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ISE Show 2011 – Reels, Accessories and Watercraft
| Date: |
1/24/11 |
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Event: |
ISE 2011 |
|
Location: |
Sacramento, CA |
| Reviewer: |
Team
TackleTour |
Introduction: We return to the Sacramento show to check out the
latest reels, accessory and watercraft offerings. Like with rods most of the
reel manufacturers were holding their new tackle for the upcoming ICAST show but
Penn had a few new reels on hand to show us and there were more surprises still
to be had including an exciting new bass rig from Phoenix boats.
We return to the Sacramento ISE
show and are greeted with pro angler Mark Lassagne who also runs the popular
Bass Angler magazine
Penn: There are few companies that continue to make reels right
here in the USA but Penn continues to make their higher end reels right here in
the U.S., and is just one of two companies (the other is Accurate) that makes
spinning reels on U.S. soil. Because Penn moved their lower cost reel production
offshore what it meant for the factory is that they could focus on not only
designing and manufacturing higher end reels but could also offer increasing
customization for anglers due to their ability to focus on premium lines. An
interesting fact is that through this entire process not a single job was lost
at the factory.
Zander talks to Steve Carlson of
Penn about the new smaller Torque 12 reel
New for this season is the compact Torque 12 which
is a tiny conventional machined reel that features 7+1 bearings, a 6.0:1
retrieve and a beefy drag capable of 25lbs of max drag.
This compact reel is smaller than
some swimbait reels yet is able to take on Halibut and smaller Tuna
Though very compact this reel is ideal for taking
on halibut, stripers, rockfish and even albies. Anglers looking to take on
larger tuna can use the Torque 15 which has just enough capacity for the job.
These reels are all machined and feature stainless steel main and pinion gears
for ultimate reliability. The Torque reels have always been premium offerings
and retail fo4om 400-450 dollars each.
The smaller Torque reels are great
for superline plus top shot rigs
Those anglers looking for a balanced full metal
bodied reel can consider the new Fathom. This reel comes with a levelwind and
features a 3+1 bearing design and a 30lb drag. The Fathom is designed to be a
workhorse reel and comes with a powerful 4.3:1 retrieve ratio capable of pulling
in 24 inches of line per handle turn.
The Fathom is a metal bodied
levelwind reel
There are a range of sizes from 15-60 and the
reels retail for a very reasonable 200-220 dollars each.
On the opposite end of the
spectrum is the graphite based Squall
Moving further down the spectrum is the new Squall
reel which does not have a levelwind and comes with a brisk 6.0:1 retrieve and a
6+1 bearing system. The reel features a drag capable of 15lbs. max pressure and
there are two sizes available, a 12 and 15. The reels feature a high strength
marine grade bronze alloy main gear and is able to remain cost effective because
the reel makes use of a graphite frame. Both sizes retail for only $150 each.
Designed for California Anglers is
the VSX12
Anglers looking for a quality reel that is truly
designed for specific applications will like the International 12VSX. This reel
is designed specifically for California applications and features a topless
frame and a 5.0:1 high speed and 2.5:1 low speed gear ratio. The VSX features a
heavy drag curve and can take on 150lb tuna without overheating.
This refined reel features a heavy
drag curve for West Coast applications
This reel is available in 3 variations and the
12VS is the Florida version and features a top bar and a completely different
drag curve that is optimal for southeast applications and the 12V is yet another
version which features a single speed design. The VSX, VS and V are all made in
the US and retail for $499 each.
Steve Carlson shows us the premium
offerings from Penn
New from PowerPro is the
Depth-Hunter color coded line
Power Pro: New from Power Pro is a new metered-line called
Depth-Hunter from PowerPro. There are 4-colors (Blue/Yellow/Green/Orange), with
25 feet of color per segment. There is also a black tic marking every 5 feet for
accurate and instant depth measurement. This allows anglers to present their
lure in the strike zone easily, accurately and repeatedly.
The man, the myth the legend... we met up with
"Bantam1" at the show
The new Depth-Hunter Power Pro line is available
in 10 to 150lb. line weights and in lengths from 500 feet to a whopping
9000 feet for those ultra deep drops. This multi-colored braided line will be
available in two weeks and prices will be inline with existing product.
Next Section: New products from Abel and Phoenix
Boats |
