New Equipement Put to the test this Year

[RoyL]

Rods:

Shimano Terez: I was really taken away with the strength and back bone of these rods. More of a bait rod with its soft tip they can easily handle tuna to 300lbs. The colors are a little funky, but they do grow on you.

G Loomis IMX Surf: I took the 1325 11' model which is rated for 3/4-5oz. Like most loomis blanks this rod cast metal and bucktails a country mile. My only issues were I wish the rod was a little faster action and the bulky fore grip. The adjustable reel seat is pretty cool and the new k guides are awesome...everyone thinks there bent. I'm liking this rod a lot as i can both jig and plug with it. This is a two piece which I don't mind, but its price might be hard for some to jump on as I think they retail for $555

REELS:

Shimano Trinidad: I tried out the newer model which is a better and much sharper looking reel then the already great older one. I think like the sw this will be its last change as the reel is perfect.

Shimano Tallica ll: I am in love with this conventional reel. It is small enough to cast and fit in your hand tho this real is a two speed and equivalent to a 50. Talk about using the same reel for anything from sea bass to tuna...I love it

Shimano Bait runner: Now this is a real that has always performed great for me and never thought it needed any change. But what they did with it has brought it to another level. These much smoother slimmed out versions can even be used as a plugging reel if someone chose too.

Plugs:

Big Fish Double shot: What a pencil for where I fish. I took a lot of big fish this year on this one. It cast a mile and even tho it sinks like a rock it effortlessly comes to the top, even in almost slack water.

Left hook sm canal pencil: This little missile can reach places you never thought of. Even on a 1209 with 65lb braid. This pencil was perfect this summer as it was the perfect size with all the tinkers around.

Shimano waxwing: I tried the jr and at 1.5 oz this subsurface swimming jig cast pretty good. The best part was it seemed to really get bit. The negative side of it is that the hook up ratio can be tuff. I replaced the double hooks with a 6/0 vmc siwashi which help a lot. Anything else took away from its action

Allan's new pintail: Even tho it doesn't get as much attention as other rubber baits. This has got to be hands down the best top water rubber i've used. The new pintails are amazing and have some any options of rigging that they find a nitch in every application. Still a must have in my bag

Storm Deep shad: Kick @ss smaller shad. The hook seems to be a bit tight but a old timer told me to bend it of set and now it kicks @ss
Terminal:

Tactical clips: After dropping a pig last year on a breakaway. I vowed never to use another one. So this year I tried the 120lb tacticals which are just a little bigger then the 80lb BA. These clips are great. They can take a 9" shad with ease and will not give out. A big winner for me and hands down the best clip on the market in my book

Power Pro Hollowcore ace: I like this new braid off shore, but am still curious as to if it will perform on the surf. Being hollow I feel like it will twist on a spinning reel after many long cast.

As elite bags and belt: I love the bullet proof materials and big tubes on the bags and the belt keeps its spine after many days on and in the water. The Cobra was a great up grade on the most popular of the bags, and has some great added features like its extra pockets and spool dispencer...I really loved this bag