JAW-BREAKIN' COMBO: The Ambassadeur Morrum M5600C Baitcasting Reel with the G. Loomis MBR rod
TIS THE SEASON when we, the editors at SPORTS AFIELD, flip
through the pages of our hunting and fishing catalogs in search of the perfect gifts for ourselves, and then leave the catalogs in conspicuous places-open to the right pages-hoping our loved ones will take the bait. If not, heck, we just buy the stuff for ourselves after Christmas. But this year we decided to make our own catalog, and include all the gifts we plan to exchange-or we hope to exchange-with our friends and family on Christmas Day.
Boat and Electronics
TRITON'S TR-21 BASS BOAT-Triton's Tr-21 is the ultimate boat for big lakes it and rough water Equipped with a 56-gallon gas tank, this solid, beamy bass machine has incredible range and-just as important-will keep you dry while you're getting there. We tested this boat for ourselves and all agreed we had to have it. Rigged with an Evinrude 225 Ficht outboard, a pair of Lowrance X-85 fishfinders, MotorGuide trolling motor, and CMC mechanical jackplate, this Tr21 is the ultimate Christmas package for any bass fisherman. Suggested retail: $34,900. For more information, call Triton at 888/8TRITON, or check out the company's web site at tritonboats.com.
MAGELLAN'S MAP 330 RECEIVER-The MAP 330 is small, lightweight, and rugged. Its twelve parallel channels and sensitive quadrifilar antenna enable GPS satellite lock-on in harsh environments, and fast position fixes with up to tenmeter accuracy. The MAP 330 has a wraparound rubber grip, and weatherproof housing suited to all outdoor conditions; it even floats. The MAP 330's high-resolution EL backlit display and keypad allow users to navigate with confidence during the day or night. Suggested retail: $249.99. For more information, call Magellan at 909/394-5000.
RAYTHEON/APELCO MARINE FISHFINDER-Raytheon's L760 fishfinder features a color display with the highest resolution of any seven-inch LCD on the market. This high-tech unit features full- or split-page viewing of GPS, chart plotter, or even a radar screen (when connected to a HSB chart plotter or radar). Suggested retail starts at $4,440. For more information, call 800/539-5539 or visit the web site at autohelm.com.
Fishing Tackle
ABU GARCIA'S M5600C BAITCASTING REEL-Abu Garcia's Ambassadeur Morrum is the Cadillac of round baitcasting reels. The spool is balanced and machined to .001-inch tolerances, which is what makes it so smooth, tough, and dependable-and worth every penny. Not only is this the ultimate jig reel for largemouths, it has enough raw power to handle pike, stripers, and muskies as well. Suggested retail is $215. For more information, call Abu Garcia at 800/228-4272 or check out the company's web site at abugarcia.com.
G. LOOMIS JIG RODG. Loomis's MBR 784C is the creme de la creme jig stick. This heavy, fast action, 6 1/2 foot graphite rod has more than enough backbone to horse a big fish out of the heaviest cover imaginableyet it's so sensitive you'll feel any fish that so much as breathes on your jig. The 784C is also powerful enough to tackle stripers and pike. Suggested retail starting at $333. For more information, call 800/456-6647; the web site is gloomis.com.
PIANO'S TACKLE LOGIC TOUR
WRAPS-Finally, storing spinnerbaits and other hard-to-manage tackle is a snap. These soft, compact bags are designed for plastic worms, spinnerbaits, hard baits, pig In jigs, leader rigs, and other assorted tackle. They're made of heavy-duty 600 Denier material for durability and extended life. Suggested retail: $59.99. For more information, call 800/874-6905, or check out the Plano web site at tackelogic.com.
Clothing
FILSON'S LONG UNDERWEAR-Filson's 100-percent merino wool longjohns don't make you itch, and will keep you warm as only wool can. Suggested retail is $73.50.
For more information, call Filson at 800/624-0201, or check out the company's web site at filson. com.
COLUMBIA PARKAColumbia's OmniSuper Quad Parka is waterproof, windproof, and seamsealed, but breathable. It features a zip-out reversible liner, dual entry/retrieval bloodproof game bag, underarm zipper vents, storm flap with rain gutter, and even a beard guard-in three different Mossy Oak camouflage patterns. Suggested retail: $375. For more information, get in touch with Columbia at 800/Ma-Boyle.
WOLVERINE SCENT LOK BOOTSThe new Wolverine Scent Lok boots are insulated and waterproof, and they sport Vibram soles. The biggest news, however, concerns their special liner, which effectively eliminates detectable scent put off by human feet. Suggested retail: $185. For more information, call 800/253-2184, or check out the web site at wolverineworldwide.com.
Guns
REMINGTON 870 SPS SUPER MAGNUM 12-GAUGE PUMP SHOTGUN-Built off of the tried-and-true 870 action, the SPS comes in Mossy Oak's Break-Up camouflage pattern, and is chambered to digest everything from 2 3/4- to 3 1/2-inch, 12gauge ammo. Suggested retail is $609.38. For more information, call 800/243-9700, or check out Remington's web site at remington.com.
BROWNING A-BOLT RIFLE-With all the great features of the short-action A-Bolt in the new .300 Winchester Short Magnum, this new rifle was field-tested by SA in Alaska. Our conclusion: "If we could have only one caliber, this would be it." The Winchester M70 is also avail- able in .300 WSM. Suggested retail starts at $646. For more infor, visit Browning at the company's website: browning.com.
RUGER VAQUERO SINGLE-SIX-This .32 caliber H&R Magnum, cowboy-action six-shooter comes in high-gloss stainless or "color case-hardened" finish, and features simulated ivory grips. Suggested retail: $534. For more information, call Sturm, Ruger at 520/541-8901, or visit the company's web site at roger-firearms.com.
Knives
GERBER GATOR MATE DROP POINTThis was the Winner of the Most Innovative Knife of the Year Award in Blade Magazine; it's a drop-point folder with a premium blade constructed from ATS-34 stainless steel. However, the handle is the real news: The Kraton rubber-molded handle is tough as nails, but feels soft and tacky for a sure grip like that on no other knife on the market. A lot of blade for the buck at $56. For more information, call 800/950-6161-or visit on the web at gerberblades.com.
BUCK LIGHTNING LOCK BIADES-like the original, these Buck Knives have blades hard enough to cut through a penny, but feature one-handed opening and unique artwork. Buck commissioned wildlife artist Robert J. Schmidt to create the wildlife scenes that they then transferred onto the aluminum knife handles via a proprietary process. The end result is striking. Suggested retail price is $80. For more information, call 800/3262825 or visit buckknives.com.
BENCHMADE MODEL 940, OSBORNE
AXIS-Designed by Wren Osborne, this nifty folder can be opened with one hand, and features Bench-made's AXIS locking mechanism on the 154CM stainless-steel blade. Suggested retail is $160. For more information, check out Benchmade on the web at bench-made.com.
Optics
BURRIS SPOTTING SCOPE-The Burns 18-45X-60mm spotting scope was the choice of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Pistol Team. The optics are state-of-the-art, but this scope is waterproof and rugged enough to take to sheep camp. Suggested retail: $819. For more information, call 970/356-1670, or check out the Burris web site: burisoptics.com.
SWAROVSKI SCOPE, AV 3-10X42L-The
Austrian-made Swarovski 3-10X-42mm riflescope has precision-ground, fully coated optics that are incredibly sharp. This scope is also tough; it's even guaranteed to remain waterproof down to nine feet under an overturned canoe. Suggested retail: $798. For more information, call the Swarovski Optik people at 800/426-3089, or visit their web site: swarovskioptik.com.
NIKON BINOCULARS, 10X42D CF-Nikon claims that its Venturer LX 10x42mm binoculars are the world's finest roof-prism binoculars, and it's hard to argue with them. The binocs feature all-metal construction, and are rubberarmored for rough use. In addition, they are waterproof and fog-proof. These binoculars are pricey, but well worth the money. Suggested retail is $1,818.95. For more information, call 800/645-6687, or check out the Nikon web site at nikonusa.com.
Stocking Stuffers
MOTOROLA TALKABOUT RADIOSMotorola packs a stopwatch, alarm clock, and NOAA weather receiver into this twoway radio. They also offer a fancier model that has a built-in altimeter, barometer, and digital compass. Field-tested by SA in Alaska, these little communicators really work. Suggested retail starts at $129. For more information, call 800/353-2729, or visit the Motorola web site at motorola.com.
