First up is the new ABU Zenon spinner with a magnesium body and rotor:
Doubtful that this one will make anyone's "must have" list, as magnesium and SW is a big no-no. The 499.99 List Price might be a bit off-putting as well. Isn't that around the same List Price as the Van Stall VR-50? Yeah, I think I know where I'd spend my half-thou.
Next up is the new Abu Zeta baitcaster. I believe this one has a new type of "carbon" (meaning plastic) frame. Don't see this one displacing any of the big Shimano or Daiwa players in the $180 price range. Not at its $500 List Price, anyways. . .
Now this one shows more promise - its the new Lews KVD baitcaster. With an aluminum frame, brass gears and a 20lb-rated drag system, it might be a best buy in the $90 - $139 range. Its a pretty little thing as well. Looks like a cross between a Gen4 Revo and a Curado K.
So by now just about everyone knows about the Accurist reels from Quantum; in no small part because of the fluke fishing vids put out by a certain YouTube personality, as well as the near endless email spamming from a popular NJ tackle vendor. Hmmm, do I smell a bit of "collusion" here? Quick, someone call Shifty Schiff! Investigate! Anyway, last season I took one apart and reviewed it on this board, and found it pretty nice for the $99 List Price. Here, have a look-see at that write-up:
nyangler.com
The problem with Quantum has always been the inconsistent level of parts availability. Eh, maybe they've addressed this, I can't really say, as I normally don't take in Quantum reels for service any longer. Not if I can avoid it, anyways.
And here's Garmin's latest wristwatch-style GPS. I like anything Garmin and this looks to be just the thing to pinch top-secret drop locations from your favorite charter captain. Hey, no worries, they LIKE when you do that sort of thing.
Only $1,150, so not quite a best-buy.
Anybody try a lithium battery in your boat yet? No one? Me neither, and I never will, after seeing a series of $100K Tesla's burned to the ground, due to weird lithium battery issues. I think I'll pass, in perpetuity. But hey, for a mere $2,899, you can have the very latest in marine battery technology spinning over your trusty 1975 Evinrude 40. They say it can replace THREE Group-31 batteries, so maybe it IS a best buy. For the Zuckerberg/Bezos-income level crowd, that is.
Seaguar Gold Label Fluoro leader material - stated to be the thinnest and strongest leader on the market. Available on 25-yd spools. Not crazy-expensive at around $18. I'm not a "fluoro-guy," but for that price I will probably give it whirl to see what the fluoro-fuss is all about.
I'm a huge fan of anything Sufix, and this new braid "ProMix," is said to retain its color twice as long as other braids. That is actually a step forward, as even my fav, Sufix 832 will bleach/leach much of its color after a full season's use. No word on whether its a 4 or 8-thread weave though. More investigation needed:
So HERE'S something I might actually buy. Sufix's new "131" braid. Woven with 12 fibers plus a central Gore-Tex core, this is the logical step-up from my fav line, "832." Claimed to be the smoothest, quietest, most round braided line out there. Sufix is a good as it gets, so I don't really doubt them. Not insanely expensive at $40/150 yds - at least not in the context of JDM-available super braids, which can go up to (and over) $100/100 yds.
This one is obviously not for the "Power-Pro is good enough" crowd. Rather, its really intended for the more discriminating angler. Is that you? Good! Then you're like me! Meh, though it IS an incurable illness, its nothing to be ashamed of, believe me. I've learned to live with it. You can too. Seriously, I really do want to try it. Well, maybe when my business returns to pre-COVID levels. . . whenever THAT is. I hope they're still making it by then.
This one is interesting and looks to be an upgrade to the older-style Plano plastic boxes we all own. I like the much more substantial dividers, which has always been a peave of mine. Also, it appears that the crummy old hinges and chinsy snap lock tabs have been upgraded as well. Available in the popular 3600 and 3700-sizes. No List Price stated, but come on, how bad could it be? Its freakin' plastic, after all.
Doubtful that this one will make anyone's "must have" list, as magnesium and SW is a big no-no. The 499.99 List Price might be a bit off-putting as well. Isn't that around the same List Price as the Van Stall VR-50? Yeah, I think I know where I'd spend my half-thou.
Next up is the new Abu Zeta baitcaster. I believe this one has a new type of "carbon" (meaning plastic) frame. Don't see this one displacing any of the big Shimano or Daiwa players in the $180 price range. Not at its $500 List Price, anyways. . .

Now this one shows more promise - its the new Lews KVD baitcaster. With an aluminum frame, brass gears and a 20lb-rated drag system, it might be a best buy in the $90 - $139 range. Its a pretty little thing as well. Looks like a cross between a Gen4 Revo and a Curado K.
So by now just about everyone knows about the Accurist reels from Quantum; in no small part because of the fluke fishing vids put out by a certain YouTube personality, as well as the near endless email spamming from a popular NJ tackle vendor. Hmmm, do I smell a bit of "collusion" here? Quick, someone call Shifty Schiff! Investigate! Anyway, last season I took one apart and reviewed it on this board, and found it pretty nice for the $99 List Price. Here, have a look-see at that write-up:
New Quantum Accurist S3 Bait Caster - Not Bad At All!
So, I am "lucky" enough to see plenty of reels come across my bench (some bench - its actually the top drawers of my Snap-on top cab, with a towel across them), LOL! Most of these are in pretty dire shape, but I get more than few every season that are brandy-new, with a request for some sort of...

The problem with Quantum has always been the inconsistent level of parts availability. Eh, maybe they've addressed this, I can't really say, as I normally don't take in Quantum reels for service any longer. Not if I can avoid it, anyways.
And here's Garmin's latest wristwatch-style GPS. I like anything Garmin and this looks to be just the thing to pinch top-secret drop locations from your favorite charter captain. Hey, no worries, they LIKE when you do that sort of thing.

Anybody try a lithium battery in your boat yet? No one? Me neither, and I never will, after seeing a series of $100K Tesla's burned to the ground, due to weird lithium battery issues. I think I'll pass, in perpetuity. But hey, for a mere $2,899, you can have the very latest in marine battery technology spinning over your trusty 1975 Evinrude 40. They say it can replace THREE Group-31 batteries, so maybe it IS a best buy. For the Zuckerberg/Bezos-income level crowd, that is.
Seaguar Gold Label Fluoro leader material - stated to be the thinnest and strongest leader on the market. Available on 25-yd spools. Not crazy-expensive at around $18. I'm not a "fluoro-guy," but for that price I will probably give it whirl to see what the fluoro-fuss is all about.
I'm a huge fan of anything Sufix, and this new braid "ProMix," is said to retain its color twice as long as other braids. That is actually a step forward, as even my fav, Sufix 832 will bleach/leach much of its color after a full season's use. No word on whether its a 4 or 8-thread weave though. More investigation needed:
So HERE'S something I might actually buy. Sufix's new "131" braid. Woven with 12 fibers plus a central Gore-Tex core, this is the logical step-up from my fav line, "832." Claimed to be the smoothest, quietest, most round braided line out there. Sufix is a good as it gets, so I don't really doubt them. Not insanely expensive at $40/150 yds - at least not in the context of JDM-available super braids, which can go up to (and over) $100/100 yds.
This one is obviously not for the "Power-Pro is good enough" crowd. Rather, its really intended for the more discriminating angler. Is that you? Good! Then you're like me! Meh, though it IS an incurable illness, its nothing to be ashamed of, believe me. I've learned to live with it. You can too. Seriously, I really do want to try it. Well, maybe when my business returns to pre-COVID levels. . . whenever THAT is. I hope they're still making it by then.

This one is interesting and looks to be an upgrade to the older-style Plano plastic boxes we all own. I like the much more substantial dividers, which has always been a peave of mine. Also, it appears that the crummy old hinges and chinsy snap lock tabs have been upgraded as well. Available in the popular 3600 and 3700-sizes. No List Price stated, but come on, how bad could it be? Its freakin' plastic, after all.