SHIMANO PRO’S TOP PICKS
Top Shimano pros from around the country share their favorite fishing setups for their favorite species.
MOE NEWMAN - Venice, LA She grew up fishing the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. In 2014 Moe and her husband opened Journey South Outfitters in Venice, Louisiana where she guides both inshore and offshore, for everything from bull reds to blue marlin.
Species
Bull Reds Mangrove Snapper Blue Marlin
Rod
Conquest CNQ 903C MBR
Trevala TVC70ML
Tallus TLC66MHSBBLA
Reel
Curado CU200HGK
Stella STLC5000XGFJ Talica TAC50II on Carbon Fiber Bent Butt
Line
SSV2 30lb
SSV2 40lb Hollow Ace 130lb
Lure
150 Orca Popper Live menhaden Bridled live bait
JACK SPRENGEL - Newport, RI Captain Sprengel is a multi-species freestyle angler and outdoor guide with over 20 years of interna- tional sport fishing experience. He now specializes in offshore and reef style jigging and casting for large pelagic and tropical species with top water lures and jigs. Sprengel is also an expert saltwater striped bass guide.
Species
Rod
Reel Line Lure
Bull Reds
Conquest CNQ 903C MBR
Curado CU200HGK
SSV2 30lb
150 Orca Popper
Mangrove Snapper
Trevala TVC70ML
Stella STLC5000XGFJ
SSV2 40lb
Live menhaden
Blue Marlin
Tallus TLC66MHSBBLA
Talica TAC50II on Carbon Fiber Bent Butt
Hollow Ace 130lb
Bridled live bait
JAY WITHERS - Port Charlotte, FL Captain Jay is the host of Guidelines TV and a full time guide running Silver Lining Charters in Char- lotte Harbor and surrounding waters, specializing in tarpon, redfish and nearshore bottom fishing. Captain Jay has written over 300 published articles for various magazines.
Species
Tarpon Redfish Snook
Rod
Teramar TMS80XXH Conquest CNQ 902S SJR
NRX NRX 923S MR
Reel
Twin Power TP8000SWBPG
Stella STLC3000XGFJ
Saragosa SRG5000SW
Line
SSV2 50lb
SSV2 10lb Maxcuatro 40lb
Lure
Live bait Coltsniper Silent Coltsniper Silent
KEITH COMBS - Huntington, TX Native Texan, Keith Combs has competed in the Bassmaster Elite Series since 2011, qualifying for 7 Bassmaster Classics, 2 Forest Wood Cups, and 7 Toyota Texas Bass Classics. Keith is a three time win- ner of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, an Elite Series champion, and PAA champion.
Species
Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass
Rod
Curado CDCC70MSG
Zodias ZDS175H
ZodiasZDS170MG
Reel
Curado CU200HGK
Curado DC CUDC150HG Metanium MGL METMGL150HG
Line
Fluorocarbon 15lb
Braid 50lb Fluorocarbon 15lb
Lure
Deep Crankbait Hollow-Bodied Frog
Chatterbait
JONATHON VANDAM - Kalamazoo, MI At 19 years old, Jonathon - or JVD as many know him - began fishing the Bassmaster tour. During his second year in the Elite Series, Jonathon won the 2012 Elite Series Green Bay Challenge. Jonathon continued to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series for eight years. In 2019, JVD began competing in the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour.
Species
Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth Bass
Rod
GLX 892S JWR
NRX 822 DSR IMX Pro 812 JBR
Reel
Stradic STC3000XGFL
Excense EXSC3000MHG Aldebaran MGL ALDMGL50HG
Line
Power Pro Super8Slick V2 -Onyx 8lb Power Pro Super8Slick V2 -Onyx 8lb
Fluorocarbon 10 lb
Lure
Tube Drop Shot Jerkbait
BERNIE SCHULTZ - Gainesville, FL Schultz has enjoyed a long career at the highest level of professional bass fishing–nine-time Classic qualifier, five-time FLW Championship Qualifier, two-time Canadian Champion and FLW Golden Blend NY Invitational Champion. As a devoted conservationist, concerned with the preservation of Florida’s fisheries, he has donated considerable time and original art to the Coastal Conservation Association.
Species
Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass
Rod
Expride EXP610M
Expride EXP180H Expride EXP172ML-BFS
Reel
Curado CU200XGK Chronarch MGL CHMGL150HG
Antares ANT70AHG
Line
Monofilament 15lb
Braid 50 lb Fluorocarbon 15lb
Lure
Topwater Flipping Soft Plastics
Small Spinnerbait