Category Archives: Reviews

Reviews

Ketch Board & Kradle Combo – Review

In the world of kayak bass fishing, catch-photo-release (CPR) tournaments are the standard practice in evaluating results, with anglers using a measuring boards to determine fish length. The Hawg Trough had been the standard go-to measuring board for CPR tournaments, but is being challenged by a couple of new contenders, the YakGear Fish Stik and the Ketch Board & Kradle combo. 

The Ketch Board & Kradle combo is made in the U.S.A. - Kayakfishingfocus.com
The Ketch Board & Kradle combo is made in the U.S.A. – Kayakfishingfocus.com

The new Ketch Board & Kradle combo is the most high-end CPR board option on the market, priced at $49.99 from the KBF website for the KBF specialty green version or from the Ketch Products website for other color options such as red, blue and black.

Ketch Board & Kradle Impressions

When the new Ketch Board & Kradle combo was featured at the The Ten KBF event in early 2018 I was very skeptical and saw it as a more expensive Hawg Trough.  The versions used in The Ten tournament were really cool looking, but the black color did not appear to work well for judging and seeing the fish. Since then, they have listened to the anglers and tournament directors and have some new options available.

Specifications of the Ketch Board & Kradle Combo:

  • Board and Kradle measures 4.5″ wide x 26″ long with a 4.5″ x 3.75″ bump wall
  • Milled aluminum construction
  • Weight is approximately 3 lbs (48 ounces)
  • QR code identifier to prevent cheating
  • Tether holes on each end

At this point, the Ketch Board & Kradle combo has been approved for use in KBF events and is still being evaluated by many other tournament circuits for use.

One thing that will be interesting to see is if the use of this board is eventually required by a tournament circuit because of the unique QR code which can tie a board to a particular angler. Not really sure how that would work, but appears to be a future requirement possibly.

I was able to get my hands on one of these boards at the KBF National Championship and have a few initial thoughts.

Negatives of the Ketch Board & Kradle Combo

First of all, it is much heavier than I expected after reading that it was made of aluminum.  It weighs approximately 3 lbs compared to a Hawg Trough weight of 10 ounces.  To me, this is by far the largest drawback to this board. My kayak and gear is heavy enough without adding this to the mix. It’s also going to sink like a stone if dropped in the water, requiring you to tether the board, which creates one  more thing in the yak to get tangled or twisted up in.

The price is also much higher than a standard Hawg Trough, more than double in most instances. This will keep a lot of anglers away, unless they are forced to adopt this board by their trail. Finally, although the KBF version in green looks great, I still wish the red and blue options were not so dark and had better contrast to clearly show the fish tail, although the white lines help a lot.

The Ketch Board & Cradle combo in red. - Kayakfishingfocus.com
The Ketch Board & Cradle combo in red. – Kayakfishingfocus.com
Positives of the Ketch Board & Kradle Combo

There are a lot of positives that come with this new board that are improvements over the Hawg Trough. First of all is the fact that it appears to be nearly indestructible.  That 23″ monster you put on the board isn’t going to crack it and you won’t accidentally snap off the bump wall when putting it in your truck. This is the trade-off for the weight, it’s very well constructed.

Secondly, the lines are nicely done in white which is extremely visible. In the current version they have done a really smart thing as result of feedback from The Ten event. The lines go all the way to the edges, with the measurement number in the middle. This allows the fish tail to hit lines on the ends instead of numbers.

The Hawg Trough is 31″ long, whereas the Ketch Board is only 26″ long which will be easier to maneuver and will fit into the hull of many fishing kayak models. It’s to early to tell how the QR code feature will come into play down the road, but this is definitely a board that cannot be tampered with. Anything that discourages cheating is a good thing in my book.

Finally, it just feels good and has real quality feel to it. For the angler who isn’t as cost-conscious, the experience of using this board definitely feels higher end than a traditional Hawg Trough.

The Bottom Line

There are a couple of things I really don’t prefer, such as the overall weight and the color schemes. (I’d honestly just prefer a white one or a yellow) Outside of those two, there are a lot of positives for the Ketch Board & Kradle combo. The quality of construction, shorter length and the ability to hold up against a big fish are all positive factors that make the board a good product.

Although I am perfectly fine using a Hawg Trough, these positive characteristics will likely make this board the main one for my boat in tournaments which allow it. I’m not advocating for trails to adopt the board for use, each tournament series needs to make their own determination. I would fully expect at some point that certain events will require a board like this with anti-cheating measures such as the QR code. My expectation (speculation) is that KBF will require its use at some point in the future for certain events.

If you have some extra cash and want the high end board, I think it’s worth the purchase. If you have a Hawg Trough and are happy with it, stick with that for now. It’s always a positive for anglers to have choices.

 

Reviews

PJ’s Tackle Company – Quality Jigs and Tackle

It’s always great to find a small tackle company who makes some product which is perfect for your bass fishing needs and has products that just flat out work. PJ’s Tackle Company is a local company which produces lures and colors that are designed to be effective in the clear water applications found in places like the Ozarks. Fishing some of these clear water lakes and streams requires the right look and colors to be effective.

PJ's Tackle Company grub heads and finesse jigs ready to catch some bass.
PJ’s Tackle Company grub heads and finesse jigs ready to catch some bass. – Kayakfishingfocus.com

My dad first introduced me to PJ’s Tackle Company (formerly known as PJ’s Finesse Baits for those who’ve known about them for a while) by recommending their weedless jigheads which work great on a grub bounced along the bottom. These jigheads just fit the grubs I like to use perfectly and I really like the unique weed guard which is very flexible and doesn’t impede a hookup.

PJ’s Tackle Company Lures

Their jigs are fantastic looking, with the colors that you need to look natural in clear water reservoirs like Beaver Lake, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and others. Can’t wait to get the Green Orange/Crawfish version on a rocky bank with a natural color craw trailer. In addition to the grub heads and finesse jigs, they also make football jigs.

Fora different style of fishing PJ’s makes a line of Maribou Jigs designed to work on small streams and rivers to catch fish of all types. These lures put off a subtle realistic movement in the water that entice the bite.

The bottom jig head is a PJ's Tackle Company grub / worm head I use sometimes to rig a YUM Warning Shot or Kill Shot. - Kayakfishingfocus.com
The bottom jig head shown is a PJ’s Tackle Company grub / worm head I use sometimes to rig a YUM Warning Shot or Kill Shot. – Kayakfishingfocus.com
PJ’s Tackle Company Story

This company also has an interesting background and mission. Lures are hand-tied by women in small villages in Central and South America in a program to bring work and a faith-based mission to those areas.  From their website:

“We have two passions that are the foundation of the mission and vision of our business: to create high quality fishing lures that catch fish and to help women living in poverty in remote rural villages by providing employment opportunities.”
If you fish in really clear water situations and want to support a Northwest Arkansas based company, give PJ’s Tackle Company a look. They have a great mission, story and products.
Reviews

Popticals Popgun Sunglasses Review

Previously I had written about Popticals, a brand of sunglasses made for active outdoor adventures which fold down to a compact size for easy storage. You can read more about the concept in this previous article about Popticals. I’ve been able to try out some Popticals Popgun sunglasses – and how do they perform?

A really interesting concept, but how do they perform?  I’ve been able to use my Popticals Popgun pair now on several fishing outings and so far the results have been really good.

The Popticals Popgun sunglasses are a comfortable fit on the water when chasing largemouth bass.
The Popticals Popgun sunglasses are a comfortable fit on the water when chasing largemouth bass.
 Popticals Popgun Fit and Finish

For sunglasses that fold in on themselves using the FL2 Micro Rail system, I was concerned they wouldn’t be sturdy and would wiggle or wobble at the hinges. When you unfold the glasses and lock them into place, you notice it is a sturdy result, you wouldn’t even know they fold up.  The same applies to folding, the hinges sort of “release” when you fold it and make it pretty easy to make sure you fold them properly.

Popticals Popgun in White/Black color scheme.
Popticals Popgun in White/Black color scheme.
Lens Performance

The Popticals Popgun comes with NYDEF lens technology which is billed as being significantly clearer and 18% less lighter in weight than polycarbonate lenses. These polarized lenses provide UV protection, are scratch and shatter resistant, and are sweat and oil resistant to keep the lenses clear. So far it seems to me the lenses are high quality and sharp. The gray lenses are not as dark as gray lenses I have worn, which may or may not be a positive attribute depending on your personal taste.

Popticals Popgun folds up using hinges and a slider in the bridge.
Popticals Popgun folds up using hinges and a slider in the bridge.
Folding and Storage

Storing the Popticals Popgun is one of the things that makes these great for kayak fishing. They fold down into a compact size and fit into a hard shell case that comes with the glasses. This hard case is great for throwing into the bottom of a kayak hatch, clipping to your crate or seat, or even slipping into a pocket on your life jacket or clothing.

Popticals Popgun stores away in a small hard case, measuring 3.25" long by 1" wide. The case can be pocketed or can clip to a backpack, tackle crate or other space saving location.
Popticals Popgun stores away in a small hard case, measuring 3.25″ long by 1″ wide. The case can be pocketed or can clip to a backpack, tackle crate or other space saving location.
Popticals Popgun Overall

I really like the Popgun for some lightweight sunglasses that don’t have full frames around the lenses. It comes in 13 different colors and several lens styles.  These sunglasses are not cheap, the polarized versions are $199, which puts them in the high-end, high performance category.  If you are looking for top-quality lenses and frames which also fold down into a compact package for easy storage – give Popticals a look, they have worked out great for me.

 

Reviews

Popticals Sunglasses On Board for 2018

A few months ago a friend of mine recommended that I check out an innovative type of sunglasses that seemed tailor made for kayak fishing. With that, I checked out Popticals Sunglasses and was excited at what I found and agreed, these were potentially perfect high-performance options for kayak fishing.

Popticals sunglasses

 

This tournament season I’ll be using the Popticals PopH20 and Popticals Popgun models on the water. I’ll be doing more detailed reviews of each after getting more hours under my belt with them in various conditions.

Popticals Sunglasses for Kayak Fishing

Storage space is at a premium in a kayak, so sunglasses that are extremely high quality but can fold down into a very small storage case is ideal. The storage case is half the size of a regular sunglasses case, and has a clip that can attach to a backpack, seat, life vest, crate, carabiner – or anything else on your kayak.

The case itself is sturdy, strong and will protect your Popticals sunglasses not only from drops, but in the bottom of a dry bag, hatch, backpack or any other storage situation.

This Popticals Sunglasses hard case is a compact and durable way to store glasses when not in use. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
This Popticals Sunglasses hard case is a compact and durable way to store glasses when not in use. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
Popticals Sunglasses Lens Technology

The Popticals NYDEF lenses are made of nylon which means they are extremely lightweight. The Popticals NYDEF lenses made of nylon have the same clarity as glass lenses, allowing you to see deep into the water.  These high-performance nylon lenses have similar Abbe number and Refraction Index as glass lenses at almost 1/3 of the weight.

Popticals sunglasses are high-performance lenses which fold down to a compact case. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
Popticals sunglasses are high-performance lenses which fold down to a compact case. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
How Popticals Sunglasses Work

For a brief example of what makes these unique and compact glasses break down for easy and small storage, check out this video:

Reviews

The Booyah ToadRunner Is Unleashed

The fishing world’s premier hollow-body frog manufacturer has launched their spin on a noise producing topwater frog bait – and it looks fantastic. The Booyah ToadRunner is going to be a staple in my tournament boat going forward.

The new Booyah ToadRunner will be available in 10 color choices. Photo courtesy Booyah.
The new Booyah ToadRunner will be available in 10 color choices. Photo courtesy Booyah.

The Booyah ToadRunner is the latest evolution in soft-body frogs with a noise and bubble producing tail. This new bait will remind many of the Teckel Sprinker Frog, but with a few important improvements. First, Booyah is the industry leader in frog design and are using a modified Pad Crasher frog body as the base for the lure. The legs are pre-trimmed the correct length to allow the tail to do its thing without wrapping or spinning. Finally, the tail itself has a couple of key performance features.

The Booyah ToadRunner will be perfect for situations where you want to fish a frog in either the dense grass, vegetation or other cover or can be worked efficiently across open water. Seems to be a perfect blend of a frog and buzzbait.

This promotional video featuring Jason Christie is a great way to learn more about the Booyah ToadRunner. He used a prototype of the bait in a tournament on Lake Rayburn in 2017. Check it out.

Booyah ToadRunner Tail Design

The tail is what makes the Booyah ToadRunner create the bubbles, gurgles and noise that will attract a strike. The wire form molded into the tail gives the angler the ability to shape the tail for multiple sounds and different levels of water displacement. Additionally, the tail itself is a translucent, clear plastic which eliminates a target point so the fish only targets the body. This should make for a better hookup ratio than a white or chartreuse tail.

Booyah ToadRunner Specifications

The new ToadRunner will come in 10 different color options for anglers to choose from. I’m thinking I will stick with the standard dark/black look and a lighter belly color as my primary two baits. The ToadRunner itself is 4.5″ long and weighs 7/8 ounces – compared to 2.5″ and 1/2 ounces for a traditional Booyah Pad Crasher. Booyah representatives report the bait will be available in mid-February and should retail for $9.99, which is a big savings over the Teckel Sprinker Frog which retails for $13.99 on Tackle Warehouse.

 

Reviews

Kudos to Dobyns Rods for Service

I have been using Dobyns Rods for the past three years and am very happy with their affordable Fury series of rods – most of which are $109.99 retail.  These rods have caught a lot of fish and some really big fish for me.

I carry the following rods from Dobyns:

  • FR702SF – Flukes, dropshot, shaky heads
  • 765FLIP – Flippin’
  • 734C – Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, small swimbaits
  • 705CB – Crankbaits
  • FR663 – Texas rig, jigs, Carolina rig

Excellent Service

This past Sunday I was out fishing and broke the tip off of one of my key rods which I will need for the Arkansas State Championship less Dobyns Rods servicethan a week later. Oh no! I contacted Dobyns on Monday and explained the situation. Their staff was great in taking care of me and getting a new rod out immediately so I could have it for Lake Dardanelle. Sure enough, the replacement arrived on Thursday and is ready to go.

Kayak anglers need a reliable and quality rod that won’t break the bank. I cannot more highly recommend the Fury series for affordable quality!

 

Reviews

Shimano Chronarch MGL Review

You have to hand it to Shimano. They’ve developed a long standing tradition for making excellent fishing gear that’s inspired fanaticism among their faithful followers. Earlier this season Shimano retired their Chronarch CI4 baitcaster and moved to the new Shimano Chronarch MGL.

Shimano Chronarch MGL Review
The Shimano Chronarch MGL is a joy to fish with.

Incoming full disclosure: I’m always a sucker when it comes to quality gear. While I’m not currently associated with a rod or reel manufacturer, it does afford me the freedom to play the field seeking great and reasonably priced equipment. What can I say? I like to fish around. So, when I had an opportunity to test out the new Chronarch MGL I leapt at the opportunity. But, will the new Chronarch MGL live up the Shimano name or fall short?

Shimano Chronarch MGL Review – Style and Specifications

I dislike reviews that focus heavily on a rod or reels appearance. Substance over style, I like to say. That being said, as guys, when we go out on a date our first impression is largely based on how the date looks. That’s the attention-getter. The date’s mannerisms largely determine if there’s any staying power. I find that equally true for our equipment. Out of the box the Chronarch MGL looks sexy. Its small aerodynamic profile looks sleek and ready for business. The Chronarch sports a gray casing with very small red to purple accenting flakes. The magnumlite spool and micro adjustment wheel features a no nonsense black finish.

For the gear head in all of us, the Chronarch MGL showcases an eight bearing system, a lighter 14 gram spool to aid in casting, and oversized brass Micro-Module Gearing. The smaller teeth in those gears enable more surface convergence area which, coupled with the aforementioned attributes, means you get a farther reaching cast and experience the patented smooth Shimano retrieve. The Chronarch also features a centrifugal breaking system adjustable from the outside, which ranges in sensitivity from 1 through 6 in sensitivity. External adjustment systems have always been a big deal to me. We’ve all been on the water those days where the wind is swirling. Sometimes you’re fishing with the wind and other times against the wind depending on the hour or minute. I like to have a quick, on the fly, adjustment system that swiftly adapts to those changing conditions.

I spooled up the Chronarch MGL (7.1 gear ratio) with 16lb Sunline fluorocarbon and I was impressed with the amount of line the reel held. Not so much that you felt like you were wasting line buried in the magnumlite spool and not so little that you felt like a wayward tree cast would leave you overly short on casting distance. In my mind, it hit the sweet spot perfectly.

I paired the Chronarch MGL with a Duckett Terex 7’ MH, and later the new Duckett Triad 7’3” MH. This is my main workhorse setup and, suffice it to say, I’ve put the reel through its paces over the last month. The initial setup and adjustment didn’t take long and Shimano includes documentation to help aid you if you’re not familiar with adjusting their reels.

Shimano Chronarch MGL Review – Performance

On the water I was quickly impressed with the Chronarch MGL’s comfort. It palms easily in your hand, even if your paw doesn’t measure up to NBA standards. Another big plus for me is it features an oversized handle.

Performance wise the MGL is a remarkable reel. Its smooth retrieval made it a joy to fish with. I immediately noticed, due to the aforementioned spool and gearing, it casts an impressive distance with a 3/8oz jig. Going from light to heavy in lure weight the MGL handled each challenge like the pro it is. From lightly weighted Senko’s to heavy flutter spoons the MGL pulled off each feat perfectly. Pitching into cover worked flawlessly and the Chronarch MGL delivers power to wench out a fish in heavy cover. I also found after a small quick adjustment I could also easily skip a jig under cover.

When it comes to a baitcaster’s drag some people prefer to forgo it all together. Tighten it down and horse’em out was my motto until I noticed I was ripping large holes in the fishes mouth and the hook would then easily fall out when the fish jumped. This made me re-evaluate my stance on drag. I’m happy to report that the MGL’s drag system is also top notch. It’s easily adjustable on the fly, via the star wheel, and it performed flawlessly. Translation? For me, it’s meant more fish pulled in and fewer rage rants shouted across the water.

The Chronarch MGL’s price point is around $280 to $300. It fills in the gap between very high end and modestly priced reels. Its components and performance left me very impressed, and feeling the price tag is certainly worth it. Matter of fact, I was so impressed that I now have a second to compliment the first.

— Review by Justin Phillips, contributor to Kayak Fishing Focus and tournament kayak angler.

Ask for Shimano at Academy Sports or local fishing tackle shop. In NW Arkansas ask for Shimano at Hook, Line and Sinker or at Southtown Sporting Goods.

Reviews

Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon

You may have read my articles about the new 2018 model Bending Branches Angler Pro and how it is an elite paddle for the kayak angler. Another new paddle that us the ultimate level for kayak fishing is also being released, the brand new Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon.

The new 2018 Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon is the ultimate in kayak fishing paddles.
The new 2018 Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon is the ultimate in kayak fishing paddles.

This paddle is full carbon from tip to tip, making it the toughest, lightest and highest performance kayak fishing paddle on the planet. The blade shape is the same as the new Bending Branches Angler Pro, including the performance ridge along the middle of the blade to direct water across the face when paddling, making entering and exiting the water almost effortless.

If this were not enough, the most amazing aspect of the new Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon is an unbelievable weight of only 25.5 ounces! This is well below the weight of all other high performance fishing paddles, cutting 3 ounces off of the 2018 Angler Pro. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this paddle!

The Angler Pro Carbon paddle is light as a feather and carbon tough.
The Angler Pro Carbon paddle is light as a feather and carbon tough.

 

Specifications of the Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon

$399.95 (Snap) $424.95 (Plus)
Weight: 25.5 oz
Full carbon construction from tip-to-tip
Same blade shape as the Angler Pro, but Compression Molded Carbon construction
Available in lengths from 230-260cm in 10cm increments and in the Plus ferrule, 230-245cm or 240-255cm

Read more about the engineering efficiency and the dynamic new styling of the new 2018 Bending Branches Angler Pro kayak fishing paddle or visit the Bending Branches website for more great angler paddle options.

Reviews

New Angler Pro Paddle Designs

The  newly redesigned Bending Branches Angler Pro paddle not only has increased performance specs but has a new lineup of innovative blade designs. These new paddles will not only move you like never before on the water – but you’re going to have a stylish and distinctive look while paddling. All of these improvements come with a lower price point than before – $299.95 for snap and $324.95 for adjustable length and feather ferrule.

Bending Branches Angler Pro paddle in Raptor. Photo courtesy: Drew Ross, Looknfishy
Bending Branches Angler Pro paddle in Raptor. Photo courtesy: Drew Ross, Looknfishy
New Angler Pro Paddle Designs

Previously, the Angler Pro came in a limited number of blade styles (Sea Green, Camo and Realtree Max) which were attractive but somewhat understated visual representations. I’ve been using the Sea Green primarily due to high visibility for big body of water fishing but also have the Camo version for a more stealthy approach.

With the 2018 Bending Branches Angler Pro paddles, they have really upped the game in providing some dynamic and visually striking designs. These styles are great and they did a very good job of soliciting opinions from staffers during the research phase – meaning these are designs that real kayak anglers said they would love. I’m also liking the fact that even though they are all vibrant color schemes, you can likely find one to match your kayak.

2018 Bending Branches Angler Pro PaddleStyles

Presenting the new paddle blade styles for 2018:

 

Read more about the efficient engineering of the Bending Branches Angler Pro and the new all-carbon Angler Pro Carbon!

Photos courtesy of Bending Branches staffer Drew Ross and Bending Branches.

Reviews

New Bending Branches Angler Pro Kayak Fishing Paddle

The crew at Bending Branches have stepped up the paddle game once again with their newly redesigned Bending Branches Angler Pro fishing paddle. Already the best paddle on the market, the Angler Pro has received several upgrades that will enhance any kayak fishing day on the water. As an avid Angler Pro user, I’ve touted it as the toughest and best paddle on the market before. This new version has me very excited and will be worth the upgrade no matter what you are currently paddling with – and now with a lower price point!

Bending Branches Angler Pro lineup for 2017.
Bending Branches Angler Pro lineup for 2017.
Designed for Performance

Science has come into play in making the Bending Branches Angler Pro an even better and more efficient water moving machine. Some of the changes in the 2018 model include a reshaping and redesign of the blade to optimize water displacement with maximum effectiveness. The blade now has a ridge running down its length which directs water across the face when paddling, making entering and exiting the water almost effortless. The shape has also been enhanced, making the paddle blade a bit shorter and a bit taller.

Bending Branches has taken it to the next level in regard to strength vs weight. Already a market leader for a premier kayak fishing paddle at 30 ounces, the new Bending Branches Angler Pro sets a new bar at 28.5 ounces, a 5% weight reduction which will make a tremendous difference with hours on the water. With this weight drop, no strength or durability is sacrificed. The Angler Pro is still built with a high grade carbon shaft and tough as nails fiberglass blade.

Newly designed Angler Pro blade displaces water for maximum efficiency. Photo courtesy: Drew Ross, Looknfishy
Newly designed Angler Pro blade displaces water for maximum efficiency. Photo courtesy: Drew Ross, Looknfishy
Specifications of the Bending Branches Angler Pro:
  • New, lower price points! $299.95 (Snap) $324.95 (Plus – adjustable length and feather)
  • New, lower weight: 28.5 oz
  • New, oversized blade shape and profile
  • Available in snap lengths from 230-260cm in 10cm increments, and in the Plus ferrule, 230-245cm or 240-255cm

Read more about the dynamic new styling of the Bending Branches Angler Pro and the new all-carbon Angler Pro Carbon!

Photos courtesy of Bending Branches staffer Drew Ross and Bending Branches.