2015 Bass Fishing Gift Guide - Optimized Lock-n-Haul Transom Saver

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some products that I have been using this year. The products I post have my approval based on performance, price, quality and more. Every item here would make a great gift for the bass angler you are shopping for...or yourself! 

The Lock-n-Haul is an excellent choice for someone looking for an alternative to standard transom savers. There are many benefits to using this product: lightweight, easy to store and it completely secures your engine. 

I have been using a Lock-n-Haul for over three years and have not had any problems with it. They recently came out with a newer version, which is even better than the already good original product. The key changes were changing the materials to prevent possible rust and adding an aluminum plate to secure it even more. 

Here is more info from Lock-n-Haul and a video below on just how easy it is to use. Check them out at Lock-n-Haul for more information and to purchase.

• The Lock-n-Haul® motor toter - transom saver replacement is the world's first and only 4-point inline load universal fit outboard boat motor support made specifically for trailering. It easily adjusts to fit ALL outboard motor brands including most models and sizes with power tilt systems, on ANY BOAT. Width of setback or jackplate don't matter at all. 
• The Lock-n-Haul® doesn't need flimsy ‘steering clips’ that keep your motor straight (but not rigid)…. it has no moving parts to wear out….no welds to crack and break....no loose, weak, (offset shear point load) spring-loaded pins, that move and bend and allow the motor to shake….and it has no (short life) rubber cups, that have to be fully compressed to even begin to stop the motor from shaking. Unlike Lock N Stow or Motormate - "Compare it to any other product" 
• Nothing does a better job at any price. 
• The Lock-n-Haul® is a one piece device that completely stabilizes the outboard motor and stops all harmful motor movement, by locking both the tilt and steering pivots. Convenient to stow in a small boat compartment when not in use. 
• The Lock-n-Haul® is 100% machined to be a tough compact (13"x9"x1" footprint), lightweight (less than 1 pound), simple and effective device, and carries a two year warranty against manufacturing and material defects. 
• Includes a quick clip safety cable as a retaining lanyard. Made with specific materials that offer superior anti-corrosion protection that won't rust and is safe in both fresh and saltwater environments.

2015 Bass Fishing Gift Guide - Dirty Jigs Luke Clausen Casting Jig

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some products that I have been using this year. The products I post have my approval based on performance, price, quality and more. Every item here would make a great gift for the bass angler you are shopping for...or yourself! 

If you have ever purchased a jig from Dirty Jigs Tackle, you know they are top quality. Their swim jigs are very popular and something that I rely on every year to catch fish.  They make a whole line of jigs that cover every scenario you will find and have specialty jigs designed by top pros. The latest is the Luke Clausen Casting Jig. 

The name would make you think that it is just for "casting", but this jig excels for many other purposes including flipping and pitching shallow cover. It also makes an excellent choice for stroking offshore and your standard casting anywhere from shallow to deep water.

In my opinion, one of the things that makes this jig unique (besides the quality), is the head design that is forward weighted to get a vertical fall. Another key is the Gamakatsu O'shaughnessy hooks they use. These allow for excellent hookups and keep the fish hooked after the hookset.  They are a medium wire, 2X strong hook as well, which isn't too light and not too thick either.

One more thing I like about them is the color options and skirt materials. They are all fine cut and have some of the best looking colors you will find on a jig. TackleWarehouse has eight colors, but there are plenty more on the Dirty Jigs Tackle website.

You can get the jig in three sizes, 7/16 oz., 9/16 oz., and 3/4 oz. and they retail for $4.99.

As you can see, it is not just for casting

2015 Bass Fishing Gift Guide - Storm Arashi Deep Crankbaits

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some products that I have been using this year. The products I post have my approval based on performance, price, quality and more. Every item here would make a great gift for the bass angler you are shopping for...or yourself! 

The Storm Arashi Crankbaits have become one of my go-to baits over the past few years. They started off with the shallow models and now have two deep cranks in the lineup.  I completed my review of these a few weeks ago, but had to include them in the gift guide. Here is the full review.

I included these baits in the guide because they dive as deep as advertised and the depths are where you need to be at certain times of years, 18 and 25 feet.  These down deep crankbaits get down and have a good action you can feel as they bounce along the bottom.

They are also reasonably priced from $8.99 to $10.99 at TackleWarehouse.com and come in some great colors.  My favorites so far are Baby Bass and Rusty Craw.

If you fish deep cranks, you will love the Arashi Deep Cranks.

2015 Bass Fishing Gift Guide - Eco Pro Tungsten Trokar Flipping Jig

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some products that I have been using this year. The products I post have my approval based on performance, price, quality and more. Every item here would make a great gift for the bass angler you are shopping for...or yourself! 

When I find something that works I use it a bunch. One of my top baits over the past three seasons has been the Eco Pro Tungsten Heavyweight Flipping Jig. I literally have a box full of these and have a rod dedicated just for this bait. That’s how much I use it...it literally never leaves that rod. 

When I heard they were redesigning the jig I was worried they would be discontinuing the old one and that I wouldn’t like the new one as much. I was wrong on both thoughts. The old version is still available and I like the new one just as much. 

Here’s what they changed and why I like it so much: 

Tungsten is a big advantage. I know it costs more and some squawk at paying a little more, but the difference is real. Having a smaller profile allows you to get better flips and pitches into tight cover. You can also almost always get away with a heavier model which allows for longer casts and gets the jig to deeper water faster. 

Besides the tungsten factor, the jig is top quality. The new version has three major differences (upgrades) from the previous version. They changed the head design, added a Trokar hook and used a softer weedguard. 

With the new head design, it has more of a pointed head. This allows it to slip into thick cover better and I have found it doubles as a good swimjig, allowing you to vary your retrieve and fish it in different situations without having to switch baits. I like the fact that I can go down the bank, flip and pitch cover and then start swimming it  before the next set of cover to hit..without ever changing rods.

Trokar makes a great jig hook and it is now on the Eco Pro Tungsten Flippin Jig with the new Trokar Flipping Jig. The old hooks were solid, but having Trokars on it makes it even better. The cost is also about the same for the 3/8oz model $4.99 vs $5.99 on the new version. The price goes up for the bigger sizes, but it is great to see that the sizes now go up to a full ounce.

The final difference I have found between the two versions is the weedguard. On the old version and for most brands of jigs, I trim a couple pieces off of the weedguard to make it more flexible. What they used in this jig already seems to be the right flexibility without having to trim back any pieces. 

The colors offered are really all you need, they make it in six great colors and to me their selection covers all the water colors I would need it for. It comes in five sizes from my favorites 3/8 and 1/2oz all the way up to the 1oz version for the heavy flippers in places like Florida. 

Good job Eco Pro, another solid jig.

2015 Bass Fishing Gift Guide - Seaguar Flippin' Line

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some products that I have been using this year. The products I post have my approval based on performance, price, quality and more.  Every item here would make a great gift for the bass angler you are shopping for...or yourself!  

Seaguar is known for their fluorocarbon. They invented it in the 70's, so they know what they are doing.  Their latest offering is a specially designed fluorocarbon and braid for flippin' and pitching heavy cover. Seaguar pro and bass fishing legend Denny Brauer is a household name in the bass fishing world and he is best known for his prowess with flippin' and pitching. He was the one who pushed Seaguar to develop this line and his input was crucial for developing it.

I have used both the braid and fluoro and have been extremely impressed with both. The braid is a solid black color which means you do not have to use your black marker to retouch it. The black coloring lasts and I have not seen widespread fading like you get with other braids.  The braid itself is an 8-strand braid and very thin. It's abrasion resistant and very strong as well. It's a very good choice if you like braid. It comes in 100 yard spools and in both 50 and 65lb test. 

Seaguar pros were excited about the release of Flippin'

The Flippin' Fluoro is what I used all Fall for pitching heavy cover. Where I live we have clear water and thick cover which is where I like to use heavy fluorocarbon instead of braid due to the water clarity. Like the braid, it comes in 100 yard spools which is a perfect size for two reels if you use backing. 

What I like most about the line is how abrasion resistant it is. I purposely held back from retying one day while fishing this line and went all day without losing a fish or jig due to breaking my jig. I still recommend retying often, but it was crazy to see just how well it held up.

It comes in 20, 25 and 30lb and is the only 30lb mainline fluorocarbon I have ever seen. It may also be a good choice for guys fishing big swimbaits who want to use fluoro instead of braid.

To purchase, visit TackleWarehouse.com.