Crossing Industries

I recently was doing some internet searching for different products for my boat and for fishing in general.  When I am bored, it is not out of the ordinary for me to just hop around the web on Google and other search engines looking for fresh ideas and ways to get a better deal or an edge on my competition.

An angler needs lots of dependable and weather resistant gear, but I kind of got to thinking, so do other people.  What other industries could have some cross over gear that would be well built and serve the needs of anglers as well.  Hunting is pretty well parallel to fishing, as many particpants do both sports.

One cool find was a website for Tactical Clothing and Outdoor Gear.  Their focus is on serving the Law Enforcement and Fire Industry. A product range that covers clothing or tactical gear, such as 5.11 Tactical, Surefire flashlights, police equipment, Benchmade knives, police gear and military gear they need and want.

For the most part fishing stuff is not cheap, but is not always as rugged as it could be for years or hard fishing, which makes me think that some of the clothing, flashlights, knives, tools and other gear could be a good fit for a bass anglers' boat. If it is good enough for law enforcement and military needs, it should be good enough to serve for years of dependable fishing.

So what other industries or sports do you borrow gear from for your bass fishing?

Potent Worm Dye

JJ's Magic has been a somewhat tightly kept secret by many top bass anglers, but now it is getting some mainstream steam. I had heard good things about the product and then I got some custom poured baits that were dunked in their clear formula. I was instantly impressed with how well the garlic smell stuck to the baits after fishing and being in storage for so long.

So I had to get some clear and colored dips of my own. The brightness and lack of fading compared to other dipping products is second to none. Although, caution: It sticks to your hands as well as soft plastics. Also, be careful not to get salt from your plastics on the closure and threads of bottle, can cause them to seep.

If you like garlic on your baits and like customizing soft plastics, give JJ's a whirl! Comes in 4 colors & clear.

Purchase at BassTackleDepot.com & LBF!

Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver

When Reaction Innovations & Andre Moore broke on the scene years ago with the Sweet Beaver, it launched a whole new segment of creature/craw baits. They are now set to release the Kinky Beaver. Based on what I have seen of web images, it looks like a hybrid Crazy Legs Chigger Craw and the original 4.20 Sweet Beaver.

I am sure these will fly off the shelf and be has hard to find as regular beavers in the colors you actually want or need when they come out in next month or two.

The wedge lip on the normal beaver appendages should kick almost like a rage tail and the middle legs should have a tight added wiggle. It should make a bait that not only flips well, but can also be more versatile for Carolina Rigging, Swimming or as a jig trailer.

The Kinky Beaver appear to be same basic size as the original Sweet Beaver and will be available in all the same great colors.

Buy them here!

IMA Beast Hunter has Arrived!

New For This Year
The Beast Hunter mid-range crankbait, developed by legendary Japanese pro Jun Shoji, is the newest offering in IMA’s power-fishing arsenal. Shoji guides on Lake Biwa in Japan, where a world record-tyinglargemouth was caught in 2010. With that laboratory at his disposal, he set out to create a lure that can dominate the 10 to 13 foot range where most of Biwa’s monsters are hooked. He’s succeeded in creating aproduct that will successfully hunt down those beasts.
Designed specifically to come through grass, without hanging up or losing effectiveness, the Beast Hunter coordinates the size of the lure’s body and thickness of its sides with the length and width of the lip. On 14-pound fluorocarbon it dominates the 10 to 13 foot range. With a very natural wobble – not too wide, not too tight – a subdued knocking sound not to turn off spooky bass, the Beast Hunter is a power bait that doesn’t overpower the situation.
Its design incorporates a small fixed weight inside, which maximizes diving depth while preventing the lure from tumbling and getting fouled on the cast. The sidewalls are 2.0mm thick which distributes theoverall weight proportionately throughout the body enabling it to stop quicker as it doesn’t glide forward. The diving angle is also tuned so when you come in contact with the weeds, softly lift up on the rod.The Beast Hunter will back slide and glide right over the vegetation. Every aspect of this lure is made to maximize performance.
Although designed by Japanese Pro, Jun Shoji, the Beast Hunter has been successfully tested by the ima pros here on the U.S. lakes. The Beast Hunter will successfully hunt down the beast of your dreams.

The Diving Angle – Secret to avoiding hang-ups
The “buoyancy level and the diving angle” are key factors of being able to come through grass. The Beast Hunter has a perfect combination of the two so when you come in contact with the weeds, softly lift up on the rod. The Beast Hunter will back slide and glide right over the vegetation.

A Fixed Weight and Extremely Thick Body Shell
At 2.0mm thick, the sidewalls are designed much thicker than other baits. This distributes the overall weight proportionately throughout the body enabling it to stop quicker as it doesn’t glide forward. The thickness also helps it float faster. The design incorporates a small fixed weight inside, which maximizes diving depth while preventing the lure from tumbling and getting fouled on the cast.

Casts like a bullet!
From the body design to weight placement, every aspect of this lure is made to maximize performance. The hooks are shielded by the body and lip to keep it weedless without hampering hooking ability. This also allows for dart like casting for great distance.
S
pecs

Length - 2.64 inches Weight - 3/4 oz Hooks - #2 Depth - 10 - 13 ft.(on 14lbs. fluorocarbon) Class - Mid-range crankbait

Don't forget about the Shaker

Did a bit of fishing this spring. One thing that became apparent in low to mid 50 degree water; the IMA Shaker with it's flat sides and more subtle action is out producing the new highly touted IMA Square Bill designed by Bill Lowen.


Pictured above is the nicest bass I caught, put a bunch in the boat on an IMA Shaker thrown on 12lb Fluoro on my brand new Dobyns 684 CB Crankbait Rod, pretty sweet rod for jerkbaits and light wooden baits like the Shaker, Shad Raps and several other baits.

Both great baits, but early in the year, its hard to beat the profile and action of the Shaker, so my advice, while the traditional Square Bills are getting all the headlines right now, in the early spring, stick with the Shaker for a few weeks. Then when water hits 60 degrees and up, pick that Square Bill up and do work!


As you can see, they were eating the SHAKER!