Florida back bay fishing is about long casts and accurate presentations. Baits may range from a featherweight sardine to a chunky 7-inch mullet; unweighted jerkbaits to magnum swimbaits. Daiwa’s got the needs covered with a unique trio of new sticks in its BackBay series. The 7-foot, 6-inch rods come in three models: MXS for 8- to 17-pound line and 1/8- to ¾-ounce lures; MHXS 10- to 20-pound for 3/8- to 1-ounce lures; and the HXS for 15- to 25-pound line and lures to 1 ½ ounces. The rods feature the new Fuji tangle-free FazLite guides, cork grips and limited 5-year warranty. Suggested retail price is $149.99.
Accurate Fishing is known for building—on U.S. shores--lever-drag reels that are incredibly strong, rigid and durable, yet lightweight and compact. Now the company offers the Tern series with a patent-pending TwinStarDrag for fish-fighting smoothness, consistency and reliability. Featuring one washer on each side of the gear with friction plates, instead of a stack of washers on one side, the Tern delivers an ultra-smooth payout of drag with every click of the ergonomically designed star. Three sizes are available, each in either a speedy 6:1 retrieve or a more powerful 4.7:1 gear ratio, starting at $270. Tarpon, groupers, tunas and other brawlers won’t know what hit ’em.
Award-winning design meets award-winning technology in one of the most technologically advanced fishing shirts of all time. With 100 percent polyester in the body, a polyester/spandex blend in the sleeves, and a nylon/ spandex blend in the pockets, this shirt gives anglers maximum range of motion. Powered by Coolcore, a chemical-free fabric technology that when wet, lowers the surface temperature up to 30 percent keeps anglers cool and in the game. A sunglass chamois on the bottom hem rounds out the feature set. MSRP $119.95-$149.95
The Fish Monkey folks say they’ve solved one of the puzzles of face protection: Fogged-up sunglasses. The new Face Guards from Fish Monkey, coming spring 2019, are made with a lazer-cut mouth pattern that allows for the complete passage of exhaled air. Keep your neck, nose, ears and face covered—but your sunglasses clear. Poly-spandex material with 4-way stretch construction for a comfortable fit. Fourteen colors, including new Voodoo Swamp patterns, MSRP $22.95.
This little baby is a saltwater kayak or wade-fisherman’s dream: The latest incarnation of the venerable PENN Spinfisher series with the machined aluminum and brass gear train and the company’s HT-100 drag. Best of all: That fish-stopping technology is protected from water by IPX5-rated sealing. MSRP for reels in the Spinfisher VI lineup, which runs to a tuna/billfish 10500 size, is $139.95 to $249.95.
Engineers at G. Loomis know you can’t resist throwing that teeny little plug at an 80-pound tarpon. Yes, their new E6X series has 14 models, including some designed just for big fish—the kind of stick you should pick up when the big ones are blowing up baits. But if fate or a lapse in judgment finds you overmatched, know the E6X rod construction will give you an edge. The secret is multi-tapered mandrel which allows these blanks to be built with uniform wall thickness. That means graphite where it’s needed—light but strong, with actions tailored for any kind of application. The lightest models, such as a 7-6 spinner for ¼-ounce lures, retail for $199.99, while the mag-heavy 8-footer goes for $229.99.
The ultimate electronics for the ultimate sportfishing boats: The new NSO evo3 series from Simrad features a high-def, sunlight-piercing, touchscreen running the ultra-fast iMX6 quad-core processor. Tap and view all kinds of useful Simrad system technology: Halo Pulse Compression Radar, the S5100 CHIRP sounder module, ForwardScan forward-looking sonar and StructureScan 3D sonar imaging, with power to spare for future innovations. Connect to network modules and add GPS, autopilot, keypad controllers and other accessories. Or link up to smartphones, tablets and internet hotspots with integrated wireless connectivity. Purchase the screen separately or in a system kit with GPS antenna, chart card reader, NMEA 2000 Starter Kit and OP50 Remote Controller. Available in 16-, 19- and 24-inch integrated displays, starting at $6,999.
Relaxed, laidback, modern. That's Costa, that's you. The new Slack Tide style offers a sporty, yet stylish look for adventures on and off the water. The ventilation ports and Hydro
Relaxed, laidback, modern. That’s Costa, that’s you. The new Slack Tide style offers a sporty, yet stylish look for adventures on and off the water. The ventilation ports and Hydrolite® nose and temple pads help manage perspiration and heat while preventing slippage, and the frames are keeper-ready—perfect for multiple tide changes. New Baysides are medium fit with a rounded eye shape, made to perform with sweat management ventilation ports, Hydrolite nose and temple pads and pin hinges. Also: Costa’s kicked plastic. You should, too. Bio-resins are the petro-substitute in the new Costas. Patented 580 lens technology provides 100 percent UV protection and polarization. The new styles range from $179 to $259, based on lens selection.
Shimano’s got the sweet spots dialed in with new rods based on popular actions and techniques for light-tackle fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Four casting and four spinning rods are tuned up for tackling trout, redfish, flounder and other coastal species. These are 24- and 30-ton carbon blanks featuring a Titanium Oxide semi-micro guide train. The split-grip GLF rods have comfortable cork mid grips, high-density EVA front and rear grips, along with Shimano custom reel seats. Spinning rods include 6’6”, 7’ and 7’6” medium power, fast action models, along with a 7’ medium-light power, fast action rod. You’ll be ready to go with either a Shimano NASCI 2500, C3000HG or 4000XG spinning reels depending on the rod being used. Casting rods in corresponding configurations match up well with Shimano’s new SLX 150 baitcasting reels. All the GLF spinning and casting rods retail for $99.99.
Talk about matching the hatch! Westin designers 3D scanned actual shrimp to make the lifelike Salty bodies. These come in a variety of colors and two sizes: 3 ¼-inch and 4 3/8-inch. They are pretty heavy, at 5/8- and 1-ounce, respectively, which should be ideal for drifting or slow-crawling in the inlets, river bends and bridge channels where snook, tarpon, reds and big seatrout lurk. The legs and antennae are soft and flutter in the current, the segmented body moves like the real thing.
See and be seen—or not seen—in your Wiley X Nash’s with the wild Kryptek Altitude frame. Is it catchy? Is it camo? Is it both? Polarized Platinum Flash lens are shatterproof polycarbonate meeting ANSI and OSHA impact standards, with T-Shell coating to resist scratches. The lenses provide exceptional glare reduction with no color distortion. Light transmission is 13 percent. MSRP $140 with black zippered case and cleaning cloth. Prescription-ready.
Yo-Zuri’s already got crazy-good saltwater patterns in its Crystal 3D Minnow lineup, but the new bunker, mullet and glass minnow colors are going to really be something to see. The new patterns will be available on all three sizes of the Crystal Minnows, including the 3 ½-, 4 3/8-, and 5 ¼-inch standard models as well as the 6 ½-inch magnums, in floating and sinking editions. The Crystal 3D Minnows have a unique internal prismatic finish.
This is X-Rap in a compact, durable pattern perfect for tarpon, snook and everything else that feasts on small fry. The new size 06 Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet boasts a subtle, relaxed, side-to-size swimming motion. Fish a slow-sinking glide and drop technique in pockets where big fish ambush prey. The lure swims between 1 and 2 feet deep, comes equipped with two corrosion-resistant VMC Coastal Black 1x inline single hooks and is available in 17 finishes. Size is 2 1/2 inches and 5/16 ounces. MSRP $10.99.
The new 360GT Coastal Jig Heads are the perfect fit for the successful, ultra-realistic Storm Coastal soft baits. The new jig heads come four per pack and are armed with a mad sharp, corrosion-resistant VMC Coastal Black hook. Each Coastal Jig Head is outfitted with a 60-degree line tie that keeps soft plastic lures swimming in the perfect strike-enticing position, a tight-grip bait-keeper and large 3-D holographic eyes. Four versatile sizes to fit any scenario. MSRP $5.99
Williamson makes the kinds of trolling lures Florida anglers really use: Small Flash Feathers deadly on blackfin tuna; 8-inch chuggers with 9/0 hooks for our 200-pound blue marlin; and lure/bait rig combo setips ready-made for strips and ballyhoo—sailfish candy. Appropriate monofilament leaders and VMC hooks are included. This year the company introduces three sweet-spot lure combos: Four feathers go for $29.99; six Sailfish Catchers, $39.99; and four Big-Game Catchers, $49.99.
Here’s a sneaky, high-tech way to locate the bite offshore, communicate with your circle of friends, and solve all kinds of common problems outside cell range. The mazu SportFishing app gives weather forecasts, buoy data, sea surface temps, chlorophyll data, altimetry and more sea state information. When paired with mazu’s m2500 hardware system, sports fishermen using mazu SportFishing can stay in contact using reliable, affordable, global service using the Iridium satellite network. With mazuChat, users can join or create their own chat groups, manage their location and communication settings, and take private conversations off VHF radio. You can show your location or find your buddy’s. Send and receive email outside cell range. Navigate routes. Send SOS emergency messages with your position and vessel name. Check out mazu SportFishing with the new mazuChat feature today by visiting the App Store. Mazu SportFishing is available for $129.99 on iPads using iOS 10.2 or later.
This is sonar but might as well be live video! The moving-picture images yielded by Garmin’s new Panoptix LiveScope show not only detailed images of structure all around the boat, but fish swimming in the area—and fish with identifying characteristics. Like other Garmin Panoptix transducers, LiveScope features two modes in one transducer –LiveScope Down and LiveScope Forward – and can be installed on a trolling motor or the transom (recommended only for LiveScope Forward). Depending on the angler’s fishing preferences and techniques, LiveScope can easily be adjusted to change views. Simply point the LiveScope transducer down to see directly below the boat, or forward to see around the boat. Either view provides incredibly sharp, real-time scanning sonar images up to 200 feet down or away from the boat, even when the boat is stationary. The Panoptix LiveScope scanning sonar system includes a compact GLS 10 sonar black box with an LVS32 transducer and a simple plug-and-play Garmin Marine Network connector for easy installation and integration with a compatible Garmin chartplotter. A trolling motor barrel and shaft mounting kit and a transom mounting kit are also included. Available now, the Panoptix LiveScope system has a suggested retail price of $1,499.99.
The Omni-Shade Sun Deflector series from Columbia PFG was a hit last year, with titanium dioxide, sun-deflecting panels uniquely integrated into cool, wicking fabrics. The system is the ideal solution for keeping you cool and protected from UV rays. Coming for spring 2019 are several new pieces with the technology, including the Terminal Deflector Zero Hoodie ($75) in the men’s lineup, and the Tidal Deflector Zero Hoodie ($65) in the women’s side. Both hoodies have integrated neck gaiters and thumb holes. The women’s hoodie has a pony tail slit, as well.
If you’re struggling to choose between a large, spacious kayak and a compact, lightweight model, Old Town might have reached your middle ground with the
Topwater 120 ($999). Measuring 12 feet long and 33 1/2 inches wide and weighing 82 pounds, this model achieves the elusive balance of sleek form and steady feel. Lightweight, adjustable Element Air seat provides all-day comfort, while the EVA foam deck pads keeps feet cool and well supported if you chose an upright posture. Super stable for standing and casting, with the Double U hull design. Old Town’s new Topwater lineup also includes 10-foot-6 paddle and pedal models.
