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Rod Holders

One of the most basic tools for fishing from a boat is the rod holder, however, it's probably not at the top of your list of essential fishing gear. In fact, there are only about two times when you might consider a rod holder: when there isn't one available where you need it, or--and this is worse--when you lost a fish because the line gets snagged due to a poorly placed holder. West Marine's exclusive new Super Adjuster Rod Holder ($) uses an ingenious design to solve both these problems and ensure they never complicate your fishing trip again.

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It's designed around a unique, 20-position swivel that joins the rod holder and the rail mount, enabling you to position rods at virtually any angle. The rail mount itself is infinitely adjustable. That means you can quickly position the holder anywhere onboard to suit the space available, your fishing style, the boat's design or the fishing conditions. Add a 12-position rod butt holder that permits you to adjust the reel's vertical orientation, and you're looking at the single most versatile rod holder on the market.

Fishfinders

Now that you've got the rods mounted, let's find the fish. Today's anglers have more options than ever when it comes to fishfinders. Portability and performance are now the hallmarks of fishfinder technology, and one of the most unique units is Humminbird's RF30 Wrist Mount Smart Cast Wireless Fishfinder ($), the first fully functional fishfinder you wear on your wrist. Simply attach the Smart Cast remote sensor to your line, cast it out and you'll have real-time images of fish activity right on the wrist-mounted display. Now anglers fishing from shore in float tubes or full-sized boats can get instant and accurate depth sounding and fishfinding capability without complicated, bulky electronics systems.

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Looking for a little more fishfinding sophistication hardwired into your boat? The new Raymarine DS400X Fishfinder ($) uses the company's patented, award-winning High Definition Fish Imaging (HDFI), to set a new standard in sonar performance and hands-free, automatic operation. The HDFI-equipped DS400X uses advanced digital technology to adjust receiver bandwidth from very wide to very narrow, thousands of times per second--optimizing performance in all depth ranges and eliminating the constant adjustments and complex settings that plague anglers working in variable conditions.

Rod & Reel Combos

Getting back to basics, rod and reel combos have always been a great way for anglers to get the right rod and reel at a great price. A good combo is tailored for a specific type of fishing and that enables anglers, particularly novices, to get onto the water and start fishing fast.

West Marine has become a leader in the combo game, and its offerings have been expanded yet again this season. Their newest combo, the Shell Point ($$), marries the legendary Penn Senator reel with a 6'6" West Marine graphite rod that's excellent for trolling or jigging and built for years of use. New West Marine Jig Master ($) combos are rock-solid, economical packages ideal for chasing stripers, king mackerel and tuna. They're built around rugged West Marine Pacific rods--featuring graphite and E-glass construction--and a rugged Penn 500 reel.

With the fishing industry achieving so many innovations in electronics, materials and construction techniques, there's never been a better time to be an angler. Manufacturers and retailers alike are working harder to stand out in a competitive marketplace and as a result, some of their best products are also the best values. So whether you're fishing for the best gear money can buy, or you simply want the best bang for your buck, there's more great gear available than ever before--all of it designed to put more fish on the line.

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All products featured in this article are available exclusively at West Marine stores, online at or by calling 800-BOATING.

By Chuck Hawley, Vice President of Product Development, West Marine