Elite Anglers Cox and Feider Sign with Vexus® Boats

 There’s no question John Cox and Seth Feider are two of bass fishing’s most accomplished pros, and they’re also among the sport’s most entertaining and authentic characters. Each has their own highly relatable style, but both offer a genuine connectivity that led them to join Vexus® Boats recently.

“Cox and Feider have flirted with the idea of running our boats for quite some time, but much like life, it’s all about timing, and now’s the time in our relatively young company’s history to make them a part of the Vexus family,” says Vexus leader Keith Daffron. 

“Our employees here in Flippin, Arkansas, as well as our dealers around the country, are pretty fired up about this news. But I promise you, if John and Seth weren’t the genuinely good family men they are, this would never work,” adds Daffron. “They also exhibit a sincere appreciation for the premium quality of our boats and have great relationships with our dealers, which is critical.”

Feider will run the new sleek-profile VXs20 fiberglass Vexus and has a long-standing friendship with In Tune Marine of Central Minnesota. Cox, who’s never met a stranger, shares a longtime relationship with Clark Marine in Tennessee as well as dealers in his home state of Florida. He will run the new 250-hp rated AVX2100 aluminum boat to chase shallow bass, but don’t be surprised if you also see him gathering redfish and gators throughout the Sunshine State from an aluminum center console Vexus ACX2210.

Shimano Unveils the Ultimate Tackle System For Technical Swimbait Anglers

Dream lineup of tools ideal for anglers focused on trophy bass

Shimano North America Fishing introduces a revolutionary tackle system that brings together three precision-engineered tools for big swimbait anglers who demand unmatched performance. Comprised of the all-new Shimano Tranx 300 B low-profile reel, Outlier technical swimbait rod, and the Gravitator 220SS glide bait form an integrated system built for the angler who seeks trophy bass. 

"For anglers chasing the biggest fish in the area, this tackle system offers unparalleled precision and performance," said Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. "The Tranx 300 B, Outlier swimbait rods, and Gravitator 220SS were designed with one goal in mind: Helping anglers catch the fish of a lifetime."

The redesigned Tranx 300 B baitcasting reel is the cornerstone of the system, delivering exceptional cranking power and durability for big-bait presentations. Shimano’s CoreSolid HAGANE Body creates a seamless, flex-free platform that converts every ounce of effort into smooth, powerful retrieves. The SVS Infinity MD Tune braking system allows anglers to fine-tune performance on the fly, ensuring exceptional control and accuracy when casting heavy or light lures. Features like X-Ship technology and Cross Carbon Drag make the Tranx 300 B a top option for swimbait anglers.

 

Paired perfectly with the Tranx 300 B, Outlier technical swimbait rods push the boundaries of design and utility. Engineered specifically for casting big baits, the Outlier series features Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank technologies for unmatched accuracy, sensitivity and power. Durable Fuji K-Frame guides, a custom CI4+ reel seat, and spiral EVA handles ensure the rod can withstand heavy bait deployment while minimizing angler fatigue.

Completing the system, the Gravitator 220SS slow sink glide bait redefines versatility and action control. Shimano’s ARMABOOST technology enhances casting distance, while the Action Modifying Insert allows anglers to adjust lure behavior to match fish activity. Available in six models, select Gravitator models feature Shimano’s FLASH BOOST technology for enhanced light reflection or SCALE BOOST for a realistic baitfish appearance. The Gravitator 220SS also comes with additional tails. Whether presenting a tight, choppy action or a broad glide, the Gravitator 220SS is a strike-inducing powerhouse. 

Together, the Tranx 300 B, Outlier rod, and Gravitator 220SS form an unmatched system for swimbait enthusiasts who operate outside the tournament norm and aim for the extraordinary.

Nishine Smelt Head Finesse 1/16oz

SmeltHead Finesse is the unique jighead which generates rolling action by itself.

Weight : 1/16oz(1.5g)

Hook : #1

*weight doesn’t include blade, only jighead weight.

The belly blade swings left and right that gives very realistic action and flashings also sound etc.

This jighead is originally for steelhead fishing but of course you can use it for bass fishing is amazingly works good too.

This model was planned to release in late fall of 2024 but i decided to postpone because I found a big potential of zinc material to make this tiny jighead.

Advantage of zinc material is light density which make possible light jighead in bigger profile. This is the totally opposite concept against tungsten material and this character of zinc would perfectly matches SmeltHead Finesse.

However I’ve never used zinc material before and I had to test this material that took half year to learn for new material.

I have to apologize to steelhead angler that we couldn’t release it before steelhead season. We are trying to catch up if we can release this model before end of Steelhead fishing season in this spring.(SmeltHead Finesse is currently being manufactured in the factory.)

Expected releasing date : April, 2025

Shimano Launches Ultegra FD: Performance for Every Angler

Advanced technology and rugged durability at an unbeatable value

Shimano North America Fishing elevates the standard for versatile, high-performance spinning reels with the launch of the all-new Ultegra FD. Designed to meet the needs of anglers across both freshwater and saltwater environments, the Ultegra FD blends cutting-edge technology, lasting CoreSolid construction, and exceptional value into one sleek package.

“The Ultegra FD is built for anglers who demand reliable performance and advanced features without breaking the bank,” said Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. “It’s a reel designed to handle diverse conditions, from bass and walleye to leading inshore species, with the durability and smoothness that anglers can count on.”

At the core of the Ultegra FD is Shimano’s InfinityXross technology, which extends the surface of the cold-forged HAGANE Gear to evenly distribute force and enhance gear durability. For seamless cranking power, Infinity Drive technology reduces friction between the spool shaft and pinion gear, delivering effortless winding even under heavy loads.

The reel also features Shimano’s Anti-Twist Fin, a flexible polymer design that ensures even line lay and minimizes the occurrence of wind knots for optimal casting performance. Shimano’s X-Protect technology safeguards the reel from water intrusion, making it a dependable choice for saltwater and freshwater anglers alike.

With its combination of innovative engineering and robust construction, the Ultegra FD empowers anglers to tackle any challenge on the water, offering performance traditionally reserved for higher-priced reels at an accessible price point.

CrushCity Adds Australian Elite Series Star Carl Jocumsen to Pro Staff

 The Australian native, and the only person from that country to fish at the sport’s highest level, will now represent Rapala hard baits and tools, Crush City Plastics, and VMC® Hooks.

Jocumsen enters 2025 having qualified for his third straight Bassmaster Classic. Despite hailing from a country that has no largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass, he’s fished at the tour level for a decade, producing increasingly impressive results. Those include seven Top 10 finishes on the Elite Series, including a 2019 win on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller.

“It’s pretty unbelievable to see where I’ve come from, making it to the Elite Series and then winning at the Elite level,” he said. “But I put this right up there with that. For a kid from Australia, to have one of the biggest fishing companies on the planet to believe in me is a dream. It’s a confidence-builder.”

He’s seen the immediate success that CrushCity products enabled for the sport’s biggest names, like Jacob Wheeler, Dustin Connell, and Kyle Welcher, and wants to ride that same opportunity to future titles of his own.

Daiwa's Smelthead DX

 Hiroshi Nishine Designs New Underspin 

 In the likes of lures, perhaps no one is more heralded for their contemporary designs than Hiroshi Nishine.

Nishine’s website says it like this: “Hiroshi Nishine’s missions is simple – to stop at nothing and develop the most effective fishing lures in the world. His obsessive attention to detail, precision engineering, and endless testing ensure that nothing is left to chance. Even in mass production, Hiroshi still hand-carves the master prototype from which each mold is made.”

So, when DAIWA set out to develop the world’s first ever saltwater grade underspin jig, Nishine was their first and only call. Welcome the Smelthead DX underspin jig.

“We wanted to bring the new and popular bass fishing jig to saltwater,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, the company knowing underspin jigs could be equally as effective nearshore and offshore as they are on lakes and reservoirs.

Z-Man® Snags Bassmaster Star Josh Douglas

For a Minnesota native the likes of Bassmaster Opens angler and freshly knighted Z-Man® pro Josh Douglas, a pair of passions have always come naturally—ice hockey and bass fishing. Among the various labels attached to hockey (snipers, grinders, goons, etc.), Douglas might best be described as a playmaker.

In hockey speak, it’s some of the highest praise attainable. A playmaker is the competitor who exploits opportunities others miss. It’s a term reserved for those rare athletes who work hard and play harder, who think their way through tricky conditions, and who excel and win with a balance of persistence, precision and intelligence. Moreover, the playmaker goes out of his way to help others excel in their sport via good-natured guidance.

Douglas, who grew up skating frozen lakes and slapping pucks at nets, eventually discovered an even deeper talent for catching bass. “Played a ton of hockey up through high school, but something about bass fishing just spoke to me on another level,” recalls Douglas, whose earliest goal was to play professional hockey, preferably as a centerman—aka the team’s unsung hero and master of offense and defense in equal measure.

Great Lakes Finesse Teams with Canada's New BASS Elite Evan Kung

Great Lakes Finesse Signs Rookie Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Evan Kung

Great Lakes Finesse is proud to announce the signing of rookie Elite Series Pro Evan Kung to its team for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series season. Kung, a rising star from Pickering, Ontario, has earned his place on the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series after a strong showing in the Bassmaster Opens EQ series. As part of the agreement, Great Lakes Finesse will serve as Kung’s title sponsor for the season, joining YUM and BOOYAH in supporting his professional journey.

“We’re thrilled to have Evan join the Great Lakes Finesse team,” said Dan Miguel, Global Brand Manager at Great Lakes Finesse. “His hard work, determination, and impressive finesse fishing skills make him a natural fit for our brand, and we’re excited to support him as he takes on the Elite Series. We believe Evan’s passion for fishing and commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re confident he will represent our products and the sport at the highest level.”

Daiwa Elite Travel Series

 DAIWA’s new ARDITO travel rod series includes a premium telescoping model that morphs into its own case and fits in your backpack or briefcase. 

Of special note are the new ARDITO ‘Jitte’ casting and spinning rods, with a self-contained telescoping rod design concept that will have most anglers saying, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The groundbreaking design of the ARDITO travel rod is how the 6’7’ARD67B-TR casting and ARD67S-TR spinning rods – each with a full train of eight guides – can telescope into themselves with the handle used to make it completely protected and self-contained. Collapsed and contained, it’s like holding a baton.

Since first touch, DAIWA’s staff has been coming up with new locations and ways to travel with the ARDITO Jitte telescoping travel rods. 

“In our discussions with product development, sales, and marketing staff about the Jitte rod introduction at ICAST, our talks always drifted into unique ways and where these rods would be ideal to use,” said DAIWA’s Field Marketing Specialist Chris Martin. “Those ideas went everywhere from packing them in your Harley saddlebags for a ride to Sturgis and chasing northern pike, yellow perch and crappie in Bear Butte Lake – it’s a short 8 miles from DAIWA headquarters – to that lake or creek you keep seeing on your business travels and daydream about. Now, you have legitimate, packable rod that’ll put you on the water after a long day of meetings.”

Jitte might be the flagship ARDITO travel rod, but there’s an entire series behind it. DAIWA’s technology and construction features are evident throughout the ARDITO telescoping and multi-piece family, making them the new standard in travel rod design and performance.

The 6’8” ARD684MLSF-TR ARDITO Premium Travel Rod is a medium-light, 4-piece spinning rod for use with 5- to 12-pound test with a split-grip cork handle. There’s a full cork handle on the 6’10” ARD6104MHFB-TR medium-heavy casting rod, which is rated for up 20-pound test to tackle big bass and more.