ICAST 2020: Growing Specific Techniques Rods Expands G. LOOMIS’ IMX-PRO BASS SERIES

Series grows to 74 Rods with new Swimbait, Bladed Jig, Ledge, Ned Rig, Lipless Crank models

The concept behind G. Loomis’ IMX-PRO series is to design a specific rod dialed in for every technique and situation that bass anglers encounter. Relying on nearly 30-years of manufacturing for what many consider some of the best fishing rods anywhere, along with the input and field-testing from leading tournament bass pros, G. Loomis adds to its IMX-PRO lineup 10 new rods with models to specifically use with swimbaits, bladed jig baits, Ned rigs, lipless crankbaits, and when working ledges.

Suggested retail: from $345 to $355

           

The new IMX-PRO bass rods include three extra-fast action swimbait models, the 862C SWBR 7’2” medium and 863C SWBR medium-heavy power casting rods, along with a ‘micro swimbait’ medium power 882S SWBR 7’4” spinning version for lighter ball-headed swim jigs. Bladed jigs are one of the hottest techniques these days for bass, and within the IMX-PRO series, G. Loomis offers the fast action 862C BJR 7’2” medium power and 883S BJR 7’4” medium-heavy power casting rods.

            

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Ledge fishing at the right time of year can many times lead to personal bests, and G. Loomis is there to assist with the two IMX-PRO 7’7” casting rods. They include the 913C JWR in medium-heavy and 914C JWR heavy power to properly work hair jigs, football jigs and flutter spoons.

IMX-PRO Ned rig rods offered include two spinning models including the 831S FINR medium-light power 6’11” rod and the 882S FINR 7’4” medium power, both with extra-fast action.

            

To get the most out of lipless crankbaits, such as the Jackall TN 60 and 70, anglers can rely on the IMX-PRO 855C CBR - a 7’ rod medium-heavy power rod with fast action.

According to G. Loomis senior planning manager David Brinkerhoff, all 74 IMX-PRO rods “take advantage of our on-going improvements in both our manufacturing processes and materials. We rely on our proprietary Multi-Taper Design to reinforce potential stress points in the blank to create optimal action and powers, and use exclusive G. Loomis materials - a blend of resin and fibers to gain the ultimate strength to weight durability, a Fuji ‘K’ frame Alconite tangle-free guide train, and more fishing comfort from increased palm swell to the full cork grips.” Brinkerhoff notes the full cork grip design used provides enhanced fishing comfort, plus offers split-grip feel for bass anglers who look for that in a rod.

As with all G. Loomis rods, these new additions to  IMX-PRO bass series are handcrafted in Woodland, Washington USA. For more information on all 74 rods offered, stop by your nearest G. Loomis tackle shop, or visit www.gloomis.com where you can also buy them locally from your nearest authorized retailer.

ICAST 2020:Abu Garcia's Zenon the World’s Lightest Spinning Reel, the Sub-5 Ounce

Abu Garcia’s new Zenon spinning reel is poised to reset the standards by which all ultra-premium fishing reels are judged. Designed to give serious bass and walleye anglers the advantages they need to propel them to fish to win, the Zenon is the lightest spinning reel ever produced, tipping the scales at an unbelievably light 4.9 ounces for the Size 20 and 5.4 ounces for the Size 30. Paired with a light spinning rod, the result is a configuration that brings unparalleled sensitivity and all-day comfort to serious anglers.
 
Zenon was developed for those who desire the very best to complement their skills, regardless of whether anglers are fishing for fun or for a paycheck.  Abu Garcia engineers worked with their Japanese design team to build the ultimate finesse-style spinning reel that would succeed in the sophisticated finesse-specific Japanese market and find a strong foothold in the competitive U.S. bass and walleye tournament scene.
 
“The Zenon sets the bar for future spinning reels in terms of weight, comfort and overall performance in finesse fishing applications,” said Abu Garcia Vice President of Marketing Jon Schlosser. “With the smoothness of the drag, you can fish light line with confidence and do so comfortably because the reel is so light and easy to hold. Our reel designers minimized the weight of the reel to a point few thought possible while making sure the reel retains its Abu Garcia durability. I believe we will see a lot of these reels on the front decks of tournament boats next year.”
 

ICAST 2020: Lunkerhunt's Easy Prey

Predators looking for an easy meal usually pick off the weak, slow, or injured in a pack. Why not offer curbside pickup on their next order? Lunkerhunt’s Easy Prey hardbait mimics a wounded baitfish kicking through its final moments, making it an easy target for your next catch. This double-jointed lure sits horizontally in the water, dressed with three feathered treble hooks that give it a unique presentation at rest, and a high hookup probability in action. Once you start a retrieve, it kicks back to life with a vertical wobble just like an injured baitfish. At rest, this lure will then float back up in the water column, driving fish crazy.

Freedom Lures New Mischief Minnow Topwater

There is nothing more exciting than a fish erupting on a topwater bait and the chaos that ensues. Topwater chaos is what makes the all new Mischief Minnow from Freedom Tackle one of the hottest and most innovative baits to land in 2020 – and puts it in a class all its own.

The secret to the Mischief Minnow’s performance is the unique Kilter Blade – this custom blade design is center-mounted on the bait body by an angled blade pin. The patent-pending Kilter Blade creates a highly erratic action – there is simply nothing like it in the market today!

Working the bait is simple, relying on the Kilter Blade to create side-to-side body rolling action which mimics a wounded baitfish on the water’s surface. The Mischief Minnow’s unique thrashing action combines clacking sound, wake vibration and blade flash – a true triple threat in topwater fishing that makes fish want to smash.”

At rest, the high-float body relies on a nose-up presentation that thrashes into action with the slightest twitch. Use a straight retrieve or mix it up with a pause-and-rip rod technique to entice bone jarring strikes! 

The Mischief Minnow is designed to put fish in the boat with premium paint finishes, super-sharp Gamakatsu Short Shank treble hooks and the exclusive Freedom Color-Matched Custom Kilter Blade.

“The Mischief Minnow brings innovation to topwater fishing by combining all the advantages of sound, wake and blade flash in a pencil style bait design.” said Michael Tamburro, President of Freedom Tackle. “Two years of design and product testing has given us feedback from the biggest critics we have – the fish! They don’t just eat it, they want to destroy it and that’s the kind of mischief we want to create when topwater fishing!”

Visit www.americanbaitworks.com for more information

BASS Elite Cayuga Lake Event Cancelled!

Other New York Events Still On

BASS PRESS RELEASE

B.A.S.S. officials announced they will cancel the Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake, scheduled for July 14-17 in the Village of Union Springs, N.Y., and plan to reschedule the tournament for another fishery later this season.

Last week, the State of New York released guidelines for professional sports competitions which include diagnostic testing and protocols for daily health screenings for all athletes and staff, along with a host of other safety and social distancing measures. Under these guidelines, no fans or spectators are allowed to attend events, even those held at outdoor venues.

“New York does allow for professional athletes to have a fast track to compete here, but the regulations and protocols were way beyond what we could produce,” said Mayor Bud Shattuck from the Village of Union Springs, the tournament’s local host. “While we tried valiantly to get this done, it was beyond our control given the tight time frame between when guidelines were announced and competition.”

At this time, both B.A.S.S. and local hosts believe the required testing can be arranged so that the remaining two Elite Series tournaments in New York — the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River July 23-26 and Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain July 30 – Aug. 2 — can continue as scheduled.

IBASSIN's Rules: Punching and Flipping

Now is the time to pick up the big rod and start punching weed mats. Big bass finished with the spawn often move shallow for the summer. Hunt out the thickest weeds or shoreline grass for big bass action. 

Learn here how to select the correct gear to make punching cover fun and effective. 

A Closer Look at the New Minn Kota Raptor

With a host of new innovations and unmatched anchoring and durability, the Raptor is engineered to stand up to the harshest conditions, giving anglers the ability to confidently hold their boat securely in place in more fishing situations than ever before.

Hydraulic anchoring systems currently on the market have lacked the ability to adapt to changing conditions on the water. Once anchored, waves, currents, tide changes and different bottom compositions can negatively affect the anchors’ ability to hold a boat in place. Raptor is the only shallow water anchor to feature Active Anchoring™ and Auto-Bottom Mode™, which enable these shallow-water anchors to automatically monitor the water and bottom conditions to keep the boat anchored firmly in place no matter what the fishing situation. 

Active Anchoring continuously monitors anchor hold and adjusts automatically to changing conditions while Auto-Bottom Modes senses bottom hardness to ensure the right amount of force is delivered for a more secure hold every time. 

LINK HERE FOR MORE INFO

New York FLW Toyota Series Moves to Ohio due to Covid19

Due to New York’s recently announced travel restrictions, FLW will shift its July 9-11 Toyota Series Northern Division opener from the St. Lawrence River at Massena, N.Y., to Lake Erie at Sandusky, Ohio. (photo: FLW)

Happy Canada Day!!

Wishing you a very fun Canada Day!