Minnesota Muskie Expo Intro – – As anglers come up with more techniques to tackle all sizes of muskies, Shimano looked to noted ‘Musky Hunter’ Jim Saric to assist with a new series of Compre muskie rods. The new line-up – all rods will be on display at the Shimano exhibit during the Minnesota Muskie Expo – April 4-5-6 at Concordia College in St. Paul – includes both standard lengths and longer rods, with models available to handle any type of muskie fishing situation.
The new Compre series consists of nine models, and “is our most comprehensive line-up of muskie rods we have ever offered,” said Shimano rod product manager Robby Gant. “Our Compre rods has always had a strong following, but with this new series, we’ve made major changes – along with relying on Jim Saric who field-tested every rod and provided valuable input to the final design.”
On seven of the new Compre muskie rods, anglers will have a sensitive, yet extremely durable one-piece IM-8 graphite blank construction. “Plus on the 8-foot extra heavy and 8-foot-6-inch double extra heavy rods, we use our TC4 blank construction, the ideal material for the added durability needed when casting big cranking lures and large soft plastics,” said Gant. Shimano’s TC4 construction process includes an inner layer of dynamic T glass wrapped with an inner and outer layer of graphite. “We’re able to offer smaller diameter blanks that are not only durable, but also lightweight and sensitive,” Gant explains.
On the longer extra-heavy and double extra heavy 8-foot-6-inch, 9-foot and 9-foot-6-inch rods, all are designed with a telescoping handle feature to make in-the-boat storage more convenient. Also featured on all Compre rods is a custom Shimano reel seat, Batson Forecast guides and flanged top with Zirconium insert, plus a Carboloy tip guide. There’s both a full cork rear and front grip, along with a compressed cork butt cap.
“The new Compre series now includes the right rods – in the right lengths, power and actions – for use with the Shimano Tranx 500 low-profile reels and Calcutta 300D and 400D round reels,” Saric said. “Shimano has always been at the forefront when it comes the right reels needed by muskie anglers, and now they have the perfect rod and reel combination with Compre.”
– NEW CONVERGENCE – SOJOURN MUSKIE RODS
Also for muskie anglers from Shimano is a new line-up of Convergence and Sojourn rods, again designed with assistance from noted ‘Musky Hunter’ Jim Saric.
The Convergence series includes five models – from 8-foot extra heavy power to 9-foot XX heavy power – all with telescoping handles and constructed with durable IM-6 graphite blanks. Each features Fuji AL Oxide guides with a Carboloy tip guide, along with a full cork rear and front grip and a compressed cork butt cap.
The four rod Sojourn series – medium heavy, heavy, X-heavy and XX-heavy power – is offered in standard lengths and action for most muskie fishing applications, especially trolling and live-bait techniques.
For more information on Shimano’s new Compre muskie rods (and new Convergence and Sojourn rods), see your local tackle dealer – visit the Shimano web site at http://fish.shimano.com – or call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time).