This is a pretty cool read on some of the new Shimano rods and reels coming out at ICAST in July...looks like to some cool stuff to add more competition in this already competative tackle market!

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanoelsalto.html

I like the "Core" (Metanium Mg based) baitcaster (I think that is the name) and the new spinning reels coming out...plus those split grip rods look awesome too! Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

I'll be taking a tackle buying hiatus until the new stuff comes out.  Lots of cool stuff should be coming out after July.....baitmonkey is getting very antsy.  

Time to start saving.  

Lots of foam split grips I see, why not cork?  Foam just looks cheap to me (personal opinion)

I wonder if they had a special 10x10 cage full of bass for Jimmy?  : :-/

Lots of foam split grips I see, why not cork? Foam just looks cheap to me (personal opinion)

I wonder if they had a special 10x10 cage full of bass for Jimmy? : :-/

I absolutly agree i hate the look and feel of foam. Poor jimmy lol

I read somewhere that there is actually a shortage of quality cork right now.  Might have something to do with it, maybe.  I guess you can always make foam .....

Have 2 questions, I am going to buy the stradic.

1. Will the "new" stradic be the same price as the old?

2. Will BPS have the "new" stradic in their stradic/extreme combo?

Still waiting for that 101 Citica  :

I agree with LBH. The foam grips look cheap. I see more and more of the foam grips around though. Alot of the pros are using foam grips now on certain rods.....mainly spinning rods. My guess would be that the foam may be lighter (if so, not by much) and the foam grips might be a little more comfortable than cork. I'm sure they could make some foam grips that look like cork....would that work for you LBH?   ;D

I noticed a skeleton reel seat in that TackleTour report.....I'll be looking closely at those. I like the skeleton seats on my G Blank rods, it allows constant contact with the blank.

Looks like I'll be looking for a new reel soon. ;D