A bottom groove on this bait keeps a weedless hook well hidden, while a top groove on the back lets the bait slide down the hook bend more easily on the strike to ensure a better set. The design is also supposed to achieve more wobble than comparable baits at slow retrieve speeds.

Most guides agreed this lure would catch bass, but many didn’t feel it stood out far enough from other soft-plastic swimbaits on the market. At 5 inches, the DarkStar Swimmer is not intended to catch small bass, which may be why a few guides also noted that it might draw strikes from pike, snook, and redfish. Several added that the material felt very durable, and believed that the unique pinch in the body increased the vibration. I thought the bait had great action, though given its size, I’d probably throw it at stripers.

Rating: 3 stars
MSRP: $4.50 per pack
Number of bass caught during testing: 7

Other species caught during testing: Lake trout, brown trout

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Available in 1⁄2- or 3⁄8-ounce models, these jigs have bead chains attached to their heads that run down through the skirt. The chains are meant to emit sound and vibration when bumped along the bottom. They also add weight.

Just about every test guide noted that they were intrigued by the Crazy Leg’s design right out of the gate, believing the chains were a smart addition to an otherwise standard lure. It was also praised unanimously for being well made. In the water, however, the chains collected weeds and hindered presentation.

“In dirty water, combined with the right trailer, I think the chains could help attract more bass to the lure,” Nathan Fields said. “But in clear or highly pressured water, the chains may actually repel fish. Simpler can be better in those conditions.”

Rating: 3 stars
MSRP: $6
Number of bass caught during testing: 3
Other species caught during testing: None

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL BASS LURE TEST [ Read Full Post ]

Available in 1⁄2- or 3⁄8-ounce models, these jigs have bead chains attached to their heads that run down through the skirt. The chains are meant to emit sound and vibration when bumped along the bottom. They also add weight.

Just about every test guide noted that they were intrigued by the Crazy Leg’s design right out of the gate, believing the chains were a smart addition to an otherwise standard lure. It was also praised unanimously for being well made. In the water, however, the chains collected weeds and hindered presentation.

“In dirty water, combined with the right trailer, I think the chains could help attract more bass to the lure,” Nathan Fields said. “But in clear or highly pressured water, the chains may actually repel fish. Simpler can be better in those conditions.”

Rating: 3 stars
MSRP: $6
Number of bass caught during testing: 3
Other species caught during testing: None

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL BASS LURE TEST [ Read Full Post ]

Winner: Best of the Best 2013 In the new Mac 2 reel (for 5/6/7-weight lines), Bauer puts the focus at the heart of the matter—a proven braking system transplanted from its more expensive CFX series. The carbon-fiber drag provides flawlessly smooth resistance even at the highest settings. Two full revolutions of the drag knob allow fine-tuning, while detented stops eliminate any drift in tension. A patented clutch engages instantly, without a millimeter of counter-rotation, especially welcome for protecting light tippets. The entire drag is sealed against contamination for maintenance-free performance. A drag knob on the spool hub (not the back plate) lets you make quick adjustments with the reel hand; when the game is on, there’s no shifting the rod from hand to hand to change settings. Both the large--arbor spool and drag rotate precisely on sealed -stainless-​steel ball bearings. Spool and frame are cleanly machined from bar-stock aluminum and anodized for durability. This has the reliable guts, rugged chassis, and substantial feel of a more expensive reel. [ Read Full Post ]

By Kristyn Brady

After launching a small line of tactical-inspired women’s clothing in 2012, Smith & Wesson’s apparel licensee, Wild Things, LLC, showed a newly expanded line of concealed-carry clothing for ladies at SHOT Show this month. While walking through the line with Kim Pingaro, their VP of product development and marketing, I was impressed—not only by the number of wardrobe options the brand is now providing the female consumer or law-enforcement professional who needs to conceal an off-duty weapon, but by how thoughtfully the clothes have been designed. Bonus: They’re still wearable and feminine.

It’s clear to me that Pingaro’s team has considered consumer feedback and expert opinions on the best placement and design of specialty pockets and details. There are two styles of Barn Jacket in the collection that will be available online this March. Both offer two internal concealed-carry pockets with elastic straps, deep front bottom pockets large enough for a small firearm, and handwarmer pockets. (I personally hate when I go to stash my hands in side pockets and find no place for them.)
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By Mike Calabro

Riding in the snow is tons of fun. The snow fills in all of the deep ruts and smoothes out the ride — it feels like a whole new ATV experience. I love the feeling of blasting through pillowy-soft snow banks. But all this fun can get ruined once the snow gets too deep. Instead of exploring the winter wonderland you spend all of your time getting stuck. That is when tracks come in.

[ATV Build Project: A Quad for All Seasons]

 
The principal design advantage of tracked-over wheeled vehicles is that they are in contact with a larger surface area, and as a result exert a much lower force per unit area on the ground being traversed than a conventional wheeled vehicle of the same weight. 

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