X Zone Lures Stealth Invader

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The 3-inch goby-like profile stands out with lifelike anatomy from head to tail. X Zone used realistic modeling to create a head with realistic details, with fins tapering down the spine. Pouring in segments combined with a reversed paddle tail enhance movement for a realistic swimming motion, allowing the tail to kick from slow- to high-speed retrieves. X Zone refuses to use cheap fillers in its baits, making the action stand out, along with the vividness of the colors. X-Formula Scent adds broadened strike appeal that smallmouth can’t resist. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

The Stealth Invader is the perfect goby imitator, also ideal for finesse tactics with pressured largemouth. Think about that. The prevailing thought is to use a smallmouth-forage imitator only for that species. Why not use it for a different look than other baits? Like X Zone’s lineup of soft plastics, the Stealth Invader is a versatile player for many tactics. Its soft plastic and design keep the bait horizontal in the water column — and the strike zone — for drop-shot applications. What is more, the tail of the bait stays off the bottom for contact presentations. Rig it for Ned, hover, Damiki rigs, on ball and swimbait heads and as a finesse jig trailer. Available in 12 colors.

HOW MUCH?

$5.99 (pack of 6) 

MORE INFORMATION: 

Xzonelures.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

At first glance, I instantly recognized this goby-imitator from its intricate, lifelike detail. A realistic-looking forage lure is only as good as its action, and X Zone used realistic modeling to make it appear and act like a live goby. Smallmouth can be finicky eaters, and the Stealth Invader blends right in with goby hovering, darting and swimming over rocky bottoms. I’m impressed with the extreme design, testing and tweaking that went into the Stealth Invader. What’s more, you get a bait without cheap fillers that can also be rigged for multiple tactics. 

Gamakatsu Tackle Storage Shoulder Bag 

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The Shoulder Bag’s main compartment houses two 3200 Gamakatsu G-Boxes for storing an assortment of hard baits, terminal tackle, skirted baits and other fitable gear. There’s a coiled cord for keeping scissors handy and secure. Multiple small straps are handy for tucking away additional tools like needlenose pliers and O-ring tools. And to top it all off, there are five zippered compartments, capable of holding an extra reel, a smartphone or multiple packs of soft plastics. Load this bag up, throw it over your shoulder and you’re ready to step off in the water or walk along the shore. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

Fishing small waters is a great way to catch lots of fish. These often less-pressured fisheries can be a little out of the way and hard to access by foot. Having a non-cumbersome and hands-free way to carry all the gear you might need while pond hopping or wading a creek is imperative. This is the perfect bag for fishing small waters, because it has more than ample and convenient storage for all the gear you might need during a quick trip. 

HOW MUCH?

$53.75

MORE INFORMATION:

Gamakatsu Tackle Storage Shoulder Bag

ANGLER’S INSIGHT

I tested out the Gamakatsu Tackle Storage Should Bag while wading a creek with a buddy. It was a fairly hot day, so the size and position of the bag (down on my hip) no doubt kept me cooler than a backpack would have. It also kept all my gear within reach. I could simply pull the bag around to the front, grab whatever I needed and swing it back to the side, or all the way behind me. Removing a backpack to change baits or retrieve more gear would have been the less-desired alternative. 

I attached a pair of scissors to the coiled cord, which came in handy when swapping baits on the one rod I brought along. I chose to bring only one rod since I could store an extra reel in the front zippered compartment. This was much better than having to carry two rods. I also stored my buddy’s iPhone in the zippered compartment on the top flap of the bag. One thing to note is that the bag nor the boxes are waterproof. So if you go under, expect your gear to get wet. But this is no big deal, even for the phone as long as its waterproof. And if it’s not, put your phone or any other gear that you want to keep dry in a sandwich bag and you’re good to go. 

The comfortability of the padded backside and adjustable shoulder strap of this bag, along with its impressive storage capacity, make the Gamakatsu Tackle Storage Shoulder Bag a must-have for anglers who fish from shore on a regular basis. Even kayakers and co-anglers could use this bag to carry and keep at hand some of their more frequently used items. It’s an easy product to recommend to any angler on the go. 

EGO Waterproof Fishing Scale

WHAT SETS IT APART?

EGO Fishing started out as a small landing net company, but it has expanded to include accessories like the Waterproof Fishing Scale. This new release measures 7 inches by 4.75 inches by 1.5 inches, weighs fish up to 110 pounds and includes a flexible, retractable measuring tape for length and girth measurements. With a strong ABS plastic body and an ergonomic handle, the EGO Fishing scale features a digital readout and weighs in customizable pound and kilogram formats. Made with a stainless-steel hook, the scale includes two AAA batteries.

HOW DO I USE IT?

The EGO Fishing Scale is built compact to fit into tackle bags or pants/shorts and jacket pockets so it’s always handy to record that next big catch. Complementing this verification tool, EGO Fishing also offers the Ultra Remover, an 11-inch hook remover designed to safely and efficiently pluck hooks and lures from a fish’s mouth. Maybe that’s a deeply hooked bass, or it could be the gar, pike and mudfish that occasionally crash the party and threaten finger safety. In any case, the ergonomic palm grip and two-finger pinching lever facilitates efficient removal. EGO Fishing also offers a line cutter made to sever braid, fluorocarbon and mono.

HOW MUCH?

$69.99 (scale), $15.99 (hook remover), $6.99 (line cutter)

MORE INFORMATION: 

www.EGOfishing.com/

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

You must wonder how many personal best fish returned to the drink unheralded because the lack of weight/measurement recording and/or subpar cellphone pics. Even for the noncompetitive angler, a reliable scale is a must. For those who also want linear measurements for replicas, that built-in measuring tape beats the often-tangled mess of a sewing tape measure and eliminates the guess work. As for the Line Cutter, split ring jaw tips bolster the functionality.

Bajio Sunglasses Reader Lenses

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The company name is Spanish for “the shallows,” but Bajio has deepened its line by offering a Readers option. Built to order, Bajío Readers are available in every full-wrap frame style, with polycarbonate lens options green mirror, blue mirror, rose mirror and gray and magnification powers +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50. Made with Bajio’s proprietary LAPIS technology for exceptional clarity, lenses feature durable anti-scratch properties and oleophobic coatings, which make sunscreen and water easy to remove.

HOW DO I USE IT?

Eliminating the need to alternate between prescription eyewear and polarized sunglasses, Bajio Readers were created for anglers who don’t require prescription sunglasses, but often need more focal power for finer detail work such as tying knots, checking weather apps on mobile phones and reading electronics. With magnification and blue light-blocking clarity in a single pair of glasses, anglers are less encumbered when it comes to switching between distant and close-up focus.

HOW MUCH?

$229

MORE INFORMATION:

BajioSunglasses.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

Bajio has made a strong impression in the polarized eyewear space with a broad selection of frames boasting a blend of style and functionality. The Florida-based company also has made a strong connection to environmental stewardship by basing its operation on sustainability. With Bajio’s frames that are made from plant-based Nylon that degrades quickly and is gentler on our oceans after being disposed of. Also, packaging materials and individual sunglasses cases are made from recycled or sustainably grown materials. Expanding the offering to consider nonprescription vision needs is a smart move.

Seaguar InvizX 

WHAT SETS IT APART?

Bass fishing is full of choices and variables. The recipe for success on the water boils down to two things: making the right choices and controlling the variables you can control. Choosing wisely when it comes to fishing line allows you to control perhaps the most important variable in all of bass fishing. 

Fluorocarbon line is the most widely used and versatile line type for bass fishing today, and Seaguar can make a claim no other brand can. In 1971, Japan-based Seaguar became the first fluorocarbon leader and line in the world, earning it the distinction as the longest in production for the category. 

Having literally invented this type of line half a century ago, Seaguar is still one of the industry leaders in the category. Multiple types of quality Seaguar fluorocarbon are available for specialty techniques and to suit preferred angling styles. 

Among all the choices in the lineup, InvizX lands in the sweet spot, offering avid anglers a lot of bang for their buck. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

Fluorocarbon line sinks making this line undesirable for topwaters. You’ll want to go with a monofilament or braided line for those applications, for which Seaguar has products available as well. But for almost everything else below the surface, fluorocarbon is a great choice. 

Not all fluorocarbon is created equal. Each line varies from company to company and even from model to model within the same brand. Fluorocarbon lines are most commonly categorized and compared to one another by line diameter and pound test. But Seaguar takes this even a step further, ranking their lines in comparison to one another based on five additional criteria: knot strength, castability, abrasion resistance, memory and price. 

InvizX has the best castability of all Seaguar lines, ranks high on the abrasion resistance scale and is above average in knot strength, memory and price. All these high scores make InvizX a great selection to use for anything from a shaky head to a lipless crankbait. Seaguar’s highest quality standards make it a bit of an investment. However, it is well worth the price for a spool of line that will last a long time and can be used for a wide range of applications. 

HOW MUCH?

$30.49 (15-pound test; 200-yard spool)

MORE INFORMATION:

Seaguar.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

I’ve personally used this line as my go-to fluorocarbon for more than a decade. From fishing tournaments to just fun fishing ponds with buddies, InvizX is affordable enough to spool up a few reels, while reliable enough to know that it will hold up in any situation, within reason. I wouldn’t recommend punching mats with InvizX, but that’s not what it was designed to do. 

I know from experience that InvizX is great line for cranking rock, flipping wood and fishing around all types of cover. It’s extremely abrasion resistant, ultra-clear and soft as well. Once you get into the 20-pound test range, this line can get a little stiff. But 17-pound and smaller is soft with little memory, making it easy for tying knots. 

I would wager that I have put over 1,000 bass in the boat using InvizX, and to my recollection it has never once failed me. So, using this line is an easy choice for me to make, and it definitely helps me control the variables I can control. 

H2OX Premier Spin Combo with Finesse

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The combo features a 7-foot, 1-piece, medium IM6 graphite spinning rod with a lightweight composite reel seat, aluminum oxide guides and split-grip EVA handles. The prespooled 5.1:1 reel has four ball bearings, a lightweight composite frame, anodized aluminum spool and lightweight composite reel handle. The Finesse Bait Kit includes three finesse worms, four Ned baits, two drop-shot weights, two nail weights, two jig heads and three drop-shot hooks.

HOW DO I USE IT?

When Academy Sports + Outdoors recently rebranded the H2O Express line in launched in 2008, the retailer created a clever three-tier system designed to provide anglers options for equipping their interests based on budget and experience/interest levels. Options are the value-centered Premier line, the Ehos line with its elevated features and benefits and the top-tier Evos collection aimed at the more discerning customer. One of the impressive offerings in the entry level lineup is the H2OX Premier Combo with Finesse Kit.

HOW MUCH? 

$49.99

MORE INFORMATION:

Academy.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

We all started somewhere and, while Academy Sports + Outdoors has plenty of gear for experienced anglers, the Premier offerings will ready any beginner or casual anglers for hours of fun. Moreover, by curating a functionally efficient starter tackle kit, the brand provides a starting point that allows the angler to directly from purchase to fishing. This package will likely prove popular for birthdays, Christmas and any gift-giving scenario, as folks unfamiliar with fishing won’t have to spend time staring at a wall of tackle.

Lew’s Custom Lite SS

WHAT SETS IT APART?

What sets the new Shallow Spool apart is an ultra-shallow 30mm spool design requiring less inertia to spin when casting light weights, giving the angler more control over extremely light lures. Like the original Custom Lite, the new SS has aluminum alloy Speed Gears, the P2 Super Pinion for consistent durability and power, C45 Carbon sideplates and 11 stainless steel double-shielded ball bearings. The innovative Speed Knot allows for quick line tying and hides the knot at the base of the spool for smooth line delivery. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

Finesse options are expanding as lure makers introduce downsized versions of full-sized baits, and especially in hard baits like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The SS is also perfect for drop shotting over deep ledges, Ned rigging across rocky flats and accurately casting the lightest poppers and wacky rigs around shallow vegetation.

HOW MUCH?

$299.99

MORE INFORMATION: 

Lew’s

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

The SS is a welcomed addition to the already tournament-proven and popular Custom Lite baitcaster introduced three years ago as the brand’s lightest reel. What I like the most about the SS is having control like I never had before when presenting finesse-sized lures, and most notably in windy conditions with the new diminutive crankbaits and spinnerbaits that are expanding my finesse game in shallow water. I get the desirable features of a baitcaster that is specifically designed to improve the control and presentation of finesse baits.

Bajio Eldora Sunglasses

WHAT SETS IT APART?

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about grabbing a great gift before it’s too late. A great option for the special mother in your life is the new Eldora Sunglasses from Bajio. The full-wrapped, full featured Eldora frames are the perfect mixture of performance and style. This small sized frame provides excellent coverage, while maintaining a lightweight, comfortable feel all day long.

HOW DO I USE IT?

Given that fact that the Eldora frame is the best of both worlds (performance and style), the options are endless. Whether you’re looking to put in a full day on the water, sit by the pool or catch your favorite ball team play a double header, the Eldora frames will give you full coverage that protects your eyes from the sun. The Eldora frames are available in eight lens colors in glass and polycarbonate. All lenses are polarized and include proprietary LAPIS technology that blocks out blue light. This gives the lenses incredible clarity. Also, the lenses are oleophobic coated which reduces scratching and makes cleaning the lenses a breeze.

HOW MUCH?

$209 – Polycarbonate Lenses
$259 – Glass Lenses

MORE INFORMATION:

Bajiosunglasses.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

After years of dragging my wife along with me to go fishing, I just assumed that I would never find her a pair of sunglasses that she would be happy with. The more “stylish” aviator style sunglasses may look great, but don’t quite get the job done during a long day on the water.

This changed when I introduced her to the Eldora frames from Bajio. Her first impression was that the frames look extremely sharp and stylish. But the real excitement for me came after a full day of fishing on Lay Lake in Alabama without a single complaint about how her sunglasses were uncomfortable or that her eyes hurt from sitting in the sun all day.

Before Mother’s Day has come and gone, get your hands on a pair of Bajio’s Eldora frames!

Daiwa STEEZ A 100

WHAT SETS IT APART?

Built with a Hyper Armed Housing (aluminum frame and side plate for rigidity and internal precision), the STEEZ A features a Hyper Drive Design for incredibly smooth retrieve and winding power. Hyperdrive Digigear makes the power transfer quieter and more efficient, while the Hyper Tough Clutch increases durability and performance. The Mag-Z Boost Spool design centers on G1 Duralumin, a rigid flex-resistant aluminum alloy that reduces weight without sacrificing durability and yields less start-up inertia. This, along with Daiwa’s revolutionary T-Wing system, increases casting distance. Available in 7.1:1 and 8.5:1 gear ratios, the STEEZ A 100 includes CRBB corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings and a 90-mm Heavy Swept Handle. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

Daiwa does a good job of offering entry-level to mid-range reels with an ascending level of features to fit a range of budgets and abilities. However, when you’re making your living with by rod and reel, Daiwa’s high-end professional tournament grade STEEZ line packs the kind of quality, engineering and reliability required for top-tier performance. The newly released Daiwa STEEZ A 100 expands this formidable family with a baitcaster made for high-stakes competition.

HOW MUCH?

$649.99

MORE INFORMATION:

Daiwa.us

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

One of the more subtle, yet immensely impactful elements of Daiwa’s STEEZ A 100 is the Automatic Tournament Drag, which uses an improved drag grease that exhibits a low viscosity at rest and becomes more viscous immediately after drag start-up. This results in a smoother drag from the initial hook up. While the price isn’t for everyone, Daiwa promises a product worth the investment on the front end and peace of mind on the back end. The company backs its product with the Executive STEEZ 5-Year Service Warranty covers manufacturing defects, includes a five-year clean and service plan and promises expedited service (pending parts availability).

Power-Pole MOVE ZR

WHAT SETS IT APART?

A next-gen brushless motor built with an aerospace-grade titanium shaft, engineered with compound fail-safes for a virtually indestructible shaft (with a lifetime warranty). For next-gen performance, the motor is built with Power-Pole’s Power Unity System, meaning every component is custom engineered to optimize all levels of performance for 30% more thrust and efficiency, while maintaining silent operation with MOVE’s Stealth Steering Drive and Techflow propeller. Available in shaft lengths of 45-, 52- and 60-inch versions. Includes Power-Pole’s RealFeel Foot Pedal, wireless foot buttons, wireless info display, wireless hybrid remote, mountable charging cradle and one year of free ProNav Support. 

HOW DO I USE IT?

Using one remote, you get total boat control using Power-Pole’s C-Monster protocol with integration between MOVE, the Power-Pole shallow water anchors and the Power-Pole CHARGE electrical system that optimizes battery usage and control. Torque is significantly noticeable — and silent — when encountering heavy vegetation with the Power Unity System. It is engineered to turn the prop at a lower RPM for less turbulence in the water with a higher pitch prop — without having to increase speed to maneuver through the thick stuff. The included wireless display allows mounting options so you can monitor operating functions. You get advanced GPS navigation modes (Anchor, Vector, Compass Heading), fish finder integration and a built-in transducer option.

HOW MUCH?

$4,999.99 (45-inch)
$5,199.99 (52-inch)
$5,399.99 (60-inch)

MORE INFORMATION: 

Power-Pole.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

Power-Pole shallow water anchor inventor John Oliverio and his team spent a decade designing and testing (add relentless) to build a brushless trolling motor from the ground up. Ten years might seem like overkill for such a project, but their passion for exceeding existing products is no sacrifice on time. Literally every part of the trolling motor is designed to seamlessly work in tandem throughout the motor. The results are in a “next gen” brushless motor and stealth steering that produce more power while remaining silent in operation. Both features maximize fishing time so you can cover more water to maximize fishing time, while avoiding spooking wary fish in shallow water. Think about it this way. How many bass does your approaching trolling motor send swimming away before you even make a cast? Oliverio and his team can say with confidence they designed the first silent trolling motor.