New Zodias Froggin' and Crankin' Rods from Shimano!

SHIMANO EXPANDS ZODIAS BASS ROD SERIES WITH THREE NEW MODELS

FOR CRANKBAITS, CASTING INTO HEAVY COVER

Frogging or Cranking the ledges is summer time fishing. Here's some great news from Shimano on their technique specific designs, Shimano adds three rods to its 14-model Zodias (ZDS) bass rod line-up with the new ZDS 170M-G, ZDS 176MH-G and the ZDS 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 ZDS 170M-G and 7-foot-6 inch ZDS 176M-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 ZDS 175H is ideal for braided line applications, especially when launching frogs into heavy grass. A long reargrip provides added casting distance leverage.

All the Zodias rods blanks feature Hi-Power X construction, eliminating blank twist for both better casting distance and accuracy. Hi-Power X is a unique process to support the lightweight blanks, with carbon tape added in a 45-dgreee ‘X’ pattern on the outside of the blank. The tape process provides what is called ‘torsional rigidity’ to keep the blank from twisting during the cast – and with it, more distance and a more accurate lure presentation.

The new Zodias rods also include the sensitivity and strength of lightweight CI4+ material reel seats, plus lightweight semi-micro guides.

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.

Shimano's New Aldebaran Baitcasting Reel with Jonathon Van Dam and IBASSIN

The brand new Shimano Aldebaran is finally available. Bassmaster Elite Angler, Jonathan Van Dam explains why this is the lightest, most enjoyable to fish reel on the market. IBASSIN.com found out that the Shimano Aldebaran has X-Ship for extreme strength. The Aldebaran only weights 4.7 ounces making it one of the lightest casting reels ever made. Available in right and left handed retrieves, the Aldebaran reels come in 6.5:1 or 7.4:1 gear ratios for easy fishing. When you consider the Aldebaran comes with SVS infinity, Silent Tune and Shimano Stable Spool design, this light-weight wonder is one awesome reel.

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 New Aldebaran 50 Baitcasting Reel with Jonathon Van Dam and IB...

The brand new Shimano Aldebaran is finally available. Bassmaster Elite Angler, Jonathon Van Dam explains why this is the lightest, most enjoyable to fish reel on the market. IBASSIN.com found out that the Shimano Aldebaran has X-Ship for extreme strength. The Aldebaran only weights 4.7 ounces making it one of the lightest casting reels ever made. Available in right and left handed retrieves, the Aldebaran reels come in 6.5:1 or 7.4:1 gear ratios for easy fishing. When you consider the Aldebaran comes with SVS infinity, Silent Tune and Shimano Stable Spool Design it is clear that this is one amazing reel.