2 0 1 0 G E A R
B U Y E R ’ S G U I D E
Salus Kayak Angler PFD $139
www.salusmar
ine.com
Go figure. A Canadian company came up with the first kayak angler PFD with a fleece- backed pocket to warm frozen fingers. Brilliant! A four- season wonder, this vest adds a retractor with gear clip, an inner key pocket, a couple of lash points and high-tech breathable lining for those warm summer days. As if that’s not enough, it also boasts Salus’ patented round edge design for cushy comfort.
Immersion Research
Fishing Pants $ 250 www.
immersionresearch.com
Made by kayakers for kayakers, Immersion Research’s new Fishing Pants are fully waterproof. Built from four-layer Entrant waterproof and breathable material with integrated two mm booties, they do waders one better. The neoprene waist band holds the pants snug; these things won’t balloon during an unplanned swim.
Paddles
Gullwing 230 Paddle $149 /
www.gul
lwingpaddles.com
A different take on the ergonomic paddle, the Gullwing’s graceful shape fits naturally in the hands. The angled, asymmetric nylon and fiberglass blades glide easily into the water, for near-effortless low angle paddling. Always right-side-up by dint of design, it’s truly grab and go. Novice friendly—there’s no feather to fumble—old dogs might prefer to swing their accustomed sticks.
Backwater Hand Paddle $20 /
www.backwaterpaddles.com
Don’t even think it. This is no ping pong paddle; it’s a serious instrument of fish (catch and release) destruction. Useful for precision maneuvering around docks, boiler rocks and other structure, this one-handed wonder supplements a full-sized paddle once you’re in tight quarters or don’t care to set down that fishing pole. Clever, there’s even a hook for holding onto branches.
FISH BL ING [ S E L F P R E S E R V A T I O N ]
KOKATAT SEAO2 www.kokatat .com
$199
Does a typical PFD feel more like a strait jacket? Kokatat’s SeaO2 dumps most of the foam in favor of 7.5 low profile pounds of floatation and a hidden inflation chamber. Trigger the attached CO2 cartridge for full buoyancy. The SeaO2 sports a mesh back, high tenacity nylon inner and outer shells and reflective tape. On-board storage is limited to a pair of mesh pockets, but any more would defeat the purpose.
[ F I S H S T I C K S ]
LAMIGLAS TRI-FLEX GRAPHITE INSHORE www.
lamiglas.com
$230–260
Fear not high-sticking. Virtually inevitable from a kayak, putting a radical bend in a rod tip can spell doom for a high end graphite composite stick. Not the Lamiglas Tri-Flex Inshore. A proprietary mix of graphite and fiberglass piles on the strength but doesn’t impact the sensitivity of these premium American built rods. Lightweight and forgiving enough for lines as light as eight pounds, these things still provide the leverage to lift the big ones. Available in casting and spinning models from seven to eight feet.
44 … KAYAK ANGLER FALL/WINTER 2010
BERKLEY LIGHTNING ROD SHOCK
www.berkley- f
ishing.com
Consider these capabilities: superline actions marrying backbone to shock absorption, strike-amplifying graphite and fiberglass tips, diamond polished aluminum oxide guides, split cork grips and suspending reel seats for enhanced sensitivity. All those mid-grade components for a mere $50? You’ve got to be kidding! Well, Berkley isn’t. The new Lightning Rod Shock comes in casting and spinning models from six to 7.5 feet.
$50–$55
MTI FISHER
www.mt iadventurewear .com
MTI’s original fishing PFD is studded with pockets—eight of them to be exact. Almost a wearable tackle box, this jacket’s green exterior shell is mildew resistant polyester. There’s even an anchor for a pin-on retractor holder. Pretty nice given the entry-level price.
$60 BANG FOR THE $
Apparel
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