You’ve seen the latest Pflueger spinning reels and now here’s the latest from Abu Garcia. The Revo Premier spinning reel uses the NanoShield Technology. Look for the preview article coming very soon on TackleTour.com

Here’s a picture of the Revo Premier Spinning

Preview of the Patriarch and Supreme XT spinning reels will be on TackleTour.com very soon but here’s a sneak peek at these stunning magnesium reels… Available September 2010.

Patriarch Spinning

Supreme XT Spinning

Prior to 2006 Abu Garcia had no say in the low profile reel market and I have to say, what they were offering before really sucked, and I bet the Abu reel team agrees. Then all of the sudden out of no where they introduced the Revo reels at the 2006 ICAST. It was Abu’s REVOlution, making a huge dent in the freshwater low profile reel market and even had the guys at Shimano running scared.

So when is Abu Garcia’s Next REVOlution and where are they headed?

Here are my thoughts on where they are going…

1) Abu Garcia rods – They started out with the low cost yet attractive and decent performing Vengeance and Vendetta rods. And recently the Veritas white bass rod that we previewed and also seen on our TackleTour Forum. Just last ICAST we also gave a sneak peek at the new lightweight rod but haven’t seen much of it lately except that it’s in the works. It will be called Verdict and will be super-lightweight and well-balanced. It’s time they introduce higher end rods in the Abu Garcia brand, though Jim at Abu did tell us at ICAST they want to introduce high-performing, JDM looking rods at affordable prices, and of course widely available and easy to buy, with a warranty.

2) The REVO lowprofile baitcast reels, they already have a great product here and only minor changes can be made if any. Nothing will probably happen here for this year’s ICAST unless they are making new reels out of new materials to make it super-lightweight. If it ain’t broken don’t change it.

3) So what’s left for the Next REVOlution? I have a feeling that it’ll be in the freshwater spinning reels and perhaps a high-end line of spinning reels under the REVO name. I was about to review the Pflueger Supreme XT spinning reel which I tested for trout fishing and it performed well but was then told it will be replaced by a newer and better model that will be introduced at ICAST 2010. Someone at Abu also leaked some word of a feather-lightweight spinning reel similar to what we’ve seen in the Revo Premier baitcaster.  This would match with the high-end lightweight rod, Verdict, that’s currently in development. Aside from that they can probably introduce a whole new line of REVO spinning reels here.

That’s where I’m seeing Abu Garcia headed for next year with prototypes being introduced this year at ICAST.

What would you like to see in the NEXT REVOlution?!?

Ardent will be introducing their new flipping and pitching technique specific reel, the Denny Brauer Signature F-700 Flip-N-Pitch.

It takes on the form of the F-500 with addiotional features we’ll cover at ICAST.

A few weeks ago I blogged about a rumor that Abu Garcia might be coming out with some components for people to mod their Revos. Well, as ICAST nears those rumors doesn’t seem to be true. What’s 100% true is that the Revo series will be redesigned for 2010 with new looks and features. Here’s the 2010 Revo Premier.

MSRP: $249.95

Frame: Aluminum

Gear Ratio: 6.4:1

Brake: Ultimate Brake System

Drag: Carbon Fiber washers

Bearings: 9+1

Line Capacity: 12lb/100yds

Weight: 6.8 oz

The Quantum preview article didn’t provide TT quality photos of the reels. (We’ll get those in two weeks at ICAST)

Preview article on TT: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantumpre2010.html

Here’s a larger higher quality photo of the new Quantum Tour KVD PT casting reel.

Pflueger will be introducing perhaps their lightest reel ever. The Patriarch XT will be only 6.8 ounces. The new lightweight reel will also feature a Carbon Fiber Handle with EVA knobs. More details to come on the first day of ICAST , July 15th.

Rumor has it that Abu Garcia is going to introduce new upgrades or mods to their Revo reels.  We aren’t 100% sure what it is yet but sources tell us it’s coming and we’ll see it at ICAST. It has been really hush hush on this even we couldn’t dig up more dirty on the new products.

Perhaps what some of you saw on PureFishing’s Japanese and Australian website will be brought to the USA?

What’s your guess?

As promised, you will see a sneak peak of the Penn Torque and Conquer spinning reels on TackleTour.  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpennpre09.html

Have you guys seen this reel? The new Daiwa Saltiga DOGFIGHT spinning reel, available in July 2009, has 66 pounds of drag! That’s killer for a spinning reel. Oh, and a price tag of just $1099, that’s all.

Some more details: The Daiwa Saltiga Dogfight SA-Z6500HDF Spinning Reel is the ultimate Saltiga spinning reel. With a drag max of 66 lbs., it’s built to handle the heaviest of braided lines and control large, strong-pulling predators like Tuna, Amberjack, and Marlin. Features include: 14 bearing and 1 roller bearing, 66 lbs. max drag pressure, 6.2:1 gear ratio, Machined aluminum alloy body, sideplate, and rotor, Digigear digital designed stainless and bronze alloy gears, Dual full time infinite anti-reverse, Touch air bail tubular stainless bail, Water resistant hi-performance graphite drag, Forged aluminum spool with titanium ring, Double supported pinion system “zero friction main shaft”, Manual return bail closure system, Bail and rotor lock – during cast, Custom, machined aluminum ball-shape grip and handle, Drilled round power knob, and Saltiga Z 6500 HDF.

Matching the Saltist Conventional is a new Saltist spinning reel by Daiwa.

As the Saltist name implies, these reels were designed for all-out serious saltwater fishing, and that means simple, straight forward mechanisms that can withstand the punishment and still work flawlessly, time after time. Like a manual bail trip for fewer moving parts – greater strength and reliability. Even a dual, full-time anti-reverse you can depend on, with no lever to accidentally turn off or snag line. Reliability and performance…that’s Saltist. Features include: Rugged, all-metal construction, Aluminum alloy body, sideplate, and rotor, 6.2:1 high speed gear ratio retrieves up to 53 inches of line with every crank, Digigear digital designed stainless and bronze alloy gears, 6 bearing (5 CRBB + 1 RB), Manual return bail closure system, Bail lock – during cast, Airbail tubular stainless bail, Machined aluminum handle, Waterproof drag and body construction, Forged aluminum spool with blue titanium nitride ring, Zero friction main shaft for added power, Dual full time anti-reverse, 22 – 33 lbs. of max drag pressure, Twist Buster 2 line twist reduction, STT 4000H, 4500H, 5000H, 6000H, and 6500H sizes.

More info on TackleTour.com: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwazillionsaltistpreview2010.html

Pre-ICAST sneak peak of the new Daiwa Saltist Lever Drag conventional reel. Pretty cool color combination huh?

Saltist Lever Drag Conventional Single and Two Speed Casting Reels combines a compact, lever drag design with the free-spool ability to easily toss live baits and hardware. Saltist LD features include: Choice of single or two speed models, Fast, One Touch gear shift, Six CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings, Precision stainless steel gears, helical-cut for smooth, powerful winding, Ultimate Tournament carbon drag (UTD), Offset power handle with round speed knob, Aluminum frame and left sideplate are one solid piece for unmatched strength, Dual system Infinite Anti-Reverse (single speed models), Precision ratchet Anti-Reverse (two speed models), and Machined aluminum spool.

More info on TackleTour.com: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwazillionsaltistpreview2010.html

ICAST is getting REALLY close and you’ll see more new product sneak peaks coming on TackleTour and TackleTog.

Here’s one of Fin-Nor’s new conventional reels, Fin-Nor Marquesa. Designed and built to compete with the Shimano Torsa.

The Marquesa will be available in 4 sizes and 6 different models. 4 topless and 2 with a top bar and adjustable tension clicker. It’s constructed from a true one-piece forged aluminum frame and gear side cover and spool. Six ball bearings and roller clutch bearings give the reel it’s smoothness. Drag system consists of a stack of carbon fiber washers providing strong and smooth operation when the fish are fighting like mad. Fast 6.1:1 gear ratio and the Marquesa uses a 4 brake weight casting control system.

The reels will be available at the end of 2009 and will retail from $259 to $319.

Shimano: There have been some rumors flying around regarding some new products that Shimano is going to unleash at ICAST this July. One that interests most anglers is a new Mg reel, perhaps one that’s very similar to Shimano Japan’s Aldebaran. Then there’s the rumor about a new Cumara series. Just rumors or that’s real? Both of these are true! There will be a new Mg reel and a new Cumara series but what exactly… we’ll let you know once we find out more.

Ardent Reels: I got word from reliable Ardent sources that they will be introducing a new reel in July with some innovative designs. More info to come shortly.

In February 2009 Pure Fishing Japan announced the new Abu Garcia Morrum ZX1600 and ZX1601 reels.

Since ICAST 2009 is nearing we have heard various things but nothing for sure if they are going to bring the new Morrum ZX to the United States. It sells in Japan for about $477 USD.

If Pure Fishing USA brought the reel over to the States, are we willing to pay about $500 for the reel?

And if they diluted the reel a little to decrease the cost, would you buy one?

Pictures of the Japanese Abu Garcia Morrum ZX

Abu Garcia ZX 1600 IVCB-4 and ZX 1601 IVCB-4

Abu Garcia ZX 1600 BJ IVCB-4 and ZX 1601 BJ IVCB-4

Abu Garcia ZX 3600 LJ ICVB and ZX 3600 LJ ICVB

The TT staff hasn’t tried a US Reel yet but according to the claims on US Reel’s website it states that casts further, can cast and pitch lighter lures, and it does it with fewer backlashes. Maybe it’s true????

US Reel SuperCaster 1000 Pro

Features:

• ABLe “see-saw” levelwind
• Straight line casting for maximum distance
• Reverse rotation spool
• Adjustable levelwind height for maximum control
• Forged aluminum handle
• Anodized aircraft aluminum internal main gear
• Aluminum body and sidecovers with
  6-layer SUPERCOAT6™ process
• 7 stainless steel ball bearings
• Highest-quality INA infinite anti-reverse bearing
• Forged, 2-tone anodized spool
• Super-hard titanium nitride (TIN) coated levelwind
• Thumbar spool release
• Stainless steel spool shaft
• Dual drag disk system
• Smokin’ fast 7.1 to 1 gear ratio
• 30” per turn retrieve rate
• Weighs 8.2 ounces
• Mono capacities (lb/yd) 10/144, 12/131, 14/106, 20/74
• Braid capacities (lb/yd) 10/221, 20/148

US Reel SuperCaster 1000

Features:

• ABLe “see-saw” levelwind
• Straight line casting for maximum distance
• Reverse rotation spool
• Adjustable levelwind height for maximum control
• Anodized aircraft aluminum internal main gear
• Aluminum body and sidecovers with
  6-layer SUPERCOAT6™ process
• 3 Stainless Steel Ball Bearings
• Highest-quality INA infinite anti-reverse bearing
• Forged, 2-tone anodized Spool
• Super-hard titanium nitride (TIN) coated levelwind
• Thumbar spool release
• Stainless steel spool shaft
• Dual drag disk system
• Fast 6.6 to 1 gear ratio
• 28” per turn retrieve rate
• Weighs 8.2 ounces
• Mono capacities (lb/yd) 10/144, 12/131, 14/106, 20/74
• Braid capacities (lb/yd) 10/221, 20/148

Cal and I are back from fishing Lake Novillo, Mexico. We flew to Hermosillo with Jonah from Hi’s Tackle Box, Dean from Blackwater International, and Justin from Anglers West TV. At the Hermosillo airport, owners Bob and Bill of BMB picked us up and drove the group to their bed and breakfast that’s just 2 hours away. The house is located in San Pedro de la Cueva that’s only a slow 10 minute tow to Lake Novillo. A complete article will be posted on TackleTour.com shortly. http://www.tackletour.com

We were there for a few reasons but our main focus was on the Crankbait Rod Wars, and did we have a good crankbait bite on Lake Novillo that allowed us to truly test the gear for the Year of the Crank. Aside from crankbaits, lures such as Zoom lizards, Senkos, Powerbait 10 inch worms, paddletail swimbaits, poppers, jigs… sheez, almost everything worked out there.

The lake has a lot of bass, Northern and Florida strains, and catching 4 to 7 pounders are very common with double digit bass lurking nearby. The bass in Lake Novillo are aggressive! They hit hard and don’t stop fighting until they are released back into the water. I lost a big one after it jumped clearly out of the water 4 times and finally spitting the hook right by the boat.

Anyways, enjoy these photos…