New products reviews

[Heijac]

Hey all,
just wanted to throw my 2 cents in about a couple of new items I have tried out this spring. Over the winter, I was looking for some new rods to try, something smaller and lighter than what I had. My boat is relatively small (17ft), and I have found it easier to manage with shorter rods. I ended up buying a couple of Okuma Kokanee 7fters. I put Okuma Magda 15dx's on them, and finally got a chance to catch some salmon on them this weekend. If someone else out there is looking for a shorter, lighter rod, I highly recommend these! Caught several salmon, and it was a blast. Have to wait and see how they hold up on bigger fish, but so far, so good.
I also tried out some new inline planers. I dont have a mast on my boat, not sure yet if I want to. But I have been playing with the various inline boards the past couple of years. This year I picked up a couple of these http://www.swboards.com/
The first couple of times I tried them, I found that the built in release did'nt work very well, and I feel that I lost a couple of fish because of it. I made a small modification by drilling a hole right next to the slot, and putting a small alligator clip using a small loop of leader wire. I ran one on my leadcore rod sunday, and it worked like a charm. I was able to run it 50 ft or so out to the side of the boat, with 2 colors of leadcore with no problem, and with the modified release, it popped right off when a fish hit, and they are alot smaller and lighter to reel in with the fish than some of the other inline boards. I'll try and remember to take a pic of it with the modified release.

Again, just my 2 cents, some info for others with smaller boats!

[popster]

This could be a great thread
Like Randy and probably many more of us, I've also been playing with some new products this season.
For those of you that use in line barrel swivels, I've been running InvisaSwivels on all my rods about 3-4' in front of the spoon. So far, I have been very impressed with their performance ..... No line twist and the 12lb swivel will fit thru the tip top guides easily. These Fluorocarbon swivels work with braid or mono. Warning.... The holes are small.

The other product I've been experimenting with is the Stinger Dive Bomb in the 1 oz size. I've used them on mono as well as lead as a means to get to a depth of between 10-20'. Easy to install and remove and the drag is minimal. Haven't honed in on a depth curve yet, but at 1.7-1.9 mph, I hit bottom at 12'.

A product that has not been holding up well is the EGO S2 Slider Net. This is my 2nd season using the large model. Both Thorny & I have had net handles jam, making the slide feature virtually unusable. A great idea, however the long handle opens up potential problems. Just a heads-up.

Bill

[Heijac]

Bill, I have the same issue with the EGO Net. I have the smaller one, but the slide part is pretty well jammed up. I ended up just leaving mine extended, just have to be careful not to try and lift with it........

[Black Ghost (Ken)]

I'm in the market for a new net. I want a long reach and soft-rubber netting with fairly large openings. I have found the neting I like without the reach or else the reach I want with the wrong netting.

Any tips?

Ken

[raz]

I toyed with the idea of an EGO Slider two years ago but leaned toward not getting one. Simply because I thought about "too many hidden mechanical parts." I'm happy with the choice I made.

Rod had some of the Stinger Dive Bombs on his rig last Sunday. They were impressive and should make for a great presentation on Lake Champlain.

Great thread Randy...could you post the model number of those 7 foot Okuma's?

[FATHEAD]

Bought a ego slider net used it one season and its junk. Got two kokanee rods one is a Kufa and the other is a Tica love them they are a bit spendy but the fight is awesome one is 7 foot 6 inch the other is 8 foot.

[Heijac]

Here you go Raz......
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MT ... 02_s00_i00

[raz]

Here you go Raz......
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MT ... 02_s00_i00

Thanks

[drachma]

Hi,

I've been working with Jerry of Bechhold & Son Flashers & Lures this winter. He asked if I would try some of his new lures that are a curved fish in plastic that slides down your line and spins. They are designed for Kings, Cohoes, etc, but, after speaking with him, he put together and sent new make ups of if them in 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" sizes. Will have a couple to show at the derby.

Last summer I had been trying a new set of daisy chain attractors 4 " each that I showed at the taping session this winter. They worked great last summer and I would highly suggest them.

This company's products are great especiallly for Lake O fish. Jerry's website is www.fishcatcher.com. Please let them know I sent you as he asked me to be a tester.

Michael Milne

[Crazy Ivan]

Greaaaat thread.
I have been using some Fat Head Blades that well....... I picked up at the back of Jeremy's boat.... Hey.... I wanted the ones that work. The different color patterens that are available is really cool. The black and gold with silver are my favorite.
Todd

[JabberJaws]

But I have been playing with the various inline boards the past couple of years. This year I picked up a couple of these http://www.swboards.com/
The first couple of times I tried them, I found that the built in release did'nt work very well, and I feel that I lost a couple of fish because of it. I made a small modification by drilling a hole right next to the slot, and putting a small alligator clip using a small loop of leader wire. I ran one on my leadcore rod sunday, and it worked like a charm. I was able to run it 50 ft or so out to the side of the boat, with 2 colors of leadcore with no problem, and with the modified release, it popped right off when a fish hit, and they are alot smaller and lighter to reel in with the fish than some of the other inline boards. I'll try and remember to take a pic of it with the modified release.

I have these boards at the shop there is definitely a learning curve with them but they work pretty good and it is cool to be able to switch sides of the boat by just turning the nose piece. I have used them in the river also you can use the board in the current to get a lure to places previously unreachable from the bank and can keep the lure there as long as you want. Ramel

[instigator]

the way you break stuff I wouldnt spend to much, but I do love the blades you make,Reggie

[Crazy Ivan]

the way you break stuff I wouldnt spend to much, but I do love the blades you make,Reggie

Aren't you the pot calling the kettle black.....didn't you break my fishing net twice in one trip? Took a total of 4 ft off the handle as I remember it!
Todd

[instigator]

ughhhhhhhhhhhhh,ughhhhhhhhhhhhhI think the big guy was suposed to be watching it ??????
besides did you measure it before we took it ?????

[Rockhammer]

I have many types of boards and used yellow birds for a long time due tom weight. However I really like Big John weighted in-line planers with offshore heavy releases front and back. They are stable, track really well and easy to unclip.
In calm water I use mini in-line planers that are reversible. Off shore light release on the front and a swivel on the back. Four feet up from the lure, a swivel and a "speed bead" in front of the swivel. Fish will kick the mini board release and it will slide on the line and stop at the speed bead allowing playing fish. Small boards are hard to locate in swells so keep them, attached. I've had large pike attack in-line board a few time in Canada. Wakes you right up
I have a mast on my Lund (up front) and you need really need three people to use it. One to steer, on to rig, and one set the rods. In lines are so muck better in moderate waves. Anything worst I don't want to be on the water.