|
|
|
RAY
SCOTT OUTDOORS, INC.
A
Rising Economic Tide TIMONIUM, Maryland - Alan Greenspan, the economic guru of the U.S. of A., peering into his crystal ball forecast the country's economy to limp along well into mid-Year 2002. At the 18th Annual Fishing Expo & Boat Show on the Maryland State Fairgrounds, eager bass fishermen, boaters and buyers lined up two by two - stretching for over three blocks - waiting for the doors to open for the Saturday, January 12th, show. If Mr. Greenspan is on target, "the consumer will continue to lead the country out of this business recession." Bob Dobart's three-day show is billed as the "East Coast's Largest Fishing Expo," and is an early-season barometer of how the fishing public views the economic climate. For certain, "cabin fever" is contagious here in the Northland and folks will brave the elements to make do with any "outdoor experience" when iced out from lakes and ponds. Bassers, hereabouts, are known to stare for several hours at an outdoor calendar dreaming of the spring season. Give Mr. Greenspan and his colleagues credit for flooding the system with "cheap money." For sure it's underpinned the housing market, along with the auto industry, and evidently the boat building business. "We've got a lot of serious shoppers coming to see what's new and not just a bunch of tire kickers," said Wayne Beverly, a TRITON Boats dealer, from Toano, Virginia. "There're more customers asking 'how much are the monthly payments' than what's the price of this rig?" If buyers can qualify for a loan, now's the prime time to get into the bass boat of their dreams or upgrade to the "Ultimate Bass Boat." As spokesman for TRITON BOATS, you've no doubt seen the two-page spread with our explanation and my opinion of "the Ultimate Bass Boat" - the 2002 Triton Classic. This is the special, limited edition built by Earl Bentz and his Ashland City, TN, company as the flagship of the Triton bass fishing fleet. But, what wouldn't you expect for $36,999.00, as the Triton Classic, complete with special BASS Masters Classic markings, was listed in the Pop's Marine display. It's doubtful, Mr. Greenspan pays any heed to the boat buyer's deep pockets, but Wayne Beverly reported a pair of orders for the $37,000.00 Triton Classics at the show. Overall, sales of the 2002 Triton's lineup of fiberglass and an all new line of aluminum bass boats proved encouraging for the marine industry during the Timonium weekend, located in the Baltimore-Washington DC area. To a large extent with heavy government payrolls and the military presences, this area hasn't had to suffer job layoffs and loss of income as in some parts of the country. But, "recession proof" in the marine industry is a state-of-mind. And, the state of the good ship Triton is floating on high, according to Earl Bentz, who makes a point to underline the good news that Triton's workforce is in full force and the company has not reduced a single job in the manufacturing plant. Matter of fact, the company continues to expand with plans to increase its line of saltwater crafts. As the country's No. 1 selling fiberglass bass boat, Triton has climbed on top the boating world in just a four-year span. Hard to believe the Triton brand wasn't even around some 48 months ago. Not content to stand pat, Earl Bentz and his Triton team unveiled a high-performance bass rig for the aluminum market. The Triton 186 Magnum is rated for 150 horsepower, 18-feet, 6-inches with a broad 85-inch beam and all the fishing features found in the high-end fiberglass models. And, the "good news" is the boat is tournament-proven and for half-the-price of the high-dollar rig. Besides the cost savings, more and more fishermen and even the Bassmaster Tournament Trail pros are joining the ranks of the "Tin Men." Alabama Triton pro staffer Randy Howell sees the new aluminum rigs as the way to "get into places others can't fish in the heavy, deeper water fiberglass rigs." As a prime example, recall that all-time B.A.S.S. tournament winner Roland Martin rigged a shallow-running aluminum jet drive boat to win the Connecticut Bassmaster Invitational. Credit the marine specialists at Hall's Marine in Pennsdale, PA with the right setup for fishing the rocky shoals of the Connecticut River above Hartford. But, Chad Hall's crew is regarded as the best in the Northeast and the aluminum boating pros. Matter of fact, Hall's Marine has provided a field-test basis for the new all-welded, .100 gauge Triton aluminum hulls. "We rig a lot of boats for running in skinny water," says Chad Hall. "Some of the best smallmouth stream fishing, anywhere, is located on the upper Susquehanna River and its tributaries in the Harrisburg area, but this is out-of-bounds for big fiberglass, tournament-size rigs," pointed out Hall. "At times we're running in no more than three inches of water," swears Jay Boettner of Enola, PA, a Hall's Marine outboard jet specialist, and undisputed king of the Susquehanna smallmouth bass kingdom. "Sometimes you just close your eyes, hang on and pray," says Boettner. "There are only two speeds in these shallow-waters. Stopped or flat out." But Jay Boettner claims the thrill-ride is worth the trip, exceeded only by the first jarring strike by a hefty smallmouth. A word of advice: bring heavy bass tackle. Spool baitcasting reels with at least 17-pound test monofilament, on heavy bass rods. Reels need a high-speed retrieve ratio of 6.5 to 1 for "burning" back the heavy ¾ to 1-ounce spinnerbaits used by Boettner. "In this shallow water, you're fishing for a reaction strike and looking for ambush places where the bass will hold out of the river current," says Boettner. "Technique and presentation are becoming more and more critical," admits Boettner. "We used to see only a few wade fishermen, but now that tin is in, more and more boaters have special jet drives to get into the skinny-water places." Chad Hall noted boat buyers at the Timonium show were split about "down the middle" on selection and interest between the fiberglass and aluminum models. But, Mr. Greenspan take note, the key "word" is buyers. Hall's Marine is located at 890 Lycoming Mall Road, Pennsdale, PA 17756 or Ph (510) 546-2310. And, Hall's Marine South at RT 11-15, 167 North Enola Road, Enola, PA 17025 or Ph (717) 728-3000 for information. ********** BOAT SHOW STOPPERS - Think you've seen it all and tried it all with a spinnerbait or the standard buzz bait? Well, maybe not. Performance Lures, 147 Canterbury Run, Newport News, VA 23602, has introduced an eye-catching "Glamour Shad" spinnerbait. The lure sports an "ultra-realistic" fish-shaped head. With the 3-D eyes, life-like baitfish color patterns and blade combinations, the "Glamour Shad" turned heads at the Timonium Boat Show. Performance Lures has incorporated all the life-like features into its buzz bait, but that's not the full story. Dustin Wilks of Raleigh, North Carolina, who has made a smashing impression as a young pro on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, is credited with the unique "LowRider" design of the buzz bait wire. The wire bend, near the lead head, is shaped to the horizontal plane behind the line-tie bend to "allow the lure to ride low in the water" and increase the number of hookups and reduce snags bouncing over wood structure, according to Wilks. For more information and a peak at the "Tweaked to Perfection" Performance Lures check out their website at: www.glamourshad.com or Ph (757) 877-8831. ******** WONDERFUL WORLD OF WOO - Now, you Woo Daves fans can stay in step with the Virginia pro and BASS Masters Classic champion. For the Bassmaster that has everything on your list, there's something brand new: "Woo Shoes." The special fishing shoes with a soft thick sole for long days standing and casting, provide comfort and a special ramp on the heel is outfitted for resting the foot and running the foot-control trolling motor. This special footwear comes in basic khaki, a light yellowish brown color. Like Woo Daves, himself, nothing fancy.
|