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Summer Fishing Gear Guide

Summer is now, so gear up with the right tackle, accessories, and equipment.

By SWS Staff

Updated: July 25, 2014

Shimano Ultegra CI4+ Reel

The Shimano Ultegra CI4+, one of four new spinning reels born for surf performance, is designed to pair with the Tiralejo series of rods in Shimano’s Long Cast Surf System. The lightweight and compact Ultegra body allows exceptional rod speed for longer, more-efficient casting when speed and distance matter. Shimano’s X-Ship gearing with five ball bearings offers smooth, efficient power transmission, while Super Slow 5 Oscillation combined with Aero Wrap II produces uniform line lay on the retrieve to maintain maximum casting efficiency. Instant Drag allows switching from free-spool to fight with a few turns of the drag dial. The 5.3-to-1 retrieve ratio gathers 41 inches of line per crank. Sized for 10-, 12-, or 16-pound mono or 30-, 40-, or 50-pound braid. $319; fish.shimano.com

Seacliff Shirt/Hook &Tackle Outfitters

Look great on and off the water in the Seacliff shirt, the latest in the Performance Tech line from Hook & Tackle Outfitters. The lightweight, 100 percent microfiber ripstop fabric resists stains and dries quickly. The front and rear ventilation and moisture-wicked mesh lining with UPF 50-plus sun protection keeps you cool and safe from UV rays. The secure front pockets offer plenty of storage, along with rod and utility loops, and a separate loop for your shades. Additional details include a hidden button-down collar that tri-folds, and roll-up sleeves with tabs. Available in earth, bluestone, sage and paprika in sizes S-XXL. $50; hookandtackle.com

PENN Torque 2-Speed Lever Drag Reel

The PENN Torque 2-Speed Lever Drag reel offers a variety of new features to take on the toughest fish. The Quick-Shift 2-Speed system fluidly adjusts between high and low gear to pick up the slack or gain leverage, and the sealed Dura-Drag system stays protected while eliminating drag-curve hesitation. Even with the metal body of machined, anodized aluminum, six stainless-steel ball bearings plus a thrust bearing, along with a lightweight braid-ready spool with line-capacity rings, the reel is 40 percent lighter than previous models. The Torque comes in four sizes for 15-, 25-, 30-, and 40-pound mono or 30-, 50-, and 65-pound braid, with retrieve ratios of 6-to-1, 5.5-to-1 and 5.1-to-1. Starting at $549.95; pennreels.com

Costa Sunglasses’ Hamlin

When Capt. Ron Hamlin — who revolutionized sport fishing with his early adoption of circle hooks, and has more than 27,000 billfish releases to his name — inspires a product design, the standards are high. Costa Sunglasses’ Hamlin style sports a list of durable features to honor the legendary angler. The co-injected nylon-molded frame features an extra-large wrap fit, with sturdy integral hinges, and nonslip Hydrolite nose pads and temple tips. Costa’s patented 580 lens technology blocks yellow light for the highest color enhancement and polarization levels. Each pair, custom assembled in Daytona Beach, Florida, comes with a lifetime warranty. $169; costadelmar.com

Albacore Medium Fighting Belt from Alutecnos

The Albacore Medium Fighting Belt from Alutecnos is ruggedly built, with the main plate and parts CNC-machined from noncorroding 6082 aluminum bar stock, protectively anodized, and then imprinted with laser graphics. Mounting parts for the rod butt, in the gimbal, are assembled from ASI 316 stainless steel for durability and smooth action under pressure. Available in both gold and silver. $149; alutecnos.com

Yeti Rambler

YETI Coolers, manufacturer of durable, superinsulated premium coolers for serious outdoor use, now offers a single-serving version in the vacuum-insulated Rambler 20 and Rambler 30 Tumblers. Fabricated from 18/8 stainless steel and featuring double-wall vacuum insulation, they hold the cold, or the heat, twice as long as the average plastic tumbler. The exterior wall is reinforced with extra steel for superior durability, and the transparent lid lets you see what’s inside. The Rambler is available in two sizes — 20- and 30-ounce — and both are BPA-free. $29.99 and $34.99; yeticoolers.com

Columbia Performance Shoes

For all-day comfort on the water, don’t forget your feet, and slip into the lightweight Bahama Vent PFG boat shoe by Columbia. The cushioned Techlite midsole features ventilated and drainable ports to encourage air flow and water removal to keep your feet dry, while the razor-siped Omni-grip outsole provides excellent traction on wet surfaces. The casual canvas and leather design, shown in Night Tide and Stone, comes in a variety of color combinations, including mossy oak, orange blast, quarry, chilli, and tobacco. $70; columbia.com

Smith Optics Dockside

The new Dockside sunglasses from Smith Optics feature a frame design specifically for fishing. The large fit stays secure on the water, and is available with ChromaPop, a new film-free polarization technology, engineered to optimize color and increase visual clarity. With ChromaPop lens technology, the brain immediately recognizes true vibrant color, with increased depth and detail of objects, with reduced eye fatigue. ChromaPop lenses are available in six proprietary tints: ChromaPop Polarchromic Ignitor, ChromaPop Polar Brown, ChromaPop Polar Gray Green, ChromaPop Polar Platinum, and now, ChromaPop Polar Blue Mirror and ChromaPop Polar Bronze Mirror. $209; smithoptics.com

Frabill Rain Jacket/Suit

Summertime brings unpredictable weather, from extreme sun to storms. Defend against the elements when Mother Nature is at her worst in the Frabill F-1 Series Rain Suit. The F-1 jacket and hybrid pants are designed for an ergonomic fishing-friendly fit in a lightweight ripstop fabric. The pants come fitted with removable suspenders and an adjustable waist system placed inches above the natural waist to keep you dry. The pants’ weight can also be distributed between the shoulder straps and the hips through the adjustable system. $249; frabill.com

Simms Neck Gaiter

Neck gaiters have become standard equipment for saltwater anglers, and Simms’ SunGaiter keeps your exposed neck and face comfortably and safely in the shade thanks to Solarflex UPF50 stretch fabric. The longer cape enhances neckline coverage, and provides ample fabric to stretch up over your hat for additional protection to help keep your hat on during high-speed runs. Laser-cut breathing holes mean you can wear the SunGaiter all day in comfort. $29.95; simmsfishing.com

Esky Coolers

Outdoorsmen have two new places to store their summer supplies: the Esky Series 85-quart and 135-quart coolers. Each is lined with a tough, scratch-resistant antimicrobial shell, and features catch-free latches with secure stainless-steel pins and tie-down points to secure to a truck or boat with the lid free to open and close. The 21⁄2-inch insulation and tight-fitting lid gasket retain ice for days longer than a regular cooler, and both the liners and built-in cutting boards resist odor, mildew, and mold. The 85-quart model keeps the contents iced for a long weekend, while the 135-quart will hold for more than a week. $409.99 and $469.99; eskycoolers.com

AFTCO Shorts

Suit up for summer with the new tactical shorts from AFTCO, which combine the latest high-tech fabrics with a modern, comfortable design to meet serious fishing demands. New AFTECH technologies include AFLEX two-way stretch, stain protection with AFGURAD zone defense and DWR (Durable Water Resistant) finish, AFBLOCK to eliminate 98 percent of UV rays, and a Cordura-reinforced utility pocket to keep pliers or other tools handy. The two-way stretch fabric ensures a great fit. Available in a sublimated camo print in green or blue. $62; aftco.com

TroKar Hooks

Leave it to long-range anglers to demand the toughest hooks to withstand constant abuse. The result is the TroKar TK619 model from Eagle Claw, ideal for anglers who want the beefiest, most robust circle hook built for the largest fish on the heaviest gear. The surgically sharpened technology creates the sharpest, most durable point on the large wire diameter. With these hooks, Lazer Sharp relaunches its classic L2004EL circle hook, with the original forged point that anglers have trusted for years. TK619 hooks are available in medium-wire or a heavy-wire Magnum size, with ringed versions of each. $21.99; lazertrokar.com or eagleclaw.com

Rapala Lures

Williamson Speed Pro Deep runs at speeds up to 15 knots thanks to its deep-diving lip and patent-pending Auto-Tune system, making it ideal for trolling reefs or current rips for wahoo, dolphin, tuna, grouper, and mackerel. The auto-line tie system self-centers, aligning the lure for consistent action at high trolling speeds. Optimum action is at 6 to 10 knots, but even at 15 knots, the action allows for lighter lines and lighter drags. It’s available in two sizes: 61⁄4 inches, weighing 2 ounces with a running depth of 12 to 18 feet; and 7 inches, 21⁄2 ounces, cruising at 15 to 20 feet down. Both are rigged with VMC Perma Steel trebles, heavy-duty oval split rings, and laser-cut plate hook hangers. Available in six colors, including blue sardine, green mackerel, bruised purple, red head, ayu and white tiger. $12.99 to $14.99; rapala.com

H.R.H. Fishing Rod

Each H.R.H. rod from Tycoon Tackle begins with a KC Blank, named for master designer Karl Carman. Available in spinning (12- to 50-pound) and trolling (20- to 50-pound) models, the trolling rod is equipped with Winthrop-machined aluminum roller guides and an AFTCO Storabutt, which accepts both bent and straight butts. The spinner features a slick butt for ease of sliding in and out of the rod holder, a machined-hood graphite reel seat, and oversize Fuji guides and top. Each is wrapped with the classic Tycoon Tackle black-and-yellow and finished with four coats of FlexCoat epoxy finish. $319 to $959; tycoonoutfitters.com

Yo-Zuri’s 3DB Pencil Lures

Every anglers’ lineup of go-to lures should include a “walk-the-dog” topwater plug, and Yo-Zuri’s new 3DB Pencil is a high-quality candidate. Offering a deadly combination of visual and sonic attraction, the 3DB’s Internal Prism provides flash, while the internal cadence rattle increases casting distance and amplifies the back-and-forth swimming action on the retrieve. Additionally, multiple stainless-steel BBs inside create an irresistible sound attraction. Proven on snook, trout, tarpon, stripers and more, this 4-inch, 5⁄8-ounce plug comes in six different game-fish-attracting color schemes: prism frog, prism gold black, prism ghost shad, prism silver blue, prism silver black, and prism shad. $9.99; yo-zuri.com