Wocester Sportsman Show 2008, Pt. 2

To complete the coverage of this show, I will pick up with boats.

Photo 1) A nice aluminum 16.5 ft. bass boat from G3, completely loaded starting at about $18,000 US. This is a good beginning package for starters, although one can find Trackers for about $12,000 US, they will be a slightly lower quality, and not as nicely equipped. There is something to be said for buying an equipped boat. It will cost more for a down payment, and higher monthly installments, but out the door, you are ready to fish. Buying a base model will be easier on the wallet initially and monthly, but unless you search for the lowest prices on each option and install them yourself, ( no guarantees with this option either with some items if not professionally installed) in the long run you are likely to pay more, and of course do without the assurance of some manufacturer coverage.

One needs to think long and hard on how you will buy as well as what you will buy, and how much capitol you can afford to spend.

Photo 2) Ranger boat line up. These are 16 to 18 ft. fiberglass boats that are at the top of the price chain, exceeding $40,000 US and some of the better made on the market, though not as well made as some like BassCat costing the same or less.

Photo 3) The new lineup of Penn reels. Here I have to admit some ignorance. I know little of Penn reels other than they are almost exclusively salt water orientated, however if you look to the center of this picture you can see a baitcaster reel that is an inshore model, with anti-corrosion bearings that double as a bass reel. I do know that Penn is one of, if not the most famous names in reels worldwide and if the quality, fit, action and feel of these reels is any indicator than I understand why.

Photo 4) More Penn reels, again mostly all are designed for saltwater, but I saw no reason why some of the medium reels could not be used for drop-shotting and light plastics in freshwater venues. Penn reels range in price from $50.00 US to $600.00 US, depending on whether they are for Giant Tuna, or lite action flats fishing.

Photo 5) This would be my buddy Tim, dreaming of the size and weight of the lunker bass that would give this $700.000 US Diawa Tuna reel stripped drag plates and burnt bearings. By the look on his face I would guess he imagines it would be bigger than him!

That is all for this show. I did not cover rods as I did not really look at many, and there was a request to cover reels. The next post however will be a rod and reel review, a Grandt Industries All-American Pro-Series Rod I bought at this show, and a new Abu Garcia Revo SX baitcaster 6.4:1 that I matched it to. The pair promises to be a lethal combination for bass!