Berkley Lightning Rod Shock
The low-stretch characteristics of braided line have led many anglers to make the switch from other line types, especially for finesse tactics. But braid can be hard on rods. Now Berkley, the leader in braided fishing line, has a rod that makes anglers feel good knowing their line guides are safe while fishing braid.
The Berkley Lightning Rod Shock features braid-proof, aluminum-oxide guides that are carefully sized to reduce wind knots, for when the wind tries to stir up a tangle. Berkley also created the Strike Amplifying Tip (S.A.T.) for this rod, which is a forgiving blend of fiberglass and graphite that prevents 
hook tear-out with low-stretch line and increases hooked fish.
Five one-piece spinning models, one two-piece spinning model and four casting models are available at prices ranging from $50 to $55. (berkley-fishing.com)
Abu Garcia Revo Winch
Winch is right. Torque, power and performance form the foundation of the new Abu Garcia Revo 
Winch. Like other Revos, the Winch is backlash-free and silky through the retrieve, but this Revo can crush its counterparts in a tug-of-war contest.
With a 5.4:1 retrieve ratio and weighing only 8.54 ounces, the Winch is perfect for fishing big-lipped crankbaits all day long. Angler fatigue is cut down, and wear and tear on the gears is minimal. Casting and retrieving performance is enhanced with 11 ball bearings and a centrifugal brake. Throw in a cool, dark-blue finish and the Winch looks good too. Retail price is around $200. (abu-garcia.com)
Berkley Gulp! Alive! 5-inch Crazy Legs Jerk Shad
The new Berkley Gulp! Alive! 5-inch Crazy Legs Jerk Shad uses the same scent technology, the same recharging tub of juice and the same “just won’t let go” power as other Gulp! Alive! products, but it features the best leg-kicking action in the line.
A pair of thin-cut, curly legs wobble behind the jerkbait body, daring fish to bite. Rip one on a jighead or weedless hook for reaction bites, swim one over vegetation to draw fish out, or drag one slow on a bottom rig for finicky biters. Whichever method used, the Crazy Legs will produce.
The Crazy Legs Jerk Shad is available in five colors. A pint-sized container of the soft bait and juice retails for about $20. (berkley-fishing.com)
Minn Kota Fortrex
Minn Kota set out to make the toughest and quietest trolling motor on the market, and they succeeded.
The new Fortrex bow-mount trolling motor features an aluminum frame with a redesigned Mono Arm, 
which incorporates fewer moving parts and has a main hinge point 20 times larger than other trolling motors. Composite bushings make sure this trolling motor is built to last, while ridding anglers of the creaking and cracking most trolling motors make as they wear.
The motor can be removed in seconds from the mount with a single nut and features other Minn Kota innovations such as Lift-Assist, Bowguard 360º, which protects the motor and boat, and an ergonomically engineered foot pedal.
The motor is available with 80 or 101 pounds of thrust and shaft lengths of 45, 52 or 62 inches. The retail price ranges from $1,080 to $1,330, depending on size. (minnkotamotors.com)
St. Croix Mojo Bass
With FLW Outdoors set to launch a no-entry-fee college bass-fishing circuit, there’s no better time to be a college angler. But school expenses can hinder a student’s budget for new, quality gear.
St. Croix has a solution to that problem with the Mojo Bass rod series.
Twelve technique-specific rods complete the series, each designed for a tactic ranging from frog fishing to drop-shotting. And like all St. Croix rods, they sport a clean and classy design, with a bit of young-gun attitude courtesy of a “Black Cherry Metallic” finish.
Split-grip cork handles, comfortable Fuji reel seats, aluminum-oxide guides and SC graphite compose the performance side and are all put together with the quality of construction associated with building rods the hands-on St. Croix way.
The best part, however, is the price. All rods in the series retail for $90 to $120 – perfect for any angler looking for entry-level pricing and top-tier rods. (stcroixrods.com)
Lowrance Broadband Sounder-1
The Lowrance Broadband Sounder-1 is the newest innovation in world-class depth finder technology. It can identify fish in, around and through cover, at any depth, in any conditions.
Anglers no longer have to guess the difference between a ball of bait and a clump of weeds on the depth finder. The Broadband Sounder-1 has full 120-degree wide-angle coverage that allows for more information to be collected with every return. And the result is a picture that shows fish, structure, thermocline and bottom with crystal clarity.
The module is compatible with all Lowrance 2007 models with 5-inch and larger color displays, including all LCX and LMS models, as well as all Lowrance transducers. The Broadband Sounder-1 comes with a full one-year warranty and retails for just under $600. (lowrance.com)
Costa Del Mar 580 Silver Mirror Lens
Costa Del Mar is one of the premier sunglass manufacturers, and their premier lens, the Costa 580, leads the way in visual clarity and contrast by filtering out yellow light and raising green, red and blue. New to that line, and commemorating Costa’s silver anniversary, is the 580 silver mirror lens.
The lens filters light the same as previous 580s and is based on high-contrast copper glass, but the silver mirror is the key. More light transmission is allowed through than with other mirror colors, making a silver mirror the perfect lens for lowlight or variable-light conditions. It protects the eyes when the sun is high but delivers incredible contrast and clarity when it hides behind the clouds or the day winds down. It is a perfect takeoff-to-weigh-in lens.
Costa offers the 580 silver mirror lens in an assortment of frame colors, styles and prices. (costadelmar.com)
Lucky Craft Kelly J
Designed by pro Kelly Jordan, the Lucky Craft Kelly J takes prop baits to the next level. While most prop baits rely simply on sound and action to induce strikes, the Kelly J adds appearance to the mix for the total topwater package for postspawn and schooling bass.
The 3-inch, hard-plastic body is shaped to look exactly like a real baitfish, down to the scales and gills. Internal weighting keeps the bait sitting lower in the water for better hookups, while the twin props chatter and flick with every rip.
Lifelike coloring, a deep rattle and a feather trailer round out a bait that needs to be in every angler’s topwater box. The Kelly J is available in six colors and retails for about $15. (luckycraft.com)
Rapala Clackin’ Rap
Rapala set the benchmarks for early wooden baits and it looks like they intend to do the same with hard-plastic baits, as well. What’s noticeably unique about the new Clackin’ Rap is the metallic drum on the side of the lure. But don’t hold it too close to your ear – the single rattle is deafening at that distance. 
Anglers will like the subtle wobble on the drop and the amount of noise the lure generates at slow and fast retrieves alike. The fish have never heard anything like this.
The profile is larger than most rattle baits at 3 1/8 inches long and 7/8 ounce. It comes in 17 colors and will retail for about $10. (rapala.com)