| Shimano
Shimano won Best New Freshwater Reel award for the new Calais 200 DC. Casting is digitally-controlled by a waterproof circuit board inside the reel. The initial moment of each cast generates the power needed to charge the circuit board for the rest of cast, and from there, the pre-programmed digital control helps manage and control spool revolution for longer, better casts. The system lets the spool accelerate to reach maximum RPM's before the smart system engages the brake. It can apply the ideal level of braking at intervals of up to 1/1000th of a second, almost instantly adjusting the amount of braking required. "In developing the Calais DC, we analyzed the casting mechanics for various conditions to come up with four different braking profiles, with 8 settings in each, or 32 different brake settings in all," says Jeremy Sweet. He's the Product Manger for Shimano reels. Sounds complex, but trust me, the braking system is just too easy to use. It will take about 2 seconds to learn how to use it. The four different braking profiles are:
It's just too easy. Simply dial to L, A or W, click the sideplate shut, and then you have a dial on the outside of the spool, to click to any one of eight finer degrees of the same setting. Suggested retail price: $649 Oh yes, tell me if this next trick isn't slick. A unique feature in Wind "W" mode is when you see a fish jump or want to hit a spot downwind, just set the outside dial (there are settings numbered 1 to 8) to "1". This puts the reel into Long Distance ("L") mode without having to click open the sideplate. So you can instantly fire a cast downwind in Long Distance mode!
Like many other rod manufacturers seem to be doing for 2007, Shimano filled in just a few tactics rods that may have been missing or that became hot tactics used by top pros so far this season. Shimano expanded its top-of-the-line Crucial Bass Rod series with four new spinning rods as follows:
"Totally waterproof and will never leak," is what designer Ted Sakei had to say about his new Shimano Bristol Bay Dry Bag. "The big, roomy inside pocket is not stitched, there are no holes. The inside is a durable heat-pressed soft pocket." There is also an extremely tough outer layer to the bag, which is stitched, but has a grommet with a drain hole on bottom to drain out in between the outside bag and the inner stitchless pocket which is totally waterproof. In between the inner and outer layers are 3" thick styrofoam in the bottom, sides ands top for flotation. The top flap seals the inner pocket, making it completely waterproof. So if it goes overboard, it will float with up to 40 pounds of gear inside, and if the flap was closed properly, everything inside will remain dry, even when the bag gets submersed temporarily, or rained on, or splashed in sloppy water conditions. This makes it ideal for kayak fishing, canoe portage trips especially. There's no sticker shock here either. It's affordable. The three Bristol Bay Dry Bag sizes run $39, $49 and $59 respectively from small to large size. Great bag, Ted! Oh yes, the thick insulation lets you use the Bristol Bay Dry Bag as a cooler if you wish, for keeping beverages and food on ice inside the waterproof inner pocket. But that's not all. Over the top, there is an optional route to insert a pump hose, and an outside pocket to hold a battery-operated aerator. So it can be used as a livewell (say in a kayak or small boat fishing competition), or as a live baitwell or - the ultimate aerated weigh-in bag! What a great bag.
Ted Sakei also won the Best New Clothing award at ICAST for Shimano's Evair fishing boots. "I designed these boots to be a big hit for the bass guys who stand on their trolling motor all day. Big thing is you always have to hold your toe up to control the foot pedestal, so most important was to make the Evair boots extremely light weight, especially in the front. The boots weigh less than 10 ounces (size 8). They're 100% waterproof, won't slip. Molded as one piece. No stitches. No way for water to get in. They clean easily with soapy water, inside and out, and dry fast. There's a long-lasting, removable inner foot pad made of the same material. On the bottom inside, underneath the removable pad, Ted made a deep air channel system underneath the insole to prevent overheating. Boots usually get hot, that's normal. The deep air channels helps to reduce overheating and sweaty feet on hot days, and also creates an insulating air layer that helps keeps feet warm in cool spring and chilly autumn weather when you don't want wet feet.
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