Lunker List: Gear to buy this spring

Fishing license sales continue to be at an all-time high during the pandemic. More and more people have turned to the great outdoors as a relief from lockdowns and what better place to be socially distant than on the water? With so many new anglers to the sport and seasoned pros hitting their favorite spots with more frequency, this year’s Lunker List showcases must haves that span the gamut from entry level rod and reel combos to high end sonar technology that will have serious anglers catching even more fish!

GoPro Zeus Mini (MSRP: $49.99) gopro.com The perfect addition to any fishing excursion, this light has a powerful hands-free clip that is as compact as it is versatile. This powerful lighting solution is compatible with all GoPro mounts or can clip to anything from the bow of a boat to an angler’s hat. Capture the ideal lighting angle wherever the adventure may be with a strong 360-degree swivel and four levels of brightness—ranging from 20 to 200 lumens—for crisp detail.

Uncharted Supply Co. The Zeus (MSRP: $150) unchartedsupplyco.com This portable battery jumper/flashlight boasts enough power to start even the largest trucks multiple times or charge your iPhone up to 10 times. It can get you back on the road when no one’s on the other end of the jumper cables, fully recharge your power tools, and revive your dead devices if no power supply is near. Charge at home or on the road, and feel safe knowing you have a backup light source during any emergency situation.

Humminbird® SOLIX® G3 Series (MSRP: $2,199.99-$3,499.99) basspro.com The new SOLIX G3 models feature a powerful new dual-core processor, delivering lightning-fast responsiveness from either the touch screen or keypad via its Cross Touch® interface. With the intuitive control of Cross Touch, the unit provides a customizable fishing experience that puts the most important features and functionality at the forefront. Now packing more technology into large, bright screens, giving anglers their choice of units in 10.1-inch, 12.1-inch, or 15.4-inch high-definition, sunlight-viewable displays.

Minn Kota Raptor™ (MSRP: $1,499.99-$1,899.99) basspro.com Born of nearly nine decades of boat control innovation, this new shallow water anchor is designed to keep working to hold you more reliably than any other anchor—especially in rough conditions. Raptor debuts two industry-first, revolutionary anchoring technologies: Active Anchoring —which continuously monitors anchoring force and adjusts to keep you pinned to the bottom—and Auto-Bottom Mode, which can automatically detect bottom hardness and determine the right amount of force to let you focus on fishing. Boasting an industry-leading comprehensive five-year warranty, the Minn Kota Raptor will be available in 8- and 10-foot lengths.

Berkley Hit Stick (MSRP: $5.99-$7.99) basspro.com Easier to cast farther and more accurately, this lure achieves the high-speed roll of a balsa bait without sacrificing consistency through Berkley’s FlashDisc technology. Combined with the Polycarbonate and ABS material construction, the lure delivers exceptional durability to withstand toothy bites. Equipped with ultra-sharp Fusion19 hooks, it offers with the ultimate species versatility with seven sizes from 3.5cm to 15cm and 21 of the hottest colors for walleye, bass, trout, and other predator fish.

Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Hit Worm Magnum (MSRP: $6.99) basspro.com With an ultra-realistic texture and a super-charged scent, this worm will fool even the most pressured fish into biting and not letting go. The soft yet durable material allows for lifelike action and easier hook-ups producing multiple fish on each bait, while ribs provide more surface area for the irresistible PowerBait MaxScent flavor and scent. Available in 10 natural matte colors.

Berkley Frittside (MSRP: $9.49) basspro.com Ideal for tough conditions or sluggish fish, this flashy crankbait mimics a variety of species and delivers tight, balsa-like thumping actions. The design delivers a balanced weighting and action that tracks more accurately at higher speeds, and the durable construction is designed to last. With the addition of the Junior for clear water and the Biggun’ for muddy conditions, the Frittside is now available in five sizes and 18 different colors.

Berkley Fusion19 EWG Hooks (MSRP: $4.49) basspro.com Incredibly sharp and easy to use, these hooks feature a needle point with SlickSet coating for better penetration and a forged bend for added strength. The versatile hooks are designed for everyone from novice to proficient angler and work with a variety of bait types and techniques. Available in six sizes with a smoke satin finish, these hooks come in innovative packaging with a resealable clam for tackle management.

Berkley x9 Braid Line (MSRP: From $17.99) basspro.com Made with 100 percent PE fibers and nine strands for unmatched strength, this braided line is built for smooth, quiet casts. Available in pound tests from eight to 100 and clear or low-vis green in filler or bulk spools, x9 Braid is the reliable line for anglers looking to cast effortlessly and far.

Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line (MSRP: From $10.99) basspro.com Fast-sinking with greater line density for high sensitivity and less bow in the water, this line boasts extreme shock strength, abrasion resistance, and knot strength in a proprietary PVDF formula. With a lower memory for superior casting, this line is nearly invisible and available in green tint to reduce sparkle and flash.

Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Swim Shad (MSRP: $3.99-$5.49) basspro.com This lure features improved lifelike detail, 3D eyes, and holographic inserts for precise realism to help lure in fish. Paired with the legendary PowerBait formula, it will make fish hold on longer for an even greater hook-up ratio. Pre-rigged and ready to fish, it comes in 2-, 3-, or 4-inch options and is now available in HD Tru Colors for added realness.

Berkley PowerBait Beat’n Paddle Frog (MSRP: $5.49-$6.49) basspro.com With paddle tail-style feet and easy-to-start action at a variety of speeds, this frog beats the water with a sound bass will want to crush. Unique perpendicular hook-point keepers allow for weedless single hook or double frog hook rigs, and the sturdy body is built to withstand heavy cover or catch multiple fish per bait. With ultra-real details, PowerBait scent formula and HD Tru Color options, this lure is irresistible.

Berkley Fusion19 Frog Hooks (MSRP: $5.99) basspro.com These frog hooks come both standard and weighted. Featuring needle points designed for easier penetration on top water hits in heavy cover. The round bend and double hooks—forged for increased lateral strength—keep fish hooked up all the way back to the boat. These hooks feature an 1/8 -ounce molded weight to stabilize the keel of the bait and increase casting distance. Both varieties are available in 4/0 and 5/0 hook sizes.

Berkley Warpig (MSRP: $7.49) basspro.com Grabbing the attention of big bass has never been easier with this lure. This lipless sinking bait combines aggressive action with maximum sound and vibration for a realistic, enticing result that will keep fish coming. With a blunt nose design, the durable Warpig deflects off structures and powers past vegetation for more successful retrieves. Equipped with razor-sharp Fusion19 treble hooks, this crankbait is perfect for anglers of any experience level.

Berkley Choppo (MRSP: $10.49) basspro.com An easy-to-use topwater lure for weekend warriors and seasoned anglers alike, this lure is designed to deliver explosive action and bring fish to the surface. The durable, cupped propeller tail features an enhanced surface area for maximum disturbance and sound. Best suited for all types of shallow cover and calm conditions, the Choppo’s precision balance ensures immediate action and straight swimming at a variety of speeds.

Abu Garcia Zata Combo (MSRP: $209.99) basspro.com Lighter and more feature-rich than ever before, this combo is geared for quality performance and reliability. With a 10+1 bearing system for incredibly smooth operation and 24 Ton graphite construction for a lightweight, balanced design, these fishing combos are perfectly suited for most fishing styles. Zata Combos sport a custom Winn Dri-Tac rear grip for added comfort and Texas rigged hook keeper. Available in both spincasting and baitcasting.

Abu Garcia Veritas (MSRP $99.95-$119.95) basspro.com The new Veritas rod family gives anglers the sensitivity and durability they need. Increasing strength by 15 percent while reducing overall weight by five percent, the Powerlux 100 resin system evenly distributes nano particles between each carbon fiber to enhance the rod’s performance. The custom-designed reel seat delivers hypersensitivity around the exposed blank sections and improves comfort for all-day fishing. Coupled with titanium alloy guides with zirconium inserts and closed cell EVA split grips, this rod pushes the limits. Available in both spincasting and baitcasting.

Ugly Tools 90-Degree Pliers (MSRP: $29.99) basspro.com Engineered with high-carbon steel jaws to easily remove deep-set hooks from toothy fish, these pliers feature a non-slip grip for added control in slippery, wet conditions. The extended 90-degree triggered handle design allows for maximum leverage and the best line of sight when working in tight spaces. The pliers are spring loaded for one-hand operation, and a coiled lanyard allows for an extended reach of up to 36 inches.

Abu Garcia Revo MGXtreme Reel (MSRP: $419.95-$499.95) basspro.com Super compact and lightweight, this reel pushes the boundaries on innovative versatility with some of the most advanced reel technology available to anglers. The low-profile baitcaster weighs in at a mere 4.5 ounces and combines the new SLC spool concept with hybrid ceramic bearings for incredible casting performance. At just 5.6 ounces, the spinning reel features a CMg carbon rotor and one-piece X-Mag alloy gear box plus a durable AMGearing system.

Bass Pro Shops Advanced Anglers II Large Tackle System, (MSRP 49.99-$69.99) basspro.com Constructed of durable 600-denier water- and UV-resistant fabric and featuring heavy-duty zippers with speed zipper pulls and a waterproof, skid-resistant molded base. Newly redesigned external gusseted pockets accommodate standard size utility boxes to keep gear secure, plus an expanded zippered top opening for easier access. A variety of strategically placed exterior pockets hold all your essentials, including zippered mesh stash pockets for wet items and a pair of holsters for bulky tools.

World Wide Sportsman Seacrest Shirt for Men, (MSRP $39.99), basspro.com This men’s fishing shirt is loaded with technologies that make it ideal for long days on the boat. The shirt’s 100% polyester fabric naturally wicks moisture, moving water and sweat away from the body for fast evaporation and cooling. The fabric also stretches to move for ultimate comfort. Strategically placed vents under the arms, on the sides, and across the back help keep air flowing so you stay cooler. Plus, this World Wide Sportsman shirt is treated to safeguard your skin from harmful UV rays.

Extreme Baitcast Combo, (MSRP $119.99), basspro.com This combo features a rugged aluminum frame with graphite sideplates, diecast aluminum spool, and titanium-coated line guide. The smooth 6+1 bearing system boasts double-shielded ball bearings for long-term corrosion resistance, plus PowerLock™ instant anti-reverse. The externally adjustable Inertia Transfer Braking System automatically applies the correct amount of spool pressure at critical points during the cast. Designed for tournament fishing, it offers incredible touch without sacrificing strength.

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