2011/2012 Gear
 

Just curious what new gear you guys tried out in 2011 and how it stacked up. Also, what are you looking forward to trying in 2012.

2011 reviews:

Commando Bags – Very happy with these. I have two four tube bags and couldn’t be happier with them. Tough, light and have a lot of space to cram in extra stuff around the tubes. Large grommets so they drain quick and the material gains almost no water weight when soaked. I was happy with my VS bags, despite how easily the tubes break, and hesitant to take the plunge on these, but won’t go back now.

Guide’s Choice Old School Swimmer – Pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s basically a modern take of the smaller rebel super wind cheater. Casts and swims well for the style of plug, and carries 2/0 hooks which is a big plus in my mind over the 1/0 on most comparable swimmers. Not good enough to replace the bomber a-salt as my favorite, but pretty good. And it comes in the basic colors (black, yellow, white) unlike some of the fancy swimmers by daiwa and others. Just wish they would make one similar to the larger wind cheater. Also wish they’d get rid of the fin, but that’s just because I think it looks cheesy.

2012:

Got a new 1201m with low riders to try out. A new waterproof camera, the Nikon AW100, to replace my old pentax which is pretty out of date now. Also thinking about either a stella or saltiga, but leaning towards the stella as the new saltiga is $$$$$$ and I don’t know how I feel about the magnetic oil thing. Also going to give the TA clips a try after having some issues with the breakaways last year.

My only planned purchased this year was going to be a Saragosa 10000 but that's on hold until my job situation is rectified.

Threw out my stinky waders :uhuh:

I picked up a factory custom 1327 Century to match the 1328 MikeCC wrapped for me. Pairing it with a Saragosa 10K ,should be a great plugging stick. Other than that no new gear for me this year.

I think I'm going to tool up, educate and tech up, to do some video this coming season.

Need new wading boots. I want rubber soles so I can wear them in RI (unbelievable). Also want them to be as light as possible and have the ability to be studded w/Wearbars.

I own the Cabelas Ultralight, which are felt soled and seem to come apart rather easily. Considering a Simms product or perhaps something from Beans.

Thoughts/suggestions appreciated if you've been down this road.

2011 Mojo 10-6 the heavy one I like this rod a lot, throws everything I want and lots of backbone.
2012 I bought 2 new gold spools for my 704s

love it ,, prediction ---->may be "The Canal Rod "
Plugs ,, Left Hook Pilgrim , Diawa SP Minnow, slayed fish...
Hobie ,, just can't imagine life with out you now ..
Braid cutter ,,, That little orange thing at M&D's for .99 cents

In 2011 I bought and tried the following items:

Cabelas ultra light boots with the wearbars, love em, held up great, tons of grip and a comfy boot.

St. Croix mojo 11 ft rod rated 3 to 8, used it for two weeks while my custom was being repaired, it's a good rod for the money, throws big rigged eels with ease and lots of backbone.

Henderson aqua loc wetsuit, hands down the best wetsuit I've ever owned, comfortable, keeps you warm, easy in and out, amazing all around.

Commando custom 3 tube, best investment I've made in a long time. Bullet proof bag, no tears, no bs, lots of room in the front pouch for rigged eels and soft plastics, also got the leader wallet and custom strap.

precision pak pluto dry top, scored on it ebay for half the list price, comfortable, and does what its supposed to, the tape they use on the inside seams are junk, most of it is falling off and the hood is so bulky if you roll it up into the collar. I dont need a dry top a lot as I spend most my time in the wetsuit, buts its nice to have for colder wet days or when Im beach fishing in waders.

I'm very happy with my 2011 purchases, I do a lot of research before I buy anything and spend the extra money to try and get the best products available instead of buying a lesser product and having to replace it down the road.

In 2012 my purchases are or will be:

ZeeBaas 27, custom red and silver with some options, already purchased

New neck spotlight, getting the UK one my buddy has, 110 lumens.

10ft century that were building at salthearts, hopefully will be my go to plug/bucktail rod

11ft custom, need to replace my snapped lami, not sure
What I'm going with yet, looking at the gsb or century sling shot.

Cabelas pro boots, the nicer and lighter version on the ultra lights.

A few plugs to round out the arsenal.
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I just bought 100 eel hooks, and 100 bait hooks.
need a few spools of leader material and some swivels.

2012. Done

I had to have the matching set Ed...and it's not my fault if you buy one too.

Very pleased with the MAK 4-Tube Bag and Wader Belt along with the Diawa SP Minnow in 2011

Looking forward to fishing a PENN Torque 5 Bail-less in 2012

Which one Chris? I do need a new light or two..forgot that on my list. Red LED light? Or which light do people recommend for surf use? I have one I use for canal but need a few for nights in the surf.

So far very happy with a late season additiona of ultralights + wearbars. I used it up in Pulaski and was very immpressed. We'll see how they hold up over time, I dont really fish in RI so no worries with the felt so far.

Also will be looking to get a pair of new all around eel / bait rod rods for my boat. Suggestions welcome, not opposed to having some blanks built custom or "semi customs" off the self at CMS.

Lastly I may, if I get a decent bonus (or one at all) look at a high end reel for the canal...otherswise its the spheros 8000 again.

I bought a pair of simms felt soles and after 1 season they looked like they went under the lawnmower a few times. I tossed them a few weeks ago. I need a new pair but won't buy Simms again.

A lot of Braid. That's it!

is that the 1-4 ? no ,,,that would be Greg W's fault .. I want that one too .

In 2011 i realized I cant have enough lead. Cost adds up after a while of replenishing. Specially during Tog season. So for Xmas my dad got a huge box of sinkers, egg sinkers for eeling, spro's, fluke rigs, tog rigs, 7/0 owners. Just saves me a ton of money throughout the season.

For 2012 i'll be teaming a calcutta 700 with a pro blue for eeling and chunking from the boat. Had a couple instances last year where I had a little more trouble than I wanted to, getting good size fish to the boat with my current set up. Felt I needed a bigger gun this year.

No the 2-5 1327 , you and I have the 3-7 1328. I thought you picked up the 1328 after throwing mine that day.

2011 Was an expensive year for me. In the past I have been a one rod kind of guy and I wound up by breaking things down by purpose.

To kick off the year I had Nick at breakaway build me a concept spinning rod to pair with my VS250. It is a great Jigging set up for the ditch casts a mile and handles all the lead i can throw at it.

I also added an empro 6500 to pair with my XSRA1322 another long casting dream set up. incredible pencil rod.

I then decided to pick up a ZX22 for my 9 ft arra that I could use for some beach fishing and wound up by putting it on a 1 piece super surf I bought at M and D's 10 fter couldn't beat the price.

I also added a pair of boot foots for the sand

2012 I will add a conventional stick to the mix for drifting eels at the ditch. That should be all unless I buy a ZX25 which is probably not in the cards right now.

I didn't purchase much surfcasting stuff this year. But I can give a review of a couple items anyway.

One great purchase was the UK Vizion eLED headlamp, via Amazon. Recommended to me by a couple surfcasters who are big into wetsuiting and particularly hard on their gear. It's pretty much bombproof, stays on my head well, and easy to use. Easy to switch between red and white light. Plus the battery life is amazing. Highly recommended.

My main saltwater purchase was a G Loomis Pro Blue 844S. SWE as usual came through when I was searching for one. I've paired it with an Avet MXL, and it's been a killer combo for Cod, Stripers, and whiting (lol). I look forward to dead-drifting macks with it this spring, and also getting a YFT on it when I do another canyon trip. I quickly got a ~200 lb mako boatside on an 844S paired with a VS250 this summer, so I have no trepidations that it can handle YFT up to 50 lb.

Flyfishing made a heavy resurgence into my fishing interests this past summer, so a number of my purchases were based around that. One phenomenal buy was the TFO BVK in 8'6" 5 wt. It's a fast rod, so I can punch it the line out through some serious wind, but also can make some delicate presentations if the fish are a little fussy. Plus the TFO customer service and warranty are top notch. Highly recommended to the intermediate/advanced caster.

I'll edit this if I think of anything else.

The headlamp I use has a red LED is a Petzel, with a rechargeable battery pack its just $50.

Century is going to be the Stella of 2012, they have a few rods to choose from now, but I'm going with the 1-5 10ft stealth for eels and 2-3 oz plugs

I see ZeeBaaS having a good year, more guys heading into rockpiles where they might get wet and the company has done a good job of marketing the move back to the US.

I need a wet suit, hope to get one for around $200

2011

Had a new 1201M built and was very happy with the rod paired up with a VS 250. I don’t think I will be looking for another 10’ rod for awhile as this one can do just about everything I need for my style of fishing.

Also picked up a 60# boga – I don’t love it for handling fish I actually think the plastic lip grippers are better for dealing with bluefish or schoolies with a mouth full of trebles but it is nice being able to get a weight on a fish you plan to release.

Sargent Sportsman’s Pliers – was happy to have these when I got a treble though my index finger with a bass still attached to the plug. The braid/mono cutter is also nice and lasted the whole season but needs to be replaced for this upcoming year. They aren’t the best for dealing with deep hooks though; the jaws are a little too wide…

NRS 3MM Farmer John with 2MM jacket – definitely the best wetsuit combination I have tried yet. Front zippers made it easy to get in and out of... Very comfortable for long casting sessions with only 2MM on the arms... Plenty warm May though mid Oct but not hot on those long walks (just took jacket off or unziped it)...

2012

Having a new 1321M built for throwing big plugs and riggies.

Bought a commando 3 tube bag at the end of last year which I haven’t had a chance to get wet yet…

Trying not to spend too much money on fishing this year so that may be it for big purchases…

2011 purchases, Empro 5500 and a nice Allstar spinning rod from Mike P. We'll see how I do with this newfangled spinning gear in 2012.

Ordered a vapor trail 11ft 3to6 from lou last week. Gonna pair it with a 275, give it a shot and see how I like it. Have a four tube custom being made by commando right now. Got a bunch of pilgrims from left hook and just ordered a box of 7/0 hooks and 1700 yards of 80 pound mono. Im good for the year now.

I agree with Chef here I ordered the 4 tube bag, hands down best bag I ever bough and only bag am gonna buy.

I also bought a silver Vs275 which i love, and paired it with a 10'6 mojo very happy with this combo.

For 2012 I wanna get a bigger fishing rod. Not sure what though. Something in the 11-12ft range

I really like my Bean's(Gray Ghost). Very light weight and alot easier to swim with than the previous pair I had. They are also very sturdy and stood up to 5 nights a week this whole season. Not bad for a $99 pair of boots.

They are light. I was holding a pair a few days ago. How's the drainage on those boots? My Cabelas are mesh and drain quickly. Actually, now my Cabelas are ripped and drain really fast. What did you stud the Ghosts with? Thanks in advance for the help

I really don't recall exactly how fast they drain. However , it can't be that slow or I would remember. The ghosts come in studded and um studded versions. I ordered the studded.
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Paul,last year at the RI show on sunday the last day in the afternoon we bought PP braid 1500yd spools for $80.Told us he didn't want to go home with it so a friend and myself bought a bunch of bulk spools.He'll be there this year.