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New Go Pro 3
Quite impressive specs!
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Shot 100% on the new HERO3® camera from http://GoPro.com.
The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. No expense was spared during its development, resulting in a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter & 2X more powerful than previous models. New resolutions and frame-rates include 4Kp 15, 2.7kp 30, 1080p 60, 1440p 48, 960p 100, 720p 120 and 12MP burst photo capture at 30 fps. Yes, for real.
Sit back and enjoy the HERO3: Black Edition in all its glory. #GoPro
X-Fish SUF Fishing Boards review, based out of Sarasota Florida
The last few years I have seen the popularity of the Stand up paddle board(SUP) grow drastically. Most were buying them for exercise and some fisherman started to modify them to fish from.
They figure by adding coolers, seats, leaning post and rod holders they can get to the fish quietly and in the up right position. Versus a kayak, this allows for better sight fishing and of course there’s the “coolness” factor as well.
With every gadgets of this sort there are always people willing to pushing the envelope. Soon what was once just a big surf board gets bigger and bigger. People beyond just the rod holders and added trolling motors, seats etc.
This brings me to the X-Fish SUF fishing board my friend told me about it when they attended a boat show recently. After reading about my interest on Facebook, Frank Wade one of the guys that own one, called me up and ask if I wanted to demo the unit. One fine morning, I was glad to meet him down at EG Simmons park to check it out.
Being on a SUP only once in life I’m by not means an expert one but I sure as heck fish a bunch and know what I like.
I would call this a micro skiff, stand up paddle board hybrid. Not quite as light as a SUP but not a real boat either.
The SUF looks great and well thought out. Handles to carry it easier, wells for fly lines in the front, rod holders and such.
The model Frank had rigged up was the motorized version. The rig was cleverly done. The controls for the trolling motor is tethered to the chair. When you pivot left it turns left, when you pivot right it turns right. The control of speed, forward and reversed next to your thigh.
The sitting position is super comfortable. I say more comfortable that any kayak seat I have been in. Stability while sitting is also excellent. I stood up and did not have any issues with balance. If you like standing up and fish you will like how the X-fish fish.
There is a cooler holder in front of your seat which fits perfectly a Coleman cooler. Not only does this allows you to travel with food and drinks it also doubles as a casting deck. The casting deck gives the angler better view and vantage point when looking for those sneaky fish on the flats.
In front of the cooler is recessed area. This space is great for holding fly line from blowing into the water.
Once in the water the boat moves around very nibble. The draft is minimal but you will need about 12 inches if you are using the trolling motor.
I ran the boat with the motor as well has turning it off, paddling it standing up. Even with the excess weight of the battery and motor I though it was paddled well and was very stable.
If you’re looking for cross over from Kayak, SUP + micros skiff this might be the unit for you.
It will not be for you if you are looking to throw it over a fence or put it on top off a SUV. It has more weight than your regular kayak and a bit cumbersome to launch but once on the water it is a very good fishing platform.
Realtide, Tide app for Iphone video review. Also Android Tide app.
Real Tide is an iphone app for Iphone that I have recently discovered. I have tried a bunch of different tide programs both on droid and iphone and this the best one I have ever used imho.
It’s fast, stable, easy to find your location, does current speed, sunrise sun set, and best of all the interface is super easy to use. One button finds your location and gives you the tides. Slide you finger and you see it all. Low tide,mean low tide, high tide etc. Everything is just there and easy to find. If you’re not satisfied click on the map and pick the one tide station you want.
The company that make this app is called Fly To Map. The app is priced at $1.99 but I believe it is worth it.
They also make a version for the Droid which is free. The droid version is not as robust and lack a few features but a still a nice app for free.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtide/id440949286?mt=8
PangaMarine 18′ Skiff review – microskiff.com
Pangasiidae or “Panga fish” is a family of catfish found in many of the world’s fresh and brackish waters from Asia and Latin America to Pakistan and Borneo. “Panga” when referring to a skiff can be found in just as many locations. Panga skiffs have a deep history spanning from the smallest fishing villages to multi-national corporations and banking interests. So it makes sense that a boat which was developed by Yamaha Outboard for the global commercial market from a design which originated in the fishing villages of Central and South America as a project of the World Bank in the 1960’s and 70’s would derive it’s name from the fish it was built to catch.
The Panga design is about efficiency. Significant numbers of Panga skiffs worldwide are powered by 40hp-75hp two-stroke tiller steer outboards, many by Yamaha no less. These small outboards are tasked with keeping up with the multiple needs of their operators. To match their workload and small output motors Pangas–once called Yamaha Panga–needed to be efficient and versatile. The original Yamaha design started around the large bow intended as a platform from which to cast nets into the water. The large flare also meant that in challenging conditions the boat remains dry, comfortable and safe. The running surface of the Yamaha design included a semi-v bow that transitioned into a running pad. The bow was not the typical sharp entry most boats have but a 2-inch wide strip that transitioned to a 14-inch pad in the stern. This running pad contributed to their efficient operation while using low horsepower outboards. The hull design was meant to skip along the surface of the water. Lastly, the beam seams disproportionately narrow versus the length. However this length to width ration optimizes the efficiency of the hull.
Today “Panga” is synonymous with the rugged utilitarian workboats of a developing nation. The majority of these skiffs spend their time eking out a subsistence living for their villages. Be it through fishing, transporting goods to and from waterside market places or as a taxi or game fishing platform for the globe trotting tourists, the Panga skiff can be seen world wide hard at work. Though some gain a darker notoriety as the maritime platform for warfare or for pirates. Be that is it may, there is no disputing the fact that the Panga has made an impact on the global fishing and boating community. So much so, that some companies have brought their version of these skiffs into the US market.
Enter Mr. Rob McDaniel of PangaMarine. Three decades ago Mr. McDaniel would take sojourns to the Yucatan peninsula for fishing excursions. While in the Yucatan he began to realize the importance of the Panga style skiff and its versatility. After seeing the skiffs abilities he decided to do what any enterprising individual would do: market them in the US.
His first boats were built at a facility in Guadalajara, shipped to the US, then rigged and sold to his customer. However, due to the long distance and relatively non-technological build technique, he decided in 2005 to ship the molds to Sarasota Florida where he set-up his facility. Today PangaMarine offers six base boats from 18’-28’. Microskiff.com® was invited to checkout their smallest, currently sold skiff the 18’.
The most significant difference between PangaMarine’s hull and the first Panga is the running surface. Gone is the 2-inch to 14-inch semi-v transitioning running pad. In its place is a deeper forefoot and sharper deep-v transitioning to a proprietary concave surface with 22 degrees of deadrise on the larger models. On the 18’ skiff the same deeper forefoot and sharper deep-v transitioning to a proprietary flat running surface with 11 degrees of deadrise. These changes were in direct correlation to the larger horsepower requirements of the US marketplace but do not sacrifice the efficiency or performance of smaller horsepower outboards.
Next PangaMarine changed the box designed stiffing ring under the gunwale to an intergraded I-beam placed under the shear line. The original box design was essential, as these boats typically did not have decks to add lateral rigidity.
Finally a series of lifting strakes and reverse chines were added to improve handling and dry ride charities.
With the hull design squared away and the popularity of the skiffs gaining Mr. McDaniel put a significant amount of energy in the construction of molds. They have all kinds of molds to suit the needs of all kinds of customers. Each skiff can be fitted with or without a liner. Then buyer has multiple choices of decks, steering configurations, storage possibilities, bait and release wells, fuel tanks sizes, the list goes on and on. Suffice to say the options are seemingly limited only to the owners’ creativity.
Is the Panga style skiff the “perfect” flats skiff? To help answer this I requested the input from a couple of PangaMarine owners. Passion for their boats aside, the feedback was quite honest and echoed my findings. “I think these Panga’s are perfectly suited for adventure minded people. These 18′ skiffs are nearly perfect for a couple guys, maybe 3, to do all kinds of extended coastal outings with the seaworthy attributes to deal with nasty inlets or crossings, offshore exploration, island hopping, etc, pretty much anywhere on the planet. I don’t think you can look at these PangaMarine skiffs as alternatives to the conventional flats skiffs either, because they’re in a completely different class.“ this PangaMarine 18’ Skiff owner commented.
The PangaMarine skiff is a utilitarian skiff. Some may find its looks questionable but these characteristics are what make it work so well. The large bow flare help to make the ride in undesirable conditions safe and dry. A relatively narrow beam to length ratio keeps the skiff efficient allowing for smaller horsepower outboards. With a 50 horsepower outboard average owners see between 33 to 36 mph at WOT with a cruising speed of mid to upper 20’s.
Under a light load with a 50hp tiller the skiff draws, near as makes no difference, 8-inches of water. The skiff is stable to walk about on and has good sea running manors. I found the skiff to be remarkably maneuverable for the size both at idle or at speed. We were fortunate on the day of the review to have a nice wind kicking up a wicked slop offshore. While the 18’ skiff will not run “40mph in 4’ chop” it will run very comfortable at a slower 15-20 mph. Most significantly at no point did I feel unsafe; there were no “white knuckle” moment.
Poling the skiff may be one of its largest drawbacks. While the elevated bow offers a great view for the angler, in windy conditions it also serves as a great sail. In calm conditions, though, it poles with a more mature attitude than some well-known 18’ flats boats twice its price. When poling and fishing alone many owners prefer to go “old school” by poling the boat backwards from the bow. The deep forefoot acts as a keel and keeps the skiff tracking straight.
For the camping/outdoorsman/angler the skiff not only gets you to the camping area but can act as the campground as well. Some popular 1-2 man tents will easily fit in the space between the bow and rear deck on tiller models. Or if the owner is a bit more adventure-minded lay the push pole on the bow and lash the other end to the tiller handle or poling platform and throw a tarp over it for protection from the elements.
So, is the PangaMarine 18’ skiff the “perfect” flats skiff? No. What the PangaMarine 18’ skiff can offer that many other skiffs of similar size cannot are the things it was designed for: utility, practicality, ruggedness and low operating costs which one would be hard pressed for find in another 18’ skiff.
Cheers
Capt. Jan
More images can be found here.
Panga Marine Factory
2230 Industrial Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34234
phone: 941-358-6800
email: info@pangamarine.com
web site: http://www.pangamarine.com
SPECIFICATIONS AS SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURER
Specs:
LENGTH: 18′
BEAM: 6′
DRAFT: 6″
FUEL BURN: 7 MPG w/60 HP
TOP SPEED: 34 MPH w/60 HP
HULL WEIGHT: 950 lbs.
MAX HP: 75
Standard Features:
Highest quality workmanship
A range of consoles
Baitwells in 4 configurations
Uflex no feedback steering with Schmidt wheel
Stainless steering wheel
Unsinkable hull
No wood
100% composite construction
10 year structural hull warranty transferable
58″ large casting platform
Stainless bow and stern eyes
Stainless folding cleats (4)
4 Rod holders
Black rub rail
Navigation lights
Fly Fishing in Saltwater magazine IPAD edition review
1.4.2011
The 100th anniversary of Fly Fishing in Saltwater magazine is now out on the newsstand. With this issue, they have also made an IPAD edition. Since 2 of my videos are in here I decided to download it and do a little review of the app itself.
Fly Fishing in Saltwater IPAD APP
The app itself is free but every issue is $2.99. This kind of works like the Kindle app. The app is free but the books cost a couple bucks.
You select the month that you want to buy(there’s only one right now) and it downloads it completely to your IPAD. When I say complete I mean, articles, photos, and videos. This way once you download it, you do not need internet connection to read, or play the videos. Everything is included. You will not be going through tons of advertising either. At least for this issue I did not see any advertising.
The download time takes a while but it’s well worth it. You can read it anywhere because everything is self contained. The Interface is intuitive and easy to use. If you ever read an online ezine this is a no brainer.
Fly tying articles “The Tarpon Bug” has a how to video attached.
The Matlacha Baby Tarpon article also has a video.
Here is a video review of the app.
Qualia Advanz high speed jigging reel review by Jay Riordan
Qualia Advanz high speed jigging reel review by Jay Riordan
Earlier this year I ran into Sam at the Miami boat show and he asked me if I might be interested in testing a reel for him. Without hesitation I jumped at the offer then asked the question of what exactly I was testing. It turns out it was a reel made by a company called Qualia, the model was the Advanz Q16-IIHS. This was the Mac Daddy of their two speed jigging reels.
http://www.qualiafishing.com/shop/images/139
Do pretty reels help us catch more fish?
First impression from just holding the reel was how solid it felt. The two tone blue and gold aluminum frame doesn’t allow it to be confused with it’s competitors reels on the market, no blending in with the masses of gold or silver aluminum framed reels out there. The next thing I noticed was the handle. A massive over sized ergonomic rubber knob. At the base of the handle was the assembly for the 2-speed transmission. Very simply designed and easy to use, even with wet hands or if you were fishing with gloves.
Some say its what inside that matters.
The product specs made the reel out to be quite impressive, at least on paper that is. The company’s website touts the reel to be built like a tank. The gears are machine cut from bar stock stainless steel. They come with dual anti-reverse systems and the frames are cut from solid bars of aluminum. The spools are machined from billet aluminum. The company uses a nano-treated Tenex bearing, supposedly 10 times more corrosion resistant than stainless steel.
A few turns of the handle and you immediately notice the blistering 6.2.1 gear ratio in high. A simple push of a button and it drops down to a slow 3.1.1 gear ratio, thus providing more torque.
Lets see what your made of.
For the past six months I have brought this reel fishing with me every time I went offshore. Since the company markets it as a jigging reel I spooled it with 65lb braid and went after everything from amberjacks to red snappers and groupers. I asked various people to give the reel a try and tell me what they thought of the it. The responses were somewhat disheartening for such a nice looking reel. Some of the comments were:
“Why does it make that chirping sound in free spool?”
“Does the anti-reverse usually slip like that?”
“The knob is awkward and cumbersome.”
“Will the drag tighten down anymore?”
After loosing about two dozen or so butterfly jigs due to the inadequacies of the reel I decided it just wasn’t powerful enough to tackle big bottom fish. Off with the braid and on with 30lb mono in an attempt to use the reel for trolling and light snapper fishing.
I must say I absolutely hated the reel for snapper fishing. Way too heavy and uncomfortable to fish with all day long. However, when it came to trolling the reel did just fine. A smooth drag that was paired with 350+ yards of 30lb mono it was able to catch several smoker kings and bonitos.
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
The aesthetics of the reel are pleasing. It definitely has the bling appeal that some fisherman crave. Even if your not catching any fish you’ll look like you know what your doing by having some expensive tackle.
The weight of the reel and knob design must be addressed. It was just too heavy to hold all day and constantly fighting the knob (to get it in the correct position) were more than annoying.
Anti-reverses that slip and bearings that chirp are deal breakers in my book.
Overall I would have to say that reel was only good for trolling or if you were trying to impress someone with an expensive looking reel. I think the company has some good ideas but this reel can’t compete with the other two speed reels currently on the market.
Cablz Sunglasses holder Review by Rich Osgood
There have been many items that we have all run across from time to time that we believe are the next best thing. Well that slice of bread for me is a product that Cablz manufactures. Most of us have owned a pair or two of sunglasses. I have owned many and I have also owned many of the holders that you attach to them. Most of the holders are of the cloth type and are very long and dangly. There have been your leather types, chain types and even designer Gucci Link styles! The cloth variety is what most of us are accustomed to. The cloth type has the tendency to get sweaty, oily and very STINKY! You ALL have experienced this!
Cablz
I was in the Keys a year ago for the Mutton Snapper spawn and I happen to be fishing with my great buddy Captain Chuck Donney. He had these shades on with a piece of wire coming off of them. I jokingly said to him “are you Mark Sosin?” and he responded with NO! Mark Sosin has always tied on heavy monofilament to the backs of his sunglasses to keep them secure to him. This wire piece Chuck was wearing looked identical. I quickly checked them out and new these were the next big thing! I purchased two sets from the local marina we were at. They make a variety of sizes and you can even order custom lengths. There is also a Monoz style made of heavy monofilament.
These things are great. They are made of a stainless surgical steal that is in a clear coat protectant. They are embedded into rubber sleeves on the ends that attach to your shades. I normally give a new item 6-12 months for a true test and I am now going on 11 months. I own the original pairs I have purchased and they still look new. People have asked questions in regards to when I wear hats or Buffs. They flex very nicely into a buff and you can’t tell they are there. Sometimes they can push your sunglasses off your face when putting on a hood or buff. All you need to do is back the rubber foot off of your shades just a pinch and this allows for even more flex. When I am wearing one pair the others stay in the truck hanging from the rear view. Mistake! Not really. There has been ZERO affect from the sun on these things. I will never go back to the sweat collectors again. These things are here to stay and I feel every outdoorsman should own them.
I have owned the pair in these pictures for almost a year now. Best $13 accessory I have bought in many years!
Capt. Rich Osgood
Slayer Inc. The Predator XXX Jigs head review
Spend five minutes on the phone with founder and CEO Chris Cenci and you’ll quickly come to realize what I suspect many have found to be true, this guy has an unbridled passion for fishing. Combining over 30 years of offshore and inshore experience, Chris noticed a need for higher quality fishing lures to suit his style of power fishing. With years of tournament fishing experience under his belt, he turned his attention towards producing lures that just weren’t available from most manufactures. Founded in 2007 Slayer Inc has positioned itself as the premier manufacture of high end fishing tackle for the inshore saltwater angler.
Slayer Inc produces two styles of jig heads, weedless jerk bait hooks, inline spinner bait lures as well as spinner bait lures. For the first part of this review I will be focusing on the jig heads and weedless jerk bait hooks. These two are the ones that I prefer and use the most.
The Predator XXX Jigs
Standard
Available in 1/16oz., 1/8oz., 1/4oz. and 3/8oz. sizes with 3/0 or 4/0 hook (3/8oz only available with 4/0 hook). ***3 jigs per package
“When fishing with soft plastics in deeper water we found that most of the jigheads we were using would loose their finish from scraping around the submerged rocks, barnacles, and oysters. We were also frustrated that most brands came in different weights but only had one size hook which was a disadvantage when we wanted to use different sized baits. The Predator addresses those concerns with a variety of weights, colors, and hook sizes in addition to its triple dipped finish and recessed holographic eyes which will endure the abuse of heavy structure fishing.”
I particularly like these jig heads for a couple of reasons, especially the fact they come in different hook sizes. I feel this is really important when using larger lures, such as the Exude RT Slug. I would use a 4/0 size with this lure, and scale down to the 3/0 for an Exude Gold Dart or DOA Cal. The other reason is the two prong bait keeper that Slayer Inc incorporates on their jig heads.
Weedless
Available in 1/8oz. and 1/4oz. sizes with 3/0 or 4/0 hook. ***3 jigs per package ****Red, Pearl, Chartreuse and unpainted.
“The perfect solution for fish feeding on the bottom while in the grass. Whether you’re fishing around spartina, turtle grass or hydrilla, this jig will give you the opportunity to present your bait to fish that have their nose down; all the while keeping your bait grass free. Awesome for tailing redfish!”
The Destroyer XXX Jigs
Available in 1/8oz., 3/16oz., 1/4oz. and 3/8oz. size with 3/0 or 4/0 hook (1/8oz. only available in 2/0 hook, 3/8oz. only available with 4/0 hook). *** 3 jigs per package
“Tired of using other brands only to have the eyes scratch or fall off when he fished them around heavy cover, Chris Cenci developed the recessed holographic eye of The Destroyer and added the extra quality of a triple dipped finish. Another design advantage came from Eric Taylor who expressed the need for a better bait holder so the plastic stays on the jig when being skipped under docks and mangroves. The Destroyer fits the bill for live bait applications as well.”
XXX Penetrator – Weedless Wide Gap Hooks
“The Penetrators are Mustad Ultra Point hooks which come with a marine grade stainless bait keeper. These fish slaying hooks are available in red or black nickel and 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 sizes with 1/16oz, 1/8oz, 3/16oz and weightless weights. The Penetrator works great with any soft plastic or scented bait rigged weedless”.
The weedless hooks were my first introduction into the world of Slayer Inc. As a big user of soft plastics, I found the usual weedless hooks just didn’t fit my liking. I found the hooks from Slayer Inc to be super strong, super sharp and totally superior that what I could buy locally. I especially like the larger style screw type bait keeper. Once you screw the bait all the way up to the gap at the eye of the hook, you get way more of the bait secured to the hook, preventing your bait from being dislodged once it gets whacked by that big redfish.
I prefer the 5/0 size hook, and the weight I use depends on the water depth and type of fishing I will be doing. If going after tailing redfish, I may choose the 5/0 in 1/16th oz. This setup works well on a Gulp 3” Shrimp rigged backwards. It’s already a heavy bait, so I like the 1/16oz weight as it will sink slower and not bury too far down in the grass. The 5/0 size works just fine on redfish, even pesky rat reds.
After talking with Chris for hours about the shared passion we have for inshore fishing, I have found my lure supplier for as long as he will continue to make them. Great customer service, reliable shipping (he usually throws in some extra goodies with each order) and a great product.
A quality product made by some quality people, check em out and make Slayer Inc your lure supplier today.
Look for part two of this review in the weeks to come as I will be reviewing the inline and regular spinner bait selections.
Fly Fishing goodness
I purchased a non-marked prototype Sage 9wt flyrod many months ago from a noted legend in fly fishing. It was supposed to be a prototype TCX and was a wonder to bonefish with. After that prototype Sage had caught it’s share of bonefish with me, I had some “self proclaimed outdoors celebrity” yahoo on my boat this past Spring who has some hunting show come on my boat and wrecklessly kick and break my prototype Sage flyrod while it was still in the gunnels. I purchased a production TCX afterwards and still did not feel it was the same rod… then came the Xi3… and now I think I have found what that prototype actually was. I have been bonefishing with the 9wt Sage Xi3 for the past couple of weeks. This rod does exactly what Sage claims it does. The Xi3 has the backbone to pick up line from 60ft away and enough reserve to punch it right back out into the wind without issues. For all the longer distance shots, this rod is accurate… much more so then the TCX in my opinion. The rod is finished with a sexy deep blue blank, dark blue wraps, and outfitted with tough hardware to combat the rigors of the saltwater environment. Compared to it’s predecessor (Xi2), the Xi3 is lighter, stronger, and faster. This is a whole different rod. It’s got more power then the TCX and a slightly softer tip, which makes it alright if you need to make a short shot. This rod is definitely most accurate 40ft and up. A great rod for all the elements you encounter while bonefishing. The 9wt Xi3 feels very well balanced with either a Tibor Everglades or Nautilus NV 10/11 fly reel. I threw a Monic tropical full floating fly line on the Xi3 and it was a perfect matchup for bonefishing. I am going to try putting a heavier grain line such as the Wulff Bermuda Triangle taper line on there to see if it will help load the rod quicker and increase accuracy at sub-40ft casts. This rod definitely has the reserve to handle a heavier grained line when called for. At a premium price, you truley get what you pay for.
For more info on Xi3, including other Sage products, visit www.sageflyfish.com and info on Monic Fly Lines visit www.monic.com.
Updated 12/19/09:
Tibor Riptide on Sage Xi3
It has been several months since I have started fishing the Xi3. I have been fishing the Airflo Ridge 9wt Flyline on my Sage Xi3 as of late for tailing bonefish and low light situations where a colored fly line is an advantage over the clear line. The Ridge Airflo line matches perfectly with this rod. Recovery on this rod isn’t as easy as with the G Loomis Crosscurrent GLX series rods. There is a smaller window for error with the Xi3. But with an above amatuer casting stroke, this rod is a bomb and can truley pick up lots of line from far and punch it out without the need for another back cast. A fantastic windy day and bonefish rod in my opinon.
Visit www.rajeffsports.com for more info on the Airflo Ridge fly line.
Scott S4s Fly Rod Review by Capt Colby Hane
Scott S4s Fly rod
Every now and then I come across a fly rod that just makes me smile. One that has some soul that you know will rub off on you…A rod that will just flat out do what you want when you want it to. I have had the pleasure over the years to cast and own a few of these jewels and I finally stumbled onto the one I have been searching for, the Scott S4S.
The rod shares some of the same characteristics as other top shelf salt sticks with the high end components and fast action designs. But I am more concerned on how the rod performs in the elements of fishing rather than its components. The model I’ve been throwing is the 9ft 2piece 9wt. I like the 2 piece configuration due to the lack of ferrules and added sensitivity, plus something mental tells me it might be more durable on large fish. The nine weight is what I consider to be a great windy redfish/snook rod or a typical Keys bonefish stick.
The rod is extremely light in the hand but very heavy in power. It has the ability to throw heavy flies in a stiff wind without suffering from power loss and deliver a fly with laser accuracy. The action is fast and responsive but it’s sensitive enough to feel the line load from short range or into the backing without the need to overline. The finish is low glare and stealthy….exactly what I want in a rod for spooky flats species. The 10wt joined with a matte black reel would make a deadly stealth Permit setup! It comes in sizes 6 through 12 weights and is one of the few high end models still available in a 2pc or 4pc. The series won the “Dealers Choice Award” at the 2009 fly fishing Retailer show and I can definitely see why it prevailed. I know there are a lot of quality rods available these days, but I find my self reaching for the Scott every time I’m on the water. I am looking forward to testing the bigger sticks this Tarpon season!
Capt. Colby Hane
Instagrams
