Emeraldas Boat Egi jigs

Daiwa’s MD squid jigs had always been a favourite of ours. They were affordable, finished well and most importantly, caught squid! Well Daiwa has just released their new range of japanese boat jigs, affectionally named the Emeraldas Boat model in Australia.

As the name suggests, the Emeraldas Boat jigs are designed for deeper water EGI anglers. Its weight and tow system allows it get down where you want it, with out rising back up like many cheaper jigs do. The tow point is located toward the middle of the jigs head, allowing the lure to work somewhat like a bib on a hardbody.

Functionality wise, they have really thought of everything that a normal jig would and more. This includes a unique internal metal head of the jig. Daiwa claims this allows for any bumps or bottom knocks to be felt right back up at the rod. The keel weight also features attachment points for extra weight, drop shotting or mid-point rigs. The jigs measures in at 130mm in length and 30g in weight, and is available in 4 ultra-realistic colours.

For more information on these jigs and more, check out  www.daiwafishing.com.au

Source – Daiwafishing.com.au

1. Internal Metal head – the internal metal head increases the weight for deep water fishing plus also increases sensitivity by transferring the slightest bump from structure when the lure touches the bottom, rocks, weed etc
2. Cog Rig – Daiwa’s Agorig sinker system is easily used and allows for quick changes in sink rate and action
3. Bump Hook – this new super sharp bump hook sits level with the body, creating a more streamlined shape that has a super high hook-up ratio
4. Tow Point – the new central eye location allows the lure to swim deep down without raising to the surface and creates a far superior action compared to the traditional eye style arrangement found on other jigs
5. 3D eyes – featuring Daiwa’s unique Emeraldas logo these 3D eyes are highly reflective and lifelike, that will provoke a squid into attacking

Duo Tide Vibe Slim on the water part 1

It’s long slender body is a unique twist on an old favourite. The Duo Tide Vibe Slim is one of the coolest lures we have used in a while. As you will find out, its design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also a real performer on the water.

Traditionally vibes have always been shorter, fatter lures. Think of the the Tide Vibe slim is the super model of the lure world. Its stretched out, slim body is superbly finished to entice even the most hard to fool predators. It’s tide pulsating wobble wiggles its way down the cat walk that is the strike zone.

We found this lure not only great to cast, but an ideal trolling lure on light tackle. The narrow profile creates near on no water resistance which makes it ideal for lighter outfits. It’s tight pulsating wobble still gives off all the right signals. This profile also has made this lure relatively weedless. On the day of testing this particular lure, weed was about and the minnows we trolled along side caught 3x the amount of the week, mostly ont the bibs.

More on the Duo Tide Vibe Slim in part 2. Stay tuned..

http://www.swldistributions.com.au/

Daiwa Exist 2012 sure to keep Dai-hards happy

Daiwa has just announced the latest in high end light tackle technology, the new Exist 2012. The 2012 Exist features an all Zaion body and rotor, keeping weight down to as little as 160 grams on the 1003 model. Zaion has been a proven and tested material, designed to reduce weight whilst still maintaining as much, if not more strength that its metal bodied counterparts.

The interesting feature on the new Exist is the mag sealed line roller. We all know how often line rollers are exposed to the harsh conditions and more than often it is the first bearing to corrode. No matter how corrosion resistant bearings are, the line roller always gets a hiding in Saltwater. This new magsealed line roller will keep your roller running smooth.

Each exist is individually constructed, and for those Dai-hards they come complete with a serial number to call your own. The 2012 Exist sports a number of well known other features including a seamless airbail, ABS II, Ultra Tournament drag and ofcourse the original magseal premiered on the current model Certate and Caldias in 2010-11.

Five sizes are to be released in Australia including 1003, 2004, 2508-PEH,2510R-PE and the biggest of the bunch the 3012H.

Available March 2012, keep an eye out for them at a Bream or Bass tournament near you!

http://daiwafishing.com.au/?p=11076

Spirit Venus Fish Kayak on the water

The Venus Fish Kayak has been on the market for some time now. Already a proven angling vessel, Spirit has been continuing to improve the Venus fish, and I was lucky enough to water test one of these fishing behemoths.

The Venus Fish is Spirits premium fishing vessel, and it comes with all the fruit! Rod holders, tie down, fish storage, tackle storage, anchor points and a whole lot more. The Venus Fish is made right here in Western Australia, and I am always proud to see such quality products coming out of our own back yard.

After picking it up from the Spirit Kayaks factory, I was impressed by the sheer girth of the vessel. Knowing that anglers are often of a bigger build, this kayak would no doubt cater to the larger angler. The problem with wide boats is that you do lose out on speed in exchange for stability and buoyancy. Lucky for us, there is no need to set any speed records while wetting a line.

The Venus fish can support up to 250kg of load capacity and has an average weight of 28kg. While it is easy enough for most adults to lift 28kg, the girth again made it difficult to mount onto a high vehicle and we suggest having a spare pair of helping hands when loading the vessel. Not a problem either if you fish in pairs, as many kayak anglers do for safety and enjoyment purposes.

It’s a very reasonable 3.7 meters in length and 270mm deep. Realistically you don’t want anything more on a one person yak. The length and width where more than ample to fish comfortably for long periods. Maneuvering the vessel was easier than expected. The boat turns well and got me into the spots I needed.

Spirit has positioned the inbuilt rod holders well. The adjustable rod holder could get in the way while paddling, so it’s important to slide it further forward while on the move. The front hatch was relatively easy to access, although it did require me to squat on the boat, luckily the width made for a stable platform. Importantly my car keys and Iphone were kept dry in the storage port positioned in the floor between my legs.

Overall the stability of the Venus fish was great, but I wouldn’t recommend using it as a stand-and-cast yak. It is much more suited to sitting down and relaxing. I found the boat easy to paddle and got up to a good pace with out too much hard work. There is nothing worth than having to drag a poorly designed boat around, only to be too tired to fish by the time to finally get to your destination.

The new improved poly fish pod on the rear holds an enormous amount of fish, crabs or what have you. The front hatch is easily accessible and the pod is removed painlessly for cleaning and storage. The polyethylene is a super tough and hygienic material, making it a piece of cake to clean out what’s left of your days catch.

The adjustable rod holder is another handy feature. Despite having multiple inbuilt flush mounted rod holders, its always great have an adjustable holder at arms length. This comes in a particularly handy when fishing with multiple rods. See the use of this in the video.

The Spirit Venus Fish is a worthy kayak for any angler. The boats size and girth makes it a comfortable fishing platform, and the hoard of accessories fitted or available to fit mean this vessel can be customized to suit just about any anglers needs. This quality, Australian kayak is designed with Australian fishing conditions in mind and they have catered well for us die-hard fisho’s. They are available now and

http://www.spiritpaddle.com.au/

Thomas Stroker PE1 Jigger Update

Just a quick update on the Thomas Stroker PE1 Jigger that we previewed late 2011. We have used the custom built jigger on a few occasions now and have been very impressed with the performance. We even managed to successfully use the rod as a soft plastic outfit on a few trips of late for something different.

The rod has enough backbone to work jigs around the 80-150 gram mark well yet still enough finesse to fish lighter weighted soft plastics. On a recent trip to Exmouth in Western Australia, the PE1 Jigger boated many local species including the Spangled Emperor you can see below.

As expected the K guides really do make a difference when using braid. We did not have any problems with braid loops or wind knots, even when using light weights.

My only gripe with the rod is that the fore-grip could be an inch or two longer, as it was a tad on the small side. Also, the aluminium reel seat looks amazing but functionality wise, a Fuji deluxe graphite reel seat would be more practical on the spin models. Both of these issues though can be changed when you place an order with Thomas, I guess thats the advantage of Custom built!

Overall the PE1 Jigger was built well and performed even better than expected. Keep up the good work Thomas!

Megabass Spark Rigs making waves in Japan

Megabass are known for there left of field designs such as there upside down bibbed minnow the Anthrax. Megabass sets the bar when it comes to quality JDM gear and the new Spark Rigs are no exception. Designed off the popular Alabama rig, the Spark rigs are near-on certified fish magnets.

The basic concept is rather simple. Instead of having just one bait, one hook, the Spark rigs create a whole school of baitfish. This means you have 4 or 5 times the hook up rates of a normal lure. The Spark rigs consists of a hard bait at the front of the rig (available with or without a propeller blade) attached to steel rods that keep each of the 5 soft baits out at length to avoid tangles. Think of it like a super sized spinner bait.

For years game fishing anglers have been replicating schools of fish with teasers and having great success. But it’s not until someone changes the game and creates multiple hook up points when things really take a turn for the better.

In game fishing the possibility of multiple hook ups on a single line would be hazardous and down right stupid, but the possibilities for lighter tackle fishing such as Bass are certainly there. I can see two major downsides when using this set up; the shear weight of such a rig and as well as the weed catching ability of dragging 5 baits through the water. Both of these obstacles can be overcome by using slightly heavier tackle and selecting the appropriate underwater conditions to fish such a bait.

While they may not have been the first company to make the Alabama rigs, you can be assured that they have done it right. Any Megabass gear I have used had exceeded expectations and no doubt so will the spark rigs. A JDM take on a american classic is always welcome in my tackle box.

Available now online at http://www.plat.co.jp and other good JDM stores.

Berkley Tournament Pro Series

With the increasing popularity of tournament fishing, anglers are searching for new tournament level weapons to add to their arsenal. The Berkley Tournament Pro range has been designed with the help of the Berkley Pro Team, with the aim of giving anglers affordable, quality tournament gear.

The range features a modern matt black blank finish. Berkley has added additional layers graphite toward to the base for added strength and extra pulling power when you need it. Tournament Pro’s are built on IM7 graphite and come complete with Fuji SiC guides, Fuji’s IPS reel seat and a high density handle grip. Higher density grips come a lot closer to replicating the sensitivity of cork than more traditional EVA’s, with the added advantage of increased durability.

Available in a wide range to suit just about any anglers tournament needs.  Check them out at your local tackle store today.

Model	Type	Pce	Length	Action	Line rating
TP 701-24	Spin	1	7’0″	Light	2-4kg
TP 702-24	Spin	2	7’0″	Light	2-4kg
TP 681-25	Spin	1	6’8″	Light/Medium	2-5kg
TP 721-35	Spin	1	7’2″	Medium	3-5kg
TP 722-35	Spin	2	7’2″	Medium	3-5kg
TP 761-48	Snapper Spin	1	7’6″	Medium/Heavy	4-8kg
TP 701-59	Sea Spin	1	7’0″	Medium/Heavy	5-9kg
TP 610-68	Snapper Spin	1	6’10″	Medium/Heavy	6-8kg
TP 751-79	Snapper Spin	1	7’5″	Heavy	7-9kg
TP 600-610	Tropical Spin	1	6’0″	Heavy	6-10kg
TP 661-810	Jerk n Jig Spin	1	6’6″	Heavy	8-10kg
TP T681-460	Trigger	1	6’8″	Medium	4-6kg
TP T671-59	Trigger	1	6’7″	Medium/Heavy	5-9kg

 

Japans Duo Lures now available down under

One of Japans leading lure manufacturers Duo Lures is now available in Australia through select stockists. The range includes some of the well known favourites such as the Tide Minnow, Tide Vibe Slims and Duo D-Squid Egi range.

We have a few here in the office to water test over the Xmas period so stay tuned for full reviews. These Japanese made lure dynamos are sure to bit a hit amongst anglers. The superb finish and unique designs are destined to fool Australian fish. For further information check out the links below:

Duo Japan http://duo-inc.co.jp/en/
Trade enquiries SWL Distributions http://www.swldistributions.com.au/index.html

Aquapac Mini waterproof case for Iphone, Galaxy S, HTC and more

In a sport where water inevitably surrounds us, keeping your electronics and valuables dry is always a challenge.

These days, smart phones are just as handy a tool to have in your tackle box as any other. Being able to check your smart phone for a updated weather report or to utilize a navigation app on the water means exposing your pricey gadget to the elements. This is where Aquapac’s Mini waterproof case comes into its own.

The Mini case will fit most phones, including the popular Iphone, Galaxy S and most HTCs. For larger phones such as the Galaxy S2, they will fit but it’s a tight squeeze. In which case you might be better off going up to the “small” case.

Touch screens still work fine through the Aquapac cases, including cameras and capacitive touchscreens. After some extensive testing on the water, I can’t seem to flaw the case on usability. There seems to be no problems with audio. Everything comes through loud and clear.

If you plan on using your Aquapac mini case for underwater photography, this can be tricky, as the capacitive touch screens will not work under water. You can however explore your Jacques Cousteau side by pressing the “record” button above the waterline. With the new Iphone 4S recording in 1080p HD, this case opens up a whole new world of fishing film possibilities. It is rated to 5 meters.

A handy feature is that if you accidentally drop your phone into the water, the case will float thanks to a perfect seal and trapped air. The high-frequency welded seams form a super strong, super water proof bond to keep water out. The patented Aquaclip® opens and closes on the top of case with a simple twist of two levers.

The verdict? This handy little accessory is now going to have a permanent place in my tackle kit. Being a modern day gadget savvy angler, I love the advantages that smart can give us on the water. Tide and weather information at your finger tips, HD video and high quality cameras. Being able to safely access all these features is crucial and the Aquapac Mini case does just that. Available now at all good retailers.

For a list of Australian stockists check out Everest sports http://www.everestsports.com.au/retailersb.php

http://www.aquapac.net/

 

 

Filtrate Eyewear Decki Sunglasses Giveaway!

Filtrate Eyewear’s polarised shades manage to keep your style in check, without that “hole in your wallet” feeling after purchase. Filtrate has an extensive range of frames to all tastes. The entire range features Stainless steel hinges, that are strengthened to last the distance.

The Polarised polycarbonate lenses block out a whopping 99% of polarised light waves, and 100% of the harmful UV rays(UVA, UVB & UVC). This makes a them the perfect companion for any angler spending time on the water. Keeping your eyes safe for years to come.

The frames are also made of a strong high quality polycarbonate. The memory flex injected frames are a great example of Filtrates practical use of materials for an item that is inevitably going to get knock around a bit.

Our friends over at Filtrate Eyewear have kindly sent us a pair of their affectionately named ”Decki” glasses to give away. So how do you get your hot hands on a pair? Simply reply below in the comments section, and answer the following question:

What would you use your brand new pair of Filtrate Eyewear Deckie polarised shades for?

*Just make sure you include a valid email! Don’t worry, it won’t be used for annoying spam it is just a method of contacting the winner. Tackle Tester will pick a winner before the end of the month.

Check out the above design and many more at http://www.filtrateeyewear.com/

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