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Posts: 7036
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Sadly, the year is kinda winding down (or has already) for most of us. So let's discuss new gear (rods/reels/baits/whatever) that you had POSITIVE thoughts about. Let's stay away from the negative...
Personally, it was the Shimano Tranx 400A that was the winner for me in 2017. The higher speed basically allowed this reel to replace my 400TEs for everything but big blades. Casts a mile, smooth drag, fits in the hand well and no mechanical issues throughout the year. I paired mine up with the power handle found on the faster model, btw.
BUT, it's NOT a 10s reel. Sure, you CAN use it for 10s, but it will be tiring and I fear the stress on the gearing will lead to conversations with your reel fix-it guy. ALSO, though she's versatile and powerful, she can be an unforgiving b*, too. I back the cast control way off and when I take my thumb out of the game...well, you'll remember how to pick a backlash. |
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Posts: 34
| Maybe a bit late but for me new, its gotta be The Revo Toro S60/61. Got it in exchange for Toro Nacl which went crap two times because of the same issue. And oh boy I was for a big surpise after two casts. Feels smooth, casts a mile, and since I had it I dont recall a backlash. Main improvement over the Nacl, which I have to mention cost me $100 more, is the thumb bar which takes at least half of amount of pressure to freespool. The only thing, I would say negative about it is that it engaded the gear midcast at the beginning of use, but it could have been my first time using a power handle. But even after that and that horrible noise it did, it still performs flawlessly until now. Lastly, and probably the best thing about it is the price. Actually saw one today on Ebay for 165. |
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Posts: 624
Location: S.W. WI | I picked up the Okuma Komodo SS, in the 364 size (smallish reel) for small bucktails and topwaters, 6.4 ratio, fairly fast 30"+, more line capacity than my Shimano Curado. so wasn't so slow at end of casts.
I was very impressed! All season long -no issues at all and I am not gentle on my reels. many other non-Shimano brands I ruin very fast. I had decided to buy it right before the new 400 Tranx's came out, or I would have probably gotten one of them. But for under $200 I was very pleased. |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | New Aqua-Vu 10i HD underwater viewing system, mounts up to the console on a ram mount, has a hi-def 10" display, and will be a heck of a plus on the ice this Winter. Plus it records in 1080 60FPS. Going to get some cool video using that beast. |
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Posts: 1100
| Moved from a small apartment to a house, where i finally got a room for organizing all my tackle, 10/10 stars for that upgrade :D
Beside that i grown very fond of both the new tranx in 300A and 300AHG, for smaller baits, and the Toro Beast for larger baits. |
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Posts: 719
| Bring back the Revo Nacl.... |
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Posts: 20216
Location: oswego, il | Megabass vatallion, picked one up if you fish or troll rattletraps this is a bigger profile jointed version that turns sideways right and left on every pause. Vibration like a crane bait. Not used it much but based on what it does to peffection i will catch alot of fish on it. |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | Another year beating the snot out of the Toro S with double 10's.. can't say enough about these reels. Tough! Put the unbalanced power handle on it from the Beast, and bomb away. The beasts have been good, too.
Can't thank Gerry Carroll enough for his custom bucktails.. we really had a good thing going on them with some custom xxxheavy deep bucktails.. I think we (2 guys) had 5 or 6 50+ on them in 2017.
I also ran up 3 50+ and a couple upper 40" fish on 1 particular Dadson double 10 in 2017, and it's still in the lineup.. durability off the charts.
As always the TI rods took a beating, and held their own.
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Posts: 294
Location: Sakatchewan,Canada | Savage Gear 32cm line thru Roach. Had to order them from Europe, but they were worth every penny! Unreal bait that produced many monster pike. Also had one follow it in to the boat that was the largest pike I have EVER seen... made me weak in the knees!! |
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Posts: 1000
| I'll second the Tranx 400A. Was very, very impressed with this reel and saw Beast 60 PG take an almost permanent spot in the rod locker.
I was impressed with this reel for 10's, though I primarily fish at night so I'm not burning. From Aug 23 through Oct 1st I ran it 4-5 nights per week, 4-8 hours per outing. Exclusively 10's. No complaints and no concerning performance developments.
Note - I'm 28 years old, so my opinion of the power of this reels may differ from the more "seasoned" members of this forum ;-P
Ben T |
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Posts: 256
| I agree for the 32 cm roach, really good lure
Also started using the giant mcrubber, really cool paddletail |
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Posts: 403
Location: Lakeville, MN | Under armor 4.0 base layer, and striker predator bibs have been awesome for me this fall |
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Posts: 981
| I am also impressed with the tranx 400. The 400AG with the AHG power handle on it was a great all purpose reel and handled 10s very well - I don't burn blades but this obviously would not be the reel for that application. I used the 400AHG for everything from small twitch baits to pounders and husky dussas and it worked flawlessly for me. No durability issues that I can speak of yet after 1 season of use.
The new Custom X 8'10 XXXH is an awesome big rubber stick and also doubles exceptionally well as a big jerkbait rod (10" phantoms, 10" raptors, etc.). |
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Posts: 2324
Location: Chisholm, MN | The Phantom Hex was very cool for trolling open water this season. Also had action on it this fall trolling structure. |
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Posts: 202
| Just started using Chaos Tackle Posseidon's and Assault Sticks rods this year. The Posseidon is a very versatile bait that can be straight cranked or even trolled. The Assault Stick rods I have used most of the season and have been very happy with them. |
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Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | Was disappointed in my Curado 300EJ on a trip and switched to a Revo Toro S60. What a difference and have been very satisfied with this reel. |
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Posts: 944
| The only New product that I used that came out this season was the Swimmin Dawg from Musky Innovations. Not since the Cowgirl first came out have I had a lure that fish got so stupid on. Tons of figure 8 fish also. Caught a lot of fish on it up to 50.5" this year. Even on pressured water this bait was great. Hits are very violent.
I also got some of the New Reg. size Swimmin' Dawgs to test this fall they were just as lethal. Caught a ton of fish on these up to 47" Great bait I cant wait to use these on spring and summer fish. Muskys inhale these things
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 294
Location: Sakatchewan,Canada | monsterlures - 11/26/2017 9:15 PM
I agree for the 32 cm roach, really good lure
Also started using the giant mcrubber, really cool paddletail
I forgot to mention the Savage Gear 50cm Burbot. It is a great lure as well and produced many big pike. The line thru rigging system with 7/0 trebles made for much better hook ups then the clip system and smaller hooks that came with the bait. |
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Posts: 983
| genesisperformance - 11/26/2017 9:40 PM
Under armor 4.0 base layer, and striker predator bibs have been awesome for me this fall
That base layer is badazz man I love that shirt so warm....Shadzillas big and small are king of my boat this year....More Muskie in boat on them than all other lures combined |
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Posts: 20216
Location: oswego, il | My penn 209 reels work great but even at 3.2 to 1 they did not have great cranking power. The power handle that it comes with isn't much if any bigger than a paddle handle. I bought the giant power handle that penn offers for it. It has 3 positions and making the handle as long as possible in its's last position gives this reel some awesome power. Brings in the tx 44 board really well. Worth the 30 bucks if you have this reel. |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | After hitting the ice today wearing the new Clam Ascent float suit, I have a great review.
The cut and stitched flotation foam makes the suit very easy to wear. The suit is very flexible, and extremely warm with the zip in liner. I went without the liner with 1 base layer and a light hoodie underneath in wind and temps in the teens today. Comfortable standing on the ice and sitting in the one man flip over and never so much as a chill. The suit does run small, so if you are a borderline XL, order a 2XL. Good thing I lost 50 pounds this year...it fits me perfectly.
D Rings are well placed, cell phone pockets well thought out, and magnets close the jacket and bib flaps instead of velcro, which I really like. Great suit, you will not be disappointed. |
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Posts: 90
| Glad I picked up a Toro s60, seeing a lot of great reviews! I also did well with shadzilla jr, and Poseidon's. |
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Posts: 1100
| Got some time on the water with the Fat AZ raptor this year as well, sweet sweet bait. |
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | Tranx 400 HG - best power/IPT/weight ratio ive found so far on a reel. Used it 90% of the time this season and it held up great
KT Professional Edge custom rods - 9'6" XH with 3.5" off the tip, extra fat 18" syncork full grip - sasquatch approved. has a nice tip section then tons of backbone. Threw 3 oz spinners to monster dussas with it and it kicked booty. Cant wait to throw blades on it next season. Time to sell the rest of my casting rods!
Phantom exorcist - not versatile at all so dont bother buying any 
Striker suit - worth it's weight in gold. Nothing better than riding back to the launch in late fall and hearing the water pelt off of you and not even feel it. (Tall sizes available which is awesome) |
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Location: Contrarian Island | New KT Pro Edge rods are sweet.
Ulterra, while I did get it last year, I really put it to the test this year esp on LOTW... my boat won't be w out one, yah, I know they do go down...but what doesn't ?
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | I dont know about this yr but a few yrs back I swapped out my Winch gear for high speed gear in my Revo Toro with very positive results. High recommend doing that. |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Still can't say enough about the Okuma Komodo 463 & 471. Stainless main, pinion, shafts, and bearings. Surprisingly great casting reel, smooth & incredibly powerful. Smaller and lighter than other 400 size low profile reels and it features the rare non-disengaging level wind (like older Revo Toro's, 400TE's, etc). The double paddle has a huge throw and they offer a power handle also if you're so inclined and it comes in a lefty. Best description is that it feels like a more powerful, low profile TE in-hand.
Prediction--> This reel will be the new all-around muskie workhorse reel.
3 year warranty
Price = $200 |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Pops - 12/11/2017 10:29 PM
Is it water proof?
I have a clam extreme suit. Warm yes, pockets in the right spots yes.
Water proof No!
It's waterproof, yes, but it's not rain gear and isn't intended to be. None of the ice suits I have owned hold up in a downpour unless I nikwaxed them every other year, which is what I recommend you do. |
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