Hi Folks,
We had our “Meet the Pro” event last month. Our Touring Pro Jacob Wheeler brought the whole kit and caboodle – boat, motor, trailer, gear, and enough electronics to launch and track the space shuttle. Really. As you might expect, I have some opinions about this…..
I enjoy technology. Dixie and I have a new flat screen TV and the picture is nothing short of amazing. I swear you feel like you could just step into the picture. It’s that real. The colors, the depth, the sharpness, all there. I even heard that some of the older TV shows and movies aren’t actually good enough resolution or whatever to really look good on TV as advanced as this one is. Whatever the case, we like our TV, especially when the show is in HD format.
Just last year we bought all new kitchen appliances. I didn’t want to, but “she who must be obeyed” suggested it was time, especially since SWMBO does about 99% of the cooking. Stove, oven, dishwasher (Dixie was getting tired – ha, ha), refrigerator, trash compactor, etc. All were taken out. Worse, we couldn’t even find anyone who wanted them for free. No real demand for 25 year old appliances. So we bought all new stuff. Shoot, we even replaced the toaster! And you know what? Appliances have really changed in 25 years. Everything is digital this and computer that. It took about 10 days to get them installed and working, but took almost a month for either Dixie or me to figure out how to turn them on and get the settings right. Probably burned up $100 worth of food during that learning curve.
Of course, if you have a car that is less than 10 years old you know all about technology. GPS navigation, touch screens, IPod plug-ins, strange voices talking to you from who-knows-where warning you about one thing or another. The later cars are so “easy” to drive that every day I see drivers texting on their cell phones, reading a notebook computer, putting on makeup or shaving, you name it. Never mind that they’re driving under 20 mph or over 80 and don’t have clue what the hell’s going on. Occasionally it would be a real hoot if one of those drivers would actually pay attention to driving, but then he or she might miss a text message or something really important. I try to avoid them, but that’s getting harder and harder.
The other evening after dinner there was a “beep”. The dogs immediately perked up and soon proceeded to bark while running in circles. Not sure that is explainable, but the point is that the beep was pretty faint, but not faint enough not to be irritating. Especially after about half an hour of beeping every 15 seconds or so. I went from room to room trying to track down the beepee. Just when I thought I had it cornered it would project from another direction. Dixie tried to help, but couldn’t figure it out either. The dogs we’re no help. I shouted “get ’em” and they scattered in different directions. So much for canine prowess. Long story short we finally – after about an hour – traced the beep to a vacuum that had been left on. I mean, common! A vacuum has a brain? Well, I guess so in today’s world.
Look, I know electronics are good. We got a new coffee maker that actually grinds whole beans when you make coffee. It has some sort of computer screen that tells us the grind coarseness, how many cups we’re making, if it needs to be cleaned or a water filter changed, even tells us when we need to de-scale it. And you know what? It makes some of the best damn coffee I have ever had. Electronics are good, at least when coffee is concerned.
In our local Sunday paper (that’s the one with about 10 lbs of advertisements) there was a 6 page insert for a mattress that you could adjust (electronically no doubt) for each side. Firmness, softness, coolness, warmth, head up, head down, etc. With all of these features you and the little woman wouldn’t roll into each other in the middle of the bed. Better yet, you could set the “firmness” and even tilt the damn thing so your feet could be up or whatever. It even adjusts to your weight changes. I can only image what sort of gyrations would go on when one or two of our 90 lb golden retrievers jumped on the bed at the same time. Boing! Dixie exits stage left……..quickly.
Since I grew up when the most sophisticated electronic device was the rotary dial telephone and toasters, mixers, and ovens were pretty rudimentary, today’s endless parade of unique and ever changing electronics at times is simply dizzying. And just when I walk through the door with what I know is the latest and greatest electronic gizmo I see the “new model” – the one I didn’t buy – on our flat screen TV that same evening! That’s evil. And I suspect happens from a diabolical plot devised by the government!
Anyway….where were we? Oh yea, I wanted to talk about Jacob Wheeler’s new boat. Like I said, there’s enough electronics on that baby to launch the space shuttle and probably control more than a few satellites to boot. Two or three fish finders that do everything but hold the landing net when the fish is alongside the boat. Two (count em’) Power Poles, an electronic jack plate (God only knows how I could mess that bad boy up), and a trolling motor with, get this, GPS. Holly crap, you gotta’ be a PHD in nuclear physics just to figure out how to turn the trolling motor on!
So here’s my point (finally, huh?): At what point do we go from fishing for the pure fun of it to fishing so we can watch all the tricks these electronic gizmos on our boat can do? Think about it. We used to use the basic “flip” cell phone for, ta da, making and receiving phone calls. That’s it. Now our lives are controlled by “smart” phones that you can: play music on; watch a movie on; text; make a call; receive a call; see the caller on the screen; use as a GPs; and the list goes on and on and on and on. So just when did our smart phone become our life? Just when did we stop enjoying the fresh air, the “mystique” of what lies below, the drifting as we hoped to pass over a “hole”, and everything else that all of these newfangled fishing boat electronics now distract us from?
OK, I get it that Jacob Wheeler is a “tournament fisherman” and probably the hottest new pro on any circuit. And if he’s going to compete surely he needs the latest and greatest just so he has a level playing field and the same gear as his competition. Believe me, I understand that. I really do get it. But (you knew this was coming), for those of us who aren’t competing for a bazillion bucks in prize money, not dependent on our tournament finishes for food on the table, I submit we may be missing something if our fishing rig is strewn from bow to stern with electronic thises and computer thats. And heaven help us is we have a smart phone in the boat as well!
We may be missing the shear enjoyment of the morning as it turns from stillness to wisps of movement. Maybe we miss the flight of shorebirds delicately weaving between the reeds. Surely we stand to miss the ripples lapping the side of the boat as the rebound back from shore. And the smells. Ahhh, so wonderful. Pine, wildflowers from the marsh or shoreline, a sour note occasionally from rotting grass that’s been disturbed by fowl or furry critter. Just the “clean” smell of the air. I think we may be missing this stuff and more.
Anyway, my point is what has been said so often before: “Stop and smell the roses.”
I learned a long time ago that everyone has things. And in today’s world most are somehow electronically controlled. But things, whether they be electronic, mechanical, or just basic “things” all demand a piece of your time. Get enough things and, guess what? You don’t have any time for yourself. So, my point here after all this rambling and digression is simply take a few minutes and think about what really makes you happy. Not what wants your time, but what makes you happy. I’m betting a few less electronics now and then may be just what the doctor ordered.
Tight lines,
Tom Ashby
Tour Pro Jacob Wheeler Video Tips………
By now most of you know that American Legacy Fishing Company sponsors Touring Pro Jacob Wheeler. Folks, this is one good kid and a real rising star in the tournament fishing world. We honestly believe Jacob is the next Big Star and will become a household name in the very near future.
So we asked ourselves and Jacob, “What could he do to help our customers become better fishermen?” Frankly it’s hard to reach thousands of you personally given Jacob’s schedule. So, we asked Jacob if he would mind doing some videos that would truly benefit our customers. Give them some “pro tips” that were basic stuff that maybe you know, maybe you don’t know. In any case it would be stuff that would definitely help you with fishing success and ultimately help you CATCH MORE FISH.
Well, we received our very first video from Jacob this week and we think it’s a great video that will help you select crankbait colors, etc. It’s pretty basic, but so gooood that we would be remiss if we didn’t share it with everyone. So, go to this link: http://youtu.be/g2WJL_162CM and take a look. If you like what you see please drop us a note at [email protected] and let us know.
Also, if you have any suggestions be sure to include them as well. These are YOUR videos and made to help YOU, so please let us know and ideas, requests, etc. and we’ll make sure to pass them on to Jacob.
Walleye Fishing Heats Up and We Have Some Great, New Gear………..
I don’t know about you, but everyone here at American Legacy fishing just Loves fishing for walleye. They’re fun to catch and oh so good to eat. And now is the start of the season that we have all been waiting for!
More often than not walleye fishing is all about finesse. They’re bite is usually pretty subtle, especially when the bite is hard to come by. The right rod and reel can make the difference between bring home a nice mess of keepers and practically being skunked. And of course we think we have some of the Very Best Walleye equipment available today.
The Right Rod is an absolute “must” and both G. Loomis and Shimano have some of the very best finesse rods out there for walleye. On the G. Loomis side the new Walleye Rods are just spectacular. There are now 16 models, half are GLX blanks ($375 to $400) and half are G. Loomis “walleye hybrid” blanks ($235 to $255). The GLX blank rods are absolutely scary in their sensitivity and power. There is just no way you should ever miss the softest finesse bite with one of these babies. But the “walleye hybrid” are surely about as good. They weigh slightly more and the components are perhaps one step down from the GLX models, but they will also kick some walleye butt in any finesse fishing situation. They’re both fantastic rods! And as will all G. Loomis rods, come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
In the Shimano side we absolutely Love the new Crucial rods. They are new for 2012 and have improved sensitivity, split grips, and some fabulous components to boot. These rods are very light but also very powerful, so don’t worry when you hook into that 10 pounder. These rods can handle that bad boy with ease! All have a Limited Lifetime Warranty as well.
Of course, you need a good spinning reel to mate up with one of these great rods so it should be no surprise that we have what we think is the perfect reels. If you opt for a G. Loomis rod we can’t think of a better reel that the brand new Shimano Sustain FG Series reels. This is also a new reel for 2012 and everyone around here calls these magnificent reels the “baby Stella”. They have been completely redesigned and just rock. We like the Sustain SA2500FG or SA3000FG matched up to the G. Loomis Walleye Series rods. If you are a light tackle fanatic then take the smaller Sustain SA1000FG for a spin. All are magnificent and sell for a reasonable $329.99 in any of the 3 models mentioned.
For the Shimano Crucial rods we are in love with the Shimano Stradic CI4 Spinning reels. These are light, powerful, well built reels that will amaze you in just how ell made they are. Again, we recommend the either the Stradic CI4ST2500F size or the Stradic CI4ST3000F size. And again, if you like very light gear don’t overlook the smaller Stradic CI4ST1000F. At $199.99 any of these Stradic CI4 reels will make walleye fishing a whole new ball game.
Finally there’s the line you’ll put on that new reel. If you like a sinking line the brand new Sunline Reaction FC fluorocarbon line is just the ticket. This line stretches which is not typical for a fluorocarbon line. This means that you get just enough stretch to set the hook fast and deep. A great line that will surprise you. If you’re more of a “typical” fisherman or just like monofilament line then you can’t beat the Sunline Super Mono lines. These are precision lines which means the diameter is consistent, something that not typical with most mono lines. This means that break strength is better and the line performance is the best available. A perfect line for all of you walleye fishermen!
Right now we have every rod and reel in stock with good quantities on the shelf. Be sure to take a look at these great rods and reels and be prepared to catch some fish this Spring!
Engel DEEP BLUE Coolers are IN STOCK with FREE SHIPPING to any USA Address……..
These super coolers and will hold ice (or heat) for as long as 10 days. We actually tested these in Florida last year, leaving an 80 quart cooler filled with ice, beer, bait, etc. out at the end of a dock in the sun on 90 degree days for 8 days. At the end of the 8th day everything was ice cold and we still had lots of ice in the cooler!
We told you in the last newsletter that simply by having these amazing coolers we would probably sell them down quickly. Well it’s happening! Fair warning here that these coolers are going F-A-S-T, so if having one of these babies is even close to being on your radar screen you need to order now. It has taken about 6 months to get what we now have, so that sort of gives you an idea why everyone wants an Engel.
We know these coolers aren’t cheap – the 65 quart, for example, is $339.99, but just ask yourself how many coolers you’ve thrown away over the years. If you’re like us it’s a bunch. All at about $50 – $70 a pop. Add in the expense of all the extra ice you had to buy after a day or so to keep your stuff cold or had food and drinks spoil because your cooler just didn’t hold the cold and these Engel’s are a bargain. Best of all, this will be the LAST Cooler you’ll ever buy!
Like we said, we have them in stock and can ship now. No shipping fees (to ANY USA Address), no packaging fees, just the price of the cooler. What a deal!
Shimano “Alabama Rig” Tackle Bag is Here……………..
By now just about everyone is using Alabama/Umbrella rigs . Whether fishing for largemouth, walleye, or other species these rigs are, simply put, producing fish. Large fish! Our high-end Stealth Bomb has already scored in many tournaments and we have no doubt this success will just continue to get better and better as time goes on. But there is ONE Problem: Once you have these rigs “rigged out” they are a real pain-in-the-butt to store in your tackle bag or box. Yes, our Stealth Bomb has a retainer ring built in that allows you to “collapse” the five wires, but that still leaves the swivels, jigs, hooks, and plastics out, ready to catch all your other stuff hither and yon. Until now…
The New Shimano Umbrella Rig Tackle Bags are Just The Ticket to eliminate all this untidiness. The Small Shimano Umbrella Rig Tackle bag has eight slots that Fully Rigged umbrella rigs will easily fit into plus 6 slots for unassembled rigs (no jigs, hooks, plastics) plus a front pocket for a utility box or spools of line (not included). The Large Shimano Umbrella Rig Tackle bag has 16 slots that Fully Rigged umbrella rigs will easily fit into plus 8 slots for unassembled rigs (no jigs, hooks, plastics) plus a side pocket with a utility box (included) plus a front pocket for a utility box or spools of line (not included). Best of all, these Shimano Tackle Bags are very High Quality 1680 denier fabric with a durable rubber mesh bottom for fast drain and dry. Both have shoulder straps (removable) and a side strap for pliers, etc. And, they both have a One Year Shimano Warranty.
The Small Shimano Umbrella Rig Tackle bag is $49.99, the Large Shimano Umbrella Rig Tackle bag is $69.99 and right now these babies are In Stock and can ship immediately. If you’re using umbrella rigs and are tired of the tackle bag mess they create then this is your bag!
Waterproof, Humidified, Cigar Travel Humidors in Three Sizes Arrive………….
There’s something about the great outdoors that makes enjoying a good cigar just that much better. Maybe it’s because most wives “prohibit” cigar smoking in the house. Maybe it’s because we get tired of smoking those lovely sticks in the garage or on the back porch. Whatever it is we now have a great new line of American Legacy Fishing Travel Humidor Boxes in Three Sizes for you cigar smokers.
These Travel Humidors come in Three Sizes: 5 Cigar, 10 Cigar, and 15 Cigar capacity. Every box has an air tight seal with two clip closures and a humidification device that will make sure your precious cigars will remain fresh, dry, and in perfect condition regardless of how much abuse these boxes are subjected to. Every Travel Humidor has removable foam inserts that treat those smokes to the best care possible. Best of all, every one of our American Legacy Fishing Travel Humidors carry a Lifetime Warranty.
Quick story: I forgot I had one of these in my boat last fall and it stayed there over the winter. When I got my boat out this Spring I discovered my Travel Humidor. I opened it up and lo and behold my cigars were just as fresh as the day (about 5 months ago) I put them in there.
If you enjoy fine cigars as much as we do then these are a “must have” for travel, fishing, golf, etc. Prices are $24.99 for the 5 stick travel humidor, $29.99 for the 10 stick travel humidor, and $34.99 for the 15 stick travel humidor. With good cigars costing $6.00 to $15.00 or more a stick these are simply a great investment!
Edgemaker Knife Sharpening System is Here……………..
The “right way” to really sharpen a good fillet knife is with a set of whetstones specifically designed for putting a razor’s edge on the knife. But, such systems are cumbersome to say the least, require some skill in order to get the knife really, really sharp, and are in no way very portable. Yes, they are the best, but when you’re out in the field and your knife gets dull (hopefully because of all the fish or game you have bagged) these systems just are that practical. So we wanted to offer the case hardened sharpening system.
For over a year we’ve been looking for a “quick” knife sharpening tool or tools that we could offer not only for our World’s Best Fillet Knife, but for all knives, even the “quick to dull” stainless steel models that are so popular today. Up until now everything we looked at was, well, shall we say “cheap”. Not necessarily in price, but in performance. All too often we ended up with a sharp blade, but took so much metal off the blade that it just wasn’t something we could recommend. Worse, the edge went away very quickly.
Then we found Edgemaker. This system is Made In The USA and actually meets our very strict requirements. There are two tools that, when used properly, will put a great edge on any knife and Voila, will actually last quite a long time. And the knife will be very, very sharp! Best of all, both tools will easily fit in your tackle box. Price for this Edgemaker Sharpening System Kit is a very reasonable $29.95 If you fillet fish then this is a tool you definitely need!
Exclusive! Phil Hunt Custom Balsa Wood Squeaky P Buzz Prop Baits Are Here……………
Sometimes you just get lucky. In the case of being the very first dealer to offer Phil Hunt’s Squeaky P Buzz Prop Baits we got more than lucky. We were absolutely blessed. These lures will be featured in an article in an upcoming issue of BASSMASTER Magazine. They’re that good.
The Squeaky P is made by hand from Balsa wood here in Indiana by angler Phil Hunt. Each lure is built by hand then clear-coated, painted then clear-coated again for added durability. Each one has an aluminum rod running through the length of the bait so it won’t be crushed and the props won’t be pulled off by aggressive fish. The Squeaky P is designed to be fished anytime the top water bite is good. Several of our pro’s have had great success with these lures. It is highly effective on Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted bass on the local river systems all the way through the late fall. It is most effective when retrieved at slow speeds, and when you pop the lure on slack line it will always turn to the left. It does not pull straight like most other prop lures. Additionally, the Squeaky P emits a squeak when “walking the dog” thus giving it the name Squeaky P. All made in custom painted colors these lures are as much a work of art as a proven fish getter. Price is $28.99 and worth every penny. Try one of these are we’re sure you will agree!
ALL G. Loomis 2012 B.A.S.S. Classic Rods (Cast or Spin or FLY) Now – 20% OFF………………..
We still have about 30 models left, so if you’re looking for a deal on a G. Loomis rod don’t miss out as time is running out. These are rods that were displayed at the B.A.S.S. Classic and are new, still in the original plastic sleeve. New with the G. Loomis Limited Lifetime Warranty. Here’s your chance to save 20% on New G. Loomis rods!
So here’s the deal: Supplies are VERY LIMITED and the early bird gets the worm (or in this case the rod). Everyone has an equal chance to get some but when they’re gone, baby they are G-O-N-E. Like we said, we only have one or sometimes two of each model, so the longer you wait the less chance you have of getting the rod you’re after at 20% OFF. All of these rods are listed as “Bass Master Classic Rods” on our web site and you can use this link to find the entire selection. If the rod you want shows “out of stock” then it’s gone and will not be available again at this discount. Like we said, the early bird gets the worm.
Again, These are NEW G. LOOMIS RODS. They have not been fished or ever had a reel on them. They have only been “looked at” while on display at the Classic. The G. Loomis Limited Lifetime Warranty applies just the same as any new G. Loomis rod. They are still in the G. Loomis factory plastic sleeve and our Free USA Shipping applies to any order of $200 or more. It just doesn’t get any better! Act NOW!
Shimano Dryfender 3T Rain Suits Now In Stock…………………….
Over the years we have resisted offering rain suits in our store. Why? Well to be honest, most just didn’t work very well. They leaked or were so cumbersome that you could hardly move in them. And, as they got older they leaked even worse. And they were expensive. Way too expensive given their mediocre performance.
But that all changed when Shimano introduced the new 2012 Dryfender 3T Rain Pants/bib and Jacket (together a “rain suit”). Everything we disliked in other rains suits we looked at just wasn’t here with these new Shimano Dryfender 3T‘s. They were lightweight, cool, easy to move in, definitely kept you dry as a bone, had great well thought-out features, and were reasonably priced for the value received. So, as you would expect, we jumped on these and put them in stock pronto.
The Top-of-the-Line in Shimano Dryfender is the Dryfender 3T jacket and Pants/Bib. Color is Charcoal and the price for the jacket is $249.99, for the pants/bib is $219.99. Total for a suit: $469.98 Pretty damn reasonable when you look around and there are lots of folks wanting $500 to $1,000 for a rain suit that we guarantee you will not perform near as well nor wear as well as the Shimano Dryfender 3T.
The Shimano Dryfender rain jacket and pant are one step down from the 3T and in our opinion more like a lighter duty rainsuit you would throw in the boat when expecting light showers or intermittent rain. Don’t get us wrong, this is great rain gear and equals many other brands that cost lots, lots more. But it is not as good as the Dryfender 3T. That said, it is a lot less money as well. The Dryfender jacket and pants come only in black and the jacket costs $119.99 and the pants are $79.99 Now for a total of $199.98 this is one heck of a rain suit. It doesn’t have all the features or performance that the Dryfender 3T does.
Look, we’re are in the middle of or will be in the middle of the rainy season any day, so give one of these rain suits a try. After all, we held out for many years until we found something this good. And we know YOU deserve to be dry, cool, and comfortable!
New Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Frogs Arrive…………..
Speaking of hot items, how about those Koppers Live Target Hollow Body frogs! Now that Spring fishing season is in full bloom this will soon be the hottest lure in your tackle box. And up until now supplies (and colors/sizes) have been hard to come by. But we just received an amazing shipment of every color and size and right now they’re all in stock.
These babies are so life like that there isn’t a fish that has an appetite that can resist them. Plus, they are true “match the hatch” colors and really look and swim like the real thing. There are now 3 sizes: 1 3/4″, 2 1/4″ and 2 5/8″ and 8 fantastic colors. Everyone here at American Legacy Fishing has a great selection of these in their tackle boxes and continues to report phenomenal success using these lures.
Every one of these Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Frogs is under $10 bucks. Think about what you’ve been paying for lures that are so-so performers and these guys are simply a no brainer. Whether Spring or Summer these lures will produce both big fish as well as amazed fishermen. Please, if you haven’t tried these yet order some today. we just know you will be glad you did!
Spring Fishing Means Plastics are Hot…………
Early to mid-Spring is the time where plastics such as Big Hammer, Big Bite, Strike King, El Grande, and Reaction Innovations really come in to their own. Whether using a jig, hook, or our umbrella rig Stealth Bomb these plastics produce some nice fish. Right now we have a great selection of models, colors, and sizes in stock just waiting for you to get them in the water.
Without going into specifics on each line that would make this newsletter way too long, just rest assured that all of these brands and models have been hand selected by our pros for really delivering this time of year. Given our early Spring now is the time to get some of these on board and begin catching some of those Big Fish that always come when fish get active in the Spring.
Like we said, great selection, great design, great products. That pretty much sums up the Reaction Innovations, El Grande, Big Bite, Strike King, and Big Hammer products. So what are you waiting for?
Ya’ Gotta’ Have Swimbaits to Get the Most Out of Alabama or Umbrella Rigs……………
Like we said in our last newsletter the hottest item in fishing today is the Alabama/ Umbrella rigs. We think we have the best quality there is in our new Stealth Bomb rig (see below), but that still leaves the jigs and bait that you’ll need for the end of the wires. Well, let me tell you, we got what you need!
Right now we have one of the “hottest” swimbaits out there, the brand new Big Hammer Swimbaits in 3 different sizes – 3″, 4″, and 5″ – and all 7 colors. These are simply put the best swimbaits available for your Alabama/Umbrella/Stealth rigs. They have a unique square tail design that gives them a great swimming action and when used with a Stealth Bomb rig is almost a guarantee for some serious action.
Also on the shelf is another fantastic swim bait from Reaction Innovations. Here there are also 3 different sizes – the Little Dipper, Skinny Dipper, and Big Dipper. All three of these Reaction Innovations Swimbaits have a very different swimming action as well as a unique head design. They work fantastically well with our Stealth Bomb umbrella rigs and we can tell you these catch fish – big fish.
Either one of these swimbait lines are highly recommended by our staff as well as our touring pro. We’ve all used them and they are so well made and so unique as far as swimbaits go. There really is a big difference in quality and if you are using our Stealth Bomb rig then either the Big Hammer Swimbaits or the Reaction Innovation Swimbaits are for you. Right now we have a great stock, so get some of these and show everyone how it’s done!
Shimano TranX EXTREME BAD ASS Low Profile Reel is HERE!!………
You can’t hardly go to any credible fishing blog or tackle test web site that isn’t all abuzz about this truly “Bad Ass” Low Profile “Big Fish” Reel called the Shimano Tranx. If you’re a musky fisherman or fish for other big, bad fish such as stripers, wahoo, steelhead, salmon, or any variety of other bad fish and have always wished you could find a more comfortable low profile casting reel then this, my friends, is your reel!
These reels are made tough as nails and will outperform many of the “round reels” so common today. They are available in 6.6:1 and a 4.6:1 retrieve ratio and weigh in at about 20 oz., so don’t think of them as dainty or something you’ll use in Uncle Norm’s farm pond. These guys are for fish with attitudes. Big fish that don’t want to be caught!
Shimano TranX reels have a revolutionary design and shape that provides the comfort of low profile with the capacity of a conventional reel. Shimano TranX is offered in high gear (HG) and power gear (PG) models to cover a wide range of applications. Here are the details per Shimano:
X-Ship provides an extra smooth retrieve with superior durability; HEG – a larger drive gear and pinion gear increase cranking efficiency; SF – Superfree Bearing supported Pinion Gear eliminates friction with spool shaft for better freespool; E.I. Surface treatment on the spool protects against corrosion from saltwater soaked braided line; S A-RB coating protects bearings from rust in saltwater use; Super Stopper eliminates handle back play; VBS Brake System effectively reacts to spool rotation speed to provide ideal brake force at all times during cast; Dartainium II Drag Washer provides incredibly smooth drag performance with durability; and an Ergonomic Power Handle for better leverage.
Finally, World’s Best Umbrella (“Alabama”) Rig Is Here……….
We’re going to level with you here. We were not real thrilled when everyone started using these so called “Alabama” rigs. Some of you call them Umbrella Rigs. We just saw this as perhaps a bit unfair to the fish. That is until we actually tried a few. Simply put, we are now eating crow. These rigs Catch Fish! My oh my do they catch fish!
That said, there are some problems. First, many that we were able to get our hands on were crude and not very well made. Second, the swivels that came with these were cheap and frankly not very good quality. Especially when you consider that these rigs sell for as much as $40 a pop(!). So, we decided to have one of our custom lure makers take a long hard look at this design to see if it was possible to make an Umbrella Rig that was high quality but priced fairly given the components that were used. Folks, I think we hit a home run!
American Legacy Fishing’s Stealth Bomb Umbrella Rigs are truly different. First, we have a custom painted lead head with custom eyes. No one else does. Second, our wire extensions are high grade .041 Stainless Steel. Third, our wire ends are made so when you lose an end swivel you can actually replace it, so no more throwing away your rigs due to missing a couple of end swivels. Forth, Our swivels are all ball bearing Sampo’s – no cheap swivels here. Fifth, or Stealth Bomb Umbrella Rigscome with a retainer next to the jig head that allows you to compress the rig for easy (and compact) storage. Finally, our wires in the jig head are twisted so there is never a chance that they will pull loose or pull out. The price of all this quality? $24.99 Not cheap, but when you consider the quality, workmanship, and the fact these are custom rigs that address most other rigs short comings they are a heck of a deal.
Right now we have a very good stock of Stealth Bombs on hand. We have 4 different colors, all 1/2 oz. total rig weight.
Need the Right Rod and Reel (and line) for those Alabama Rigs? We have Just The Ticket – In Stock……
If there has ever been a fishing phenomenon that has taken the fishing world by storm it has to be the invention and use of the Alabama rigs. One day no one has heard of it, the next everyone, and we mean E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E is using them. Call them Alabama Rigs, Umbrella Rigs, or Stealth Bombs, everyone is throwing these rigs.
And that’s great, but from what we’ve seen many of you are not up to speed as far as the best rod, reel , and line that allows these marvelous rigs to perform at their best. When you use these Alabama/Umbrella/ Stealth Bombs you really need a swimbait rod coupled to a larger reel. Now we wouldn’t be telling you this unless we thought we had the perfect combo for you. And we do.
We recommend using a swimbait rod such as the G. Loomis Swimbait rod SWBR904 ($265) or SWBR955 ($270). If you’re throwing bigger jigs (3/8 oz or more) with bigger swimbait plastics you may even want to consider the SWBR956 ($270) or even the SWBR957 ($295). If you like split grip rods we also have some awesome new 2012 G. Loomis GL2 Swimbait rods such as the GL2 956C SWB ($245) or the GL2 957C SWB ($245).
Now that you have the right rod then you’ll need a reel than can stand up to the heavier lure weights both when you cast out as well as retrieve since you have a lot more weight than you normally would if you were fishing just one jig, crankbait, or spinner. You need big gears and guts. What to use? The Curado 300 series reels are just the ticket! Right hand we recommend the Curado CU300E, left hand the Curado CU301E. Price is $249.99. Not bad for a bullet-proof low profile casting reel with extra line capacity that’s Made in Japan and practically indestructible. No more side plate bearing failures for you!
Once you have the right rod and reel then all that left is line, and of course we have a recommendation for this as well. All of us here at American Legacy Fishing like using either 65 lb test $21.49 (16 lb mono equivalent) or 80 lb. test $24.99 (18 lb mono equivalent) Power Pro braided line or, better yet, New Power Pro Super Slick – 65 lb $24.99 or 80 lb $27.99. A 150 yard spool of either will fill that Curado 300 series reel perfectly and now you will be all set to really get the most bang-for-the-buck out of your Alabama/Umbrella/Stealth Bomb rig.
Right now we have everything in stock, so consider our recommendations if you will be fishing these “hot” rigs.
Sunline Reaction FC – Fluorocarbon Line that STRETCHES!……………
The big problem with fluoro lines, in our mind, has always been that you trade of line durability for no stretch. And stretch is actually GOOD. Especially when fishing reaction baits such as cranks, spinners, buzzers, etc. Without stretch you have a much greater risk of the fish coming off either at hook-set or when fighting. With some stretch the line actually compensates for some of these risks. Why do you think mono is still so popular?
This new Sunline Reaction FC line has the same softness, durability, and abrasion resistance as regular FC Sniper fluorocarbon line, but with 10% more stretch. Invisibility is increased with Sunline Reaction FC’s grey/blue tint and it’s high specific gravity (1.78 vs. water’s 1.00) allows your bait to reach maximum depth sooner and deeper. Overall this is a product we have all been waiting for.
Sunline Reaction FC Fluorocarbon line is available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20 lb test in spools of 200 years each. Price is $22.99 We have every size IN STOCK and suggest you consider this remarkable line now while preparing your tackle for the spring fishing season. We can assure you this line will rock. Just be sure to troll it out (nothing on the end) after you put it on your reel for maximum performance! (Do this with ALL lines)
World’s Best Fillet Knife is BACK IN STOCK – And On Sale!……………
WOW! Our World’s Best Filet Knife is finally back in stock! To celebrate and to thank you for your patience we have these amazing knives on sale for $49.99 (normally $74.99)! In the world of fillet knives this is a one-of-a-kind knife and one you will want to pass down to your kids or grandkids (once they know proper knife handling skills).
Custom STEALTH Made-In-The-USA Baits are Now In Stock and W-A-Y Underpriced…………………..
Let me make this perfectly clear from the get-go. These baits are priced Way Too Low. The Crankbaits are only $15.99 each and the Spinnerbaits are $8.99 each. Hey, these are handmade here in the USA custom baits. Hand assembled with premium TroKar and Mustad hooks, hand painted, and assembled. Like we said, Way to Cheap for the quality and performance!
Everyone is looking for an extra edge out on the water. The fact is fish have seen the same factory baits over and over. It is time to show them something a little different…..something custom. The new Stealth Custom Spinnerbaits and Crankbaits are some of the finest lures on the market. The custom hand-tied spinnerbait skirts and ultra-realistic custom painted crankbaits give you the edge you’ve been looking for.
The Stealth Custom Shop spinnerbaits are currently available in 3/8 oz. and 1/2 oz. Double Willow Leaf models. There are seven proven and tested fish catching colors that are sure to make even the pickiest bass commit. The spinnerbaits utilize an ultra-thin wire that throws off a ton of underwater vibration. Stealth’s hand-tied skirts pulse and undulate in the water like nothing the fish have ever seen.
If the spinnerbait bite isn’t happening, tie on one of the SCS1.5 or SCS1.5 DD crankbaits. These baits were designed to be some of the best shallow cranking baits in your tackle box. Currently available in six handpicked custom colors, there is an option for every water color you encounter. These baits run true out of the package, no tuning needed. The SCS1.5 square bill will run 2 – 5 ft. and the SCS1.5 DD will run 6 – 9 ft. These are high performance crankbaits that will deflect through wood and rock without getting hung up.
Say again: these baits should probably sell for between $25 – $30 at the least. And we’re pretty sure that sooner or later the manufacturer (one guy) will up and realize what he’s created and the price will zoom. Until then we’re pricing them at his suggested retail and no more at his request. Get them while you can at this incredible price. They won’t last long. We just hope the manufacturer will!
2012 G. Loomis Catalog Now Available………………
It’s Finally here! Our expanded 36 page G. Loomis catalog is now out with more rods and accessories than ever before. Lots of new stuff this year and, in out humble opinion, a far better effort than last year. This is our own, exclusive G. Loomis catalog and is available Free of Charge simply by emailing us your complete name, address, and postal code at [email protected] or calling us at 1-812-402-6350 (toll) or 1-877-402-6250 (toll free). You can also stop by our store where we have plenty available.
We’re really proud of this effort and think you will be impressed with not only the content, but just how well laid out it is. We have about 5,000 of these, so don’t delay in requesting one of these G. Loomis catalogs. We will not be getting any more. Simply put, this is a great reference tool and, in our opinion, far better than having to look everything G. Loomis up on their web site.
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