 Cabela’s Premium Dry-Plus Breathable Lace-up Bootfoot Wader
Cabela’s
One Cabela Drive • Sidney, Nebraska 69160
(800) 237-4444 • www.cabelas.com
Price: $159.95
Every second of fishing time is precious, so when I pull into a beach parking lot, I want to be making that first cast as soon as possible. That’s why I love the ease and speed of bootfoot waders; just pull them on and attach a wading belt, and you’re off and running. Well, not so much running as plodding along in a pair of ill-fitting, unsupportive rubber boots. Therein lies one of the major drawbacks of bootfoot waders: the boots are usually a bit clunky, and if you plan on covering any distance or staying on your feet for a while, they can leave you with aching arches and ankles.
After a full season of wearing traditional bootfoot waders, I knew I needed to make a change, but I wasn’t willing to give up the ease of bootfoot waders for the comfort of stockingfoot waders. Also, stockingfoot waders don’t prevent sand from getting into the boot, which can wear through the neoprene bootie over time and eventually cause leaks. After some research, I purchased a pair of Cabela’s Premium Dry-Plus Lace-up Bootfoot Waders. They offer the best of both worlds, the comfort and support of a lace-up wading boot with the speed and ease of bootfoot waders. The attached felt-bottomed boot laces quickly and provides a comfortable fit and ankle support, and because the foot bed stays dry you can even use inserts or arch supports for extra comfort.
The waders are constructed with double-layer knees reinforced by a layer of neoprene, which prevents leaks and protects your knees when kneeling. The suspender straps are made of stretchy neoprene rather than the usual nylon, and they wrap comfortably around your shoulders. I also appreciate details like the drawstring top and internal pocket, which is perfect for a set of car keys and a cell phone.
 Quantum Energy PT Baitcasting
Reel with Burner 7.0:1 Gear Set
Quantum
105 E. Apache
Tulsa, OK 74115
(800) 588-9030
www.quantumfishing.com
Fresh Water ($189.95)
Salt Water ($219.95)
I love to fish with conventional reels, and Quantum’s Burner Gear Set has been on my radar ever since it was introduced. This summer I finally had the chance to put it to the test in both fresh and saltwater environments.
After loosing a couple big bass in the lily pads over the last few years, I started searching for ways to improve my odds of landing these fish. I fish soft-plastic weedless frogs across thick lily pads, and when I set the hook on a big fish, it immediately heads for the bottom and the cover of the weeds. If I allow the fish to turn back into the weeds, then it’s usually game-over – the fish shakes loose or the hook pulls. I’ve found that once I set the hook with most conventional reels, it’s tough to take up the line fast enough to keep a big fish’s head moving up and toward the boat. I could switch to a spinning reel, but a spinning reel doesn’t do a good job handling the heavy line necessary to move these fish out of the weeds. Besides, I prefer conventionals. A solution to this problem is provided by the high retrieve ratio of the Burner 7.0:1 Energy PT reel. It also allows me to cover more water every day, which is important when I’m competing with my brothers-in-law for bragging rights in our annual family tournament.
In salt water, I also prefer conventional reels for their control, casting accuracy and distance, as well as for the way they perform with a big fish on the line. I’ve become a big fan of “walking the dog” with Spook-type lures for big striped bass. Spinning reels allow you to work topwater plugs perfectly, but I could never find a conventional that had the speed to work certain topwater plugs as effectively. The 7.0:1 gear ratio on the Energy PTs recovers an incredible 29 inches of line per crank – problem solved! This reel combines the benefits of a conventional with the speed of a spinning reel, and performed flawlessly for me along the Elizabeth Islands this season, when I was casting eels for 25- to 35-pound bass along the rocky shoreline. The one concern I had was the line capacity of these reels for truly large bass, but by switching to braided line I’ve been able to double the capacity while using the same pound-test line I’d been using with monofilament. The other feature of the Energy PTs that I like for eel fishing is the thumb bar. Many conventional saltwater reels put the free spool release up on the housing near the reel handle, which doesn’t allow you to instantly snap the reel into free spool when a fish hits.
These reels also feature seven high-speed bearings for unbelievably smooth performance, a one-piece lightweight aluminum frame, and a ceramic drag system that applies the brakes when a fish tries to take you for a ride. The Quantum Energy PT is a very good piece of equipment that (along with the Burner 7.0:1 Gear Set) has met my needs in a conventional reel.
 Olympus Stylus 720 SW
Olympus America
3500 Corporate Parkway
Center Valley, PA 18034
(888) 553-4448
www.olympusamerica.com
Estimated retail price: $379.99
My last digital camera never took many good fishing pictures, but I really can’t blame that on the camera – I very rarely took it fishing. Rainy weather, rough seas or leaky waders threatened to ruin my electronic investment, so I chose to leave it at home and shoot dark, grainy pics of my fishy conquests with my cell phone camera instead.
This past winter, I started looking for a camera suitable for taking outdoor photos, and I decided on the Olympus Stylus 720 SW. While it looks like any other digital camera, the Stylus 720 SW is actually waterproof to 10 feet. That’s right, you can take it out on the boat, leave it in the rain, or even dunk it in the ocean without worry.
The Stylus can also capture still shots and video while underwater. When I took it snorkeling in Costa Rica, it took clear and colorful underwater photos without requiring a separate waterproof housing. I also use it to take underwater shots while releasing fish. The results usually aren’t National Geographic quality, but it’s fun to experiment, and with a bit of practice you can create some great underwater images. Best of all, I can take this ultracompact camera with me on every outing, even in a kayak. Aside from being waterproof, it is remarkably durable and rated shockproof up to five feet, as its sturdy construction absorbs impact brought on by a drop or other accidental trauma.
Also of interest to fishermen is its “Bright Capture Technology,” which lets you preview your subject clearly on the 2.5-inch LCD screen and capture sharp and bright images even when it is too dark too see. There are also 28 preset shooting modes to get good color and clarity in almost every situation, including night, sunset, beach, snow and underwater. On a March ice-fishing trip, I found that the “snow” setting took excellent pictures of our group as they attended to the tip-up spread, while a quick switch to the “cuisine” setting brought out all the glistening detail of a still-wet crappie in a close-up shot.
The 7.1-megapixel camera is very forgiving if you will be cropping and enlarging photos, and it also captures VGA-quality video with sound that can make you and your fishing buddies the next stars on You-Tube.
But bear in mind that while the camera is waterproof, it does not float! I recommend attaching a few floats to the lanyard so that the camera will pop back up to the surface if it is accidentally dropped. Olympus also offers two other models at this time: the 770, which is waterproof to 33 feet, and the 790, which is also rated as freezeproof.
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