Positive Outlook for Tackle Giants Rapala and Shimano!

Original article posted by 

Angling International

Two of the world’s biggest fishing tackle manufacturers saw their sales for the first half of 2015 increase on the previous year.

For the majority of last year, Rapala VMC Corporation was burdened by the costs of the changeover of production of its lure manufacturing unit from China to Batam Island, Indonesia. However, with the new location now having a positive impact on profitability, the Finnish giant reported a comparable operating profit of €9.9 million (2014: €9.7 million) – up 2%. Its net sales for the period also increased 3% to €80.1 million (2014: €77.7 million).

Fishing sales at Japanese-based Shimano for the year increased 9.8% to 33,386 million yen and operating income increased 19.2% to 2,667 million yen.

The company said that a generally robust performance in North America, Western Europe, Oceania and New Zealand, helped make up for a comparable decrease in sales in the Japanese market.

Positive comparable stores sales in a number of categories – including fishing – helped North America’s iconic outdoor sporting goods store, Cabala’s Incorporated, post a 9.9% increase in total revenue to $836.3 million for the second quarter of 2015.

Retail store revenue increased 13.9% to $570.1 million, while its internet sales fell 7%.

2014 ICAST: CORE Strength Soft Plastics from Lunkerhunt

Lunkerhunt Core Strength^™ raises the bar on soft plastic technology.  Core Strength allows for reinforcement around key joints and pivot points, providing lures with the freedom to maximize and enhance their action when fished through the water. Much like how rebar works in concrete, Core Strength Technology provides the strength to help your bait hold together and take hit after hit.

Lunkerhunt Core Strength^™ reinforcement technology is found throughout the Lunker Craw^™  and the Lunker Bug^™. There is a mylar skeleton within the lures that has special venting and engineering. Essentially it enables more action and creates a longer lifespan.

Core Strength Technology - works like rebar in concrete. The difference is that it has a wide range of motion.

MERRY-G GEECRACK Alabama rig with IBASSIN

The Alabama rig has evolved into many forms. Check out this quick change version from GEECRACK. It solves the problems of conforming to local laws and storage issues.

2014 Bassmaster Classic Coverage: How to Fish Lake Guntersville Now! PART 2

An in-depth analysis of Lake Guntersville and fishing the Classic
By Luigi De Rose

Kevin has been guiding on Guntersville for the
past 3 years. (Photos: BASS/Kevin Hunt)

With the Bassmaster Classic a day away, we wanted to know more about fishing Lake Guntersville in late February. Elite Angler and 2010 FLW CUP CHAMP Kevin Hawk shares his knowledge of his home lake.  

IBASSIN:

There is a saying, “You cannot win the Classic on the first day but you can lose it.”  Can the Classic be lost on the first day?

Hawk: It is really hard to catch up here. If you have a 10 to 15lb limit, you’re not going to go out and catch a 40lb limit the next day to catch up to the leaders. You need to be consistent all three days and have a really good bag one of those days. A really good day on Guntersville would be a 30lb day backed up with mid-twenty catches. 

I think 70 to 75lbs of bass will win the Classic this year.

IBASSIN:

Guntersville being so large, will anglers have a lot of crowding from other contestants?

Hawk:

There might be multiple guys fishing the same areas but it would be much different if the bass were way in the backs of creeks or dead–end coves. The bass should be in the middle or the outside areas of the creeks.  These areas are much larger so fisherman will have more room to fish. The top leaders will do their damage in a short time. They will hit the right cover at the correct time and catch several of them in a hurry. The trick is to hit the right window of opportunity. 

IBASSIN:

Who are your Top 3 picks for this Classic?

Hawk:

My Top 3 picks are:

1^st Jordan Lee. He is young guy and a friend who knows Guntersville very well. He is a tremendous angler.

2^nd Aaron Martens. He is such a strong angler.

3^rd. Dean Rojas. Dean is another very strong angler. 

IBASSIN:

Thanks for giving IBASSIN your perspective on fishing Guntersville. 

Hawk:

You’re welcome.

2014 Bassmaster Classic Coverage: How to Fish Lake Guntersville Now!

An in-depth interview with Elite angler and FLW CUP Champ Kevin Hawk on fishing the Classic Waters.

By Luigi De Rose

IBASSIN wanted to give greater understanding on how the pros will fish Lake Guntersville, the host of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. This famed reservoir on the Tennessee River has a long history with BASS. Numerous events have been held on Guntersville, even Rick Clunn’s first Classic win in 1976. Almost all past tournaments occurred in late spring or autumn not the frigid late winter period greeting the Classic contestants this year.  With 69 000 acres of fishable waters and 71 miles long it is clearly Alabama’s largest water body.  There are no shortage of choices for the Classic anglers.

Photo: Jim Leary/ Kevin Hawk.

We contacted BASS Elite angler and 2010 FLW Cup Champ Kevin Hawk for his knowledge and insight on this week’s Classic. A resident of Guntersville, Kevin has guided on the lake for 3 years and provides great perspective.

IBASSIN:

What are the traditional patterns for Guntersville at this time of year?

Hawk:

Moving baits are the key. Lipless crankbaits and slowly worked jerkbaits are best. It is all weather dependent. Many are familiar with all the grass that canopies in the summer on this lake. This time of year, it is still a factor but the weeds have died off.  Anglers will be looking for grass, even brown grass, in the 4 to 7 foot depth range.  Single swimbaits might produce very well but the water needs to warm up. Jigs will also account for fish but moving baits will be the way to go.

FLW Touring Pro Cody Myers Joins Shimano

Noted bass angler Cody Meyer from Grass Valley, Calif. is now on board with Shimano’s expanding pro staff, casting Jackall baits on Shimano rods matched with PowerPro-filled Shimano reels, announces Bob Mahoney, marketing manager for Shimano. Meyers begins his new affiliation with the Shimano brand at the upcoming FLW Tour stop at Lake Okeechobee starting February 7.

            “Cody has been a great asset to Jackall Lures, and we look forward to him helping us bring even more awareness to not only Jackall, but also Shimano and PowerPro as well,” Mahoney said. “He’ll be assisting our team at tournaments, dealers functions and tackle shows as his schedule allows, plus we’ll be listening to him for input on rods, reels, line and lures.”

The HAUL part 2 (Cool lures from Japan)

Here is more of what I bought. I cannot show some of the baits because many are presents. I don't want to reveal them just yet.

D- Frog! Got one. These are the hottest frog out there. I got the last one.
My wife asked, "why only one?" What happens if it works well?  You'll only have one.
(Didn't think of that, plus it was the only one left) 

Senko hooks. Love those weedless Wacky hooks. I make my own
but these are more professional. Left is Diawa right is Zappu.
(Sorry the flash killed the shot)

FOR THE REST OF THE PHOTOS. PLEASE VISIT IBASSIN.COM ON FACEBOOK. Like it if you wish.

The Haul! What I bought.

Some might be disappointed after reading this. It is easy to loose your mind in a big fishing store here. When on vacation, people always buy. Shoes, cloths and for me and you, fishing gear. But, you have to bring it all back. I would love to splurge on a few rods but the airplane gorillas would make kindling out of them. Also, this stuff isn't cheap. If you were starting out, you could blow a couple grand just to get a few rods and reels with gear. I was thinking of getting a new Shimano reel. At $625, it will have to wait for another trip.

When in Japan, I always try to get something I cannot get in Canada or the States. Also, I tend to fish targets and shallow water, so my eyes focus on those types of lures. I am not a big crankbait guy. Stores are full of cranks. I use to be on pro-staff ages ago with Bill Norman and recently Rapala has been good to me, so I think I have plenty. If I fished less grass then I might hit the crankbait aisles harder.

Here is a look at a small fraction of my haul.

EverGreen Shower Blows Shorty. Should be a smallmouth killer.
There was a sale on EverGreen so I got it for $12 but it is about $19.

Look at that tail!

Return Trip to Japanese Tackle Store

This is a return trip to a local Japanese tackle store. Amazing stuff. Check out all the Megabass, Evergreen, Daiwa, Deps, OSP, Jackall stuff. These stores really have a lot of top end tackle.

ICAST 2011 Coverage: Ouzo Baits with Harold Allen.

ICAST 2011 in Las Vegas at the Ouzo booth. The Legend, Harold Allen himself explains this cool new bait. Allen is a long time BASSMASTER angler since the 1970s. Truly, a cool dude.