Rafael Gives Anglers an Edge

The sun: it can be the best friend and the worst enemy of every fishing guide. After years of experience, an angler’s eyes become sharp and focused, calibrated to the waters he serves. But without the right sunglasses, the sun’s reflected glare off of the water can wreak havoc on eyesight, depleting the very resource the angler depends on to spot fish.

Costa’s new Rafael frame style is comprised of a nearly-indestructible bio-based resin material sourced from the castor plant, a sustainable, hardy perennial. The bio-based resin produces increased durability, overall sunglasses weight reduction, and the ability for the frames to hold shape from extreme heat to bitter cold temperatures, crucial for anglers out battling the elements.

Incorporating a bio-based resin frame construction reduces Costa’s manufacturing process emissions by up to 40 percent, and cuts the company’s overall carbon footprint significantly. 

In addition to the durable frame construction, Rafael features a wide temple design wrap-style shape, with sturdy integral hinge technology. It also offers Costa’s signature three-square-hole venting system to alleviate lens fogging, and hypo allergenic rubberized temple tips and nose pads to keep the sunglasses comfortably in place all day, no matter how harsh the conditions.  

Rafael’s frame color options include blackout, matte retro tortoise, matte olive teak and matte black teak.

Costa’s sunglasses can be customized in its full array of patented color enhancing polarized 580™ lenses. Costa’s 580 lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow and harmful high-energy ultraviolet blue light. Filtering yellow light enhances reds, blues and greens, and produces better contrast and definition while reducing glare and eye fatigue. Absorbing high-energy blue light cuts haze, producing greater visual clarity and sharpness.

Costa’s 580™ lenses, the clearest lenses on the planet, are available in either glass or impact resistant polycarbonate. Lens color options include: gray, copper, sunrise (580P only), blue mirror, green mirror and silver mirror. Rafael is also available in customized Rx sun lenses. 

Rafael with 580 lens technology starts in retail at $169, and is available at www.costadelmar.com and at authorized Costa retail partners.

New Baby Bowie from Bear & Son

Bowie knives hold a special place among all fixed-blade knives historically, but their large size discourages a lot of knife lovers from buying one. Now Bear & Son Cutlery® has a good solution with the introduction of their new Baby Bowie, with a 3-inch Damascus steel blade. As the knife manufacturer with the largest selection of Damascus steel blades, Bear & Son works to provide a wide range of knife styles with these distinctive blades. They have an impressive array of traditional Bowie knives, all in the 12- to 15-inch range. Not everyone wants a knife that big, but they do like the style and the Damascus look.

Bear’s Baby Bowie

The new 500D ½ Baby Bowie features the traditional Bowie shape, and with its Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle the length is just 6-1/2”; and it weighs only 2.5 oz. A genuine leather sheath, with a special exterior design, is included. It retails for $189.99.

In addition to its beauty, a Damascus steel blade has a cutting edge with tiny saw-tooth carbides which enable the blade to cut even when it feels dull to the touch. As are all Bear & Son knives, the Baby Bowie is made in the USA. For more information, visit bearandsoncutlery.com.

SOG’s Reactor Multi-Tool

As SOG turns 30 in 2016, SOG, of Lynnwood, WA, brings to the market new offerings in knives, multi tools and tactical transport packs. 

SOG
Reactor

Housing a total of 10 components including a hard cased black coated stainless steel assisted blade and powerful Compound

Leverage geared pliers, the Reactor combines a great folding knife with fully functional pliers. A quick push of the thumb stud propels the hard cased black coated blade open and ready for action.

The Reactor’s shape fits firmly and securely in a hand. Tucking the blade back in and flipping the handle gives easy access to the pliers.

Lew’s Super Duty Wide Speed Spool

Lew’s introduces the new Super Duty Wide Spool Speed Spool series for heavy-duty fishing applications, such as flipping heavy jigs on big line, handling the large and cumbersome umbrella rigs, and fishing big crankbaits and giant swimbaits.

Lew’s
Super Duty Wide Speed Spool

Five models comprise the series. Four are right-hand models and one is a lefty. Each holds up to 190 yards of 14-pound test line. The line capacity of the original Super Duty reel series is 150 yards of 12-pound test. 

Gear ratios range from 5.1:1 to 8.3:1 in the right hand models; the left-hand version is a 7.1:1 high speed. 

All Super Duty models feature a 10-double shielded stainless steel bearing system, plus a clutch bearing. Frames are one-piece aluminum. Also aluminum is the sideplate on the handle side for no-flex support under a load. Gears, crankshaft and worm gear are high-strength brass. 

The palming sideplate is lightweight graphite featuring SoftTouch rubber paint for a sure grip and durable finish. 

Cast control is Lew’s proven Magnetic Control System (MCS). The Zirconia line guide is titanium coated to reduce friction. Anti-reverse is Lew’s time-tested Zero Reverse clutch bearing system.

The forged, double-anodized aluminum U-shaped spool is braid ready. The spool’s tension knob is knurled aluminum with an audible click during adjustments. Also audible is each click adjustment made to the dependable rugged carbon composite drag system that delivers up to 14 pounds of drag power. 

The reel handle is a bowed, anodized aluminum 95MM power-cranking handle with oversized round EVA knobs. 

All Super Duty Wide Spool models are expected to be available by May. MSRP is $199.99 each. 

For more information, visit Lew’s website, www.Lews.com.

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