AFTA Top Picks

A couple of weeks ago, Corey and Adam from the Tackle Shack headed up to the Gold Coast for the Australian Fishing Tackle Association  (AFTA) trade show. Let’s take a look at the items that took their fancy.

Reels:

1. Shimano Stella FK; both Corey and Adam’s favourite reel of the show was Shimano’s Stella FK range (we now stock these). If you’re a tackle junkie, then the name Stella will be well known to you. The new Stella holds Shimano’s Hagane gearing; a cold forging technique which produces more strength under load. These reels also carry new technology; an Anti-Twist Fin just below the roller, which helps prevent wind knots making their way onto the spool. All in all, these reels are a real piece of art.
2. Daiwa Tatula 70; The Tatula 70s are going to be a brilliant reel for casting smaller lures for trout, EPs and even bream. Not only are they compact in size, but they can cast down to about 3g in weight which could open up a whole new fishing style for tournament and keen lure anglers alike.
3. Daiwa Maverick;The Maverick is a new salt water range that incorporates the internals of a Certate SW with the body of the Saltist MQ; and some fiery red styling. These reels are also packed with Daiwa’s iconic Magseal technology which is a magnetised oil, providing both a long lasting reel with impressive corrosion resistance, and a smooth retrieve.
4. Okuma Ceymar HD; One of the budget reels that definitely will give you great value is the Okuma Ceymar HD range. The Ceymar range has been around for years now, and is widely regarded as a great option for the budget minded angler. In 2022, the HD version is giving you a heavier drag system, less friction for the main shaft (making it turn effortlessly) and at only a few grams heavier than the original model.
5. Penn Authority; The Penn Authority range features an incredible IPX8 rating which means that the reel can be submerged in water for half an hour without water intrusion. It has 13 stainless bearings, stainless CNC machined main gear and pinion gears. This makes it one of the toughest saltwater-ready reels on the market!

Rods:

1. Daiwa Tanacom Range; the new Tanacom range of electric rods are a real winner with 3 new ranges coming this year. The two which will be carried in our Tackle Shack are the Tanacom X and Tanacom Z. Both ranges offer lighter options for deep flathead, and heavier styles to 120lb for all the shelf work. These two ranges are coming in at between $300-$500 and offer some great choices for all budgets.
2. Daiwa Beefstick Z;Daiwa have also released a few new models in the super popular Beefstick Z range in an overhead configuration for gummies and snapper. The legendary bulletproof fibreglass blank now meets the modern and refined Fuji K guides, offering a rod that is robust, affordable and tangle free.
3. NS SW Game; N.S have released a new range of saltwater stick bait and popper rods that are sure to be a hit for the summer angler chasing topwater kings and tuna. The SW Game rods will have Fuji K guides, a double locking Fuji reel seat and 4 axis carbon to prevent twist under load. This range will come in at between $350-$400.
4. Daiwa Infeet SK; Moving into the freshwater and estuary side of things, Daiwa again blew our mind with its new Infeet SK range that incorporates the AGS guide system which is a carbon fibre system which is 40% lighter than conventional guides and creates a lot more sensitivity too. Coming in at $449 they will be a seriously sought after rod for light tackle anglers seeking the finest equipment.

Terminal Tackle:

1. Squidgy Reef Wriggler; Shimano’s new Squidgy Reef Wriggler is a skinny 175mm curl tail with a plenty of action and will be super popular for deep reef fishing along our coast; snapper and nannygai, look out!
2. Daiwa Bait Junkie Jigheads; Daiwa have released a new range of jig heads to compliment their very successful range of Bait Junkie soft plastics. So what makes these different from every other jighead on the market? It’s all in the keeper, and it’s ability to stick to the plastic even after multiple strikes, no glue required. The Bait Junkie jigheads comes in two different hook gauges, a light gauge for the finesse fishing and a heavier gauge for snapper and mulloway.
3. Z-Man ST Grubz; Z-Man have tweaked the ever reliable 2.5” grub with the new ST grub. These small plastics now have a ribbed belly that holds scent and gives out a vibration which allows fish to track the plastic from a good distance away. Not only has the design of the famous Grubz been tweaked, but they will be available in a few all-new colours, and existing colours from other Z-Man lures that haven’t yet been available in the Grubz range.
4. Tonic Blaq; The Blaq series are a metal frame with an everyday style design. These are in store now and available in a Grey and Copper Photochromic lens. The photochromic lens is a true game changer for those who haven’t tried before; the lens will adjust itself to maximise visibility in most light conditions; meaning clear vision and protection from sunrise to sunset.
5. Nomad Redbait; Nomad Tackle also brought some great new lures to their already successful range, but there was a certain colour that caught our eye. The new Redbait colour has been a long time coming, but will be an incredibly popular choice for tuna anglers. Initially available in the DTX diver range, we hope to see this colour expand into Nomad lure ranges in future.