Precision Pak Surf Bags

570 Hood Road, Unit 27
Markham, ON
L3R 4G7, Canada
(905) 475-2527
www.precision-pak.com
Ocean Shield I (small; $39.99)
Ocean Shield II (large; $59.99)
Ocean Shield III (med; $49.99)

A growing number of tackle bags on the market today are built specifically for surf fishermen, who require a lightweight bag that has the capacity to hold big plugs, jigs and tackle, and can withstand the rigors of salt water. Price is one factor that sets Precision Pak bags apart from all the others: according to their website, this China-based company manufactures 2.1 million bags a month, allowing them to offer products that are consistently priced below comparable bags.
But are they a value, or simply cheap? Well, after a solid 12 months of testing, I can confirm that these bags are a true bargain. Their durability is fantastic: after lots of hard use and time left soaking in salt water, the only sign of wear is a bit of rust on the metal grommets, which could have easily been prevented if I had bothered to rinse the bags more often. They offer many of the same features as more expensive bags, including strong closures with plenty of Velcro, and they are constructed out of a tough, padded nylon that doesn’t soak up a drop of water. The smallest bag, Ocean Shield I, is perfect for toting freshwater bass and trout lures and can be Velcro-strapped to a wading belt. The largest bag, Ocean Shield II, has 10 lure tubes and two small plastic tackle boxes that can hold your entire arsenal, making it an ideal boat or kayak bag. One side of the Ocean Shield II bag has two sheaths to hold pliers or other similar tools, and there are Velcro security straps to hold them in place. The other side has a small mesh pocket perfect for holding bug spray or a can of energy drink. Under the flap there is an interior pocket that can hold pre-tied leaders, and the back wall of the bag has five bucktail or tin holders. All of the bags drain well and dry quickly, which makes it easy to rinse your plugs.

Waterproof iPod Case (Priced between $39.95 - $49.95)
H2O Audio waterproof headphones (Priced $39.95)

Otter Products
1 Old Town Square • Suite 303
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(888) 695-8820 • www.otterbox.com

I have used other Otter Box products in the past, and they have successfully kept my registration, cell phone, wallet and keys dry when out on my boat. When I bought the waterproof case for my iPod, I couldn’t wait to try it out, and I’m happy to report that it worked great. I used the case while kayaking, wade fishing, biking and at the gym, and I was especially pleased with how well I could still control the functionality of the iPod. So if you’re going anywhere near the water or into an environment where you want to keep debris away from your iPod (like the beach), do yourself a favor and protect your investment. You can even mount your iPod on your boat; Otter Box has a series of marine-grade mounts in permanent and suction-cup styles that connect to their cases.
After I got the Otter Box waterproof case for my iPod, I was able to take my music to many more places without worrying about destroying my expensive MP3 player. But because I was still a bit leery of ruining a good set of headphones, which can cost upwards of $100, I added the H2O Audio waterproof headphones. Now I can enjoy my music anywhere, anxiety-free. The headphones have a bit less bass than I prefer, but my peace of mind more than compensates for it! The headphones are very adjustable, and once I got them fitted to my head they did not slip or fall off. The coiled cable even kept the cord out of the way while fishing and kayaking. If you like music and water sports, try putting your MP3 player into an Otter Box and picking up a pair of H2O Audio waterproof headphones.

2-ounce Sea Scallop

Point Jude Lures • PO Box 4706
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-1808 •
www.pointjudelures.com
Price: $7.00

Metal lures have been a mainstay in the New England fishing tradition for decades, and for good reasons: they are easy to cast, easy to use, relatively inexpensive and extremely durable. There are a number of different models on the market in various sizes and shapes, and for the most part, they all will catch fish. But the Point Jude Sea Scallop’s unique finish and seductive wobble sets it apart from the others.
Some of the less-effective metal lures look like hunks of lifeless metal when pulled through the water. In order to get a good action from them, you need to really work the rod tip and make them dance. Knowing this, I was pleasantly surprised when I tested out the Sea Scallop. Even with a relatively slow, steady retrieve, it had a very nice side-to-side action that mimicked a swimming baitfish.
I also appreciated the textured nickel finish and the attention to detail. The Sea Scallop features heavy-duty siwash hooks with hand-tied bucktail, which I believe to be a critical detail on metal lures.

Net Light
American Ingenuity
3500 Boston Street Suite 334
Baltimore, MD 21224
(431) 451-3365

I met the inventors of the Net Light at the American Sportfishing Show this summer in Las Vegas. Rusty Simpson, VP of New Product Development, and I had a lot in common: as an Orioles fan, he despises the Yankees just as much as I do! We are also both into inventions, Rusty by trade as an engineer, and me by my upbringing. My dad’s Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines were always lying around the house, so every new innovation and engineering feat that comes along continues to fascinate me. To me, the only thing better than a new invention is a new invention in fishing tackle.
The Net Light was designed with fishing in mind. It’s an LED light that attaches to your net and locks in right where it’s needed most. It’s engineered with five green LED beams so that it doesn’t spook fish or attract bugs. The green color preserves your night vision, too. If you’ve ever been “blinded by the light,” as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band would sing, you’ll be grateful for this innovation. I’ve used the Net Light while striper fishing and found that it works great. The landing process has always been a challenge for me at night because I quickly run out of hands: inevitably, the light ends up in my mouth and I sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher trying to give directions while another angler fights the fish. With the Net Light, this is no longer a problem. In addition, the Velcro attachment on the Net Light is thick and triple-stitched, so once it’s on the net, it’s not going anywhere.
After a few successful captures, my mind immediately started devising other uses for the light: attached to a gaff for tuna and swords while fishing at night in the canyons, or clipped on your rod sitting in a sand spike while chunking from the beach. Even clipping it on a harpoon shaft would work, as the light has an o-ring seal and is waterproof. The company’s marketing materials also mention gigging frogs and night spearing, which are great options as well. The flashlight runs for 36 hours on 3 fresh AAA batteries and it also floats. If you’re interested in night fishing in any way, shape or form, the Net Light will be a great addition to your tackle box.

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