Another new year brings about another year’s worth of innovations that are worthy of your attention. Every year, anglers are privy to a variety of new technologies and products that are sure to increase the chances of catching a stringer full of slabs.
This year’s new innovations are highlighted by a fishing rod made of carrots, a new portable livewell bag, a high-technology fish finder that works off of a dock and soft-plastic baits that will have you replacing your minnow bucket with an imitation minnow bucket.
Interested now? We thought so.

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New Rods & Reels

No, it’s not a fishing rod for Bugs Bunny. It’s the Carrot Stix, and it’s one of the hottest new products in the fishing industry.
Four pounds of carrots are used in the construction of each e21 Carrot Stix fishing rod. The carrots are melted down so that the cellulose bio-fibers can be extracted on a nanotechnology level. Then the fibers create a Herculean epoxy matrix that results in an ultra-lightweight, high-modulus graphite rod.
For those anglers who use the standard hook keeper on their current rods, the Carrot Stix has a sleek hook keeper that is non-obtrusive. Both casting and spinning models are available.

What’s the perfect baitcaster to put on that Carrot Stix? Try the Ardent XS1000 reel.
The XS1000 carries an industry-best 3-year warranty and is a redesigned, upgraded and enhanced model of the XS baitcaster that debuted in 2005. The reel is a lightweight, low-profile model that is focused on ergonomic styling and being backlash resistant, even in the wind. Ten stainless-steel ball bearings, a 6.3-to-1 gear ratio, an easily adjusted Strike Saver Drag System and six-pin centrifugal brake system combine to make the XS1000 one impressive American-made reel.

If you are in the market for a spinning reel, there may be no better than the

Shimano Stradic FI. Shimano’s development team spent nearly three years coming up with spinning innovations after speaking with anglers, guides and tackle dealers about the typical problems found with spinning reels. The result is several new technologies packed into one reel.
One of the most common problems found were the backlashes and wind knots that anglers just come to expect with spinning reels. Shimano has made an effort to lessen those problems with a five-component technology that is collectively named the Propulsion Line Management System.
The Stradic FI reels include a spool lip designed to prevent backlashes and wind knots from forming, as well as a spool in which line comes off in smaller loops for less line slap on the stripper guide. This means longer casting distances with fewer headaches.
Overall, the Stradic FI is a cure-all reel for those fed up with their current spinning reel.
“We identified key critical targets — gear durability, line management and casting performance — that needed improvement in current spinning reels to take them to the next level,” said Jeremy Sweet, reel product manager for Shimano. “The results from all these efforts change the way spinning reels function and enhance the overall fishing experience.”

New Baits & Lures

When Berkley Gulp! hit shelves for the first time, anglers took notice. Expect to make a double-take the next time you’re shopping soft plastics, as Berkley has introduced the new Gulp! Alive! that is 20 times more potent than the original Gulp!
“I made the switch from live bait to the original Berkley Gulp! when it came out because it outfishes live bait,” said Al Lindner, professional angler and television personality. “Now, the new Berkley Gulp! Alive! is even stronger, 20 percent more potent. It keeps baits suspended in Gulp! juice inside these convenient buckets that preserve the scent and shape.”

The new line includes 3-inch and 4-inch minnows that come in their own minnow buckets. The liquid in the bucket is the fish-attracting Gulp! juice, which means you can re-energize your bait by simply placing it back in the juice for a few seconds. The baits can also return to the juice to stay pliable, giving Gulp! Alive! a huge advantage over live bait.

Several different baits are available in a variety of colors for 2008, including a 2-inch minnow grub, 3-inch minnow grub, 3-inch leech and 5-inch leech.
Crappie anglers have been using Worden’s Original Rooster Tail from Yakima Bait Company forever. Twelve new colors are now available, with six new “tinsel” colors and six new “strobe” colors. The colors provide a classic presentation a new look, while still being offered in 1⁄24- to 1-ounce sizes. Rooster Tail Lites and Super Rooster Tails are also available in the 12 new colors.
The new colors include tinsel green, tinsel white, tinsel yellow, tinsel black, tinsel brown, tinsel fire tiger, strobe black, strobe chartreuse, strobe gold, strobe rainbow, strobe salmon fly and strobe white.

New Accessories

Now that you know the rods, reels and baits to look out for in 2008, it’s time to look at the other fishing equipment that will make catching huge slabs easy.
Stren has a new Microfuse Glacier Blue Fluorescent line that incorporates a ton of technology all in one offering. Hundreds of braided Dyneema P.E. microfibers are fused to create a superline with great strength, minimal stretch and the utmost sensitivity.
The superline is a great match for finesse presentations where the line needs to appear invisible. Should you be a night angler, Microfuse Glacier Blue emits a blue neon glow under a black light.
Microfuse Glacier Blue Fluorescent line is available in 125-, 300- and 1,100-yard spools, with 10 different pound-test options.

It’s always important to have a fishing buddy. The Fishin’ Buddy you can purchase from Humminbird might just become your best friend. The new

100 Series Fishin’ Buddy Fishfinders are units that feature a high-resolution monochrome or color screen, 9-degree SideFinding transducer, 20-degree down-looking transducer and ergonomic clamp that fits most docks and small- to medium-sized boats.
Anglers can power up the Fishin’ Buddy with the use of six AA batteries. A 24-inch tube houses the transducer and is long enough to reach the water from most small to mid-sized boats. Some select models will feature a 40-inch tube for even more reach, while the selective Fish ID+ shows fish in the down-looking beam as solid symbols. The side beam gives its readings in a separate window.
The best thing about getting your own Fishin’ Buddy is the affordability. The models range in price from $99 to $250, depending on the model you choose.

With all the great new baits and lines introduced for 2008, it’s critical to have a home for all your gear. Two new options are the Plano 8616 Magnum Hip Roof Tray Box and the Shimano Bristol Bay Portable Live-well Bag.
The tackle-system engineers at Plano have created a green and sandstone masterpiece that has 20 percent more bulk storage space than the preceding 8600 box. Adjustable dividers create between 36 and 44 compartments for numerous options, while other elegant touches, such as cupholders, adorn the top of the box.
With its newest introduction, Shimano addresses a need in the booming kayak-fishing audience. The new Bristol Bay Portable Live-well bag fits almost every fishing kayak. When rigged correctly, it functions as a 6.25-gallon livewell. The livewell kit, used in conjunction with the bag, features a 360-gallons-an-hour bilge pump, sprayhead aerator, overflow drain and drain plug, hose, on/off switch, clamps and gaskets. The bag was also designed with drainage holes.
Not only does the bag function as a livewell, but it also has plenty of other advantages. Four integrated rod holders keep poles organized in the tight confines of the kayak. The bag is constructed with water-resistant tarpaulin material.

You might also want to upgrade your boat in 2008. Lowrance has a new line of GPS units with an impressive 8.4-inch high-color screen. The LCX-38C HD might be the crème de la crème of the bunch, with a 30-gigabyte hard drive that is preloaded with a treasure chest full of maps and charts for both coastal and inland uses. More than 3,000 inland U.S. lakes complete with depth contours are part of the preloaded bonus.
The unit also features a SolarMax screen-enhancement technology that maximizes the viewing capability at wide angles and in the brightest sunlight. The mammoth screen is 16-bit color TFT with a high-detail 600V-by-800H-pixel Super VGA resolution.

Finally, before you head out for the lake or pond this year, don’t forget eyewear that can save your eyes from the glare of the water while giving you the opportunity for prime sight-fishing. Cocoons are ideal for anyone who wears prescription glasses. The full-wrap frames are made of virtually unbreakable lightweight nylon and include polycarbonate side shields for 360 degrees of protection.
Cocoons’ Polar lens options now include polarized copper, which is a unique tint that allows the wearer to more easily gauge distance and recognize underwater structure in varying light conditions. Copper provides a truer color definition than amber, so it is popular for activities in which the eyes need to remain relaxed, focused and protected from eyestrain for extended periods of time.
Available in six sizes with amber, gray, copper or yellow lenses, there is a pair of Cocoons to fit over any prescription frame.
All in all, 2008 is shaping up to be as good a year as any to upgrade your fishing equipment. New technologies are always coming to the forefront to put more monster crappie on the end of your line.



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