Just Add Salt
|| |—| || |Photo: Manfred Koh| Fatsos from Salmo are made for muskie, but they looked like bunker to us and the striped bass agreed. We added salt water hooks to these 51¿¿2-inch plugs and tested both the sinking and floating models at our favorite striper haunts. The diving model got down fast and swam in a tight wobble. Through-wired and made of durable, hardened foam, Fatsos are available in ten patterns (Real Roach, shown) and sell for $25. Salmo; (952) 224-3649; www.salmofishing.com
G. Luggage
| The new Rolling Weekender Bag from G. Loomis had enough room for a few days worth of clothes, with tons of pocket space for that extra tackle we couldn’t leave home without. The telescoping handle coupled with the built-in wheels help the bag move effortlessly (even on the streets of New York City) while the padded bottom compartment was perfect for stowing reels and camera equipment. The bag is designed to meet airline carry-on allowances, has oversize zippers for easy opening and sells for $95. G. Loomis; (360) 225-6516; www.gloomis.com
Clean Cut
| |Photo: Manfred Koh| Ever have an expensive knife rust from salt water? We have too. But Salt Series knives from Spyderco are made from H1 steel—guaranteed not to rust or tarnish, even if stowed wet. The textured, fiberglass-reinforced-nylon handle ensures a firm grip, while an oversize hole in the locking blade makes the knife easy to open with one hand or while wearing gloves. Available in Pacific (shown), Atlantic and Tasman models, the knives feature lanyard holes and reversible pocket clips and start at $82. Spyderco; (303) 279-8383; www.spyderco.com
Quick Draw
| |Photo: Manfred Koh| Daiwa’s compact Coastal Inshore Special baitcaster features infinite anti-reverse and a Centriflex anti-backlash system, which made for effortless, long casts when we tested the reel in South Carolina. The spool holds 120 yards of 14-pound test, and the frame and sideplates are constructed of aluminum alloy for total corrosion protection. A seven-disk, fiber-composite wet drag gave us a smooth fight against seatrout and redfish, while the fast, 6.3:1 ratio picked up 28 inches of line in one handle turn. The Daiwa Coastal Inshore Special sells for $130. Daiwa; (562) 802-9589; www.daiwa.com
