*HOT* New products for 2010

[Joel DeBoer]

L-Comida

Mister Twister's 5" L-Comida is a combination of a 5" jerk bait with the appearance and action of a lizard. Every L-Comida features a flat finish for a superior natural appearance. Want more? The L-Comida's unique mix of Comida and Super Lizard has a improved swimming action. It also features two-tone tips and legs for added flash. Every L-Comida is super loaded with salt, and the L-Comida's soft texture makes it the ideal bass lure for shallow water, no-weight fishing. Rig it with a 4/0 or 5/0 Red or Bronze Mister Twister® KeeperTM Hook. No weight is needed. It can also be Carolina Rigged to fish drop offs and grass flats. The L-Comida is perfect for catching suspended bass in shallow water.

[Joel DeBoer]

Mister Twister Mister Shad

There are plenty of reasons you should be fishing the Mister Shad, but... what really makes this hollow-bodied swimbait exceptional is the solid core at it's nose. This simple feature adds weight and addresses two of the major issues fisherman have with conventional tube jigs.

1. A tube lure with a hollow nose offers limited long-term rigging options. The Mister Shad on the other hand, with its solid-core nose, supports most if not all of the most popular soft plastic rigging options. As a swimbait, you can rig it with a jig head or Mister Twister 3/0 Weighted Keeper Hook. You can also fish it using either Texas or Carolina rigging.
2. Additional rigging options are not the only plus the solid core nose brings to this lure. Because the head is heavier, this 3½" minnow is better balanced. Rolling is eliminated, offering a steady, balanced retrieve.

To round things out, the 3½" Mister Shad - in any of the six colors available - is very realistic looking with 3D markings along its raised lateral line and 3D eyes. It's oversized Mister Twister shad (paddle) tail creates a perfect swimming action, and its 3½" length makes it ideal for largemouth or smallmouth bass, walleye, or stripers.

[Joel DeBoer]

St. Croix Avid Pearl series rods

Introducing the new Avid Pearl series. The most advanced rods ever developed for women who take their tackle as seriously as their fishing. Featuring a gorgeous, fuschia-metallic finish, the high-modulus SCIII graphite blanks incorporate St. Croix’s proprietary IPC® technology. Lightweight and sensitive, each rod is a highly specialized, technique- and species-specific fishing tool. Topped off with Alps® zirconium guides, Fuji® reel seats, split-grip cork handles and slim-profile ferrules, Avid Pearl rods are ready for just about anything – including kicking some gentlemen bass anglers’ butts. What’s not healthy about that?

* Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.
* Premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite.
* Incredibly lightweight and sensitive with extreme strength and durability.
* Specialized, technique-specific and species-specific designs for women.
* Slim-profile ferrules.
* Alps™ zirconium guides with 316 stainless-steel frames for outstanding corrosion resistance.
* Fuji® SKM reel seat with abalone barrel on spinning models.
* Fuji® ECS reel seat with abalone trim on casting models.
* Split-grip/select-grade cork handle.
* Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
* Lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
* Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.

[Joel DeBoer]

St. Croix Rio Santo fly rod

If you’re new to fly fishing, you are about to make up for a whole mess of destructive habits. In one cast, years of health-threatening behavior is swept aside and a fresh, more vibrant you stands armed with a new St. Croix® Rio Santo fly rod ready to face the day. With premium SCII graphite, a smooth moderate-fast action, high-quality guides, up-locking reel seat and a lush cork handle, these rods provide performance you won’t outgrow – making them ideal for the new fly angler and the skilled veteran alike. Manufactured in our Fresnillo facility, the series name translates to “Holy River.” We’re guessing you have a long list of names that fit into that category.

* Premium-quality SCII graphite.
* Smooth, versatile, moderate-fast actions.
* Aluminum-oxide stripper guides with black frames.
* Stainless-steel snake guides.
* Uplocking, aluminum reel seat.
* Premium-grade cork handle.
* Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
* Includes cloth rod sack.
* 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
* Designed in Park Falls and handcrafted in Fresnillo, Mexico.

[Joel DeBoer]

Joe Bucher Outdoors Chrome Baby Depthraider

The DepthRaider® can be cast or trolled successfully for nearly every big game fish in both fresh and saltwater. The actual maximum running depth of a DepthRaider® will vary depending upon several factors: length of cast (from rod tip to lure), diameter of line (the thinner the line, the deeper it will run), and to a lesser extent, speed of retrieve or troll (faster retrieve/troll results in a deeper running bait). Basically speaking, longer casts with thinner line will make the lure run deeper. Shorter casts with heavier line will result in a shallower track. In most casting situations with a conventional musky outfit loaded with 40 to 75 pound line, expect your DepthRaider® to travel anywhere from 6 to 12 feet depending upon the length of your cast and your retrieve speed. However, it is quite easy to attain depths much greater than this while trolling by simply varying the amount of line you let out (from rod tip to lure). If you want to troll the DepthRaider® shallower, let out less line. To attain greater depth, simply let out more line until you begin to hit bottom at your targeted depth. Depths of 20 feet or more are easily attainable using this system. Additional weight can be added in front of a DepthRaider® (3-5 feet in front of the lure) to attain depths of 30 feet or more.

The DepthRaider® has been specifically designed for fishing around heavy cover such as weeds, sunken timber and bottom bouncing. The built-in, tail-up buoyancy of this lure combined with its large triangular diving lip allows it to bump into almost any cover with minimal hangups. To maximize its effectiveness, always work the DepthRaider® with a high rod angle, whether casting or trolling. Whenever the lure collides with cover, immediately drop the rod tip (creating a momentary slack line). This allows the DepthRaider® to float up backwards from the snag. Most of the time, the diving lip is the first to contact the cover source. The sudden reverse rising motion backs the lure out of most snags. Resume your retrieve or troll with a sudden rip forward of the rod tip to free any remaining cover clinging to the lip or hooks. This cover freeing tactic also triggers a lot of strikes.

[Joel DeBoer]

Joe Bucher Outdoors SlopMaster Tandem Tinsel

The SlopMaster Tandem is a surface lure that can be fished in some of the thickest, most impenetrable cover there is for big pike, muskies and giant bass. For best results use a heavy duty, musky style, bait casting outfit and a low stretch super braid style line of no less than 50 lb. test. Thicker braided lines in the 75 to 80 lb. range perform best with this lure.

Casting: Cast beyond intended cover targets (brush piles, weed patches, etc.) whenever possible and engage the reel as soon as the lure hits the water. Keep your rod tip in an upward angled position throughout the retrieve, and "gun" your reel hard initially to quickly drive the bait to the surface. Whenever the SlopMaster Tandem collides with cover, resist the urge to jerk it thru the cover with your rod tip. Instead, simply "gun" the reel while keeping your rod tip pointed at the lure with that slight upward angle. As soon as the SlopMaster clears the cover and hits open water, slow down the retrieve slightly. Be prepared for strikes to occur at any time, but a vast majority of strikes happen just after the lure collides with cover. Set the hook only after you actually feel the fish take the lure, and then with a sideways sweep.

If you are getting short strikes and missed hook ups, you can effectively add a trailer hook to this set up as well.

[Joel DeBoer]

Joe Bucher Outdoors Chrome Topraider

Always use thick diameter, heavyweight line for topwater fishing to reduce line drag, line sinkage, and improve overall buoyancy. A medium/heavy power musky action rod of at least 6-1/2 feet also promotes better hooksets. After your cast, begin retrieving immediately. Start your retrieve faster initially while simultaneously lifting upwards on your rod tip to lift as much line off the water as possible. Then, level off your rod tip angle as the lure nears the boat finishing up with the rod tip actually touching the water. If the target is muskies, always finish with a figure 8 maneuver at boatside to trigger any followers. When a fish does strike the Super TopRaider®, try to set the hook with a body rotation sideways while driving your rod tip downwards. This reduces missed strikes and results in a much higher percentage of solid hookups.

Replacing The Tail Hook Shrink Tubing: Over time and a number of successful encounters with big toothy fish, eventually the tail hook shrink tubing will tear. To replace, simply cut the remaining tubing off, detach the treble hook and split ring. Then slide on (the treble hook shank) a new piece of #250 shrink tubing (available at most hardware stores) cut to size. Re-split ring the set up to the lure and slide the tubing over the hook eye, split ring and the lure's hook hanger. Finish by heating up the shrink tubing with a heat source.

[Joel DeBoer]

Shack Attack Lures 6" Curly Spin

New for 2010 is the 6" Curly Spin, a new spin on the very popular 6" Curly Sue. The Curly Spin features #8 and #5 Colorado blades; these blades give off huge amounts of fish-attracting vibration without too much resistance, making this an ideal bait for prolonged use. Once you have seen just how productive this lure is, you won't want to take it off!

[Joel DeBoer]

Frabill Hibernet

How about this for a landing net concept? A broomstick. That’s right, a broomstick. Ok, so what about, you know, the net? It’s inside the handle. Yes, inside the handle. When you need it, the net pops right out with the ease of an umbrella. No more worrying about where to store the net in the boat. That’s because the hoop and netting disappeared. Poof, they went back inside the handle.

Hibernet_4steps

Frabill’s patented new Hibernet™ has made this unlikely concept a reality: the most completely portable, retractable landing net. Stored, it’s no bulkier than your nighttime running lights. It’s the first net that fits cleanly inside any standard rod locker. You’ll forget it’s even there…until you need it. Grab the handle, slide the grip forward, and out shoots a hoop and net, locking into place for the big moment.

Hibernet™ is unquestionably the best portable landing net solution we’ve seen,” states Frabill Engineer, Ryan Kleckner. “And in over seventy years in the net business, we’ve seen more than a few. The beauty of the Hibernet™ really lies in its simple, foolproof design, Kleckner believes. “There are no buttons or confusing push connections. All you do is slide the handle upward. You feel, see and hear the net lock into place, so there’s no way to overdo it.

Hibernet™ retracts instantly, too. Just pull the Slide Grip back toward the handle. This unlocks the hoop and draws it back inside the tube. “I can’t imagine that there’s an angler out there who couldn’t use one of these,” says Dale Stroschein, professional guide and Frabill product tester. “Hiber-Net is the perfect all-purpose landing net. During my time on the pro walleye circuit, this net would have prevented a lot of hassles—fish lost when loose hooks tangled in the mesh, not to mention the damage that’s done to most nets when they’re stepped on or plain snagged. Hibernet™ eliminates all those worries, plus it fits inside my rod box.”

And it’s as solid in construction as it is in performance. “Hibernet’s handle and hoop frames are built with heavy-walled, extruded aluminum,” reports Kleckner. “The Slide-Grip uses pultruded fiberglass springs, which power the automatic hoop lock. There’s no tension when the net’s retracted, so it never wears out. We use stainless steel hardware and anodized aluminum, too. The whole product is extremely corrosion resistant, so it works equally well in saltwater.”

More features: a premium rubberized handle yields sure-handed use. The netting itself is a soft, black poly mesh. Retracted, Hiber-Net is 52-inches in length, with a triangular-shaped hoop that’s 22- by 22-inches by 24-inches deep.

Says Stroschein: “Hibernet does what a good net’s supposed to do—land fish. But it also does what most fail to do—stow cleanly out of the way until you need it.”

[Joel DeBoer]

Frabill Ice Hunter ice-fishing rods

“Alongside the Bro Series, Ice Hunter is the most comprehensive series of ice rod actions ever developed,” states Frabill Marketing V.P., Jeff Kolodzinski. “These are technique focused rod and reel combos; each precision application designed to target individual species. To do this, we collaborated with top guides and anglers who ice fish world renowned waters. “In designing these combos, we didn’t ask a walleye expert for input on a panfish combo, or vice versa,” states Kolodzinski. “To assemble a premium bluegill combo, for example, we called on Walt and Poppee Matan, famed creators of the Rat Finkee jig. Their combined experience with big ‘gills is legendary. And we think the 26-inch Quick Tip Bluegill combo hits the sweet spot for fishing micro ice plastics.”

Along these same lines, there’s the 22-inch Quick-Tip Crappie, created by Scott Glorvigen, a professional angler renowned for his prowess with trophy black crappies. The rod’s Quick-Tip is a perfect match for microlight jigs and finicky-biting panfish.

Then there’s the 24-inch Finesse Perch rod, drafted by Hall of Famer Tom Neustrom, who tracks perch schools on Minnesota’s famed lakes Leech and Winnibigoshish. Similarly, for a Perch/Finesse Walleye stick, Devils Lake, North Dakota guide Jason Feldner was a logical choice. And crafting Ice Hunter’s walleye/pike combos—26-inch medium Deep Water Walleye and 32-inch medium-heavy Trophy Walleye/Pike Jigging models—were veteran guides Dale Stroschein and Paul Nelson, respectively.

On the predator front, Great Lakes guide Captain Eric Haataja created a 38-inch Trout/Heavy Jigging combo. This choice rod sports a custom glass Quick-Tip that absorbs the shock of powerful predators. “This is the nicest combo out there. It meets the needs of anglers from Rocky Mountain reservoirs to the Great Lakes,” says Haataja.

Besides Haataja’s Trout combo, which features glass, each of the other six rods are founded on solid graphite blanks adorned with stainless steel ice guides to prevent freezing. For handles, Frabill incorporated high-grade tapered custom cork, which provides warmth, ergonomic comfort and precision control over any presentation.

Unlike many companies that scrimp on the reel, Frabill took its characteristic high road, incorporating first-rate features that perform optimally in extreme cold. Innite anti-reverse, multi-disc, front load drag, and three plus one ball-bearings ensure liquid smooth operation. Each reel also includes a machined-aluminum spool, and is injected with special Sub-Zero™ lubricant for seamless operation in the coldest temperatures. This winter, Ice Hunter offers anglers everywhere the rare privilege of mingling with ice fishing’s dream team.

[Joel DeBoer]

Frabill Snosuit

Jackson, W.I. – When the round peg fits in the round hole, you go for it. In that spirit, Frabill, Inc, legendary manufacturer of premium ice fishing products, acquired Snosuit, LLC, the ice fishing industry’s foremost designer of performance winterwear.

Jeff Kolodzinski, Marketing VP of the 71 year old Milwaukee area employer, said it was an inevitable and natural move. “The ice fishing outerwear category is substantial and growing. Frabill needed to be in that space. But to parallel the level of product quality our customers are accustomed to, we had to enter at the top. Snosuit gave us that opportunity.”

Previously headquartered in Cross Lake, Minn., Snosuit pioneered the high‐end of the now well established ice fishing outerwear category. The gritty northwoods company has never wavered from this pursuit of developing the best of the best, either. Snosuit founder Chris Leonard’s mantra to “design and engineer the finest cold weather garments in the ice fishing industry” will survive and flourish under the stewardship of Frabill, too. “Frabill and Snosuit share an ideology of excellence,” said Leonard. Innovation and an emphasis on research and development are shared traits as well. “Snosuit is built from the ground up,” said Leonard. “Every feature is developed organically, from scratch. We design and engineer garments based on direct input from anglers in the field.” Leonard will stay on to guide Snosuit’s bedrock research and development process. Sharing such core business philosophies was central to Frabill’s decision to grow via acquisition. “Our motto is ‘Trusted Gear Since 1938’,” said Frabill CEO Jeff Marble. “Snosuit brings with it that same pride in brand that we believe in at Frabill. “We feel really good about this partnership. It’s hand in glove.” The move expands Frabill’s already extensive coverage in the larger ice fishing marketplace. “We’re a major stakeholder in portable shelters, ice fishing rods and reels, tip‐ups, bait management products, and ice fishing accessories,” said Kolodzinski. “The addition of Snosuit makes Frabill’s ice fishing product offering even more comprehensive. If it’s for ice fishing, Frabill makes it.”

Available this fall, the Snosuit lineup will include a redesigned release of the signature two‐piece bibs and jacket. An extreme weather, gauntlet‐style glove and mitt are also being introduced for ice fishing 09‐10. Snosuit products are available through major sporting goods chains as well as select independent dealers. Go to www.snosuit.com for more information.

[Joel DeBoer]

Mepps Dorsal Fin

The NEW Mepps Dorsal Fin is unlike any other in-line spinner. Its unique, innovative vertical fin design, and single hook, allows it to pass through most vegetation without getting hung-up. Because the Dorsal Fin spinner weighs 5/8 oz., it casts a country mile. But, in the water, its neutral-buoyant nylon fin allows it to be retrieved in the same manner as a 3/8 oz. lure. Every Dorsal Fin features a life-like design that includes a holographic eye, a dark back, and a bright throat. It also has a raised gill plate and a molded realistic scale pattern. Although its silicon skirt allows it to be effectively fished without a trailer, its extended locking-bend wide-gap worm hook is perfect for rigging just about any soft plastic lure. All Dorsal Fins feature a Mepps #4 Aglia blade for maximum thump and vibration.