have excellent casting distance, a strong drag system and a comfortable, ergonomic design.
I’ve become a staunch believer in high-performance bass fishing reels over the years. I used to be fairly indiscriminate about my purchases, but after a bunch of lost fish, stripped gears and locked-up bearings, I started to get a little more serious about my reel selection.
For the last several months, I had been hearing some really good stuff about the Lew’s Tournament MB Speed Spool Casting Reel. You name it; long casts, killer drag, easy line management—I’ve heard it all about this particular reel. So of course, I felt compelled to get my hands on one to see what all of the fuss was about.
After using this reel for the better part of three months, I’ve learned a lot about its various performance aspects. There are several things you should know about it.
Our guests on this week’s show were Bassmaster Elite Series Pro FLW Touring Pro Jeremy Starks, FLW Tour Co Angler AOY Champion 2015 John Hunter, and “The Superstar” Bill Dundee and Pat talk about Buddy Landel.
If you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.
You can listen to the show on any of the following Set the Hook! with Pat Rose radio network affiliates: Saturday 7-8 am EST on ESPN 105 1 The Zone espnchattanooga.com, 1-2 pm EST on Fox Sports Radio 1670 foxsports1670.com (IHeart Radio app), 7-8 am CST on KEWI 690 am 103.4 FM saline247.com (Tunein Radio app), Sunday 9-10 am EST on Copperhead 1240 Soddy Daisy, TN 1240wsdt.com (Tunein Radio app), 4-5 pm CST on 1480 The Fan! 5-6 pm EST on WKWN 1420 AM 106.1 FM Trenton, GA discoverdade.com/1061FM.htm (Freestream Radio app).
Please visit our sponsors page and tell them Pat sent you! If you would like to advertise on Set the Hook! with Pat Rose, give us a call at (423) 314-4541. Put Set the Hook! with Pat Rose to work for you.
Follow Pat Rose on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SetTheHookWithPatRose, he would love to add you as a friend.
Please send any comments or suggestions about this website to [email protected].
Our guests this week were FLW Pro Michael Wooley and Bassmaster Elite Pro Derek Remitz.
If you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.
You can listen to the show on any of the following Set the Hook! with Pat Rose radio network affiliates: Saturday 7-8 am EST on ESPN 105 1 The Zone espnchattanooga.com, 1-2 pm EST on Fox Sports Radio 1670 foxsports1670.com (IHeart Radio app), 7-8 am CST on KEWI 690 am 103.4 FM saline247.com (Tunein Radio app), Sunday 9-10 am EST on Copperhead 1240 Soddy Daisy, TN 1240wsdt.com (Tunein Radio app), 4-5 pm CST on 1480 The Fan! 5-6 pm EST on WKWN 1420 AM 106.1 FM Trenton, GA discoverdade.com/1061FM.htm (Freestream Radio app).
Please visit our sponsors page and tell them Pat sent you! If you would like to advertise on Set the Hook! with Pat Rose, give us a call at (423) 314-4541. Put Set the Hook! with Pat Rose to work for you.
Follow Pat Rose on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SetTheHookWithPatRose, he would love to add you as a friend.
Please send any comments or suggestions about this website to [email protected].
We had 20 boats competing at Leesville Lake on July 5. Results are:
1st Place-Ian Hall/Tim Hicks-5 fish-16.14 lbs.
2nd Place-Jerry Rice/Robert Reynolds-5 fish-16.12 lbs.
3rd Place-Tim Goff/Larry Witt-5 fish-14.70 lbs.
Big fish of the day-Tyler Maschal/Kyle Maschal- a 5.87 lb. largemouth
57 New Legend Elites: A Benchmark Rod Series Made Even Better
St. Croix makes “the best” even better by overhauling flagship freshwater rod series
Park Falls, WI (July 6, 2015) – In 1957, automotive engineer Ed Cole created Chevrolet’s now classic car design. Also in ‘57, American guitar manufacturer Fender moved from ash to alder Stratocaster guitar bodies.
The rest is rock ‘n’ roll history.
Enter another legendary American icon-creating company for whom the number 57 is significant: family-owned and operated St. Croix Rod of Park Falls, Wisconsin.
Among today’s countless rod options, St. Croix’s flagship freshwater rod series, Legend Elite®, has earned near magic wand status with anglers across the globe. It’s the rod that stands steadfast on a mantle; an aspirational stick by which all others are judged.
Basically, when your passion drives you to fish only the best, the choice is simple … Legend Elite.
And “the best” just got better.
In St. Croix’s never-ending quest to design and build the best rods on Earth, Legend Elite has been completely overhauled for 2016.
No toe-dippers here, St. Croix has redesigned the entire series. 57, in fact, all with specialized tapers for bass, walleye, pike, musky, salmon and steelhead – and dramatically improved balance, reduced weight, and unprecedented sensitivity.
“Our goal with the new Legend Elite project was to make the best even better. We talked to our pro staff, customers, and spent a lot time at the whiteboard crunching numbers, refining processes and investigating the absolute finest components available,” says David Schluter, VP Engineering.
“We took what was already our best platform of blanks, did some tweaking and found the best guides available. The cork is similar to the previous version but the reel seat has been updated. We knew it would be a huge undertaking but one we could really feel good about. The end result is the ultimate cork handle rod with the very best guide train in the world,” adds Schluter.
To take on such an ambitious plan, St. Croix engineers used every bit of cutting edge technology, refined building processes and improvements in components to create the new benchmark rod series.
Unique Proprietary Technologies
St. Croix’s standards for blank-building excellence stems largely from proprietary technologies and processes like IPC®, TET, FRS, and ART™, all integrated into the creation of the new Legend Elite.
And so, each Legend Elite enters the world as a consistent, perfect blank.
St. Croix’s exclusive Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology and their new Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) provide unique, computer designed-and-cut patterns for improved actions and increased sensitivity. They’re built with high-modulus/high-strain SCV graphite with carbon-matte scrim and reinforced with super high-modulus SCVI graphite for added power and reduced weight.
Both graphite materials utilize St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS), which combines a fortified super resin with computer operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the blank curing cycle. Blanks manufactured with FRS are up to 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods. They are further enhanced with Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) at strategic locations along each blank for added strength with virtually no additional weight. Two-piece models feature ART-reinforced slim-profile ferrules with exceptional strength.
Advanced Components
Legend Elite’s new, advanced components include Fuji® Torzite® guides with solid-titanium frames for unrivalled, 100% corrosion-proof performance. It’s worthy noting that Torzite is the first ceramic created specifically for fishing rod guides, and it is stronger, lighter and five times smoother than Fuji SiC, the industry’s previous gold standard. Torzite has allowed significant weight reduction with improved guide strength while downsizing the frame but keeping a maximum guide opening.
New Legend Elite spinning rods also feature Fuji® TVS blank-touch reel seats with built-in hood, and casting rods feature Fuji® PTS blank-touch reel seats with built-in hood. Musky rods sport Fuji® PLS-LD palming reel seats with shiny grey hood for greater ergonomic and aesthetic appeal.
All models include anodized, machined-aluminum wind checks, super-grade cork handles (split-grip handles on musky models) and exclusive Kigan titanium hook-keepers. Thread wraps are protected by two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
“We’ve all been completely blown away by the end result of the new Legend Elite project. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work, immediately apparent when you hold one in your hand. The rods have a very airy quality and practically float in the hand. Our pro staff is really excited and we think our customers will be, too,” says Jeff Schluter, VP Marketing.
The new Legend Elites are designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, come with a protective rod sack and a 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. They retail from $370 – $550.
Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 211 – Chris Zaldain
July 1, 2015
BASS Elite Series Pro Chris Zaldain is featured in this episode of Bass Edge Radio presented by MegaWare KeelGuard. Aaron and Kurt discuss with Chris his thoughts on the Elite Series and some summertime fishing strategies.
I’m just going to throw this out there, the Strike King Hack Attack Flipping Hook is the best hook on the market in my opinion. I’ve tried several different brands and sizes, but now that I’ve found this hook, I won’t be using another. In this review I’ll explain why this hook is at another level than any other hook I’ve used.
I fish with heavy line and stiff rods. The drag is usually locked down and dang near it. When I break down the mechanics of flipping I need to be pull the fish out of nasty cover as soon as possible. In order to accomplish this I need everything to work as it should. Any flipping set up is only as good as it weakest link. If I have a weak hook, that’s going to be my weak link and will lose fish. Especially when you stick that double digit fish.
This hook is made my Gamakatsu and has a nice barb behind it. The point is nice and sharp and seems to last for quite a while. I haven’t had any issues with points rolling or becoming dull. I’ve been using the same hook for a few months now. I’m impressed with it’s durably. Another thing I’ve noticed is the nice finish and it ability to resist rusting. In the hot, humid Louisiana heat I was losing more tackle because of the humidity, than snagging something and not getting it back. These hooks have managed to stay very nice and new looking in my tackle box and that’s been about three months. Also the thickness of this hook is amazing. I’ve yet to bend one out, which is a big problem for me.
A personal preference of mine is the hard plastic bait keeper. I am not a fan of the wire ones because they slip down after a few fish. This leads to missing fish for me. The hard plastic keepers do tear the baits up more than the little wire ones, but in a tournament situation, I’d rather lose a few more baits than lose a check. If your not a tournament fisher then maybe this isn’t for you. I want to use the best whether I’m in a tournament or not because on some of my local lakes, the next bite could be a new personal best and I don’t want to risk losing that just because I want to be cheap that day. It’s food for thought.
The only thing I wish Strike King would look at is the eye. It’s not a welded eye. This has not been a problem for me in the past with other brands, but so far no problems. I personally would feel better with a welded eye. Just being safe I suppose. It is a very small gap, if any, so that may be their reason for not welding it.
The Strike King Hack Attack Flipping Hook comes in three sizes from 4/0 to 6/0. They can be purchased at TackleWarehouse and select tackle distributors. Get ya some, I bet your flipping will improve.
Today’s Kayak Anglers Push the Boundaries of How To Catch Fish With An Amazing New Boat
OLD TOWN, ME (July 2, 2015) – You’ve probably heard the adage that 90 percent of the fish live in 10 percent of the water. Spend enough time studying your fishing electronics and you’ll know there’s some truth to the old saying.
Over a half century ago, fishing pioneer Buck Perry taught us that fish relate to structure – depth transitions along the underwater landscape – and within this structure, cover like rock, wood, vegetation and manmade habitat. In a nutshell, the proverbial fish-holding 10%.
Still, sometimes that 10 percent can be hard to reach in a typical 18- to 20-foot bass boat or multi-species rig. Think river backwaters, bays, coves, creek channels and small rivers.
But not for kayak anglers, whose easily-transportable vessels glide through skinny water, are easy to portage over land where necessary, and offer superior maneuverability.
Fact is, kayak design has evolved to the point where each year more anglers are turning to the small watercraft as a viable alternative to traditional boat designs. It’s not that kayak anglers can’t and don’t fish from larger boats – it’s just that they prefer the advantages of a kayak.
Again, kayaks are easy to transport, launch and load on hard-to-reach waters virtually untouched by anglers in larger boats. Like dumping right off a bumpy, dirt road into a bass-filled lake without a boat launch. Or near bridges where giant grouper wait like trolls … and tarpon shimmer in the sun. Or backwater or tidal areas where ravenous redfish fin through schools of bait, pouncing on anything thrown their direction.
And new kayak designs are stable in still or moving waters. I know this for a fact, having fished trout and salmon out of a kayak near the breakers of Lake Michigan. Its stability in rough water was impressive.
No water is impenetrable with a kayak. Outdoor writer Jim Edlund remembers fishing Lake Fork with a bass pro a few years ago when we spied two boats off in the shallowest, most timber-laden section of a cove. They could see bass far back busting bait – just past where they could easily maneuver.
“Here come the kayaks,” announced the pro, “they’re like a cult …”
Edlund nodded: “A cult that can get back to the fish we can’t.”
HIGH-TECH ‘YAKS
Not only do kayaks put anglers right where the fish are, kayak anglers are taking full benefit of all the high-tech features of boats many, many times their cost – like Humminbird electronics with a full complement of technologies including 2D sonar, Down Imaging, Side Imaging and high-definition LakeMaster mapping.
Along these lines, there’s a lot of buzz on the water about Humminbird’s new Helix fishfinder family. Consider that the Helix 5 SI GPS brings anglers all these technologies for under $500. And with the Helix 5 Sonar GPS an angler can get sonar and GPS with a wide, high-definition display for under $300. Recently introduced Helix 7 is another great option for anglers who want a larger screen. Both the Helix 5 and Helix 7 offer functionality that would have cost thousands just a few years ago.
Beyond high-tech electronics, it’s easy to accessorize kayaks for exactly the way you fish. Most fishing kayaks offer storage for tackle boxes, rods, rain gear … even a spot for a live well, mounting plates for Cannon rod holders, GoPro cameras, fishing electronics, various RAM-style mounts, etc.
Models like Old Town’s Predator Series are even engineered to accommodate stand-up fishing with an included assist strap or optional steady-stand bar. That means pitching, flipping – even fly-fishing– is possible from the right vantage.
BEST OF SHOW
The kayak that caught the attention of the fishing media at ICAST 2014 (where it won “Best Boat” and overall “Best of Show”) – is the Old Town Predator XL Minn Kota tri-hull fishing kayak, which at 13 feet long and three feet wide, has a whopping 600 pounds of carrying capacity.
Not only that, it’s designed for anglers to fish completely hands-free at will.
No, it’s not foot pedal controlled. It’s motorized.
And the power comes sourced from a company we’ve come to rely on over the years to salad-slice our bass boats through some pretty serious slop: Minn Kota.
It’s ingenious, really. The Predator XL Minn Kota is designed to accept any of three XL consoles that fit into the hull of the kayak cockpit. The most impressive of the three is the Minn Kota motor console, which provides 45 pounds of variable thrust, forward and reverse, and saltwater-grade power. Boat control is accomplished via a foot-controlled rudder system, which means you can move from spot to spot with ease, troll, and maintain precise boat control … without ever lifting a paddle. The motor was also designed with minimal operation noise, which means fewer spooked fish.
The motor console also includes Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer technology for long battery life, dual kill-switches for safety, LED charge indicator, USB charge ports (helpful for charging smartphones), a sonar mounting plate, battery/cable storage, and integrated storage that can easily converted into bait/livewell, cooler, or tackle/dry storage, depending on your needs.
With regards to power, the Predator XL Minn Kota features pre-run wiring with trolling motor plug-in outlets fore and aft. There is ample space right behind the three-position Element Seating System to carry your favorite brand 24- or 27 group size 12 volt deep cycle battery for long days and nights on the water.
Minn Kota’s Battery Power Center is the perfect solution to house the battery from the elements and power your trolling motor battery and fishfinder via easy access external battery terminals. It also features a built-in battery meter that displays charge, two 12-volt accessory plugs (great for charging phones, GoPro cameras, or running your aerator, LED lighting, etc.), and two manual reset circuit breakers (10 amp for accessory plugs and 60 amp for trolling motor). At $65, it’s a smart investment for angler. The Minn Kota Power Center comes standard with the Minn Kota motor console for the Predator XL.
Speaking of power, some anglers are going the route of less weight, more consistent power and faster recharge times via lithium deep cycle batteries, like those available from Solarsportsman.com. While their benefits are many, lithium technology is not inexpensive.
For those who prefer paddles to motors, the Predator XL is available with two other problem-solving consoles. A motor-less large-capacity utility console makes a great baitwell/livewell – especially with the addition of a Frabill Aqua-Life Spray Bar aeration system – but will also function as a cooler, or storage for fishing electronics battery and tackle boxes. Or anglers can go minimal with the flush-to-floor Exo-Ridge console to maximize room for stand-up fishing.
Fishing industry PR guy Noel Vick is a passionate, arguably neurotic kayak angler. With an office located an hour north of Minneapolis, Minnesota, he is squarely situated amongst primo small to midsize lakes and manageable moving water. Kayak nested in his FLOE Cargo Max trailer, Vick not only puddle jumps locally, but also commutes hither and yon, considering his kayak as essential to travel as a toothbrush and clean boxers.
“The kayak is man’s best friend,” said Vick. “It goes everywhere with me. Last year alone that meant trucking from Minnesota to Arkansas, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Iowa and Missouri. And the boat doesn’t sit idly in my trailer, either. I’m fishing it at every opportunity – trust me.”
Vick is known to squeeze blood from turnips, laser pointing micro pieces of water in areas he’s conducting business, and launching immediately after the final handshake. “Never, and I mean never, have I been on the road and not been able to find fishable and kayak-able water. Nothing better than mapping prospective water near the hotel and then blasting fish before sliding the key card for the night.”
‘YAKING THE GREAT LAKES
Ohio-based fishing writer and Old Town pro staffer Mike Mainhart is another diehard kayak angler who’s challenged the kayak fishing context, taking his Predator XL into some extreme situations.
This past year, Mainhart watched the December weather until it was possible to troll the break walls of Lake Erie for giant nighttime walleyes. Two days before Christmas everything lined up and he slipped the 13-footer into the world’s 11th largest lake.
“The Old Town Predator XL is made for big-water conditions, but I also have all my safety equipment, including wearing a Mustang cold-water survival suit,” says Mainhart.
“The lure of trolling for hog walleyes along the piers and breakwalls of the central basin in late fall was one for my bucket list. Especially if I could pull it off with a kayak. But the conditions were perfect – a light south breeze and waves less than one foot. The air temp at launch time was hovering around 50 degrees with a low forecast in the low 40s.”
Mainhart’s plan was to “practically scrape the paint off a Smithwick Perfect Ten” by flat-line trolling right against the breakwall.
“The water depth within arms’ reach of the wall was holding around 13 feet with humps and peaks up to eight feet – the perfect depth for late-season walleye after dark. The soft amber-glow view on my Humminbird’s Down and Side Imaging was showing some amazing imagery of the rocky bottom near the wall. You could actually see large fish (marks) tucked in-between the peaks and valleys created by the rock structure,” adds Mainhart.
He and fellow fishing writer Paul Liikala fished a few hours that evening from their separate boats, keeping in sight of each other’s lights for safety.
And Mainhart accomplished what he set out to do. One more bucket list item crossed off, thanks to the Old Town Predator kayak.
“Under the ramp lights, it was plain to see the true size of the hog. That first big walleye tipped the scales at 12 pounds with the second coming in at eight. For me, it was an amazing achievement with a kayak.”
BLUEWATER
Not only are freshwater anglers fishing everything from farm ponds to the Great Lakes, bluewater anglers are taking to the sport with zeal.
Case in point, the guys from Extreme Kayak Fishing Hawaii, who are using Old Town sister company Ocean Kayak boats to target giant yellow fin tuna, sailfish, ono and mahi mahi miles offshore the Big Island!
Meanwhile, back inshore, the Minnesotan Vick swears the stork dropped him off in the wrong zip code, even time zone – guy should’ve been born alongside at least brackish water. So driven by his saltwater DNA, he pounces on every opportunity to kayak and cast inshore waters.
“Honestly, it might be the absolute finest form of fishing. The control and accessibility a kayak affords fishing inshore waters is unparalleled. I immediately think about sliding through slivered spaces on Louisiana saltwater marshes to reach bull reds inaccessible by motor. Or deftly micro-managing around dock lights for snook. Or having so much boat control you virtually suspend in animation over seatrout a rod’s length from a bridge piling in a rip – something you’d never test riding fiberglass with a 300 in the back.”
So, whether it’s fresh- or saltwater – kayak fishing is here to stay. Anglers across the globe are choosing to fish out of smaller craft because the advantages are many, not to even touch on the cost savings.
And that fish-holding 10 percent of the water? Old Town and Ocean Kayaks will get you there.
Imagine paddling a few miles to reach some secret spot, catching fish until your arms and shoulders are sore … and then realizing you can motor back to shore, nursing a cold bottle of water, relaxed and feeling victorious.
That’s the true power of the Old Town Pro Angler XL Minn Kota, the ultimate fishing machine – easily and infinitely customizable for exactly how and where you fish.
Call it the fishing kayak of the future … but it’s here today.
