Shimano released some new products at the ICAST show going on right now. Here are the models that have been most talked about:

Stradic CI4 Best in Show Freshwater Reel winner


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7656-STRADIC1000C14F.jpg

It will be available in 1000 and 2500 size. The 1000 weighs 6.2 ounces and the 2500 weighs 7 ounces. The reels frame, side plate and rotor are made from carbon to reduce the weight. $199.99 for both sizes.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_MgFB.html

Core 50/51MG7


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7657-CORE50Mg7_RightHandle_3-4.jpg

5.5 ounces, 9 S-ARB bearings (Saltwater approved), 7:1 HEG gearing, 10 pounds max drag. $369.99

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/low_profile_baitcasting/core.html

Tallica 8II,10II,12II,16II


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7658-TAC8ll_3-4_1tf3.jpg

Small two speed reels designed to fish with Spectra and short top shots or leaders. They are designed with fishing live bait in mind. The greaseless spool bearings and light spool allow you to flyline a bait with no issues. I recently used these on the 7 day trip on the Royal Polaris. The list of features is long so here's a link:

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/conventional/talica_ii.html

$479.99-499.99

Cumara Reaction Series rods

Here's a brief desctiption of all the models and what they are intended for.

CUC63M- Poppers, small top water, small hard jerk baits
CUC63H- Spooks and other larger walking baits
CUC69M- 3/8-1/2 spinnerbaits and buzzbaits
CUC69MH- 3/4-1+ ounce spinnerbaits or smaller baits with larger blades
CUC70M- Small cranks for soft cover, shallow to medium diving cranks
CUC70MH- Medium diving cranks, hard jerk baits for soft to hard cover
CUC70H- Deep diving cranks, open water buzz baits, spooks
CUC76ML- Small shallow to medium cranks such as Speed Traps
CUC77M- Shallow cranks for hard cover or heavy vegetation
CUC711M- Long rod for medium diving cranks in soft to hard cover
CUC711MH- Long rod for deep diving cranks in all cover types
CUCX711MH- Lipless cranks, hollow body swimbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits

$199.99-249.99

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Cumara_Reaction.html

Beautiful looking product. Thanks for the pics. I heard you were involved in the Cumara rod design. What's your favorite rod(s) in that lineup? Are there any that stick out in terms of being just right for the application designed for?

I like all of them but these are my favorites:

The CUC711MH for DD22's. With 10 pound FC and a long cast I have hit 27 feet with a stock DD22 :-) I caught a lot of fish on this rod. Everyone that has used it really likes it. Zander at Tackle Tour had this to say about it:

But when it came to surprises it was the CUC711MH that impressed me the most, as it proved to be an absolutely phenomenal rod for fishing deep diving crankbaits like the Norman DD22. Typically long lipped deep divers like this requires a full-bodied crankbait rod, and sometimes just after an hour of retrieving the pressure on your wrists and hands starts to take a toll due to both the weight of the rod and the tension on the end of the line. The CUC711MH not only feels light in hand but the tip absorbs just about all the strain of the lure at full dive, and the extra length makes it possible to flat out sling these bigger baits.

That pretty much sums up the rod and is about what everyone that has used the rod had to say :) :)

I also like the CUC77M for shallow cranks in heavier cover. Good tip to cast the bait a long way and load up properly when you get bit. Then it has the backbone to move them out of the thick stuff.

When I was at Clear Lake in the spring, my buddy and I caught a lot of fish on the CUCX711MH using LV500's. It also works very well for 1/2-5/8 ounce chatterbaits and 5-6" Basstrix.

CUC76ML was designed for 1/4 ounce Speed Traps and it flat out casts them better than any other rod I have ever used. Big thanks to my buddy Wade for helping me with this rod action.