The CR80 is a new baitcasting reel from Daiwa that is packed with tons of great specs at a sub-$100 price point. Most retailers are offering the CR80 at $79.99. The real question is how does it perform? We’ve all seen bargain reels and the oversaturation of the budget reel market so is it a good buy or not? I put Continue Reading
Reviews
REVIEW: OGT Companion 400 Pro Survival Tool
Whether it’s Christmas season, a birthday, or anniversary, shopping for the outdoor enthusiast can be difficult and sometimes pretty expensive. It doesn’t have to be though. I found the Off Grid Tools Companion 400 Pro Survival Tool surfing the web and decided to give it a shot as a potential recommended gift item. The $25 price tag and features seemed Continue Reading
Review: Shimano Curado Rods
When it comes to fishing rods, a person’s budget could be a very small window in a large landscape. And while most of us would lunge at the chance to outfit all of our rod lockers with $600+ fishing rods, it’s not reality. Reality is where I’m at and where I try to ground my reviews. One of the biggest Continue Reading
2019 Hobie Outback: Thoughts from an Owner
In August I did a quick review based on the new Hobie Outback I got to test paddle in Oklahoma City at Paddle Sports Retailer. When I got off the water I knew I would have to buy one. Fast forward a few weeks and I bought my very own from my good friends Aris, Dave, and Adrian at Mariner Continue Reading
REVIEW: YETI Panga Waterproof Backpack
The quest for big fish on the fly can find anglers pushing through areas overgrown with brambles, trees, vines, and briars. Knowing a river or creek will eventually dump into a small bay or pocket that will hold their target pushes them deeper on pathless journeys. Wading across switchbacks is almost a necessity which makes waterproof gear a necessity. Cell Continue Reading
REVIEW: Leviathan Genesis Kayak Rod
Thanks to the folks at Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle in Killeen, TX I was able to get a test run with the new Leviathan Genesis Kayak rod. Made with premium components, a Loomis blank, and a carbon fiber grip, the Genesis held great promise in the store but needed a day on the water to really report out on it. Continue Reading
REVIEW: ANGLR Bullseye Bluetooth Fishing Logger
The ANGLR Bullseye is a Bluetooth button that pairs with the free ANGLR app to create the “most powerful and effortless fishing intelligence in the world.” This is the second tracker from ANGLR but at a much different functionality and price point. While the original ANGLR Tracker was priced at $149 and had to be moved to each one of your rods (or Continue Reading
REVIEW: EnduroPacks Liquid Electrolytes
If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, especially in the warmer climates, you know that hydration sometimes isn’t enough to prevent cramping. Electrolytes become important and adventurers will often reach for drinks like Gatorade to meet the need of hydration and electrolytes. The potential problem with that is sugar. Sugar can actually worsen cramps and add stomach Continue Reading
REVIEW: Bio Bait Switchback
I stopped by my local tackle shop, Tightline Premium Fishing Tackle, in Killeen, TX last week and Chad said he had something new he wanted me to check out. It was a soft plastic fluke style bait called the Switchback from Bio Bait. As always I was happy to oblige and spent a few hours on the water with it Continue Reading
Review: Klik Belts 1.5 Inch 2 Ply Belt
I’ll be honest. I’ve had a lot of weight fluctuation this year. I’ve gone from as small as 185 pounds to as heavy as 215. That kind of weight change and back again is hell on traditional belts. It looks like four or five holes are blown out of several belts I own and having to buy a couple of Continue Reading
