T Brinks Fishing

The Controversial Alabama Rig - Video

2012-01-26T08:56:00.002-05:00

The Alabama rig isn't going anywhere, and everyone seems to have an opinion on it.

What's yours?

See this video I did about the innovation, controversy and attention surrounding this phenomenon.

Jared Lintner's Rigging Idea for the Paycheck Baits Nose Job

2012-01-24T22:12:00.003-05:00

This weekend I was fishing Lake Okeechobee and ran into Elite Series Pro Jared Lintner fishing. We started talking and he said "Dude, check this thing out!" and pitched something onto my deck. It was a perfect set-up for the grass we were fishing, a Paycheck Punch Stop, Eco Pro Tungsten Weight, Punch Skirt and swimbait and a NPaycheck Baitose Job in the middle of it all. That's alot of products there, but the action and look underwater was really cool. For some reason, I never thought of putting all those things together. I asked him how it did with the grass since it was weighted and he said it came through great. He was fishing it just under the surface and down into the holes in the grass and it looked good.

Jared Lintner's Nose Job Rig

Paycheck Baits is a company that isn't afraid to innovate. Look at the Punch Skirt and Punch Stop as prime examples showing the ingenuity these guys have. Those are just two of the products I have come to rely on from this California based company. Of course they make several other products that are proven fish catchers, but their creativity continues to impress me. The latest from Paycheck is the Nose Job. I have been fishing with this for about a month now and have caught some fish with it already. It's pretty interesting looking and does what they say its supposed to do; add vibration to any soft plastic bait imaginable.

I have also fished the Nose Job with no weight and a fluke and it was pretty cool to be able to make a fluke spit and pop like a topwater and then fall whenever you wanted it to. I've also used it subsurface with a swimbait and with swimming worms. Certain techniques and styles of baits seem to have better action, but it always does something to change the feel of the bait as it is coming back to you.

If you want to spice up your soft plastics, you may want to give these things a try. I can't wait to see what Paycheck Baits comes up with next.

A Video Review: The Pro Wacky Weight by Eco Pro Tungsten

2012-01-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

I have been using the Eco Pro Tungsten Pro Wacky weight since they came out at ICAST and love them. Honestly, there is nothing about it I don't like for wacky rig fishing. It is a great way to fish a little deeper with a proven technique. Two other things I like about it is the way the hook is positioned and the durability of the plastics.

What I mean by the hook, is that it is now positioned right for better hooksets. I have used the o-rings for years and one thing I didn't like about it was how the hook runs parallel to the bait. I have always thought I missed some fish because of it.

The other thing I mentioned was the durability. With the prongs on the Pro Wacky Weight, they are buried into the bait, almost making it one with the plastic. It definitely seems to hold up a little better after multiple fish.

Check out this video I shot on how to rig a bait with this new system.

Destination Okeechobee

2012-01-22T21:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend on Okeechobee was a preview of what's to come in the next few months: top pros fishing the famous lake. I know many of you are sitting in the cold and wishing you were down here in this 80 degree weather, so I included some pictures for you.

I was out there this weekend and saw plenty of wrapped boats running around the lake. I got to hang out with Luke Clausen yesterday and also got to talk with Jared Lintner and Mike McClelland as I fished near one of my favorite areas of the lake.

Also sighted:

Bryan Snowden

Shinichi Fukae

David Walker

Stephen Browning

Brandon Palaniuk

Peter T

Matt Herren

I'm sure there were more out there as they are all gearing up for the FLW Tour Open and Bassmaster Elite Series stops that are happening in February and March.

The Medlock Double Weedguard Jig Wins Again

2012-01-21T21:47:00.000-05:00

Photo: TheFishNReport.com

Once again Brandon Medlock has won the EverStart Series on Lake Okeechobee. He did it last year and again this weekend. In case you missed it, he weighed in over 35lbs yesterday when almost all of the field struggled.

An interesting thing about his win this week is that he used the same lure he used last year; the Medlock Double Weedguard Jig. If it happened once, it may have been a fluke, but after this dominating tournament there is no reason to ignore it any longer. Details and online stores showing this jig are pretty scarce, but my friends at TheFishNReport.com have a product review as well as a video review about this big bass jig.

'Bama Rig Banned

2012-01-17T21:41:00.000-05:00

It finally happened; the Alabama Rig has seen it's first ban among major tournament trails. I had a feeling this was going to happen and now it has. Bassmaster has banned the Alabama Rig (and all of the other versions) for it's Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic. They did not ban it for the Opens and everything below that level. It was an interesting decision given the popularity of the rig and the monster bass it has been catching. It seems like lately B.A.S.S. has been about making a good show and having the biggest and best bass on stage to make for good pictures and tv, but this was a statement that they want to keep things professional.

Since they limited the rules to one lure and one line, they have also banned double fluke rigs, double topwaters and the use of a jig on the bottom of a drop-shot rig.

You can read the whole story here. They mention how they will continue to cover the rig and how to use it in the magazine and online.

One good quote from the article was how "the Elite Series Rules Committee members unanimously asked to be held to a higher standard." Talk about being an Elitist Series.

What are your thoughts on the ban?

Protect Your Engine

2012-01-17T21:17:00.000-05:00

There are two products I have been using for my Mercury Pro XS during the past few months that I have really come to appreciate. Both have been really easy to use and protect my engine as I trailer back and forth to the lake. The products I am talking about are from a company called Raveling Outdoors and are the M-Y Wedge and Centering Clips.

The M-Y Wedge was something I looked into after using the standard transom saver for a few weeks. This was a brand new boat, but I could already see the rubber starting to wear on the transom saver. I did some research and found that many prefer something other than the typical transom saver since they sometimes cause problem with lower units after wear and tear from trailering.

After talking with some of my friends they mentioned getting a transom saver like the M-Y Wedge. One of my friends had one that was included with his Yamaha when he got the engine new. In fact, Raveling Outdoors makes them for Yamaha. This should say something about the quality and effectiveness of the product.

The centering clips are also very easy to use. You can see in my video below just how easy it is. They help to prevent the engine from moving side to side on outboards with dual hydraulic steering. Check them out at M-YWedge.com

My first BFL of the Season

2012-01-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

Saturday was my first BFL of the season, it was also my first BFL event as a boater. I was excited to get the Legend out there on my home lake. I had been doing pretty well in the past month or so on the big lake and felt pretty good going in to the event. The cold fronts had been coming through the area and were really messing up the fishing (for me at least). I had been doing really well with moving baits, but the cold weather really changed things. I knew flipping and pitching heavy cover would be the deal.

In practice I decided to punch mats and flip heavy cover all day with various soft plastics and 1.5 ounce Eco Pro Tungsten weights. I had four or five bites and felt pretty confident that I could catch a few with the big stick. I also caught two four pounders late in the day doing something else and was pretty excited about trying that during the tournament.

As the tournament started, I fished hard for an hour and a half with no luck. It was then time to start fishing the heavy cover. After not having any bites and time running out, I wimped out and threw a trick worm and small speedworm just to get a limit real quick. My limit weighed 4lbs 14ounces, proving you can have a five fish limit for less than five pounds. As always on this lake, the winner had a big bag and weighed in 30lbs 6oz.

I went back to flipping and pitching but never got a bite. It was a frustrating day and I ended up 127th out of 200 boats. The next one will be different!

This video should warm you up

2012-01-10T22:11:00.000-05:00

Most of the country is cold now and all of you in the Northern States are probably dreaming of topwater fishing with frogs. I have something that should warm you up a little bit, a video of the new Bobby's Perfect Buzz in action. The video is from none other than the man himself, Bobby Barrack. Enjoy!

Pro Patterns Exposed

2012-01-04T21:52:00.000-05:00

I have been hearing quite a bit about Pro Patterns and "Exposed: Pros on Tour" lately. Basically it is a site that gives us all access to videos of Bassmaster Elite Series pros as they fish and practice for events. The idea is to get a better understanding of what they actually do to locate fish. I like the concept. Check it out for yourself. It just launched today.

UrbanBassMan on Okeechobee

2012-01-04T21:09:00.002-05:00

Just because the name of the company is UrbanBassMan, that doesn't mean fish outside the city limits won't bite them. I fished this last weekend on Lake Okeechobee and had some good success with a bait from UrbanBassMan called the UBM Stick. I was using a color called Black with Blue Specks and fished it with a 1/8oz Eco Pro Tungsten weight.

Check out my video from the fishing day.

The Top 5 Lures of 2011

2012-01-02T20:38:00.001-05:00

Picking just five lures of 2011 would be pretty hard for me, but the guys at TheFishNReport.com did it. I like the list and see some baits I would love to try.

Here is what they had to say:

As we near the end of another great year for Bass fishing product innovation and the growth of the sport, TFR reflects on the top 5 lures we reviewed in 2011 that proved to assist us in loading the boat with fish.

1. Set the Hook Baits: Crush Worm

TFR took Set the Hook’s Crush Worm out on the water, found those schooling fish and “crushed” some bass. What we found was that this 100% neutrally buoyant drop shot bait moved every so slowly with or without the flow of current…Read more.

2. Sebile: D&S Deep Diving Crankbait

the D&S Crank is the next wave in deep diving Crankbait design. Winning their fourteenth ICast award, Sebile takes all the original design features that other crankbaits carry and has injected a massive shot of innovation in the D&S…Read more.

3. Damiki: Tremor 65 Silent Lipless Crankbait

The Damiki Tremor 65 Silent Lipless Crankbait is a perfect example of stealth fishing. Built to be fished one of two ways, Damiki developed and refined the way a dying shad would flutter and fall as it tries to flee certain situations, making a very easy meal for those big roaming bass…Read more.

4. Bite-Me Tackle: Rattlin’ Tube Jig

One product that has proven to offer great results is “Bite-Me Tackle’s” Tubehead Rattlin’ Tube Jig. With the help of Professional Angler Mark Zona, the Rattin’ Tube Jig is poured with a longer and thinner jig head, to make insertion into the Tube body seamless…Read more.

5. Ima: Flit Jerkbait

Designed by FLW pro and IMA pro staffer Michael Murphy, the IMA Flit has quickly become a highly used bait by all jerkbait fishermen. IMA has successfully incorporated a 3 hook system into a flat, wider backed jerkbait…Read more.

Fishing in the Snow

2011-12-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

My wife Tanya and I have been spending the last few days in Washington State visiting with our friends and family for the Holidays. It has been a great trip for us, and we are so happy we are able to see everyone. Since fishing is more than just a hobby for me, I had to get a fishing trip in while I was here. Catching bass this time of year is out of the question, so we decided to go and just try to catch something.

Yesterday, my cousin Damon, my old tournament partner Wes and some other friends went to Lake Roosevelt to see what we could catch. Describing the weather as cold would be an understatement and the snow on the ground and frozen rocks were something I haven't seen since I moved to Florida almost four years ago.

Me lipping a brown trout (I'm definitely a bass fisherman)

We did catch some fish; brown trout and rainbows, so the trip was a success. Wes even caught a Redband Rainbow Trout, which is a somewhat endangered species and only native to certain areas in the Northwest. Before this, we would say a trout is a trout, but it was pretty cool to see a unique species like this. We fished for them just like you would fish for bass, with suspending and countdown jerkbaits fished in the eddies of the river.

Though it wasn't quite as fun as bass fishing, it was still cool to catch something while the temperature was in the 20's. It was also great to just spend some time catching up with old fishing buddies.

My cousin Damon rockin' the Carhartt

Lowrance has done it again

2011-12-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

It amazes me every time I see the newest trends in electronics; phones, cameras and computers all continue to get better and better. Marine electronics are no different and the technology just seems to get more advanced each month. I am a huge fan of my Lowrance HDS units and everything they are capable of, but they just took it to another level with the new Gen2 units.

They increased the processing speed and made some features easier to use, but the biggest thing they did was add to an already solid technology with something they call StructureMap, which allows the structure scan images to be integrated with the mapping software. Now you can actually follow all of those contour lines with structure scan and actually see what it looks like in relation to the map. This is starting to look more and more like a video game, but I'm all for it. Check out this video demo to see more of what Gen2 is capable of.

All I can say is: what's next?

T Brinks Fishing Review: Taylor Man's Custom Lures Shaky Man's jighead

2011-12-20T09:20:00.000-05:00

Everyone makes a shakyhead, but there are several factors that separate an average jighead from a quality one. I believe one of the most important factors of the design is the hook quality and type of hook they use. Things like the shape of the head, color selection and line tie also play into my decision to crown a shakyhead as worthy enough to tie on the end of my line.

I have been using the Taylor Man's Custom Lures Shaky Man's jighead for about a month now and have had the chance to really put it to the test.

Like I said, in my opinion, the hook is probably the most important thing on a shakyhead. Like all Taylor Man's Custom Lures, they use top quality hooks. This company is not one to skimp or settle for lesser quality hooks just to try to reduce the cost by a few cents. If I want a top quality product, I want it to be the best it can be. They use all Gamakatsu jig hooks in a 4/0 design (except for the 1/2oz which uses a 6/0). The hook is a strong hook, but not too bulky where it affects the action. They come in several sizes from 1/8oz up to 1/2 oz.

The Shaky Man's comes in three colors; black, brown and camo. All three of them have their place and will match many of the most popular soft plastic colors out there. In addition, they all feature the great quality and long lasting chip resistant paint.

The actual head of the shakyhead is a unique football shape with a flat bottom. This is perfect for fishing rocky cover and it seems to hang up much less. The flat bottom also allows it to stand upright on the bottom. It also features a spring lock to keep your plastics in place.

Scoring for the Shaky Man's jighead by Taylor Man's Custom Lures

Price/Value: 2

At $5.89 for 4 of them it is a little higher than some, which typically average around $1.00-$1.25 each from other companies. Like I said earlier, better components all the way means paying a little more for top quality.

Durability: 4

I literally fished the same jighead on three trips in rock and riprap before it started to show any signs of losing paint.

Performance: 4

The design does very well in keeping the jighead from hanging up.

Innovation: 3

I like the football head design and using a Gamakatsu jighook for better hookups.

Availability: 3

Select dealers and also at tmclures.com

Total Score: 16 - Good Buy!

How much do you spend on gas for fishing?

2011-12-19T21:12:00.000-05:00

We all know bass boats love burning gas, but just how much does it take to fish an entire season on the Bassmaster Elite Series? Good thing Biobor EB did the math for us. They found that anglers spend over $70 a day on boat gas. That averages out to over $3,000 per angler for a total of over $300,000 for the entire field. Wow.

How much does it take to fill up your tank?

How much do you typically go through in a day?

You can read more about their findings below and also get some hints for next year's contest.

During the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series season Hammonds Fuel Additives, Inc., the manufacturers of Biobor EB, the Ethanol Buster, tracked the gas usage of Bradley Roy and Cliff Crochet as part of a fan contest. Biobor EB reviewed the data and made several observations.

Roy used 918 gallons compared to Crochet’s 730 gallons over 44 official Elite Series practice and competition days each. Assuming these two young anglers were a fair representation of the Elite field (average of 44.96 days fished), an Elite angler burned an average of 18.73 gallons of gas per day. Thus, the 100 angler field burned 84,210 gallons of gas over the 8 event season.

The national average price of gas during the 2011 Elite Season was $3.74. That worked out to $70.05 of gas per man, per day. Over the Elite Series season the total cost of boat gas for the Elite anglers was $314,945.

Those 84,210 gallons were treatable with just 351 16-ounce bottles of Biobor EB. The leading ethanol treatment product would require 527 bottles. When purchased at Academy Sports + Outdoors or West Marine, anglers save over 20% on their fuel treatment costs using Biobor EB.

In 2012 Biobor EB will again present fans with the opportunity to fish with their pro staff, just as contest winners Justin Lear of Kentucky and Tony Posey of Alabama did in 2011. The 2012 Biobor EB contest will also feature increased weekly prizes and both anglers will hand out Biobor EB samples to fans.

ABOUT BIOBOR EB AND HAMMOND FUEL ADDITIVES, INC.

Biobor EB is formulated to prevent the separation of ethanol/gasoline fuel blends which helps combat the negative effects of ethanol in fuel tanks and engines, while increasing engine performance, efficiency and fuel stability. The full line up of Biobor marine fuel additives are just the latest from this American manufacturer, also known for their innovative engineering and product design in the aviation, fuel and water treatment industries. All Biobor products are available through the Hammonds Fuel Additives international sales distributor network, or for retail purchase at West Marine and Academy Sports + Outdoors and a growing number of retail outlets. Dealer inquiries are welcome at (800) 582-4224.

Hammonds Fuel Additives, Inc. offers the flagship product Biobor®JF for use as a biocide in diesel and jet fuel. The Biobor Family of Additives includes Biobor JF, Biobor MD (Marine Diesel Performance Additive) and Biobor EB (Ethanol Buster that overcomes the harmful effects of ethanol in gasoline). www.biobor.com

Gearing Up for the Cold

2011-12-13T08:19:00.002-05:00

It seems kind of weird for me to start talking about cold weather since I live in Florida and can wear my sandals and shorts pretty much every day of the year, but next week I am headed back "Up North" to Washington State to spend some time with my family for the Holidays. Since I am going to be there for ten days, you know I will do some fishing.

I'm not sure exactly what we will be fishing for, maybe it will be trout, maybe walleye, maybe even some ice fishing; but fishing is definitely in the plans. My cousin says he knows that we can go and fish for bass in a spot he found last winter. That would make my trip. To catch a bass in December in the North with temps in the low thirties or high twenties would be awesome.

Looking at the weather, I can see it's going to be really cold.

I'm not sure how I will handle the cold weather, since I have been gone from the Northwest for almost four years now. The first thing I need to do is find my cold weather gear. I kept all my gear from up there just in case I ever made it back to the snow and cold. I am going to dig out my Carhartt Jacket and Beanie and maybe even my face mask. I know that I need to be prepared for some cold weather if I want to make my trip enjoyable. There is nothing worse than fishing in the cold and only worrying about staying warm. That makes fishing much more difficult and you end up spending all your time trying to get comfortable instead of actually focusing on fishing.

It should be a fun time up there and I'm excited to try to catch a smallmouth, man I miss them!

Great Weekend on Okeechobee

2011-12-11T19:48:00.001-05:00

I spent this weekend fishing two tournaments on Lake Okeechobee, a Toys for Tots charity team event yesterday and a Fort Myers Bass Club tournament today. I ended up getting a check in both tournaments.

Yesterday was a team event and we ended up in second place out of 65 boats with a 23.52lb bag and today was a solo event and I finished 3rd with 15.01lbs.

Besides the top finishes, one of the coolest things about this weekend was that the show Ultimate Match Fishing was out there filming this weekend. They were hard to miss, three wrapped boats with bright yellow and black cruising around the lake in a convoy. I saw them quite a few times and they were fishing in the same general area. I don't know who all was there, but I did see from their Facebook page that Ish, Stephen Browning, Stetson Blaylock, Brent Ehrler and Jason Quinn were out there. I can't wait to see that show since I was fishing the same time and in some of the same places they were filming.

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List Day 6 - Abu Garcia Pro Max

2011-12-08T22:03:00.001-05:00

In fishing and in everything else we choose to do with our spare time, there are different levels of equipment. Some always buy the best and most expensive money can buy and choose to enjoy all the finer things in life. Then their are some who just don't want to (or can't afford to) spend top dollar for top shelf equipment. That has become evident to me over the years when I have posted some reviews of certain products and also when I see the feedback I received from some lower priced offerings. With that being said; I have a new reel I am reviewing that is priced very low, yet performs very well. The technology in rods and reels has become so good that a value priced combo is equipped with some great features. Enter the Abu Garcia Pro Max.

Looking at this reel you can immediately tell that this is from Abu Garcia. Think of this as the Revo's little brother. It features many of the same stylish features and appearances as the whole Revo lineup, with a price tag of around half as much.

The MaxTrax Brake System is very easy to adjust from the outside and offers complete cast control.

The spool is made up of a "machined, double anodized Aluminum, which provides added strength without adding excess weight"

8 Ball Bearings, brass gearing and big reel grips are some great features for a reel in this price range.

The lightweight frame is all one piece and is very light. It also features the recessed reel foot that many of the higher end reels have. This makes it fit very well with rods. The Abu rod lineup is perfect for the Max and Revo families.

Scoring for the Abu Garcia Pro Max

Price/Value: 4

For the money this is a great buy. At $79.99, this is great entry level or first "good baitcaster" for many. It also serves well for someone who wants to buy a few.

Durability: 3

So far so good, but a reel's durability needs to be measured after a year of solid fishing.

Performance: 3

Casts very well right out of the box. It's not going to be as smooth as a higher end reel, but you have to consider what it costs.

Innovation: 3

Some great features at a lower cost.

Availability: 3

Should be available everywhere soon. It is available now on Tackle Warehouse

Total Score: 16 - Good Buy!

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List - Day 5 - Abu Garcia Veritas Micro Guide Series

2011-12-08T21:24:00.001-05:00

I reviewed an Abu Garcia Veritas rod last year and was impressed with the rod, especially due to the low cost. For under a hundred dollars, this thing is a steal. It has proven to be a solid rod after fishing it all year and I use it quite a bit. It's light, strong and casts very well. New for this year is the Micro Guide Series. The micro guide craze swept into the fishing world last year and until now, I had never owned one. I have to admit, they are pretty cool.

The rod is very balanced and put together right. All of the Veritas rods feature the Nano Technology, "which is incorporated into every rods' super-sensitive 30-ton graphite blanks, manipulates the graphite on an atomic level for 2.5-times the impact resistance of standard graphite rods."

All of the features on this rod make it very light; the split grips, EVA foam grips, micro guides, and reel seat. Each of these contribute to making a rod that weighs next to nothing, yet is strong enough to do battle with big bass.

The rod features micro guides to make a light rod even lighter.

The reel seat is what I would consider a skeleton real seat. Not much to it, but just enough to hold the reel securely. This is another way they are able to make this rod so light. The call it their "extreme exposure" reel seats. The rod molds to the reel, especially if you are using a low profile reel to complete the combo.

The butt cap of the Veritas is very stylish. One thing I didn't like about my first Veritas is that this rod will slide on a hard surface if propped up against something. This version is no different. While it's cool looking, this is probably my least favorite thing about the rod.

Scoring for the Abu Garica Veritas Micro Guide Series

Price/Value: 5

For under a $100, I haven't found many rods with this much value at a low price.

Durability: 4

The Nano Technology makes this a strong and durable rod.

Performance: 4

Very light and sensitive. Overall a pleasure to use.

Innovation: 3

The rod has some great features from higher rods, and has just brought the cost down to the masses.

Availability: 3

You can see the white glow of these rods calling for you at many tackle stores and online. I haven't seen many stores with the micro guide series (yet)

Total Score: 19 - Good Buy!

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List Day 4 - Shimano Chronarch E

2011-12-06T20:32:00.001-05:00

The Shimano Chronarch is a classic reel. It has underwent several changes throughout the years, but has always been known as a top of the line reel. I still have my first Chronarch that I bought almost 12 years ago and it is still smooth as ever. It's also still one of the best casting reels I own.

With a tradition like this, the new Chronarch E was on the top of my list for new reels to try this year. I have been fishing it for nearly a month and have been beyond pleased with the performance.

For the review, I tested the Chronarch 201E7. The lefty in the 7.0:1 gear ratio. It weighs in at 7.6 ounces, which is not the lightest reel out there, but still very light.

Chronarch E Reel Specs:

Aluminum Frame
Lightweight Graphite Sideplates
Recessed Reel Foot
High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)
Super Free Bearing Supported Pinion
Gear System (SF)
A7075 Aluminum Magnumlite Spool
Dartainium2 Drag Washer
7 Bearings - Total (1 S A-RB BB, 5 Shielded Stainless Steel BB., A-RB Roller Clutch Bearing)
Variable Brake System (VBS) with
Reduced Mass Hub
Super Stopper II
Assist Stopper
Drilled Handle Shank
Septon PV Power Grips
Titanium IP Line Guide
1/8 Turn Easy Access Attached Sideplate
Metal Cast Control Knob
Double Anodized Spool and Handle
Disengaging Levelwind System
QuickFire II Clutch Bar
Made in Japan

That's an impressive list of features, but the one that really stand out for me are the seven bearings. People always get into the debate of how many bearings each reel has. Which one has the most bearings, etc, but, more important than the amount of bearings is the quality. Several reels priced much lower have more bearings, but it's all about the bearing itself. Shimano uses high quality bearings for all of their reels.

Like all Shimano baitcast reels; the sideplate is easily removed for access to the centrifugal breaking system. It's very easy to adjust when changing settings for lighter or heavier lures or for windy conditions.

Looking at this picture, you will notice the over-sized grips. They are comfortable, yet practical and allow you to crank all day with ease.

One thing I really liked about this reel was how accessible the spool is. This may seem like a small thing, but I value this in a reel. I have good eyes and can see what I'm doing, but still, several reels I own are a real pain when it comes time to re-spooling. With the open areas below and wide gaps, it's a breeze to thread the line when putting new line on your reel. From the picture above, you can also see the recessed reel foot. This makes the reel sit much lower on the rod and it basically molds into one unified piece with your rod. Again, comfort for all day fishing.

Paired with the new G. Loomis GL2, this is a sweet set-up.

These two were made for each other.

Scoring for the Shimano Chronarch E

Price/Value: 4
Call me crazy, but I find plenty of value in this $200 reel. The price of the Chronarch has actually went down, from my test the value is still there.
Durability: 4
If this new Chronarch is half as durable as my older ones, it will still be a 4.
Performance: 4
Casts like a dream and very smooth. The drag is also very smooth. No complaints.
Innovation: 3
They didn't reinvent the reel here but still, quality components and great features.
Availability: 4
It is available almost everyone online and should be in all Shimano dealers by now.

Total Score: 19 - Good Buy!

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List Day 3 - G. Loomis GL2 rod

2011-12-04T18:49:00.001-05:00

G. Loomis is a brand that really needs no introduction. For years they have been known as the holy grail of fishing rods, the "Cadillac" if you will. Since they have this reputation, it has been hard for them to impress serious anglers. Last year with the NRX, they took it to the next level, but not everyone can afford a rod in that price range. They have always made one of the best rods on the market. Light, sensitive and functional are words that have become synonymous with the Loomis brand. For the most part they have remained a conservative company; they aren't the company who jumps on the bandwagon of things like micro guides, flashy colors or the split grips (until recently). With that being said, they are a classic rod company who's quality is second to none. I have been a Loomis owner for years, and have owned GLX, IMX, Mossy Backs and more. Until recently, I had never tried their lowest level of rods, the GL2.

The complete redesign of the GL2 definitely caught my attention this year at ICAST and I was eager to try one. They must have caught the eye of many others as they won the Best of Show in the Freshwater Rod Category. When I said lowest level, that is something that needs to be taken in context. This is still a high quality, top end rod by just about anyone's standards.

So what's new with the rods? They now feature a split grip design, which I have become a huge fan of in recent years. The styling and features are very classic, and the performance is what you would expect from a rod of this caliber. The GL2 comes in thirty different models that are aimed at specific techniques with a variety of actions and tapers. The rod I reviewed is the 7'1" Medium Heavy Jig and Worm rod, a great all around rod for fishing soft plastics and jigs.

Starting with the bottom of the rod, you will notice a unique tapered butt section that is actually flat on each side. The idea behind this is to have better ergonomics when reeling and fighting fish. It was quite comfortable and did the job.

Moving up the rod, you will notice a split grip design that features a graphic that easy shows what this rod is built for. This section also features a combination of cork and cork composite for added appeal and style.

The reel seat is very light and at the same time, very comfortable. I handed this rod to a friend and that was his first comment; "Man, this thing is comfortable to hold". Comfort and ergonomics go a long way when you fish as much as I do. I want a rod that won't wear me out. The light rod, combined with the little features makes this a rod that is ready to fish all day long.

The rod I reviewed has nine guides plus the tip, making it very easy to get long and accurate casts. I was pleased with the extra fast action of the rod. I do feel like the Medium Heavy action may be rated a little light, but maybe it just varies from different rod companies.

Paired with a new Shimano Chronarch E, this is a dream set-up for bass anglers.

Scoring for the G. Loomis GL2 Rod

Price/Value: 3

I think Loomis rods are definitely worth every penny, but this is still a high dollar rod at around $200.

Durability: 4

All of my G. Loomis rods have been able to withstand my abuse, which says something This rod has been no different so far and is built with top quality components.

Performance: 4

Super lightweight and very comfortable to fish with. I love this rod and have been using it for more techniques, including topwaters, chatterbaits and jerkbaits...just so I can use it more often.

Innovation: 3

Rods are rods, but the stylish features and complete redesign should be worth something in the scoring.

Availability: 4

It is available on most online stores and should be on the rack at your local G. Loomis dealer.

Total Score: 18 - Good Buy!

A New Personal Best: 8.88lbs

2011-12-04T11:59:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a great day. It all started with our fishing tournament on Lake Okeechobee. We fished hard all day and ended up with 13.99 pounds, which isn't great for this lake, yet we still ended up in 10th place out of 65 boats and cashed a check. I even won in the raffle and won five bags of Skinny Dippers.

The weigh-in was at an unusually early time of 1:15, so we were all done and it was barely 2:00. So what did we do? We went back out fishing. The fish were just starting to bite really good when we had to make the long run back to the weigh-in, so we were eager to get back out there. We drove around to the other end of the lake and launched close to our spot. I think we have a problem; we are addicted to bass fishing.

The fishing was ridiculous and we ended up fishing until dark. After all was settled, we had landed several 3's, a couple 4 and 5lbers and my new personal best; 8.88 pounds. I have caught three eight pound fish in my life but this was the biggest and we have the video to prove it. We went to the same area, used the same baits and just caught them over and over. This goes to show that timing is huge in bass fishing.

The good news is we have two tournaments on the lake next week and plan to do the same thing both days. Let's hope those big ones bite again.

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List Day 2 - Rapala Touch Screen Tournament Scale

2011-12-01T21:51:00.001-05:00

Few things in tournament fishing are as important as properly culling. In order to do it right, you have to have all the right tools. Probably the most important of all is a good quality scale that is not only accurate, but consistent. The Rapala Digital Touch Screen Tournament Scale is the perfect scale because you can do so much with it. Of course it weighs fish, but it also keeps the weights of your fish saved so you can easily see what fish is the smallest and also get a total weight for your tournament limit. My last tournament was very close in weights as myself and two others were all within about .25lbs of each other. I ended up ahead of the others and cashed a check. I don't know if it made the difference or not, but the scale weighs in hundredths of a pound, so I know my culling was as accurate as I could have been going to the weigh-in.

This technology has been around for years and until now it was very expensive to have a scale that is capable of doing this for you, but not any longer. This scale (and complete culling system) will cost you less than $50.

I have been using it to weigh my fish for a few months now and have been really pleased with how easy it is to use, store fish weights and replace smaller fish with bigger ones. The whole system is touch screen and is very easy to navigate. Just by looking at the buttons or looking at the guide that is included inside the storage bag, you can figure out how do to any of the features. One other thing I really like is the heavy duty weight clip that has proven itself with fish close to seven pounds. They stay secure on the clip and don't move at all.

Besides storing the weights of up to eight fish, the scale also has a temperature gauge and also has a back light for low light conditions.

The scale also comes with eight numbered floats with clips for easy identification of your fish. The clips and floats are great, but this is probably the biggest drawback of the scale in my opinion. I hate punching holes in the fish or sliding the clips under the gills, but I still find myself doing it since the clips that come with this system do not hold on tight enough. Unless your fish are peaceful and silent in the livewells (which mine never are), then you risk the fish shaking free of the clips. Besides that, I have no complaints about this scale and culling system.

You can see my video review of the scale below:

Scoring for the Rapala Touch Screen Tournament Scale

Price/Value: 5

I don't give out many 5's but I think this scale and culling system is a great price and worth every penny.

Durability: 4

It's waterproof, sturdy and looks like it's built to last.

Performance: 4

Easy to use with plenty of features. I wish the culling floats were better, but I still use the ones I have been using for years.

Innovation: 3

It's not so much innovative as this is technology that has been around, but it brought the technology down in price.

Availability: 4

I have seen it on several online tackle stores and since it is made by Rapala you can most likely find it in your area.

Total Score: 20 - Must Have!

T Brinks Fishing Christmas List Day 1 - The Snip by Boomerang Tool Company

2011-11-30T21:25:00.001-05:00

Fishing tools and accessories never seem to get the credit they deserve. There are so many types of pliers, clippers and scissors that help make fishing easier but most of them aren't fun or exciting...they are just tools. Usually for cutting fishing line I stick with a pair of nail clippers and it does very well for mono and fluoro, but with braid it often leaves it a shredded mess. Until recently, I would always use a pair of scissors, but I found something better.

Boomerang Tools was at this year's ICAST show and was giving away samples of their new item called "The Snip". Of course, I decided to try one but didn't really think much of it. One day I decided to actually take it out of the package and put it in my boat. I love this thing now.

It cuts all line, but does espescially well with braided line, which for me was always a pain. It cuts it evenly and without any issues at all. I am sold on "The Snip" and now have two in my boat. I keep one attached to a carabiner and clip it to my belt loop so it's ready to go. I have another one attached to the inside of my storage area where I keep my terminal tackle and other lures. It's always there for me and ready to go.

It comes attached to a retractable cord that goes up to 36", which is just long enough to hand to a fishing partner and still keep it attached while they retie. To cut line is as simple as a squeeze of the aluminum handles that are on both sides of The Snip. It comes in a few different models and they even have one with an LED light for cutting in dark conditions. All of them come with a sharp, stainless steel cutters.

Price/Value: 3
They retail for $11.95, which is more than quite a few pairs of nail clippers, but it also cuts much better. The fact that is cuts braid evenly and clean every time is worth the cost.
Durability: 4
The only thing I would worry about with a tool is that they become dull or rusty. With the stainless steel cutters and sharp blades, this should last a long time. So far so good, I have not seen any issues with this product.
Performance: 4
Very easy to use and cuts perfect every time.
Innovation: 4
A unique tool that is unlike anything else I have seen.
Availability: 3
They can be on several sites online, and some local and chain tackle stores. I have a feeling all of the big chains will be carrying this soon.

Total Score: 18 - Good Buy!