Gear recommendations, reviews, insights and news (mostly new) from contributors & friends of Fishing-Headquarters. Independent reviews offering a look at the best products from March and April, 2014. Does your company or brand have products for us to use and talk about? Send us your inquiries.
Trigger Happy Comfort Grips
By Tyler Uteg
Near the end of last season, I began experiencing some tendonitis in my wrist, along with some pain in my pinky from the plastic trigger grip on all my rods. I tried a variety of things for my wrist, but wasn’t able to figure out a way to help my fingers. I tried taping them, taping the grip, etc., but nothing worked to solve the problem. Recently, I discovered a product that should put this problem to rest. It’s called a Trigger Happy Comfort Grip, and it’s designed to fit snugly over the trigger grip on your rod handle. I could immediately tell a huge difference when I put it on my jig rod, as my fingers now rest on the soft and pliable new grip. These grips are designed to fit over most triggers, and should help keep you on the water all day. If you find that it makes the trigger too thick for you, there’s also a thinner model that was recently released. Additionally, the company is rolling out a similar product for spinning reels.
$6.99 triggerhappycomfortgrips.com
Reflexion Swimbaits
By Tyler Uteg
Swimbaits are quickly becoming more popular among anglers outside of the Western states. With the wide array of choices available, it can be hard to determine which ones work best for your needs. Recently, I’ve become a big fan of company out of Alabama called Reflexion Soft Plastics. The owner hand pours all the baits, and manually places the eyes on these 5” boot-tailed beauties. As of right now, the line-up includes some really great colors for all anglers, ranging from the sunfish mimicking Tate’s Sunfish, to the Bleeding Bass Chartreuse colorway. One of the best things about these baits, aside from their stellar rolling wiggle, is they come in both weedless, as well as line-through models to fit the conditions. They’re also equally effective in both fresh and salt water. If you’re just getting into the swimbait game, and want to try a soft plastic bait that is almost guaranteed to get you on some nice fish.
$10.95 reflexionsoftplastics.com
Freedom Tackle Corp. Spinnerbaits
By Andrew Ragas
With a year under their belt, Freedom Tackle expands on their already unique line of hybrid jigs by introducing their spinner bait, new for 2014 (and now available). Based on its Stealth jig, the spinner bait arm of 300lb through-wire construction follows into its interchangeable free motion hook design. The free motion black nickel hook with trailer keeper, allows for a weedless spinner bait presentation and gives the fish little leverage, which means less thrown hooks.
$9.99 freedomlures.com
Bigtooth Tackle KLACK
By Andrew Ragas
It’s all about the sound! A lure that produces a unique “KLACK” and squeal that those giant muskies can’t resist! The Bigtooth Tackle KLACK shreds the water and triggers muskies to bite and the hooking percentage is un-matched! Fish fast, hard, and cover more water then the next angler with this ultimate search tool. The “KLACK” is made with heavy-duty components and is prepared to be the front gunner in any battle.
$13.99 – $19.99 bigtoothtackle.com
The Chad Shad
By Cory Allen
Custom made by Chad Harmon, an avid Buckeye musky hound, these little flat sided shad profiles immediately caught my eye and then my attention when they hit the water. A very tight wobble, but not too hard, lets it scurry through the water column at speeds in excess of 8 mph, but the angle of the lip makes for a relatively steep dive curve, easily attaining flat line depths of 18 ft + in short order.
Streamside Predator Ice Rods
By The Bassassins
This was our first year using the Streamside Predator ice rods and we were very satisfied with the performance. All three sizes offer a really strong backbone but have a sensitive enough tip to feel the smallest taps. This made it simple to switch between rods when targeting panfish, walleye and pike or laker trout with confidence and ease. Our favorite part of their design was definitely the hard, nonslip cork handles; we found them longer and thinner than other rods we have used which adds huge benefit for us anglers that spend almost all their time on the ice without heat and a shelter. When the days call for the bigger winter gloves the thinner and longer handles are a breeze, eliminating the obstacle that can cost you a fish.
$26 – $30 cgemery.com
DeckMaster Rod Holders
By Andrew Ragas
Made in USA, The Deck Master fishing pole holder is a newly patented product requiring no tools, mounting accessories or multiple adjustments before fishing. Just push and turn the self-adjusting spring loaded locking device 90 degrees and the rod holder can secure to most docks and piers, outdoor decks, and ground substrates leading to comfortable shoreline fishing and lounging.
$24.99 fishfromdeck.com
Tight Rope Baby Firework Jigs
By Tyler Uteg
Early in the season, I prefer fishing smaller jigs with smaller trailers, especially up shallow in wood and stained water. Recently, I’ve discovered some new hand-tied jigs coming out of Chicago. They’re called Baby Fireworks, and are made by Tight Rope Fishing. The tiny jigs are hand-tied on ball-head jigs with a wire weedguard. While I really like them for largemouth, some of the guys from CAST Crew in Chicago have been absolutely crushing Smallmouth with them late this year.
$3.99 tightropefishing.com
