FIRST LOOK
Paul Fenech samples the latest gear to hit the tackle shops
AKIOS NITRON F-15 RRP: £229.95
The Nitron F-15 is an all-new distance casting multiplier from Akios and described as “built from the ground up” and “fuelled for power and performance” thanks to input from top anglers and those at grassroots level.
It is an all-round powerhouse with balanced aluminium free-floating spool on an oversized 5mm spindle – designed to give the reel, which weighs 440g, incredible distance and speed.
Braking is provided by the company’s Quadra four-bank mag system, operated by an easy to operate ‘knobby’ controller.
Akios has created a new X frame, built from lightweight composite material coated in carbon wrap, to give rigidity and strength to the frame housing the spool and powerful gearbox train. The latter has an oversized brass main gear and bearing-supported marine bronze pinion.
This reel has a 6.2:1 retrieve ratio (34.4in/86cm per turn of handle) and a maximum 12kg carbon drag system operated from a drag wheel under a new balanced power handle.
It was due in the shops from October 30.
■ Available from Akios dealers. Visit: www.akiosfishingtackle.com
MOPHIE JUICE PACK ACCESS RRP: £99.95
Do you ever find that your iPhone battery life runs out quickly while you’re fishing? If so, this should be right up your street.
The juice pack access battery case gives you an extra 25 hours of battery power at the push of a button, while also providing protection for your device. It lets you charge wirelessly and maintain full access to your iPhone Lightning port, so you can listen to music or take calls while charging at the same time.
■ For more info, visit: www.zag.com
RAPALA LURES
This should make the lure fishing junkie excited, as a new batch of Rapala products, sizes and colours of lures arrives in tackle shops soon. Ranging from Biscay Minnow, Biscay Shad, Skitter V and Deep Down Huskey Jerk, to X-Rap Magnum Cast, Prey and Xplode, these are bound to create a stir among predator anglers everywhere.
■ For your nearest Rapala stockist, visit: www.normarkuk.com
There’s nothing worse than suffering from cold hands when fishing through the winter months, so these neat items are the perfect solution. Simply open a sachet by hand and immediately it begins to heat up. Place one into each pocket and you’ll have up to 10 hours of heat to keep your hands toasty warm throughout a session. ■ Available from all Aldi stores while stocks last.
This is probably one of the toughest and best protected spinning reels out there. Featuring all the latest Japanese technology including 12 SS bearing systems, full metal construction, stainless-steel shaft and drive gears, and two ballbearing spool balance system, it is totally waterproof.
Available in two sizes of 4500 or 5500, it comes with a spare aluminium spool
■ Available from Kiddy Wholesale, tel: 01803 293999. Web: www. kiddywholesale.co.uk
Are you a gamer who just can’t get enough of fishing? Well, this should keep you entertained for hours while away from the beach or boat. Designed for a PS4 device, it offers you 19 different locations to fish, 143 species to target, more than 1,000 tackle items to choose from and a choice of four different techniques. You can also fish against five other anglers when in multi-player mode.
■ For more info, visit: www.thefishermanfishingplanet.com
“One of the toughest, best protected spinning reels out there”