Cassell - Fishermans bible : the worlds most comprehensive angling reference

Copyright 2015 by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications.

For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or . Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Cover design by Owen Corrigan ISBN: 978-1-63220-702-9
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63450-037-1 Printed in Canada Note: Every effort has been made to record specifications and descriptions of rods, reels, lures, and lines accurately, but the Publisher can take no responsibility for errors or omissions. The prices shown for rods, reels, lures, and lines are manufacturers' suggested retail prices and are furnished for information only.

These were in effect at press time and are subject to change without notice. Purchasers of the book have complete freedom of choice in pricing for resale. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Y ou have just purchased the second edition of the wildly popular Fishermans Bible . It was first published in 2014 as an adjunct to our annual Shooters Bible, a book that more than 7 million people have bought since that books inception in the 1920s. It was our feeling that if shooters and hunters wanted a book such as the Shooters Bible, and a new and revised one every year at that, then wouldnt fishermen want a similar book as well? After all, anglers are every bit as passionate about their sport, and their gear, as hunters are. So last year we spent a great deal of time and effort assembling as much gear and related text as possible for the first edition of the Fishermans Bible , and came out with a book that we were quite proud of, one with thousands of new and currently produced rods, reels, lures, and lines.

Also last year, I stated that it was our intention to publish a new and updated edition of this compendium every year, and, with this second edition, that is exactly what we are doing. As youll see, we have even more gear, more stuff , than last year. We know youll enjoy it. To give some background, Skyhorse Publishing publishes many fishing, hunting, shooting, and outdoor books. One of our most popular books, one of our bestsellers, is indeed the Shooters Bible . The Shooters Bible was first published in 1925 and has been published annually, and in some cases bi-annually, ever since.

As stated, more than seven million copies have been sold in that time, and it continues to be the ultimate reference book for millions of people who want information on new guns, ammunition, optics, and accessories, as well as up-to-date prices and specs for thousands of firearms. According to recent statistics, there are almost sixteen million hunters in the United States. That pales in comparison to the number of anglers in the United States. A 2011 survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that there are more than 35 million fresh- and salt-water anglers in the US. It is, as Kirk Deeter of Trout Unlimiteds Trout magazine notes, a $48 billion industrybigger than golf! This second edition of the Fishermans Bible is the result of our editorial team gathering information on all fresh- and salt-water rods, reels, lines, and lures that are currently in production.

Just as the Shooters Bible provides up-to-date information on in-production firearms, ammunition, optics, and reloading equipment, the Fishermans Bible does the same on the fishing side. In this tome, you will find specs and figures for everything fishing. The New Products section, in the front of the book, highlights everything new, every rod, reel, line, and lure that has been introduced in the past twelve months. Photos of every piece of gear are included, with the New Product section featuring color photographs. As we do with the Shooters Bible , next year we will take all of the new products that appear in this second edition and incorporate them into the main section of the book. All rods, reels, lines, and lures that are no longer in production will be removed.

All prices will then be double-checked and updated. There will be a new New Products section next year, featuring everything that has been introduced by the tackle companies from the date this edition was published to the date the third edition comes out. EDITOR JAY CASSELL INSPECTS AN ORVIS RECON FLY ROD AT THE 2015 FLY FISHING SHOW IN SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY. NEW DAY, BIG FISH, AND LOTS OF GREAT NEW TACKLE TO HANDLE THEMAS ALWAYS, THE NEW GEAR FOR THIS SEASON IS STRONGER, LIGHTER, AND MORE TECHNICALLY ADVANCED THAN EVER BEFORE. Our research team has made every effort to get all specs and prices correct. We have scoured all of the websites, we have attended ICAST, the trade show of the American Sportfishing Association held annually in either Orlando or Las Vegas, plus we have gone to as many regional angling-related shows as possible.

As I write this column, Im still unpacking luggage and brochures after returning home from the 23rd annual Fly Fishing Show held in Somerset, New Jersey. It was there, for example, where I had the opportunity to examine the new Recon fly rods just now being introduced by the Orvis Company. Competitively priced, they should become instantly popular. I also had my eye on that companys Helios 2 fly rod. Something tells me Ill be trout fishing with one of those, probably a 5-weight, sometime this spring. And speaking of this spring, dont miss Frank Sargeants feature on new new rods and reels for 2015.

Frank, who has been in the fishing business for many years and who really knows what hes talking about, has done a solid job researching all things newfor bass fishing, salt water, panfish, walleyes, you name it. If youre a bass angler, you just know youre going to drool at G.Loomiss new IMX lineup of technique-specific rods. Featuring Jig & Worm casting and spinning rods, Mag Bass casting rods, Carolina rig, Flip/Punch technique, swimbait, umbrella rig, spinnerbait, topwater, and jerkbait casting rods, plus spinning models for DropShot and ShakyHead use, the IMX bass rods provide a new level in weight reduction, sensitivity, and strength, according to company spokesman Bruce Holt. Ive never used anything made by 13 Fishing, probably because theyre a young company, but I bet one of their Concept Series baitcasters on top of an IMX jerkbait casting rod would be a pretty sweet combination. As for the salt, I cant help but take a look at Shimanos new Stella SW reels. There are twelve new models and picking just the right one might be tough.