However, their use comes with a downside: they easily gather bits of dirt and sand.

CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat comes as a smart solution for a fisher’s mat/blanket needs with its patented Sand-Free construction, making it a mat/blanket that comes without the ever hassle of getting sand or pieces of dirt in unwanted places.

Here’s a quick look at CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat

CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat – Sand-Free Technology

Pieces of grit and sand tend to be a bummer when used with blankets and mats, getting into them when they are used, which translates to getting sand and grit into other places like in vehicles and homes.

CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat is designed to resolve such sand-and-mat woes, constructed to minimize the accumulation of dirt, sand and pieces of grit via a unique dual layer design construction.

It first layer is designed to allow the easy introduction of various bits of dirt, a top layer which lets them fall through easily. Its second layer does quite the opposite, as its designed to prevent any particles which passed through the first layer from coming back up.

Smart, simple and practical CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat can be used for various outdoor activities, bearing the benefits of traditional blankets and mats, without the hassle having to constantly clean out particles accumulated with their use.

For fishers, the mat is great to have handy, especially if overnight trips or beach fishing trips are being talked about.

If you’re among the many hassled with having to clean sand bits from cars or homes off after bringing a sandy mat, CGear’s Sand-Free Multimat comes to your side as a smart outdoor blanket/mat option.

For iPhone/iPad users, TideTrac comes as another practical reason to bring mobiles during fishing trip, with its enhanced take on tide-condition tracking services.

The TideTrac for the iPhone/iPad

Essentially, TideTrac is an app designed to work with the iPhone and iPad, developed to provide users with detailed information related to tides and tide conditions in the United States. As an app, it is a great must-have for active outdoorsmen who engage in water-oriented activities like surfing, sailing, boating and fishing.

Working on the iPhone/iPad’s internet connectivity capabilities as its communication backbone, the app works with information data taken from Google Maps, then matches locations with tide forecasts and data.

It can store information based on “stations”, negating the necessity for online access every time users use the app. Also, it allows for the setup of different multiple “stations”, which users can gain offline access information from. For regularly updated tidal information though, online access for TideTrac is highly advised.

With tide forecasts and information covering all of the United States, Hawaii and Alaska are also included in TideTrac’s tide data scope, well aware that both areas are teeming with watersports and water-driven activities.

Sport fishing trips to Hawaii will be made more enhanced with TideTrac, arming fishers with a tool to better manage fishing itineraries and schedules, in conjunction with a location’s given time-tide conditions.

All in all, with TideTrac, bringing your mobile during fishing trips for communication purposes only is a thing of the past.

A video dubbed as “Easiest Barracuda catch, ever” has recently gone viral, given how truly easy the catch was accomplished, with a 40 pound trophy-worthy barracuda! Posted and shared on various websites and social networks, the video even landed a spot on Fox’s “Fox & Friends”, propelling the story into becoming the “envy” of many sportfishers.

Shot by a TV show crew with the camera trained on a Florida fisherman, the details of the captured video was quite unusual, but altogether, awesome. Fishing off the coast of Florida, the video shows the fisherman simply focused on his fishing when out of the blue, a 40 pound barracuda jumps out of the water, then lands into the boat!

It’s like the barracuda simply decided to get caught, gladly!

As a catch, Barracudas are considered as trophy-worthy catches for deep sea sportfishers, given the fish’s predatory nature which comes with its fast, agile and powerful constitution.

They are challenging to catch as trophies, even though their size and weights aren’t really comparably as large when pegged against the average size and weights of bigger trophy catches like the Blue Marlin.

Obviously, the whole catch-scenario will have difficulty making it as an official record, added with the fact that the catch was released (though this exactly isn’t really the issue).

However, the facts of the catch conditions remain to be incredibly unique: a challenging fish, a barracuda, weighing 40 pounds, jumps out of the water and lands into a boat, a scene which was amazingly caught on video.

Not every fisher gets to have these elements happen to him during a fishing trip.

Video

Comments or critiques from anyone having used/owned this particular model will be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

The TSR801-2 GLX – Overblown or Worth the Investment?

At $440 the TSR801-2 GLX by G.Loomis stands to be one of the most expensive rods out in the market today, nearly twice the cost of getting an iPad or close to the equivalent of a month’s worth in rent.

Granted, G.Loomis is one of the world’s most respected and most trusted makers of rods and fishing gear, but as an ultralight measuring 6’8”, its price makes one wonder how it would fair against a custom-built rod made by the hands of a skilled ultralight rod customizer or fabricator. That plus there are actually ultralight rods AND reel combos which are significantly cheaper.

As a production-class rod, no space for slack was considered by G.Loomis in making the TSR801-2 GLX, promising to be the ultimate ultralight which any fishier, professional or otherwise, would want to lug around during fishing excursions.

But with a price which nearly rates as high as booked fishing trips for two or three (arguably, it could even be said fishing trip packages would be cheaper), one can’t help but question if the ultralight is a worthy investment.

What say you, ever-loyal G.Loomis advocate? Is the TSR801-2 GLX worth the buck for its bang?

In Japan however, there’s a certain twist to the whole “big” catch ideal, defined by one of the country’s oldest and endearing angling traditions – tanago fishing.

Basically a reverse take on catching big trophy-worthy catches, tanago fishing involves catching small freshwater fish known to be part of Acheilognathus, Rhodeus, and Tanakia genera. Some of them are often known as bitterling, in certain local fishing terms.

Catches during tanago fishing excursions are as “big” as 15 cm in size, with some rare catches known to be between 5 to 19 cm in size. Identified as omnivorous, these “big catches” are often found in lotus fields and rice paddies. In fact, they can even be found in small streams, and finding them is actually part of the whole tanago fishing experience.

Not all that fussy when it comes to bait, tanagos will take in the most basic of fish feeds, along with bloodworms. Tanago fishers would even talk about how one can catch them with a float ring, a hook and a bit of boiled egg.

Given the size of the “big catches” tackles used in tanago fishing is reduced in size, made to accommodate catches. As it is essentially the reverse of finding literally big catches, tanago fishers seek out the smallest of catches, with some of these catches smaller than the diameter of a coin.

Certain degrees of skill is required from anglers engaged in tanago fishing, and given its ideal smaller is better philosophy, its not really all that easy to do.

If you ever do find yourself in Japan one of these days, give tanago fishing a go, and see just how much of a challenge catching the smallest catch can be.

Though these tips aren’t exactly 100% foolproof, they are good points to start on in simplifying the whole fishing process.

Here are some of them:

During Mornings – fishes tend to be generally active during mornings, “waking up” from the absence of the sun during night. As such, fishes are usually found on top water surfaces.

Fish activity during mornings is linked with the search for food, thus making mornings an ideal time for fishing, where the sun’s heat isn’t as punishing compared to noon-time fishing.

During Noon/Sunny Hours – with the sun up, fishers will find noontime/sunny hours fishing challenging. During these times, fishes are wary of their surroundings, since the sunlight makes it easy for their natural predators to spot them.

When fishing during noon/sunny hours, it pays to have ample protection against the sun’s heat, and to pick covered or shadow-casted spots during fishing excursions.

During Dusk – with waters still comfortably warm and the sun’s heat not in full force, dusk is a great time to fish.

Just as with morning fishing excursions, fishing during dusk is comfortable for anglers, as fishes are also active in the search for food on water surfaces.

During Nights – fishing during night proves to be challenging, not so much in terms of fish catches, but more in terms of difficulties in finding things or finding one’s way in the dark.

Fishers have to be quiet when fishing at night, as well as limited in their use of lights, so as not to alert fishes of their location. Most night fishing trips involve finding spots in banks, with fishers quietly moving around in finding niche fishing spots.

As already mentioned, the abovementioned tips aren’t surefire ways of catching more fish, but they are great leads in simplifying the process of catching them.

Keep in mind that though Shimano is the last in our series, it isn’t necessarily the least in terms of its offered highlight products.

Shimano – More than just Bicycles and Fishing Reels
Shimano is famed for being the Japanese multinational makers of bicycle and cycling equipment and gear.

Reputed to be the brand responsible for 50% of the world’s cycling component, the brand also sports a fishing equipment and gear line, with its reels often being heralded in various fishing circles, tournaments and competitions.

Apart from fishing reels, Shimano also produces rods, rods which are made with the latest of technologies inclined to enhance and accent fishing capacities.

Shimano’s FXC (Medium/Heavy) rods are listed as top sellers in various online shopping/sales portals, made with a solid locking graphite reel seat with reinforced aluminum oxide guides.

The brand’s Compre Muskie is also quite famous as a jerkbait rod, complementary with the use of heavy baits. Available in a standard base core, the rod is available in various lengths, making it the ideal rod for anglers on the lookout for rods with creative options to pick out.

It works well with spinnerbaits, crankbaits, bucktails and topwater paits, and its construction is made to that its tip is ideally in proper water surface position, even when fishing on the high side of a boat.

An excellent jerkbait rod for heavy baits: bucktails, topwater baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Its extra length makes it easy to keep the rod tip in the proper position at the water’s surface when working out of a high-sided boat. With grade A shaped cork handles, a hook keeper and Carbolov tip, it is an impressive rod only to be expected from a brand like Shimano.

And there you have it. Five of the best fishing rod brands, with quality rods made to redefine fishing experiences for hobbyist and professional anglers.

In the search for the right rid, with these brands, you don’t necessarily have to go through the process of having custom made rods made to suit your needs.

Our fourth entry for the series is Fenwick, with its line of famed ultra lightweight for-trout fishing rods and superb cranking sticks for bass fishing excursions.

Here’s a quick take on the Fenwick advantage.
Fenwick’s Edge

With a history which dates back to the 40’s, Fenwick’s edge isn’t just defined in by the products and features highlighted by the brand, but also in its active growth and involvement in the craft of fishing, as a whole.

Churning out its first generation of Fenwick rods in an unused garage located in Lake Fenwick, the brand’s Fenwick EliteTECH line, Eagle GT and HMX series have become superstar fishing rod options.

Constructed with a high modulus graphite blank, Fenwick’s EliteTECH is made to enhance smallbass fishing skills, with its enhanced Zirconium inserts complementing its titanium frame guides. Sporting a “hidden handle” design, Fenwick’s EliteTECH offers enhanced performance sensitivity, with comfort features even when used all day long.

Fenwick’s Eagle GT seires is made to work with braided line applications, constructed with a hard chromium plated guide system. With a graphite layout which ensures lightweight features, sensitivity and strength are also highlight features of the Eagle GT Series, only expected from Fenwick’s take on graphite rods and their increasingly impressive performance qualities.

Dual-tapered, Fenwick’s HMX series makes use of cross-scrim graphite constructions, overlapped with carbon fiber layers, ensuring exceptional strength and lightweight features. With Pac Bay guides, HMX series rods are made with one-piece stamped frame constructions, ensuring more power in their use.

All in all, Fenwick’s standout takes on quality rods earned it a place in this ongoing series of top quality fishing rods.

Lamiglas – Fish with Confidence
After 54 years of making a business out of producing quality fishing rods, Lamiglas stands apart from the rest with products made with graphite and fiberglass, producing rods which combine strength and durability matched to be lightweight and versatile.

With over 300 rod models and types, the brand is not only famed for its enhanced take on rods for freshwater fishing, but also for its increasingly relevant and practical warranty terms.

Well versed in what anglers require from rods, Lamiglas does research, tests and prototypes, developing and building up concept rods before introducing them into mass markets.

With highlight product lineups classified as Fly, Salmon & Steelhead, Bass, Surf and Saltwater, the brand has rods for different types of fishing excursions, each made to excel in every function and from a fishing rod can arm fishers with.

Its tagline, Fish with Confidence, is certainly more that just mere words, but more of an active mindset which comes with their use, an ultimate factor which helps angler’s take active control over performances and catch expectations.

In an industry where products are saturated with choices and options, Lamiglas manages to churn out something new, with a slogan which says much about its commitment to the craft of fishing – “You might not need them all today, but when that day comes, you’ll know exactly where to turn.”

This time, we’ll be talking about St. Croix, famed for implementing high tech standards in its offered items, a definitive feature which makes St. Croix rods perfect.

St. Croix – 100% Fishing. 100% of the Time

With a wide range of rods for freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and fly fishing, St. Croix makes it into this list for its established reputation for product quality and durability. With rods designed for ice fishing and even featuring a “build your own rod” convention, St. Croix offers a rod for just about any fishing excursion, with quality reels to match.

Its Legend Tournament Bass rod is among its latest highlights, developed with the hard-core bass fisher in mind. With NSi Technology, the rod features 3M’s Powerlux Resin, adding a significant 30% uptake on strength, definitive of St. Croix’s famed performance-and-technology combined rods.

Rage rods are also new 2012 St. Croix releases, with IPC technology for perfect balance and performance. With St. Croix’s neoprene skin handle, the Rage series is the perfect rod for the skilled angler, and also includes micro guides for enhanced performance delivery.

St. Croix has also added two new 8’6” models in its 2012 release lineup, with the Mojo Musky, highlighting heavy duty power performance. Trolling models are also featured in St. Croix’s new model roster, with six variants of the brand’s Eyecon Walleye series.

Bottom line, with its combined technologies and established design conventions, St. Croix continues with its tradition of developing the perfect rod for the perfect fishing experience of any type.