Rod & Reel Reviews

All-Pro Rods: The Tennessee Handle

Where Tradition transects Technology-A rod’s balance can have as much of an impact on sensitivity as the components and materials used in the construction. I have always struggled to find balance and ultimate sensitivity in my spinning outfits. The Tennessee offers the flexibility of dialing in that balance unlike any fixed reel seat.

Though it may appear unorthodox, take a little effort to achieve proper balance and require positioning several times to find that “sweet spot”, the result is increased sensitivity and reduced fatigue. This technique is not revolutionary, it is not a technological breakthrough and All-Pro Rods is not the only company to offer a Tennessee handle.

APR does, however, have a great selection of both graphite and cork models and, when combined with the sensitivity of APR’s rod designs, it offers the best application of the Tennessee handle available. If you are looking to truly dial in your spinning rod presentations, give the funny looking handle, some reel tape and a little experimentation a try to truly Feel What You’ve Been Missing. www.allprorods.com.

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MAXEL OCEANMAX REELS

EXCLUSIVELY FROM BIMINI BAY OUTFITTERS, LTD.

MAXEL OCEANMAX reels feature a strong, rigid construction incorporating a one-piece fully machined aluminum frame. These monolithic bar-stock frames not only keep the moving parts in precise alignment, but also maintain exacting control tolerances under heavy loading while fighting a fish. The super strong, cold forged aluminum spool and side plates stand up to line pressure and hard fighting stresses. Use of the latest anodizing technology delivers a durable and corrosion resistant finish. Aircraft grade aluminum material and strict anodizing processes insure superior color consistency. All aluminum components are carefully polished and anodized for maximum corrosion resistance and long lasting color.

Each MAXEL OCEANMAX reel is constructed around a high modulus, heat-treated, heavy-duty stainless steel gear set for superior strength, smoothness and long life. Peak quality shielded stainless steel ball bearings assure corrosion resistance and smooth operation on line release and recovery. With six oversized stainless steel ball bearings, two stainless steel anti-reverse bearings and paired docking gears, the core mechanism of the OCEANMAX offers the latest technology and precision engineering.

The USA-made Carbon Drag system in each OCEANMAX reel delivers wide range and smooth operation at all settings. The newly designed pre-set and lever control mechanism provide precise and constant drag settings and ranges based on the most popular line tests used.
biminibayoutfitters.com

Maxel-Reels

MHX Saltwater Series

The latest and most advanced offering to date in the MHX rod blank line is the MHX Saltwater Series. Holding true to MHX core ideals, each blank is designed with specific species and applications in mind. With 19 offerings in length’s from 6’0” to 9’0” and class ranges from 10-30 through 40-100 lbs., there is an option for virtually every pelagic species. These blanks also feature new-hardened resin, feature a full length Carbon Fabric layer and are constructed using the MHX exclusive HPR (High Pressure Rolling) system, providing superior durability and extraordinary power. The MHX Saltwater blanks offer more strength while forgoing the large blank diameters and heavy blank weights typically found with rods of this style—in other words MHX has built a blank with a lot of “oomph” in a smaller, lighter package. As with any MHX blank each is provided with a an individualized serial number and offered to the market at a price point that will help take the bite out of your next offshore trip. Any serious offshore angler, when considering their next rod whether its trolling, bottom, or live bait, should give serious consideration to the MHX saltwater line.

MHX-Saltwater-Rod

www.fishmhx.com

New Andros Single Speed Reels

The Okuma Andros two-speed reels were the first designed and constructed from the ground up specifically for 50-pound braided line in big game applications. Their advanced construction continues to grow fans in awe of the power available from such a small platform. New Andros single speed reels make Andros technology more accessible to anglers, and with the addition of a roller bearing for instant anti-reverse; the reel becomes a pure jigging performer. Available in two sizes, the size 5 holds over 400-yards of 50-pound braided line while the narrow version, Andros A-5NS, holds 300-yards of 50-pound braid. Including the Okuma 3-Year Limited Warranty, Andros single speed reels are available at an MSRP of $289.99 and feature: Andros-Single-5Narrow

  • High Speed 6.4:1 ratio
  • 6-pcs ABEC-5 rated Japanese ball bearings
  • Dual anti-reverse system (Mechanical and roller bearing)
  • Ratchet drag lever for precise drag settings
  • Ergo grip handle knob with anodized aluminum handle arm
  • One screw right sideplate take down for easy internal access
  • 17-4 grade stainless steel helical cut gearing
  • Maximum drag at Full with complete freespool is 24lbs
  • Maximum drag at strike with complete freespool is 15lbs
  • Carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease
  • Integrated recessed reel foot design for low profile rod fit

Orvis CFO Fly Fishing Reel

The CFO fly fishing reel has been the choice of technical fly fisherman since 1971. Reengineered to be lighter, smoother, and tougher. Although this fly fishing reel is machined using the most modern of materials and state-of-the-art machining technology, the CFO disc drag fly reel is a reverent nod to fly fishing tradition. The reel’s signature look and sound are synonymous for thousands of fly fisherman with great moments on the water. It matches as perfectly in spirit, looks and performance with Orvis Superfine or bamboo fly rods as it does with our high-tech Helios fly rods.

NEWCFOFounded by Charles F. Orvis in Manchester, VT in 1856, Orvis is America’s oldest mail order outfitter and longest continually-operating fly fishing business. Privately owned by the Perkins family since 1965, today Orvis is an international, multi-channel retailer with more than $340 million in sales (2012) and approximately 1,700 employees. In addition to being the world leader in fly fishing, Orvis is the purveyor of the distinctive country lifestyle, offering a wide assortment of men’s and women’s sportswear, fine gifts and home furnishings, luggage and travel accessories, dog beds and other pet items, as well as fine shotguns, gear and technical apparel for wingshooting and sporting clays.
orvis.com

PENN® CONFLICT® SPINNING REEL

Lightweight, Smooth, Sleek, and Powerful
Designed for the technical inshore angler who is looking for top-line performance, PENN’s new Conflict Spinning Reel delivers a light weight and smooth casting reel capable of big drag pressure. With a stealthy, low key cosmetic of black on black and smoky gray markings, Conflict may look quiet, but one cast and it echos the best of PENN craftsmanship and engineering.

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The new Conflict features a Full Metal Body. The 1000-4000 models use a high strength graphite rotor, while the 5000-8000 versions use an aluminum rotor. All rotor designs are Techno-Balanced for smooth and balanced retrieve every time. The internal makings of each Conflict reel include 7+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings and an Infinite Anti Reverse bearing.

HT-100™ Versa-Drag™ carbon fiber drag washers allow for multiple drag settings for various fishing conditions. Both sides of each drag washer are utilized in this design, giving the reel higher maximum drags. PENN proprietary grease is applied to the washers for ensured longevity.

The heavy-duty aluminum bail wire resists dents, nicks, and bends that happen when fishing for saltwater gamefish. The Braid Ready Superline Spool™ is built with Line Capacity Rings, giving the angler instant awareness of line amounts remaining on the spool while fighting a fish.

pennfishing.com

PENN® SQUALL® LEVER DRAG 2-SPEED

Big Game Fishing Just Got a Lot Lighter

Just five minutes ago an 80-pound yellowfin was trying to pull the boat to another ocean. Now the stubborn tuna has decided to charge the boat, anxious to let the Captain know who’s boss. The new PENN® Squall® Lever Drag 2-Speed conventional reel is designed for just such a situation.

squall_ld_2speedBesides the Quick-Shift™ 2-speed system, the Squall Lever Drag offers great fish fighting features. The lightweight graphite frame and sideplates house tough, machined stainless steel main and pinion gears that are drilled out for weight reduction. Four shielded stainless steel ball bearings deliver smooth cranking power and the Dura Drag system eliminates hesitation and surging under extreme drag settings.

The spool is made from forged and machined aluminum with the added touch of Line Capacity Rings to keep the angler in the know at a glance on how much line remains on the spool. The double dog ratchet anti reverse eliminates back-play in the handle and is twice as strong as a typical single dog system.

Three sizes of the Squall Lever Drag 2-speed are offered. The 38.5-ounce model 16VS has a high speed gear ratio of 4.5:1 and line retrieve of 39 inches per turn, and a low speed of 2.1:1 for an 18-inch retrieve. Maximum drag at the Full setting is 26 pounds, 20 at Strike. Spool capacity is 540 yards of 30-pound mono or 865 yards of 65 pound braid.

The 47.0-ounce model 30VSW has a high-speed gear ratio of 4.2:1 and line retrieve of 41 inches with a low speed of 1.8:1 for an 18-inch retrieve. Maximum drag at Full is 32 pounds, 24 at Strike. Spool capacity is 595 yards of 50-pound mono or 1435 yards of 80-pound braid.

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