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...with Shannon Watson, Davo's Bait and Tackle. |
Like
most avid fishermen I have enough rods and reels to make a picket fence
but despite having an outfit for just about every style of fishing I always
come back to a couple of favourites. In top spot at the moment is my G-Loomis
845  Crankbait
rod and Shimano Calais reel. As a general purpose all round outfit this
particular combination has served me well on the freshwater impoundments
for Saratoga, Bass and Yellowbelly. Loaded with 15lb Superbraid I use
it for casting 3/8oz and 1/2oz spinnerbaits, jigs, minnows and weighted
soft plastics.The Crankbait rod is different to the traditional 5'6" to 6' baitcast rods we usually use in Australia. At 7' long the Crankbait is the perfect tool for long casts with a high degree of accuracy. The action of the rod is quite remarkable, departing from tradition by having a light tip section, giving the rod an incredibly sensitive action yet tapering down to a powerful butt section which gives me the ability to outmuscle even the toughest of critters. To complement this rod I've matched it with the flagship of the Shimano baitcast range - the Calais. This silky smooth reel is without doubt the best baitcast reel I've ever used. Looking like a spaceship from Star Trek the Calais is crammed full of extras: eleven stainless steel bearings, super-stopper instant anti-reverse and an aluminium body and spool leave nothing to be desired in this awesome little reel. Having now used this outfit extensively in freshwater I've found that its light weight and perfect balance make it a delight to cast and fight fish from dawn till dusk without experiencing those annoying repetitive-action muscle cramps.  |
SHIMANO CALAIS REEL FEATURES
| Quickfire Clutch Bar Casting System | Aluminium Body and Spool | Variable Brake System |
| Stainless Steel Bearings: Ten Ball, One Roller | Retrieve Ratio 6.2:1 | Super Stopper Anti-Reverse |
| Ultra Smooth Star Drag System | Friction Cast Control | Turnkey Spool Access |
