If there's anything we anglers LOVE it's cool new fishing gear. Here's the latest and the greatest.
Svago Sunglasses: Italian for Fun
Looking for a lightweight yet stylish pair of polarized sunglasses that won’t break the bank? Check out the Svago sunglasses from Tifosi, featuring polycarbonate lenses that are shatterproof and scratch-resistant and come with UVA/UVB protection to keep your eyes safe from harmful UV rays. Simply put, they are lightweight yet robust. The frames slide on comfortably and provide a no-slip fit, the integrated hinge won’t pull hair, and because they are so light, they provide day-long comfort. For me, there’s nothing more frustrating than bending over to tie a knot and having your sunglasses slip off your face, especially on a hot day, but these stay put and they look good, too. And for being a less expensive pair of polarized glasses, I was pleasantly surprised with the definition I was able to see in the water, and I was able to spot rays left and right (unfortunately!) even in murky water. Price: $54.95. The Svago also comes in a non-polarized version ($25), but why would you even consider that if you’re using these for fishing!?
-By Kaylie Jasinski
Sling Blade: The Side Sling Rod Carrier
Bank fishermen who are sick and tired of lugging armloads of rods back and forth to the parking lot will want to hear about the Side Sling, a waterproof, floating rod holder designed for carrying rods without allowing the usual tangles. It secures the rods in an EVA foam holder in L-cuts so the eyes remain separated and facing away from each other, and an adjustable strap lets you sling it over your shoulder as you head for the shoreline. Added bonus: the Side Sling comes with predesigned hanging slot and mounting hardware, so when you return home you can simply hang it on the garage wall with the rods still in place instead of loading and unloading it after every trip. Price: $59.99.
Go To the Go-To
Looking for some topwater action? We all have our favorite go-to lures, and now there’s even a Go-To lure — a bunch of them, actually. This home-brewed lure company based in Colorado has come out with a complete topwater lineup, and they sent us a bunch to put through the wringer. Our favorite? The Wicked Walker, a 6.5” half-ounce spook-like topwater with a tinsel and feather tail and number-four hooks. It’s available in six color patterns and has a great walk-the-dog motion with lots of added rattling inside. The Shake ‘N Wake collection is also quite interesting, with a swimming body and a long tail that mimics a mouse. There’s also a Pro series that has an amazingly mouse-like look and 3D eyes — if you see one sitting on the floor you’ll be tempted to swat at it with the broom. Price: $13.49 to $17.99.
Quest for Control: The Minn Kota Quest Series
I recently had the opportunity to go fishing out of Stuart, FL with Capt. Sam Zyak. aboard his Kenner 22 bay boat outfitted with the new Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest. This bow mounted trolling electric motor can be automatically stowed and deployed from anywhere on the boat with the newly redesigned remote control, mobile app, or by using a Humminbird Helix, Solix, or Apex fish finder. It features a built in GPS heading sensor which gives this unit seamless integration with the One-Boat Network right out of the box. Minn Kota has also unveiled a new battery monitoring system and automatic power-saving mode. The Quest series is built tougher than ever with a carbon-infused shaft as well as sealed upper and lower units to mitigate saltwater intrusion. The new brushless motor design gives you 30-percent longer run time and 50-percent more torque than the previous 24V model (about 30-percent more on the 36V). It also has a cool new Spot Lock Jog function that will maneuver the boat five feet in any direction at the press of a button. Utilizing Minn Kota’s new Drift Mode, Sam was able to set the boat’s speed and direction regardless of the influence of wind and current, which gave us an ideal drift across a wreck to hook up on amberjack — the new Quest delivers a new level of control. Price: Varies widely by motor. See our video of the Quest in action:
-By Zach Ditmars