IT’S SPORTSHOW SEASON

     Across the Midwest it’s sportshow season. Sportshows are a great opportunity for the fishing-person or fishing-family to spend an afternoon or a day together looking at the newest fishing equipment and boats and motors, and also for getting ideas for new areas to visit on a fishing trip.

I have spent a lot of time at sportshows in the winter and early spring months for quite a few years, and am still anxious to see what’s new at the sportshows. So far this year, there are a few pieces of angling gear that have really caught my eye. Here a few of those things.

Be sure to check out the new CD reels from Abu Garcia. CD stands for Center Drag, and as far as I know, Abu has the only ones out there. The Center Drag allows for a smoother, more dependable drag system because the drag surface is much larger than on more traditional reels, and the drag adjustment on the CD is also much more convenient. CD reels have been popular at early sportshows and should continue to be as the show season progresses.

If you’re interested in what the fish’s world looks like, you need to check out the Aqua-Vu underwater viewing systems. These underwater cameras have been around for a couple of years and have really helped anglers understand what the fish see and what they relate to. They are very easy to use, and will give anglers a whole new perspective on the fish’s world. They will be on display at most sportshows across the Midwest.

The Navigator from Alumacraft is brand new this year and is creating interest from anglers who want a smaller boat with big boat features. The layout and features of the Navigator are appealing to anglers everywhere.

Outboard motors available to today’s anglers and boaters are amazing. They are more 
reliable, quieter, more fuel efficient, and better for both trolling and high-speed use. The motors from Mercury are particularly user-friendly. I have a friend who runs a Mercury OptiMax 200 horsepower motor that uses less gas and is quieter than a 100 horsepower motor that is just a year old. If a new motor is in your future, be sure to check out the 4-stroke motors from Mercury.

Sportshows are more than just rods and reels and lures(don’t forget to check out the new selection of Buck-Shot Rattle Spoons from Northland Tackle). Sportshows are a great place to learn new fishing techniques at fishing seminars. Additionally, many fishing guides and tournament anglers are on hand to answer fishing questions you may have, or to just talk fishing. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the anglers you’ve read about in the magazines or have seen on t.v.

Wherever you live in the Midwest, there will probably be a sportshow or boat show close to your home soon. Be sure to visit it for a head start on the fishing season.

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