Fisherman's Gear Guide Part 3: Boat Fishing Electronics, Tackle and Gear

Electronics for smaller boats have made a huge leap over the last year, and new rod and reel combos are always worth the upgrade. Check out this boating and fishing edition of our gift guide and see what's out there for 2015.

By OTW StaffJuly 7, 2014

	3-Tand T-Series 3-tand.com \| $349.95 Rob Koewlynn, the man behind the original Van Staal and Zee baas reel designs, used his experience from making tough, premium reels to create saltwater fly reels. So far, the reels are living up to expectations. We’ve taken the 3-Tand T-70 from Alaska to the Caribbean, but its most brutal field-testing has taken place right here in the Northeast. The drag remains smooth whether it’s an albie, a bluefish or a fresh- run steelhead burning into the backing.
	Penn Battle II www.pennreels.com \| $109.95 The best-selling Battle has been upgraded with enhanced corrosion protection due to the use of five sealed bearings and one anti-reverse bearing. A thick aluminum bail wire and a full metal body, sideplate and rotor make it a heavy-duty light-tackle option.
	Quantum Cabo PT 40 www.quantumfishing.com \| $189.95 The Cabo features a ceramic drag, a titanium bail with magnetic trip and a multi-layer corrosion protection finish. We’ve tested the drag on big bluefish and false albacore, and it has been smooth as silk each and every time.
	Daiwa Black Gold BG1 www.daiwa.com \| $94.95 A reputation for long casts and outstanding durability has made this reel a mainstay among inshore saltwater reels. Sure, the BG is a little heavier than most modern reels, but you can’t argue with its decades-long track record of putting fish in the boat.
	G. Loomis NRX Inshore gloomis.com \| $615-$675 Though it comes with a bit of sticker shock, you won’t find a lighter, more sensitive, more responsive blank. Other bells and whistles include nickel- titanium recoil guides that reduce weight and increase the rate of recovery, improving casting distance.
	G. Loomis Pro4X ShortStix www.gloomis.com \| $400 – $425 Made with insight from some of the Northeast’s most prominent fly- fishermen with actions tailored to our waters. These short, 7-foot, 6-inch rods are perfect for casting to stripers, blues and albies from the boat, beach and rocks.
	St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore stcroixrods.com \| $380 – $390 If you don’t mind a bit of flash in your fishing gear, the all-white Legend Xtreme Inshore rods are some of the lightest, most powerful on the market. The three fast-action 7-foot rods in the series each feature an Xtreme Skin Handle that repels water, dirt and fish slime.
	Vexilar SonarPhone SP300 T-Box vexilar.com \| $199.95 The T-Box is a portable system that holds a battery and transducer that can be easily suction- cup-mounted on your canoe, rowboat, kayak or rental skiff, or transported from hole to hole on the ice. The powerful, dual- beam, 200 kHz transducer can reach depths of 240 feet and creates its own WiFi hotspot, transmitting to as many smartphones and tablets as you wish.
	Deeper Fishfinder buydeeper.com \| $235 A completely portable fishfinder that uses a Bluetooth connection to turn your smartphone or tablet into a big screen, high- resolution sonar system. It can be cast from shore or floated next to a kayak or boat.
	Lowrance Elite 3X lowrance.com \| $99 The most affordable color fishfinder ever produced, the Elite 3X features a Broadband Sounder, water-temperature sensor and Fish I.D. all shown on an LED-backlit color display. Its basic, straightforward features are simple to use, right out of the box.
	Humminbird 859ci HD Combo humminbird.com \| $599.99 New in 2014, the 800-series units feature an ultra- bright LED backlit 7-inch display that provides crystal- clear images for easy viewing in harsh sunlight. Internal precision GPS shows you exactly where you are at all times and the 83/200kHz DualBeam PLUS transducer delivers powerful sonar.
	Raymarine Dragonfly 5 raymarine.com \| $649.99 Dual-channel CHIRP technology enables anglers to target fish with sonar and explore underwater structures with photo-like clarity using high-resolution DownVision sonar. The built-in 50-channel GPS means you can just power up and start fishing.
	Skurge of the Sea Commercial Cockpit Harpoon skurgeofthesea.com \| $235 A no-frills, inexpensive, high quality harpoon, this stick is perfectly balanced for throwing or sticking fish boat side. Weighing 5 pounds and measuring 8 feet long, the Commercial using a conversion kit made by Skurge of the Sea.
	Shimano Saragosa 20000SW fish.shimano.com \| $349.99 When the bluefin are running large, you need a big reel to get the job done. The Saragosa 20000 has line capacity for more than enough 65-, 80- or 100-pound-test braid, it can dish out 44 pounds of drag pressure, and it rings up at less than $500. For the occasional tuna fishermen, this reel is an excellent option.
	Van Staal VSB 250 vanstaal.com \| $899 The same heavy-duty aluminum body, huge line capacity and smooth drag that make Van Staal reels some of the most popular in the surf also make them great for tackling tuna. The bailed VSB series is most popular among tuna fishermen who prefer a bail to the manual line pick-up featured on VS Series reels. We’ve used the VSB 250 to subdue bluefin up to 73 inches. It’s also great for catching blue sharks, mahi and other hard-fighting pelagic fish.
	Black Hole Cape Cod Special Graphite Popping Rod blackholeusa.com \| $495 Specifically designed for big bluefin, this stiff popping rod has been put to the test on tuna up to 250 pounds and passed with flying colors.
	Ocean Tackle International OceanXtreme G3 Spinning Rod oceantackle.net \| $259.99 A lightweight rod for heavy-duty fishing, the OceanXtreme G3 has the perfect action to give life to popping plugs and jigs while having the backbone to get a big tuna to the boat.
	Williamson Popper Pro rapala.com \| $15.99 A versatile design allows anglers to fish this tuna topwater with a walk-the-dog retrieve, a traditional pop-and-stop, or a fast, slashing retrieve. Weighted to maximize casting distance to reach far-out feeds, it features heavy-duty in- line VMC single hooks for more secure hook-ups and fewer straightened hooks.
	S and S Rattle Tail Jig ssbucktails.com \| $4.49 to $9.49 Made with a durable hook, 3-D eyes and a fish-attracting rattle, the S and S Rattle Tail jig is a favorite among fluke fishermen. Available in a wide range of sizes from 1/2-ounce to 8 ounces and in a huge array of colors including natural shades such as sea robin and sand eel, there is a Rattle Tail Jig for all of your fluke hot spots.
	Williamson Popper Pro berkley-fishing.com \| $35.99/quart A proven fluke killer, Gulp is perfect for tipping a bucktail and often outperforms the real thing. The extra-large swirl tail swims and moves with the slightest twitch of the rod tip, and rapid scent dispersion attracts fish from a greater range.

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	3-Tand T-Series 3-tand.com \| $349.95 Rob Koewlynn, the man behind the original Van Staal and Zee baas reel designs, used his experience from making tough, premium reels to create saltwater fly reels. So far, the reels are living up to expectations. We’ve taken the 3-Tand T-70 from Alaska to the Caribbean, but its most brutal field-testing has taken place right here in the Northeast. The drag remains smooth whether it’s an albie, a bluefish or a fresh- run steelhead burning into the backing.
	Penn Battle II www.pennreels.com \| $109.95 The best-selling Battle has been upgraded with enhanced corrosion protection due to the use of five sealed bearings and one anti-reverse bearing. A thick aluminum bail wire and a full metal body, sideplate and rotor make it a heavy-duty light-tackle option.
	Quantum Cabo PT 40 www.quantumfishing.com \| $189.95 The Cabo features a ceramic drag, a titanium bail with magnetic trip and a multi-layer corrosion protection finish. We’ve tested the drag on big bluefish and false albacore, and it has been smooth as silk each and every time.
	Daiwa Black Gold BG1 www.daiwa.com \| $94.95 A reputation for long casts and outstanding durability has made this reel a mainstay among inshore saltwater reels. Sure, the BG is a little heavier than most modern reels, but you can’t argue with its decades-long track record of putting fish in the boat.
	G. Loomis NRX Inshore gloomis.com \| $615-$675 Though it comes with a bit of sticker shock, you won’t find a lighter, more sensitive, more responsive blank. Other bells and whistles include nickel- titanium recoil guides that reduce weight and increase the rate of recovery, improving casting distance.
	G. Loomis Pro4X ShortStix www.gloomis.com \| $400 – $425 Made with insight from some of the Northeast’s most prominent fly- fishermen with actions tailored to our waters. These short, 7-foot, 6-inch rods are perfect for casting to stripers, blues and albies from the boat, beach and rocks.
	St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore stcroixrods.com \| $380 – $390 If you don’t mind a bit of flash in your fishing gear, the all-white Legend Xtreme Inshore rods are some of the lightest, most powerful on the market. The three fast-action 7-foot rods in the series each feature an Xtreme Skin Handle that repels water, dirt and fish slime.
	Vexilar SonarPhone SP300 T-Box vexilar.com \| $199.95 The T-Box is a portable system that holds a battery and transducer that can be easily suction- cup-mounted on your canoe, rowboat, kayak or rental skiff, or transported from hole to hole on the ice. The powerful, dual- beam, 200 kHz transducer can reach depths of 240 feet and creates its own WiFi hotspot, transmitting to as many smartphones and tablets as you wish.
	Deeper Fishfinder buydeeper.com \| $235 A completely portable fishfinder that uses a Bluetooth connection to turn your smartphone or tablet into a big screen, high- resolution sonar system. It can be cast from shore or floated next to a kayak or boat.
	Lowrance Elite 3X lowrance.com \| $99 The most affordable color fishfinder ever produced, the Elite 3X features a Broadband Sounder, water-temperature sensor and Fish I.D. all shown on an LED-backlit color display. Its basic, straightforward features are simple to use, right out of the box.
	Humminbird 859ci HD Combo humminbird.com \| $599.99 New in 2014, the 800-series units feature an ultra- bright LED backlit 7-inch display that provides crystal- clear images for easy viewing in harsh sunlight. Internal precision GPS shows you exactly where you are at all times and the 83/200kHz DualBeam PLUS transducer delivers powerful sonar.
	Raymarine Dragonfly 5 raymarine.com \| $649.99 Dual-channel CHIRP technology enables anglers to target fish with sonar and explore underwater structures with photo-like clarity using high-resolution DownVision sonar. The built-in 50-channel GPS means you can just power up and start fishing.
	Skurge of the Sea Commercial Cockpit Harpoon skurgeofthesea.com \| $235 A no-frills, inexpensive, high quality harpoon, this stick is perfectly balanced for throwing or sticking fish boat side. Weighing 5 pounds and measuring 8 feet long, the Commercial using a conversion kit made by Skurge of the Sea.
	Shimano Saragosa 20000SW fish.shimano.com \| $349.99 When the bluefin are running large, you need a big reel to get the job done. The Saragosa 20000 has line capacity for more than enough 65-, 80- or 100-pound-test braid, it can dish out 44 pounds of drag pressure, and it rings up at less than $500. For the occasional tuna fishermen, this reel is an excellent option.
	Van Staal VSB 250 vanstaal.com \| $899 The same heavy-duty aluminum body, huge line capacity and smooth drag that make Van Staal reels some of the most popular in the surf also make them great for tackling tuna. The bailed VSB series is most popular among tuna fishermen who prefer a bail to the manual line pick-up featured on VS Series reels. We’ve used the VSB 250 to subdue bluefin up to 73 inches. It’s also great for catching blue sharks, mahi and other hard-fighting pelagic fish.
	Black Hole Cape Cod Special Graphite Popping Rod blackholeusa.com \| $495 Specifically designed for big bluefin, this stiff popping rod has been put to the test on tuna up to 250 pounds and passed with flying colors.
	Ocean Tackle International OceanXtreme G3 Spinning Rod oceantackle.net \| $259.99 A lightweight rod for heavy-duty fishing, the OceanXtreme G3 has the perfect action to give life to popping plugs and jigs while having the backbone to get a big tuna to the boat.
	Williamson Popper Pro rapala.com \| $15.99 A versatile design allows anglers to fish this tuna topwater with a walk-the-dog retrieve, a traditional pop-and-stop, or a fast, slashing retrieve. Weighted to maximize casting distance to reach far-out feeds, it features heavy-duty in- line VMC single hooks for more secure hook-ups and fewer straightened hooks.
	S and S Rattle Tail Jig ssbucktails.com \| $4.49 to $9.49 Made with a durable hook, 3-D eyes and a fish-attracting rattle, the S and S Rattle Tail jig is a favorite among fluke fishermen. Available in a wide range of sizes from 1/2-ounce to 8 ounces and in a huge array of colors including natural shades such as sea robin and sand eel, there is a Rattle Tail Jig for all of your fluke hot spots.
	Williamson Popper Pro berkley-fishing.com \| $35.99/quart A proven fluke killer, Gulp is perfect for tipping a bucktail and often outperforms the real thing. The extra-large swirl tail swims and moves with the slightest twitch of the rod tip, and rapid scent dispersion attracts fish from a greater range.

3-Tand T-Series

Penn Battle II

Quantum Cabo PT 40

Daiwa Black Gold BG1

G. Loomis NRX Inshore

G. Loomis Pro4X ShortStix

St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore

Vexilar SonarPhone SP300 T-Box

Deeper Fishfinder

Lowrance Elite 3X

Humminbird 859ci HD Combo

Raymarine Dragonfly 5

Skurge of the Sea Commercial Cockpit Harpoon

Shimano Saragosa 20000SW

Van Staal VSB 250

Black Hole Cape Cod Special Graphite Popping Rod

Ocean Tackle International OceanXtreme G3 Spinning Rod

Williamson Popper Pro

S and S Rattle Tail Jig

Williamson Popper Pro