Evolve Fishing Partners with Traditions Media

Suffolk, NY - Most innovative tackle is hatched from a simple plan to build a better bait. It usually starts on the water with the discovery of some connection between fish-feeding behavior and forage. Then it's to the garage, basement or lab where sketches and carvings are made, followed by CAD drawings, molds, and prototypes. On-the-water testing reveals further tweaks and, hopefully, in the end a new contender is born.

Consider New York-based EVOLVE Fishing Co., founded in early 2012 by Derek Carr; a smart, diehard angler who has been designing baits for his own use since he was kid, pond hopping small, bass-filled waters.

"From inception, EVOLVE's goal has been to bring extremely high-quality baits to serious anglers. We're aiming for the level of craftsmanship and design in both our softbait lineup, and pending hardbait line, as you'd see in JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) products. We also try and keep production of key product lines domestic, to maintain top quality standards and support our workforce," says Carr.

EVOLVE's dedication to originality and peak performance didn't go unnoticed, either. Traditions Media staffers were already throwing EVOLVE soft plastics with tremendous success long before there were any business discussions.

"First and foremost, before we even consider representing a brand, the team has to be onboard from a product performance standpoint," says Traditions Media president Noel Vick. "The guys said we should talk to them, so we did. And let's just say the relationship quickly evolved."

Although a newcomer to the tackle business, Carr's EVOLVE has already developed a cult following with discerning anglers across the globe. His first bait, the U.S. manufactured VibraGRUB, is a soft plastic that defies categorization. A razor thin tail undulates with the slowest retrieve, creating something that draws no comparison in the tackle world.

The best way to describe it is cuttlefish-like. Suffice to say, the bait's action is unprecedented and transcends species, drawing strikes from bass to walleyes to redfish, panfish and trout. Everywhere there are fish, it catches fish.

But EVOLVE is no one-trick pony. They offer a full complement of soft plastic contenders, including the DarkStar Swimmer, KOMPAK Craw, Mad Mouse, Fluid Worm, as well as the Nervous Walker hollow-body frog.

The brand's evolutionary processes also translate into the soon-to-be-launched Soul5 Tackle Labs subsidiary, which Carr says "aims to bring a new level of hardbait design, engineering, and performance at a $7 price point." Four models are schedule to launch this month, with more baits anticipated in late 2013 and early 2014.

ABOUT EVOLVE Fishing Co.
EVOLVE Fishing Co. Inc is an independent manufacturer of high-quality soft plastic fishing tackle based in Suffolk, NY. Its subsidiary, Soul5 Tackle Labs, manufactures and markets premium hard lures for the freshwater fishing market. EVOLVE Fishing Co. has been serving the fishing tackle retail and wholesale trade since 2012. For more information, visit www.evolvebaits.com or www.soul5tackle.com.

- See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/298693#sthash.SMhan1MO.dpuf

Rapala launches New Scatter Rap Series

There were plenty of rumblings about a new bait coming from Rapala as we led up to this year's Bassmaster Classic.

And this morning with a gusto, Rapala released many press releases, videos and some stores have started taking Pre-orders.  It appears that these baits will be ready to ship mid-to late March.

The concept of this hew series, are long time producing Rapala bodies and profiles paired with a new concept lip design that is designed to make these baits hunt and search on their own.  Basically giving you the effect of a bait deflecting off a piece cover without the need for cover.

Here is a video of Ott Defoe reviewing the Scatter Rap Shad, which is a Shad Rap body with new lip design.

Of the 4 new baits:
Scatter Rap Shad
Scatter Rap Crank
Scatter Rap Minnow
Scatter Rap Countdowns

I think it will be interesting to see if Mike "Ike" Iaconelli, Brandon Palanuik or Ott Defoe can leverage these into some kind of advantage during this Classic, likely it would be the Scatter Rap Shads of the four they are launching!

Fishing in the Wind, Devil is in the Details

Before I head out fishing, I always check the marine wind forecast.  I do this for several reasons, first and foremost is safety, I do not want to get caught in a bad situation, but it also helps me plan my day.  Often times on big water like Mille Lacs or Winnebago fishing the calmer side is the only option.


But also, wind can really position fish and make them bite in certain areas and make them bite baits they normally don't chase as well.  When it blows, I love to throw crankbaits and spinnberbaits.  I am anxious to try several of the new custom Ike's Ink colors for the Rapala DT Series.


There are lots of options to find wind forecasts, but I've found Predictwind.com for fishing weather forecasts seems to be the most accurate ( more info here --> http://www.predictwind.com/what-predictwind-forecast/fishing/ )

In the end, if you plan for the wind, you will be better prepared to catch more and bigger fish!

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

My ICAST 2011 Bass Fishing Top Picks

Here are the 5 products I am most excited about from ICAST 2011 and that I will mostly likely purchase. These picks are largely based on my obsession with bass fishing and tournament based fishing. There are a ton of great products & I can’t cover them all in this short post, so here is my Top 5:

Optimum Baits Top of the Line Swimbait – The Line Thru category swimbaits has been very popular for two main reasons, fish catching action & better then average hook-up ratio. The main draw back, has been the position of the hook does not come through weeds & cover very well, plus many were not meant to fish deep. Optimum baits introduced the Top of the Line swimbait this year, which will be awesome for fishing through grass and slow rolling around off-shore structure. I have fished the prototypes, you can fish them much deeper and faster then the original Optimum BLT.

VMC Spin Shot Hooks – The new drop shot hook design immediately caught my attention. No special knot to make your hook stand out and line twist should be nearly eliminated. Likely to be a game changer for drop shotting.

Shimano Stradic FJ – I’ve always been a fan of Shimano fishing reels, when they came out with their AeroWrap a few years back that reduced line twist, I changed all my spinning reels out. I am intrigued by the X-Ship double bearing supported pinion gear with two S A-RB shielded bearings that eliminates pinion gear twist and rotor flex when fighting big bass. Should be another instant winner from Shimano.

Dobyns Savvy Micro Guide Series – The Dobyns Savvy series is what I already consider the best value in the bass fishing rod market today. Now they are launching additional models with micro guides at the same price point, sounds too good to be true. They are also launch their Coalition Weapon Series originally targeted at the Army Bass Anglers; main feature on these is an Army-like camo motif.
Response has been so positive; Dobyns now plans on bringing the rods in as permanent fixture to a wider audience.

IMA Beast Hunter – Is a new deep diving crankbait with a great name and same attention to detail you have come to expect from Ima Lures. Designed by legendary Japanese pro Jun Shoji, who guides on Lake Biwa & has a great test ground there to get baits exactly right. The sidewall plastic is 2mm thick which is extremely thick for a crankbait. The reasoning is they wanted the weight in the bait to have a narrower channel so the crankbait wouldn’t roll & helicopter on long. Also angle of the lip was studied for a long time to make it dive at the right angle that would allow it to get down but not get bogged up in grass. If you make the dive angle to steep on a crankbait, it will get down and under the grass and the bait will hang a lot more. The bait comes in at a more gradual angle and if you just slightly raise the rod up quickly, the bait will free itself easily from grass which triggers a lot of strikes. Look for this bait around September 2011.

Sometimes I wonder if I love bass fishing for the sport or because I am such a tackle junkie….

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!