THE LATEST NEWS
Meet the Cerros
Successful bass fishing is defined by feel, knowing exactly what is happening at the end of the line and delivering educated inputs to the lure to create strikes. With a stunning feature set, 3mm reduction in total width and both right and left hand retrieve, all-new Okuma Cerros delivers incredible comfort and control, operating as an extension of the hand.
In the hand, anglers immediately notice Cerros’ takes a deep seat in the palm. The left side plate is 3mm narrower than any previous Okuma design, bringing the angler’s grip more in line with the rod and offering increased confidence overall. The machined aluminum frame serves as a powerful foundation for the hand while EVA knobs greet the cranking hand with cushioned comfort.
Nine bearings plus Quick-Set anti-reverse bearing set free enhanced casting distance from the machined aluminum spool and ultra-smooth cranking while delivering immediate and authoritative hook sets. Anglers will appreciate a full 24-point magnetic cast control for precise spool braking for all casting weights and wind conditions. And as conditions change, Cerros offers an easy side plate access port for quick spool changes.
Two right hand models include the CR-266V with 6.6:1 gear ratio and CR-273V with 7.3:1 gear ratio. Left hand availability includes the CR-266VLX with 6.6:1 gear ratio. All models deliver 11-pounds of maximum drag output through the multi-disc composite drag system governed by micro-click star adjustment.
See the full Okuma line up here.
FLW Tour Pro Michael Murphy Partners with Greenfish Tackle
“Michael brings a world of knowledge and experience to the table especially when it comes to his Fisheries Biology background,” said Jon Hair of Greenfish Tackle. “He projects himself in a positive way, has great business sense, and has a great track record when it comes to lure designing . We are excited to work with him on signature spinnerbaits, jigs, and custom colors.”
Murphy had this to say, “I have known Jon Hair and Will Hardy the owners for over Ten years. Greenfish makes great products, have a great attention to detail, and I am very excited to work with them on developing custom lures, many of which I have been making out of my garage for years that you just don’t currently see out there on the market.”
Notable: Murphy, in addition to his fishing accomplishments, is known for his lure designs in the fishing industry, and also currently works for Optimum Bait Co, Ima Lures and Reins Fishing.
For more information on Greenfish Tackle: www.greenfishtackle.com
Quantum adds Jacob Powroznik to Legendary Pro Team
With a Bassmaster Rookie of the Year title, nearly $1 Million in career earnings, and a proven ability to win from Toledo Bend to the windy smallmouth waters of Lake Michigan, Jacob Powroznik is positioned to represent any brand of rods and reels he deems worthy of using. The pulling guard of a pro from Virginia recently chose Quantum.
“I go way back with Quantum. Dad and I used the old Quantum 1310MG back in the day. That ol’ baitcaster was a workhorse,” said Powroznik, who worked in the family concrete business before fishing full-time.
Quantum’s come a long way since the 1310MG, and so has “J-Proz’s” career since turning pro a dozen years ago.
“It’s pretty awesome that one of the Top 10 ranked pros in the world has the confidence in our rods, reels and management staff to choose to align himself with us,” said VP of Marketing, Bob Bagby. “The fact is, we’ve made very few changes to our pro team since the 1310MG’s heyday, so Jacob joins rare and legendary company when you consider guys like VanDam, Klein, Grigsby and Biffle have been with us their entire careers.”
Far more than marketing fluff, Powroznik has spent tons of time familiarizing himself with Quantum’s latest and greatest products in recent weeks as he prepares for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
“The new Smoke Speed Freak has a super fast 8.1:1 to gear ratio that picks up a ton of line when you set the hook on Hartwell’s big spotted bass in deep water, and I love the magnesium TMG100 for jerkbaits in cold water because it’s so lightweight. When you’re wearing a lot of clothes and holding the rod still for a long time between jerks and pauses of that jerkbait, trust me, you learn to appreciate a reel that only weighs 5.4 ounces and casts like a bullet,” concluded the likeable Powroznik.
FLW College Fishing is Headed to Lake Texoma
New Stunner Series casting rods – Fitzgerald Rods
As we approach the Bassmaster Classic, we start to hear small pieces of information about the new products that companies will be releasing at the Classic Expo, and next to ICAST, this is the biggest new product showcase of the year. New rods, new baits, new reels – all in time for anglers to use in their 2015 season, unveiled at the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing”, and the best part is: its open to the public.
One of the first products we’ve heard about is the new Stunner HD Series casting rods from Fitzgerald Rods. We caught up with Trevor Fitzgerald, the company owner, rod design, and Bassmaster Opens Pro, to get some insight on the design of this new model.
“Our other series, the original series has micro guides, and we have a ton of guys that love those rods because of the guides we use, but we had some request for a non-micro guided rod as well, and that was the concept behind the Stunner Series.” In fact, there’s nothing ordinary about the Stunner’s guides, as Fitzgerald Rods paired the blank with the Microwave guide system from American Tackle Company.
Additionally, the Stunner series will offer actions and lengths that differ from the original line, and will offer anglers some versatile options in rod choice for smaller water and finesse applications. “This will be an all casting series”, says Fitzgerald, “we aren’t offering any flipping sticks in the Stunner series: a 6’8” Medium Heavy, a 7’0” Medium Heavy, a 7’0” Heavy, a 7’3” Medium Heavy and Heavy, and a 7’6” Medium Heavy. We’ve had, again, our customers requesting a shorter 6’8” and more medium heavy actions, instead of the heavy actions that we are known for.”
With blanks made exclusively for Fitzgerald Rods, the Stunner series will offer a high quality rod that the Fitzgerald name is known for, but at a price point of $169 to $179 dollars, making that quality available in specific options at a lower price.
Heavy testing goes into every one of the Fitzgerald designs, and each model was fished and evaluated by Bassmaster Open Champions Rich Howes and Trevor Fitzgerald – not a bad pedigree for rod design input.
The Stunner Series will make its debut at the 2015 Bassmaster Classic Expo, and BassEast.com will be there to provide a “first look” next week. Check out the Fitzgeald Rods lineup ay www.fitzgeraldrods.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.