NAFC Baitholder Field Test

fieldtested
and approved
You can become a Field Tester ! Simply complete a Field Test Profile form,
available by clicking on “Member Benefits” at FishingClub.com, or by calling the
NAFC toll-free at (800) 843-6232.— J.J. Reich, Senior Field Test Coordinator
7 2 4 1
Total number of NAFC members
who tested products for this issue
Rating: 1-poor — 10-excellent
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: QUALITY, VERSATILITY, DURABILITY
PRICE: $129.99
OVERALL RATING 9.1
Plano KVD Tackle Bag
Plano’s Guide Series Elite KVD Tackle Bag features an all-weather polyester
exterior and a non-slip rubberized base. Storage space includes six side
pockets with waterproof zippers, mesh compartments, a dual-entry
main compartment with four 3700-series StowAway utility boxes,
and a compact takeaway bag that fits into the front pocket. Contact
Plano Molding Co. at (800) 226-9868; planomolding.com.
Brent Gibbons, Elizabethtown, IL: “This bag has tons of storage
space. It’s well-designed and holds everything I need—with room to spare.”
Ryan Huey, Omaha, NE: “The hard-rubber bottom keeps tackle dry and
clean. The best features are the quality zippers and removable storage pouch.”
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: ACTION, DESIGN, QUALITY
PRICE: $19.99
OVERALL RATING 9.1
Castaic Catch 22 Sunfish
This swimbait features a triple-jointed soft body molded
around a durable Inner Armor skeleton that extends the
lure’s life. The company guarantees the bait will catch
at least 22 bass before it loses the ability to swim.
Contact Castaic at (218) 824-3800; castaicswimbait.com
Kelly Chapman, Hurricane, WV: “There are
several ways to fish this realistic and durable swimbait,
all of which produce good results.” Tom Ennis,
Webster, WI: “This lure has an excellent appearance;
it looks so real on a retrieve that bass can’t leave it alone!”
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: FUNCTIONALITY, EASE OF USE, VERSATILITY
PRICE: $119
OVERALL RATING 9.4
BoatBuckle G2 Retractable Tie-Downs
BoatBuckle’s G2 retractable ratcheting tie-downs mount permanently
to a trailer, making it faster and more convenient to secure a boat.
They feature strong stainless-steel power springs, vinyl-coated hooks, a
break-strength of 3,000 pounds per pair, and a strap that extends to
43 inches. Contact BoatBuckle at (888) 937-4626; boatbuckle.com.
William Clairmont, Pittsfield, MA: “BoatBuckle makes towing
my boat safe and secure—no fumbling with tangled straps. Once in place,
they are locked and will not loosen.” Steven Walters, Topeka, KS:
“These retractable tie-downs make unloading and loading my boat fast and
easy. They definitely cut down the amount of time I spend on the boat ramp!”
54
I
FishingClub.com
North American Fisherman
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: APPEARANCE, DESIGN, EASE OF USE
PRICE: $3.99
OVERALL RATING 8.0
Slurpies Panfish Tubes
These hand-sculpted soft plastics feature holographic scales that shimmer like those of real baitfish. The lifelike hollow
body, teaser tail and salt-and-spice scent attract a variety of panfish species. An 8-pack of tubes comes with three weighted
hooks and is available in several colors. Contact Northland Fishing Tackle at (800) 786-3474; northlandtackle.com.
Molly Hulett, Orlando, FL: “The performance, scent and realistic
appearance are the tube’s best features. I love the ease of rigging.
Overall, it’s an excellent product.” Tom Frankenberg,
Jacksonville, FL: “I fished Slurpies tubes in saltwater creeks, and
seatrout loved them. The color and texture made the difference over other baits.”
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: PERFORMANCE, QUALITY, VERSATILITY
PRICE: $69.99
OVERALL RATING 9.1
Shurhold Fishing Series Handle
This handle sports a quick-release that locks onto any of Shurhold’s deck brushes, mops,
scrubbers and other cleaning accessories. Its glossy black exterior is wrapped with gold
trim for the look and feel of a high-end fishing rod. Several compact, telescoping handle
sizes are available. Contact Shurhold Industries, Inc. at (772) 287-1313; shurhold.com.
Tim McDonnell, Pinckney, MI: “This handle is compatible with a huge variety of attachable heads for a multitude of jobs, making this product a great investment.” Lisa Halgren,
Buffalo City, WI: “The compact size and excellent appearance are its best features.”
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, SHARPNESS
PRICE: $.99 PER 5-PACK
OVERALL RATING 8.6
Addya Baitholder Hooks
These baitholder hooks feature large eyes, super-sharp points
and two barbs on the shank that hold live bait in place. Hooks are
available in sizes 2 through 6 to target a large variety of freshwater
species. Contact ADDYA U.S.A at (201) 889-4164; addyahooks.com.
Kermit Fultz, Harrodsburg, KY: “I used these hooks while
fishing striped bass with live bait. They are durable and perform excellently.” Chad Bulkley, Bangor, ME: “Addya hooks are very
strong. Their large eyes make them easy to tie onto your line.”
TOP RATED CATEGORIES: EASE OF USE, ACTION, QUALITY
PRICE: $5.99/3-INCH, $7.99/5-INCH
OVERALL RATING 8.0
Optimum Baby Line Thru Swimbait
Baby Line Thru (BLT) swimbaits slide up the line
and away from the hook after a strike, extending the
lure’s life. The bait features a pulsating paddle tail
and an Eagle Claw treble hook. It’s available in
31⁄2 -inch, 1⁄2 -ounce, and 43 ⁄4 -inch, 1.1-ounce
sizes, as well as several colors. Contact Optimum
Bait Co. at (951) 676-6384; optimumbaits.com.
Alain Bell, Houston, TX: “The BLT has great action. It moves a lot of water and comes
through tall grass very well.” Leslie Arnold, Columbia, SC: “Its color and design are
excellent for bass fishing. It’s easy to thread the line through the lure and rig the super-sharp hook.”
North American Fisherman
FishingClub.com
I
55
fieldtestPreview
These are a few of the products being tested by Club members. Look for results of approved products in upcoming issues, or at FishingClub.com.
Schrade SeaSwept 6-Piece Set
This high-quality fillet set ($49.99) includes a 4-inch dualblade utility knife, 7 1⁄2 -inch fillet knife and two large 8-inch
boning/processing knives—all with stainless steel blades
and non-slip rubberized handles. The kit features a sharpening stone and form-molded, hard-plastic case. Contact
Schrade Knives at (800) 251-0254; taylorbrandsllc.com.
Salmo Hornet
Hornet crankbaits ($7.99-$9.99) are made from high-density foam
for superior durability. The body shape and bill design create a
rod-shaking action ideal for trolling and casting. The lures are
available in floating and sinking models, in a variety of colors and
sizes. Contact Salmo USA at (952) 224-3649; salmofishing.com.
Kenai
Bi-Focal
Sunglasses
HaberVision’s Kenai polarized
sunglasses ($155) feature a virtually
unbreakable Trilon frame and a Gripto
insert nosepiece for comfort. The polarized,
high-impact lenses are available in fixed +2.25 Bi-Focal (pictured) or
standard-clarity. Contact HaberVision at (800) 621-4381; habervision.com.
Use Web code “NAFC” to receive special NAFC member price of $77.50!
Meyerco
Ceramic
Blade Folder
Meyerco’s “Blackie Collins” Sovereign Ceramic lock-back
pocket knife ($74.99) has a 3-inch ceramic blade. It measures 4 1⁄4 inches when closed and features a thumb stud
for one-handed opening. The machined-aluminum handle
has a stainless steel liner-lock and pocket clip. Contact
Meyerco USA at (214) 467-8949; meyercousa.com.
TroutBerry
Dough Bait
Press Combo
This device ($4.99) molds a
ball of paste-style trout bait
onto your hook and into the
shape of a spawnbag, without
creating a mess or contaminating the bait with human scent.
Two presses, both with lanyard
holes, are included in the combo
pack. Contact BNR Ideas at (801)
428-3739; troutberry.com.
Ultimate Vision
6-inch Worms
Ultimate Vision softbait worms ($9.99) enhance UV-light reflection, which greatly increases the baits’
visibility and triggers strikes. The worms are available in twin-packs and come in a variety of colors.
Contact TightLines Lure Co. at (660) 853-9290; UV-Tackle.com.
Product under blacklight
56
I
FishingClub.com
North American Fisherman