G Loomis Redesigns E6X

NEWLY-DESIGNED E6X BASS RODS

Providing bass anglers with both performance and value, G. Loomis launches a redesign to its popular E6X Series to make them more durable and even lighter. Available to anglers for the 2018 fishing season, the new E6X bass rods includes 33 models offered in both technique specific, along with G. Loomis’ universal ‘Mag Bass’ (MBR) casting and ‘Spin Jig’ (SJR) spinning actions.  

Built around a performance platform with a focus on weight, balance, sensitivity and action, “our E6X bass rods are the perfect choice for anglers who have never experienced what it’s like fishing a G. Loomis rod,” said G. Loomis senior planning manager - and noted bass angler - David Brinkerhoff. “And for those anglers who want to add specific actions to their rod arsenal - say a big swimbait rod or a dropshot spinning rod for some finesse fishing - the E6X series will have it covered.”

The slight weight reduction on rods was done while also increasing overall durability. “When you can go light and stronger, along with providing a smaller sized guide train for better balance, it was the right time for this nice upgrade to the E6X bass rods,” said Brinkerhoff. “Plus with the 14 spinning rods offered in the line-up, anglers will appreciate the added in-hand comfort from a more streamlined reel seat.”

New Diawa LT Series of Spinning Reels with Dave Chong

The Diawa LT series of spinning reels were designed lighter and stronger in a more compact package. The strength of the Zaion housing is an example of the LT design concept of Light but Tough. At the heart of the reel is a machined Aluminum Alloy DIGIGEAR designed for smoothness, strength and durability. The main shaft utilizes the Magseal, which prevents water and debris intrusion. The reel is long-casting and extremely smooth.

2017 ICAST G. Loomis & Shimano Present Conquest Rods

G. LOOMIS DESIGN PLUS SHIMANO TECHNOLOGY

PROVIDES ANGLERS A WHOLE NEW WORLD IN BASS RODS

Bringing together G. Loomis design expertise and proven rod actions with Shimano’s core blank technology provides bass anglers with Conquest – a 12 rod line-up introduced through a joint collaboration between G. Loomis and Shimano product development staffs. The new Conquest series includes eight casting rods with G. Loomis’ original ‘Mag Bass’ fast action tapers, and four ‘Spin/Jig’ fast action spinning rods.

With blanks rolled to exact G. Loomis specifications by Shimano incorporating its proprietary Spiral X and Hi-Power X processes, and then hand-finished at the G. Loomis facility in Woodland, Wash., G. Loomis’ rod engineer David Brinkerhoff calls Conquest “the most technologically advanced bass rods on the water. Depending on the model, these rods are up to 10-percent lighter than even our NRX rods, and due to the Shimano Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank manufacturing, anglers will experience a whole new set of performance standards in a bass rod.”

Through the combined Spiral X and Hi-Power X technologies, the Conquest (CNQ) rods provide longer, more accurate casts, along with increased fish-fighting power and solid hook-setting leverage. Brinkerhoff notes the blank construction process reduces unintentional rod twist, “adding not only to casting distance and pinpoint accuracy, but also makes the Conquest rod much more durable due to an increased resistance to blank ovalization. When hooked up, anglers will quickly notice the rods don’t twist – you’ll experience better hookset, plus more rod control when fighting and pulling on big fish.”

Suggested Retail: from $650 to $675

Frog Fishing Gear with Dean "The Machine" Rojas

Who doesn't love to frog fish? Everyone has their own preferences when it come to gear. BASS Elite angler and frog fishing expert Dean "The Machine" Rojas has some tips for you. He'll help you become an expert.

Crankbaiting with BASS CLASSIC CHAMP and crankbait legend Paul Elias

Paul Elias won the 1982 BASS Classic on a crankbait and he has never looked back. Learn from the master on how he selects his tackle to make cranking easier and more effective. Southern boys if you love ledge fishing, deep water cranking is a must. Northern guys who want a big smallmouth need to be casting one. So, why not learn for the Paul Elias the true crankbait master.

Why You Need To Invest In a Great Baitcasting Reel!

Casting reels are one of the most important parts of bass fishing. The price tags seems to get higher and higher but the quality of these reels is amazing!  Sure, there are cheaper reels out there but buying a great reel really is a wise investment. Check out Mike "IKE" Iaconelli at the Abu Garica booth as he tells you why you need to buy the best reels you can afford.

2016 ICAST Wild Wild Orange Rods by Carrot Stix with Andrew Young

Carrot Stix was the originator of the the ultra light fishing rods and micro guide technology. They're back and making a huge splash at the 2016 ICAST. Their Wild Wild Orange line of rods is offered in regular guides or the MicroWave guides. For about $100 USD what more can you ask for. Listen as Andrew Young explains their features.

ICAST 2016 COVERAGE

Dear Readers,

Well, ICAST 2016 is finally here and IBASSIN.com has you covered. So, how do you see all the latest and greatest videos, press releases and photos? This year we have a three prong approach to covering ICAST.

PRESS RELEASES
All the news will be put here daily. Often the official press releases trickle out and are only available after the show. Don't worry, we'll get them to you. This is especially helpful with rod and reels to find out the specs of the product you're after.

PHOTOS
Best to like us on FACEBOOK. Photos will be uploaded on the fly. Out first round of photos starts today at the LIVETARGET special press release at 4pm.
Click here or link directly
or   https://www.facebook.com/ibassincom-265989363495983/?fref=ts

VIDEOS
Videos will be staggered throughout the week and into next week. Find them here or on our YOUTUBE page.

 or find the link on the right.

Well try to give you the best coverage possible but its hard to stay focused as we drool over the newest tackle and gear.

Enjoy!

IBASSIN.com

Top Gear Picks of 2015

The fine people at Southwick Associates have taken a survey on our most favourite fishing products. See if you're picks are among the most popular. 

In 2015, sportfishing's most frequently purchased brands included:

• Top rod brand: Shakespeare (Ugly Stik, Sturdy Stik, etc.)
• Top reel brand: Shimano
• Top combo brand: Shakespeare
• Top fishing line brand:  PowerPro
• Top hard bait brand: Rapala
• Top spinner bait brand: Strike King
• Top jig brand: Strike King
• Top sinker brand:  Lindys
• Top swivel brand:  Eagle Claw
• Top leader brand: Sufix
• Top fly line brand: Rio
• Top fly leader brand: Rio
• Top tippets brand:  Rio
• Top wader brand:  Simms 
• Top clothing brand:  Columbia
• Top raingear brand:  Frogg Toggs 
• Top landing net brand: Frabill
• Top bait bucket/aerator brand:  Frabill 
• Top fishing knife brand: Rapala
• Top fish scale brand:  Berkley 
• Top trolling motor brand:  Minn Kota 

SHIMANO EXPANDS ZODIAS BASS ROD SERIES

THREE NEW MODELS FOR 2016

Offered in technique specific designs, Shimano adds three rods to its 14-model Zodias bass rod line-up with the new ZDS170M-G, 176MH-G and the 175H.

While the current Zodias series provide anglers with rods designed to perform as needed with all types of lures – be it worms, jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, the new Zodias rods are constructed for specific lure and situation use. The 7-foot ZDS170M-G and 7-foot-6 inch ZDS176M-G crankbaits rods have longer reargrips for long-casting leverage, and include glass composite material within their Hi Power X blank for the softer action needed. The heavy power, 7-foot-5-inch ZDS175H is ideal for braided line applications, especially when making long casts into grass. A long reargrip provides added casting distance leverage.

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%.

Shimano Australia opens state-of-the-art HQ

(originally posted in Angling International)

Tackle giant Shimano says that its new state-of-the-art headquarters in southern Sydney will allow it to significantly expand its operations in Australia.

The gigantic warehouse was officially opened last month and holds the full range of the Japanese group’s fishing tackle and bicycling parts. It features a high-tech automated material handling and logistics system – one of only five in operation in Australia –  which allows products to be sorted, packed and distributed to retailers quickly and efficiently.

Australian magazine, Fishing World was given a guided tour through Shimano’s product information facility where the latest fishing and cycle gear is on display. Ipads linked to the big screens allow visitors to the Shimano offices to browse through websites and videos detailing product information.

Speeches at the opening ceremony noted the vision and business acumen of Shimano Australia founder, John Dunphy, who passed away earlier this year. Industry leaders acknowledged that the new building is a lasting testament to Dunphy’s legacy as one of the founding fathers of the modern recreational fishing industry.

OKUMA Offers Rebates for Anglers

Okuma rewards anglers with rebates in 2015. They got just a bit behind on the shipping of free goods. Thank you very much for your patience and we're just about caught up. Rebates are available through June 15th. Click here for more info: OKUMA

Fast Reels for Fantastic Bass Action!

Fast n Furious Fishing

By Luigi De Rose

“I’m a bit hyper – always fidgety and jumpy. Reels with fast gear ratios are a better fit for my fishing personality.” admits TV and Bassmater star Mark Zona. Buying a reel with a super high gear ratio is not just about personal preference. There are a lot of advantages to using a high speed reel. Mark also explains, “more importantly, fast reels makes me a far more efficient angler. It’s easier to slow down my retrieve than it is to speed up, plus I find that when I have to force a reel to wind faster it’s more physically demanding.”

Zona knows that Shimano delivers speed and power on every cast.

There has been a strong push for revered up gear ratios by anglers. Why the need for speed? Generating a reflex strike is what expert anglers can do even when fishing conditions are not favorable.  As the weekend or tournament drags on, fishing generally becomes dreadful except for a lucky few. The best way to switch gears is trying to make the bass bite by forcing them to react to a quick moving lures.

Pitching plastics into heavy cover, ripping jerkbaits or burning crankbaits all work but you have to correct reel.  “I use Shimano’s high speed Metanium XG baitcasting reel with 8.5:1 gear ratio for a big portion of my fishing, especially with bottom bumping lures. Because it retrieves line quickly, I can make more pitches, flips or casts in a day and feel more comfortable doing it.” Clarifies Mark.

The star of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, is a huge fan of high speed reels. “If I’m cranking deep-running crankbaits or other high-torque fast movers, I’ll opt for the Antares HG geared at 7.4:1, which is still faster than what most recommend. We’ve been told that high-speed reels add stress to wrists when cranking hard-pulling lures than do the slower reels, but that’s not the case with Shimano’s Curado, Antares, Metanium or Chronarch reels – and now also the new Alderbaran HG reels with 7.4:1 gear ratios.” insists Zona.

No Guts No Glory

The true quality of a reel is buried deep inside. Without being able to assess the gears, it’s difficult to separate the good from the great and the great from the exceptional. For decades, Shimano has been producing amazing reels but they have put tremendous effort towards creating top quality gears.

Shimano's X-SHIP provides pure power even with high speed
reels like the Curado 200 HG.

They’ve designed three components that guarantees reels run right: SVS Infinity Braking System, S3D Stabile Spool Design and X-Ship. Each system ensures that the reel provides power, smoothness and durability.

Bassmaster Elite angler Jonathon Van Dam is a strong advocate of the X-ship. JVD declares, “the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, keeps precise alignment with the drive gear even under heavy loads.” Being on Tour, you must have reels that can stand up to the abuse.  Battling a winning fish in an Elite level tournament is not the place for your reel to start grinding.  The benefit of Shimano’s diligence in designing the best reels is that the average angler can enjoy the same quality in their equipment.

High speed reels are beneficial to getting more bites but before you become too impressed with the high ratio, consider what lies beneath the reel frame.  High speed reels need quality parts and gears.

Shimano's ZODIAS Rods

Versatile performance is the concept behind Shimano’s new Zodias rods series, an 11-model line-up designed in actions and lengths for accuracy when needed, long distance when needed, or when finesse techniques are need. The series – developed by Shimano and built by Shimano - includes six casting models in 6’10” and 7’2” lengths, and six spinning models in 6’8” and 7’ lengths.

“With the Zodias rods, we can provide anglers with one rod designed to perform as needed with all types of lures – be it worms, jigs, deep-diving or lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits,” said Robby Gant with Shimano’s rod development team. “While certain models will offer a higher level of performance depending on the technique, you can fish with confidence that your Zodias rod can fish any style at any time.”

The New G. Loomis E6X Series of Rods with Jonathon Van Dam and IBASSIN

Check out Jonathon Van Dam as he explains the new EX6 rods from G. Loomis.

Brand New E6X Rod Series from G. LOOMIS!

EXPERIENCE G. LOOMIS WITH NEW E6X ROD SERIES 

30 RODS IN BOTH TECHNIQUE SPECIFIC AND CLASSIC ACTIONS

Suggested retail: from $179.99 to $199.99

Designed around a performance platform with a focus on weight, balance, sensitivity and action, anglers of all levels can experience what G. Loomis is all about with the new E6X rods series, soon to be available for spring ’15 fishing action. The series includes 30 casting and spinning rods, offered in both technique specific models with exacting actions, and ‘Classic’ models with easy to cast, more forgiving actions for use with a variety of lures.

The new E6X rod series introduces anglers to what G. Loomis rod designers refer to a ‘swing-weight’, the proper rod balance needed when fishing ‘tip up’ techniques like pitching/flipping and casting tubes, jigs, soft plastic jerkbaits and drop shot rigs, and ‘tip down’ lures like crankbaits, spinnerbaits or swimbaits. “Proper balance lets anglers concentrate on what is happening on the end of the line, rather than the tip of the rod,” said G. Loomis’ Bruce Holt. “With the E6X series and the G. Loomis’ Multi-Taper Technology behind them, we can provide light, sensitive, yet powerful rods for all types of bass fishing techniques – what anglers know and come to expect form G. Loomis and all at a very comfortable price.”

There are 12 E6X technique specific casting rods designed for jig & worm use, for flipping and punching, crankbait and spinnerbait specific, along with four technique specific spinning models for small jigs, tubes and worms, plus two drop shot spinning rods. Holt notes that both the casting and spinning jig & worm rods have the needed extra-fast tips, the crankbait rods have the needed slower, softer actions, while stiff, powerful actions are found on the flip/punch rods and unique actions are featured on the spinnerbait, swimbait and drop shot rods. The entire technique specific rods feature split grip handles with cork grips, along with Fuji reels seats and guides.

Backwoods Rods: A Real Canadian Gem.

A Nickel for Good Luck!
By Luigi De Rose

Being an outdoor writer has perks and one of them is seeing amazing fishing gear. IBASSIN readers have enjoyed photos and read stories of my trips to Japanese tackle stores and discoveries at ICAST but rarely do we celebrate local talent. Backwoods Rods is a Canadian rod company that takes craftsmenship to the next level. 

The ALPS Nickel Butt Cap
offers a truly unique Canadian touch.

Daniel Sturges and his Backwoods fishing rods caught my attention recently. The on-line world is flooded with companies trying to lighten your wallet but most often nothing is ever too exciting. 

Backwoods Rods seemed different right off the bat and the more I discovered about the him and his team of three master rod builders, the more interested I became. 

 Daniel makes several species specific rods but I focused on the bass gear. Over his 18 years of rod building, Daniel has created 140 models so customers can obtain the exact action, size and feel they crave. 


Here is a photo essay and run down of his bass rods.

First is a 7'6" Telescopic Flippin/Pitchin Styx with a Anodized "Dual Trigger Reel Seat" Titanium/Zirconium "Flanged" Casting Guides. They also do a 7'10" -1 Pc. Rattin/Frog Rod as well as a Swimbait Rod with Split Cork Handles.

Components and rod blank are brought in from Batson Enterprises in Sequim Washington. They start 

with a Rainshadow RX8 Rod Blank which are extremely light yet very powerful.

More custom rod work below

ICAST 2014 Shimano Expride Rods with Shin Fukae and IBASSIN

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida finds Japanese Fishing legend Shin Fukae in the Shimano booth. Listen with IBASSIN.com as Shin explains all the features of the new EXPRIDE rod from Shimano. This might be the best rod ever!

2014 ICAST New Fenwick Elite Tech Bass Series of rods with IBASSIN

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida find the IBASSIN.com team in the Fenwick booth. Their new Elite Bass Series of Bass Rods are really well built and look great. . Come along with IBASSIN.com as we find out why there super rods are such a winner.