New Daiwa Saltiga due out Autumn 2010

Due out in Autumn 2010, the new 2010 Daiwa Saltiga 4500-5000 sizes are sure to turn heads. The larger brothers the 6000-6500 sizes are due for release early 2011. Daiwa has decided to keep anglers on the edge of their seats, by releasing the official product information, once a week over a 7 week period.

Part 1 (August 9) Rod & Reel: Item Information Release

Part 2 (August 16)
Technology developer speaks (① Part Reel): Magushirudo

3rd (August 23)
Technology developer speaks (② Part Lille): Zaionearota

4th (August 30)
Technology developer speaks (③ Reel Guide): UTD (Arutimettotonamentodoragu)

5th (6 September)
Technology developer speaks (Part rod): X & 3D Torque Carbon Cross (3DX)

6th (Wednesday September 15, ※ This week only)
Specifications and pricing announced

Shimano Trinidad A Series Preview

After over a decade on the market, the world famous Shimano Trinidad series has received an overhaul and out comes the new Trinidad A Series.

While the reels were virtually flawless the main issue with the original Trinidad was the lack of drag pressure. The whole drag system has been updated along with modern gearing. Aesthetically they look almost identical except for the obvious transition from gold to the every popular gunsmoke grey theme.

For me one of the most exciting changes to the Trinidad series is the addition of the Tini-Trini…A Trinidad 10A. The original 12 Trinidad was a bit of a well kept secret amongst angling crowds but because of this the sales were not as expected and Shimano Australia dropped the 12 from the original range. No doubt the 12A and the new 10A will quickly come cult favorites, complimenting the rest of the range 14A, 16NA, 16A, 20A and 30A.

• High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)
• X-Ship Gear Support System for enhanced Efficiency,Power and Smoothness
• Dartainium II Drag for High Pressures and Durability
• Super Free (SF) for incredible freespool and castability
• E.I. Surface Treatment for extreme corrosion protection
• Ultra-Lightweight Cold Forged Aluminum Magnumlite Spool with E.I.
• Compact, One-Piece Cold Forged AL Frame and Left Sideplate Deign with E.I.
• One-Piece Cold Forged and Machined AL Right Sideplate with E.I.
• Super Stopper® with Silent Twin Pawl Assist Stopper
• Manual Metal Clutch Lever with Corrosion Prevention Pad

Big game travel rods by Charkbait

Big game online store Charkbait have ventured into the travel rod sector with a range of their own Big Game travel rods. There is three models in the range , this includes a 20 to 40 pound seven foot casting rod, and two trolling/stand up rods complete with Pacbay unibutt style aluminium connections.

What makes these rods different from more conventional travel rods is that they screw together. Which they claim increases strength but still allows for quick and easy set-up set-down.

All the rods come with a sectioned travel bag for safe and easy transport and retail from $219USD. Available at www.charkbait.com

Penn Custom Shop - USA made custom bling

Penn have taken their service to a new level by introducing the Penn Custom Shop. This allows the customer to not only get their hands on a quality peice of machinery like the international, it gives them a more personal experience by allowing the customer a number of custom options with the reel.

The service is available at select dealers, and applies to the Penn International V 2 Speed, Penn International VSX 2 Speed & Penn International V Single Speed series.

You can choose to have your name engraved on the side plates. Along side either a marlin, tuna, dolphin fish or sailfish…and ofcourse for the patriotic at heart, a US Flag.

The service also allows you to choose from 7 different anodized colours including Pink! You can choose to have four separate parts anodized and even mix and match.

For more info check out www.penncustomshop.com

Have you ever wanted an American made reel that was customized strictly for you? Your color, your engraving, your reel. It is now possible for you to customize your choice of PENN International V Series Big Game reels with different colors as well as engravings! Be one of the first anglers at your marina to have a truly custom PENN reel!

New Ajiking Samson-Z claims 50kg of drag pressure

Drag pressure has always been a major buying point for consumers. Instinctivly they think the higher the rating, the stronger the reel. Why this may sometimes be the case, trying to hold on to anything above 20kg of drag is realistically,  back breaking, muscle tearing, bring-a-grown-man-to-tears kinda stuff.

Well it looks like Ajiking have targeting this instinct reflex to purchase extreme drag setting reels and released the new Samson-Z. With Ajiking claiming to 50 kilos of drag pressure tested…time will tell weather this reel can 1. put out that much drag pressure and 2. handle the extreme forces associated with that much pressure.

I will assume the massive drag pressure is thanks to the “Twin Drag system” that Ajiking has incorporated in to the reel. Similar to the Accurate, I would assume that drag pressure is evenly distributed over both sides of the spool.

A few more specs on the reel ..

• 6 Sheilded stainless steel ball bearings
• T6061 Aircraft grade aluminium frame and forged spool
• oversized ergonomic rubber handle
• Stainless steel main gear
• Available in 1 and 2 speed models(3.6:1 Ration)

It sounds like quite a package. But the proof will be in the pudding, if the Samson-Z can handle the 50kilos of drag pressure they claim then good on them. But if it can’t…I’m sure hard fishing anglers that the Samson-Z is targetted at will let us soon know.

Stay tuned.

New Shimano Super Tiagra?

I have just heard rumors of a new Shimano Super Tiagra! While apparently it is very similar to the old Tiagra, the “Super Tiagra” has digital controls built in that are displayed on the reel and sent wirelessly to a receiver in the cockpit. Factors such as drag temperature, line out , line left, drag pressure etc are sent. This is obviously going to be a massive advantage to game fishermen as the skipper controlling the boat would have a more information and know when and where to steer the boat.

More as it comes, but if this is true it could be one of the biggest advances in gamefishing in a long time.

Pflueger Arbour Preview

Introducing the Pflueger Arbour spin, a reel which might look a little short and chubby at first glance. However,  I’m quite confident that the aesthetically controversial design will more than make up for it in pure performance.

This reel has a large diameter spool, which offers a few advantages. As the line is laid onto the spool in larger than normal loops we suddenly see less friction during casting, less line memory and less line twist. These are advantages that will most certainly be noticeable.

The body of the reel is of hybrid construction. It has a graphite frame with a corrosion resistant aluminium alloy stem and side plate and holds 7 stainless steel ball bearings plus a one way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing. It has a lightweight graphite rotor, a double anodized aluminium spool (plus a spare aluminium spool), a Sure-ClickTM solid aluminium bail wire and a generously sized sealed carbon fibre drag system.

Two models of the Arbour are available. Weighing in at a not too heavy 240 grams is the 7430. This reel will hold approximately 145 meters of 4kg braid whilst the larger 7440 will hold approximately 225 meters of 7kg braid and weighs in at about 317 grams.

Unfortunately I fear that many people will overlook this reel as a worthy contender to enter their stable. The cause of this fear is, put simply, the brand name “Pflueger”. Whilst Pflueger has been around since 1881 and holds onto a reasonable user base in the United States of America, here in Australia Pflueger has remained overshadowed by the likes of Daiwa, Shimano and to a lesser extent Okuma, Abu Garcia and Penn. I believe the cause to be lack of decent media coverage/advertising rather than a reflection on the quality of Pflueger Products.
Personally I have found Pflueger offers some fantastic products at price points which scream bang for buck. I can only urge that more people take that little leap of faith and give one a try.

These are now available to purchase right here in Australia for around $180-$200.

New Daiwa Certate for 2010?

A few pics have popped up around town of the new Daiwa Certate and in particular the 2500 model. More news as it comes available, but here’s some pics to keep you entertained.

Goodbye FD, Hello New 2010 Shimano Stella

Shimano Japan has welcomed in the new year with the announcement of the new 2010 Shimano Stella. It appears to be replacing the current(or is that now superseded) Stella FD, which ranges from the 1000 size right up to the 4000.

Depsite coming along way from their beginnings in 1992 , The 2010 Stella has a blue and gold theme, that is somewhat reminiscent of the old FA Stellas a few models back.

Shimano have chosen to use the Super MG body Magnesium and rotors to keep the weight down to a minimum on the sub 2500 sizes. While there larger 2500,3000 and 4000 counter parts have a Super MG body and Power AL Aluminium body .

The new “XShip” gear systems allows for tighter/closer meshing of the gears reducing wear, increasing performance and making for an overall smoother retrieval. Not to mention an oversized main gear and full floating shaft. Shimano’s new EI anti corrosion system is designed to keep these reels going in harshest of conditions.

Other noteable features include two easily accesible service ports in the body and in the bail roller. The machine cut aluminium drag knob was a nice fishing touch to top off what looks to be an amazing reel.

It looks like the 2010 Stella will be released in March in Japan, no news when they will be arriving down under but unfortunately we are usually a fair way behind. Expect at earliest September after the AFTA trade show.

Stay tuned..

Shimano Bulls Eye - A new surf weapon emerges

Watch out Saltiga Surf, here comes the Bulls Eye. The Bulls Eye is Shimano’s take on a mid-high end surf reel, and it appears they have done it in style.

Shimano have combined an aluminium body with a CI4 Rotor to make a light weight, corrosion resistant, super strong fishing reel. CI4 is Shimano’s new(ish) carbon fiber material that is popping up in most of the new higher quality Shimano products these days. Weighing in at a mere 555grams it is still 20 grams heavier than its competition.

Internally, Duralium drive gears, Brass pinion and 8 stainless S-ARB bearings keep things strong and smooth. Pulling out an impressive,and probably slightly over kill, 20kilos of drag pressure they are destined to stop the freight trains of the ocean. Finished off with a machined handle and

I have always been a fan of Shimano’s when it comes to Saltwater use. They seem to cop a hiding and require far less maintenance that the competition, not that I condone mistreatment of a reel!

With a retail of around $500AUD they are currently only available in Japan, but I’m sure our equivalent wont be far off..

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