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A two-tiered design, the deck is ideal for fishing or entertaining because it is equipped with a folding aft seat. The slightly-raised cockpit features a wet bar with a wine rack, an optional ice maker and drawer refrigerator, and L-shaped seating with storage below.

The helm station is a sight to behold. Electronics packages are optional, but our model was equipped with auto pilot and the Raymarine G190, which includes a chart plotter preloaded with 3D charts, HDFI Fish Finder, transducer, Sea Talk networking, and a Ray 240 VHF radio. E-Plex ditigal switching with touchscreen interfaces offers monitoring at the helm and in the cabin. The double wide electric helm seat has a flip up bolster, and beneath it is an air conditioning vent from the cabin - a cool touch for hot days.

The deck is large and low to the water for fishing. Under the gunwhale rod holders, additional overhead lockable rod storage secured to the hardtop, two fish boxes with lift assist, tackle storage with an aft cutting board and a bait prep station that includes more tackle storage are a fisherman's dream.

We were shown the standard model which includes a bait prep station with a 50 gallon live bait well, fresh and raw water, a sink, and cutting board. You can order an optional bait station (shown above) that includes a 30 gallon live bait well, a sink and a grill.

One of my favorite features of the Coastal 340 is a well-lit cabin with 2 side portholes and 3 overhead hatches equipped with sliding sunscreens. My second favorite was the entertainment package that included Sirius Satellite radio (six month subscription) and CD player. The model we viewed also had a mounted flat-screen with a DVD player.

Take our advice and at least give this beautiful product a test drive. This is a must have for 2009 if you're in the boat buying mood.


Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

It is not an easy thing to bring fishing onto a video game console, as there is always the issue of trying to make it fast-paced and exciting, while still making it feel like you are wrapped up in nature and a serene atmosphere. Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2009 was released as a value title from Activision, and really falls flat in a variety of ways.

The biggest issue though was with the actual controls of the game. You do all of the casting with the right analog stick, which is not accurate to say the least. Once in the water, you can begin to reel in and hope a fish hooks on. Once hooked, the excitement of reeling a fish in is supposed to kick off. The game just lacks realism though, as you have to punch in button combinations and such to keep the fish on the line.

As a fan of fishing myself, I would have preferred a more realistic approach, with the analog stick acting as the rod, and the reeling in handled by the other analog stick. The way it is done here just doesn't work.

In regards to game modes, the game is lacking as there are no online tournaments, only leaderboards. On top of that, you get 2 characters to choose from and that's it a big and a girl. You do get plenty of lures to choose from, and 7 different lakes to check out. There are 21 different types of fish in total that you can catch as well. As you progress you will unlock things, but there is not much here to really impress.

I honestly do not know what this game was supposed to be, a simulation or an arcade fishing game? It acts like a simulation in many ways, but the way in which it is unrealistic makes me think it is supposed to be an arcade experience. Either way, the game simply fails and needs to be re-worked for a 2010 release.

Graphics: 6.0
Not a bad looking game, but the underwater camera is not good, and the animations need improvement.

Audio: 4.0
The audio is decent with its sound effects, the rest is real bad though. Make me feel like I am in nature and put the surround sound to work!

Gameplay: 4.0
The worst part of the game to say the least, not realistic in any way!

Replay Value: 3.0
If you play for more than 2 hours I'll be impressed.

Final Score: 4.0


Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Exactly What the Name Implies: Smartly Designed


Ardent introduces the SmartCull, a two stage culling system designed for tournament anglers to better manage fish in the livewell. The system allows anglers to cull by both color and weight and is designed to be both faster and easier to use than traditional marking systems.

When tournament fishing every second counts and each moment spent weighing fish is one more minute that your line isn't in the water. Ardent wanted to design a better way to cull fish than the current systems that are available. The company sought to create a system that was both easier to use, quicker to implement, and more accurate.

The SmartCull was first introduced at ICAST Las Vegas earlier this year, and was an addition to the company's line of accessories which also includes the "Rigger" multi-tool. We were handed a set of SmartCull balls by Jake Tippee who actually designed the system. Our first impression was that the balls looked very high quality and quite unlike the grease marker or colored tagging clip systems we were used to. The Ardent SmartCull helps anglers cull by a combination of metrics.

This two stage system allows anglers to cull fish by color and weight. There are six buoyant, impact resistant balls in a set that don't require the need to use any accompanying markers or charts. Why six you might ask. Well, if you're culling that means you already have five fish in the livewell. The sixth ball allows you to set the weight of the sixth fish, toss it into the livewell while you find the ball with the fish that weighs the least to cull.

Culling fish has never been easier and while designed for tournament situations we find the Ardent SmartCull is great for weekend warriors as well. If anglers are practicing for a tournament or simply want to engage in some friendly competition the Ardent SmartCull makes it easier for both fish and fishermen. The SmartCull retails for $39.99 which comes out to just over 6.50 per ball. This is a great price for a system that is well designed, easy to use, and is built to last. Unlike other culling systems the SmartCull does not have parts like markers or cards that can be lost or need replacing.

Ardent may be best known for their "Made in the USA" reels but with quality products like the SmartCull the company is going to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to expertly designed accessories as well. The SmartCull is simply the best culling system we have come across yet, and is both easier and faster to use than traditional systems that require multi-piece implementations. Designed to give tournament anglers an extra edge this novel new product proved to be good for any angler looking to quickly identify and handle fish in the livewell. Reasonably priced and well designed the Ardent SmartCull system is a worthy recipient of our Editors Choice Award, and a product we carry with us on all our bass boats at all times.


Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

After seeing and holding this bait in hand, we can understand this approach because the original Tool is an absolute monster and if it's hard for you to imagine a bass engulfing an eight inch bait, imagine a bait that's more than 50% larger and at least twice as heavy! But sheer size is not the only story to this bait. With perhaps no more than a hundred of these baits ever made, there are some truly interesting aspects to the Tool. Certainly the now signature gaping open mouth of the bait is intriguing, but it serves a functional purpose as well shielding the line tie from sight and adding a bit of protection to your knot. The line tie is not as concealed in the smaller versions of this bait.

The soft tail section at the back we remember from the 8" tool, but this was where the concept originated. Then there are those pronounced dorsal, ventral and pectoral fins that only add to the storage nightmares a bait of this size creates. A closer look reveals the two pectoral and ventral fins are actually attached to the main body via spring hinges! The thought process here, no doubt, was to give the fins some flexibility to move out of the way once a fish strikes.

Ever since my introduction to Rago baits with the eight-inch Baby Tool, I've been a fan of this manufacturer. I was disheartened to hear early in 2008 that they were no longer making baits but then late that summer, the baits began to re-emerge online. He has also re-introduced his Rat series including a new, walk the dog version of the rat, but as soon as the four piece Tool became available, I scooped some up for myself and while my time on the water with these baits has been somewhat limited thus far, I plan to correct that in 2009. Even so, I've thrown them enough to know, if you're a fan of the original three-piece series, you're going to want to get your hands on these four piece baits soon. The extra joint really does make an already realistic looking bait appear even more natural in the water. Welcome back Jerry Rago!


Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Whether you're protecting your investment from damage or in need of a replacement non-skid decking, Dri-Dek is a quick and quality solution for both boaters and fishermen. The Dri-Dek non-skid flooring is durable, easy to install, offers great ventilation, and performs extremely well in just about all conditions.

Upon quick initial inspection the Dri-Dek appeared to be square tiles that interlock to build up whatever size or shape is demanded by boaters and anglers. But with further analysis the Dri-Dek is more than just an oversized set of rubber "legos." The Dri-Dek is a rigid yet flexible vinyl tile with one side consisting of a non-skid surface created by many small buttons and a bottom side which features supportive legs made of the same material. Aside from the 12" X 12" Tiles, Dri-Dek also manufacturers edges and corners, and comes in many colors to match your boat. In addition, the Tiles are extremely lightweight compared to the heavy kitchen rubber mats that I've observed in the past.

Installing the Dri-Dek is extremely quick and easy, and we recommend that you proceed with the installation on a warm day rather than cold, or do so in a warm garage. That's because it is much easier to work with the Dri-Dek Tiles when they are flexible and snapping them together will not hurt your fingers like they would on a cold winter day. Before you begin do read and follow the instructions provided with your purchased tiles. For the area you wish to cover, first lay out the Tiles without snapping them together just yet. Make sure you point the outer tabs of the Dri-Dek all in the same direction. After the area is covered without any open gaps, you can now begin the joining process. You don't have to remove all the Tiles, but start snapping them together from one corner and work your way out. For large installations, Dri-Dek recommends the use of a hammer, but I rather not when it's on the fiberglass boat deck. Just use your fingers and snap the pins into the tabs which is a fairly easy procedure. After they have been connected, you can start trimming the edges and around irregular shapes such as seats, posts, console, etc. Trimming can be done using scissors, a carpenter's knife, or even wire cutters. On large surfaces, it's recommended that you make installations in independent sections of approximately 10' X 10' which allow easy removal for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Maybe flooring isn't on every angler's top priority of tackle to buy, but it should be high up on the list if you are a boat owner. The Dri-Dek Tiles offer many benefits to anglers and non-anglers alike. They help protect the boat's deck from damage if someone drops a heavy or sharp weight, tool, or other gear that can crack your floor. Aside from protecting your boat, Dri-Dek are non-skid flooring that will also prevent anglers from slipping when the deck of the boat is drenched. The Tiles are made durable, designed with features that perform, and exploits oxy-B1 vinyl to fight bacteria. These 1'X1' Tiles are extremely easy to install and anglers will find them effective at shielding your boat from harm, while at the same time affording you a secure footing and peace of mind.

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

The year 2008 proved to be a very successful trout and bass fishing season for me. Fishing most of the lakes, rivers, and streams in the area. I had to make a judgment between what kind of flotation device I would want to use for most of my fishing adventures. My desire to seek out large fish, especially aggressive leaping trout made me come to the conclusion of choosing something that is versatile, easy to transport, high performance, and safe.

A float tube was my choice. I obtained a Stillwater Talon for my vigorous tests that I will be putting it through for quite some time throughout my fishing trips. The Talon is a triangular shaped, also known as "V" shaped float tube. This unique triangular shape has many benefits over the more traditional donut and U-shaped tubes. The triangular shaped design allows a person to easily cut through the water and wind with minimal effort resulting in more fishing time, the ability to be more agile, and much more. Once I was fishing in a lake that was calm in the morning, but by the afternoon when I was exhausted and ready to get back to my launch area the wind was blowing against me. The Talon's shape allowed me to kick my way back to my car in a short amount of time while using little energy.

Other features that came in handy are the 13 D-rings to attach accessories on like my trout net and floating live tank, detachable shoulder straps to carry the float tube while hiking miles into the backcountry waters, three rod holders for those who carry many rods when bass fishing, and two large side storage compartments that fits all the necessary gear I need for bass or trout fishing.

One gripe I have about the Stillwater Talon is that there is almost no additional space to attach any accessories via straps such as a depth finder because of the location of the front rod holder. The only choice to adding strapped on items is to sacrifice that space.

The Talon is a float tube with many high quality features without paying the big bucks. My tube served its purpose and with the abuse I put the float tube through, the device is still in good working order without any damages. Even if there are any manufacturer's defects, Stillwater has a lifetime warranty on their products. Aside from the one complaint I have, I would have to give this particular float tube a thumbs up!

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Boats come in all shapes and sizes...but among all the portable watercrafts available today, nothing quite compares to the Porta-Bote. This unique, one of the kind, boat folds up to a surfboard size and becomes a fully functional row or powerboat on the water when fully expanded. While some people are skeptical about how well a fold up craft can perform, we found the Porta-Bote delivered respectable hydrodynamics, solid stability, and most of all...was extremely portable and effortless to employ.

The first time I saw a Porta-Bote in person was during a trip to the Eastern Sierras. Trout fishing and testing gear in a remote lake where the dock held a series of aluminum rental boats and at the end of the line up was a Porta-Bote. I didn't get to see one folded up until I visited Porta-Bote and met the mastermind himself. Sandy showed me the boat as it was opened up, and right there he taught me how to disassemble it in a few quick minutes. Needless to say, I was quite eager to learn more about the design and whether this boat could fit the needs of anglers.

The stability of the Porta-Bote Genesis is actually quite impressive on the water. Even with the Flexi-hull, both Zander and I were able to stand up and fish at the same time, but do so with caution and always wear your lifejacket. Because only the bow section has a deep V, the rest of the boat is fairly flat with a beam of 5 feet across. The wide beam gives the watercraft much more surface area to float on and provides the stability that I welcome especially when standing up and tossing lures. Standing at the bow while on the water isn't an option with the Porta-Bote due to its design, and when landing, be careful because if you step in the bow section, the body weight will cause the boat to lean towards one side due to the deep V hull entry. Because the hull is constructed out of a copolymer Polypropylene, it takes impact from waves and wakes from other boaters very well. The Flexi-hull absorbs the impact softy, minimizing any roll or instability you might feel such as in an aluminum boat. The design results in an easier and comfortable ride, no pounding waves like a stiff hull, and the feel of stability as you move about the water.

This watercraft wasn't named Porta-Bote for nothing. The boat is extremely portable and very easy to store. The Porta-Bote Genesis can be folded down to a surfboard size of only 4 inches thick! When folded the Porta-Bote 10' model can fit on top of sedans, trucks, SUV's, jeeps, RV's, planes, and other boats. We transported the test unit on the roof racks of a 4Runner, tied on with ropes, and we were off in minutes to our fishing location. The boat and the hollow seats are also light enough for one person to haul around, either loading, storing, or bringing it down to the launch area. Speaking of launching, one can purchase the Porta-Dolly that hooks onto the side of the boat, and in seconds you are wheeling your way to and from the water with all your fishing tackle and motor in one trip.

For anglers that love traveling to secluded fishing holes far out in the countryside, have limited transportation, or minimal storage space but still want a solid hull craft, the Porta-Bote is the one stop answer for all your needs. This boat is quick and easy to set up either alone or with a buddy, getting you on the water in a fleeting amount of time.

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Can something as simple as a pair of pliers offer any real innovation? Texas Tackle thinks so and is selling pliers designed with a single purpose, to be the very best split ring pliers available on the market. We often take for granted how important pliers are, and pliers simply don't give the respect they deserve, that is until you forget to bring them on your boat. Trying to unhook treble hooks from fish without pliers can be a feat in itself, and changing out bent out or broken hooks can wreak havoc on your fingernails. Many companies have released rebranded OEM pliers, offering little in terms of design improvement, or even distinguishable differences save for dissimilar style grips.

Other manufacturers have released pliers that they claim can do it all, or are the last pliers that you will ever have to buy. Texas Tackle's patented SS Pliers (SSplit-Ring Pliers) are designed with an exclusive tip made specifically to better handle split rings. Changing out hooks can be a pain, especially on the water if you have to fiddle with your tools. When I first learned about the Texas Tackle SS Pliers we were skeptical, after all is it really possible to make a pair of pliers that much better than what is already out there?

My first impression of the SS pliers was that the pliers were simple in design, small in size, had a peculiar tip, and overall utterly unremarkable. Our tests included changing out a variety of split rings both in the lab and in the field. We changed out split rings of varying sizes, on different types of lures ranging from slender jerkbaits to foot long swimbaits.

The Texas Tackle SS pliers do exactly what they are advertised to do, and switch out split rings better than any other pair of pliers we have tested to date. Texas Tackle sells the pliers direct or through a number of e-tailers so it is easy to pick up a pair. They retail for $16.99, and we consider this to be a reasonable price for this well designed tool. The SS pliers are designed to be an addition to your tackle, not a straight up replacement for your existing pair of pliers. The SS is small enough to fit in many tackle boxes or vest pocket and I actually liked having the pliers around so much that I purchased an extra pair just so I could leave one in the boat at all times, and still have one on the workbench for lure prep. Texas Tackle is also offering a new larger size designed for extra large split rings found on big plugs and offshore trolling lures. Thus larger size retails for two dollars more.

The Texas Tackle SSplit Ring Pliers may not look like much they certainly deliver on their promise. The SS is without a doubt the best pliers we have ever tested when it comes to addressing split rings.

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Osprey's new Dink swimbait is the latest addition to the company's contemporary line of lures and makes use of all the production elements that make the brand popular among both tournament and weekend anglers all with an added level of realism not before seen from the brand.

The Osprey lures in the past haven't been the most lifelike swimbaits, but made up for it with tournament proven performance. Most famous in the Osprey line are the company's admired Talon series baits which feature a flat back and an enlarged head and very active side to side wagging tail. Since the Talon's introduction there have been countless knock offs from companies trying to make improvements to the original hand poured design. With the style becoming so fashionable it is no surprise that Osprey is adding a new bait to their lineup.

The Dink is arguably Osprey's most natural looking swimbait to date when it comes to profile. The Dink imitates a small trout and has plenty of protruding fins to help make the bait appear even more realistic. A very nice touch is the open mouth design which helps create an added element of realism to the lure. Like most Osprey lures the Dink appears to be poured in layers and makes abundant use of glitter to add more flash and depth to the lure. There are twelve patterns available ranging from the traditional light rainbow to the stealthy ghost rainbow and shad. The Dink also does come in some rather striking varieties including bluegill, baby bass, and a chartreuse shad pattern that has "Striper" written all over it. Each lure weighs in just under 1.8oz and all are 5.5" in length, the lure is designed to be a slow to moderate sinking swimbait and can be fished with either light swimbait rods or even flipping sticks.

By nature soft swimbaits are not as durable as hardbaits, and with swimbaits targeting top of the food chain prey they are often put in harm's way. The Dink proved to be slightly more resilient than the average soft swimbait, and the dense plastic used in the bait held up to multiple fish strikes and contact with structure. The biggest area of failure for soft swimbaits is the tail, and we are happy to report that the Dink's tail held up extremely well. The tail section and density of the plastic by the tail is thicker on the Dink than most swimbaits and the tail doesn't fall over limply like most other baits. Part of the reason the tail is also more durable is because it is shorter than many other lures.

The Dink retails for 19.99 which is just about in line with other swimbaits of the same quality and size. The bass routinely gorge themselves on stockers and the Dink proved to be an effective bait at drawing strikes, and though I haven't caught any bass over 3lbs on the Dink I am positive that if I put in the time with this bait I will eventually be rewarded with a larger fish. Still the lure proved very effective on lakes regularly stocked with trout, decent on lakes that are not stocked, and also effective for enticing strikes from stripers. While I like the profile of the Dink more than the other Osprey lures I have had greater success catching quality fish with the Talon series, and that includes the new Tournament and Winged versions. The benefit of the Dink is that it delivers subtle action in a smaller easier to fish package but by the same token the missing ultra wide kick draws less attention than the company's other lures.

The Osprey Dink differs from the company's other lures in a number of ways, starting with the top hook design versus the treble harness system found on the Talon, also unique is the more lifelike profile and open mouth design. The Dink is appropriately named as it imitates juvenile fish that exhibit a more restrained action in the water, rather than the spirited kick of larger fleeing prey. The Dink performed well in all our tests and held up to the abuse of even stripers, but it is that lack of a hard kick that makes me question whether or not the bait draws as many bites as it should. Overall there is a place for the Dink, and while I like the bait overall I still wish the new lifelike profile could be combined with a more attention rousing tail action for an even deadlier permutation.

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff

Most anglers wear gloves to escape the cold but on the opposite end of the spectrum fly fishermen employ "sun gloves" to combat excessive rays from the sun. These gloves are designed to offer protection while not interfering with line control, and we discover that the Simms Sun Gloves are capable of so much more than just protecting your hands when fly fishing.

There is no doubt that the Simms sun gloves are designed for fly fishermen, and visions of fishing the skinny water of the Florida flats popped into my mind instantly when I first saw the gloves. This is one review I wanted to do, or rather I had to do. I was actively seeking protection from the sun as the many hours of field testing resulted in a pretty good burn on my hands and wrists. I had really started to notice burns on my hands after long trips in the summer. I routinely slather on plenty of sunblock but soon began to realize that my hands would get burned because the sunblock was washing off when I reached into my livewell, or during releases.

I started wearing my old Kenai Glacier Glove fingerless gloves and that did the trick, no more burns, and the fingerless gloves made it possible to tie knots. There were two downsides however. When fishing spinning reels the gloves worked just fine, but when casting baitcast reels I had a tough time keeping a solid grip on the reels with the neoprene palms. On top of this the gloves were great in the mornings but in the hot summer afternoons the fleece lined gloves got so hot that they would actually became uncomfortable. I decided it was time to find a pair of gloves that would be light, breathable, and offer plenty of sun protection while still allowing me to fish with baitcasters. I first examined the Glacier Glove Dr. Shade Fingerless gloves which featured a polyurethane palm, but was attracted to a pair of gloves from fly fishing manufacturer Simms. The difference with the Simms Sungloves and the Dr. Shade gloves was that the Simms product is lighter and features a completely open palm design.

I purchased the Simms Sun Gloves for $14.95 from a local fly shop, and the sun gloves can actually be ordered online for a few dollars less. I've used a number of Simms products ranging from their waders to their fly vests, and each of these products are well designed and equally well built. As simple as the sun gloves are they follow this tradition of quality and throughout the last few months the gloves have held up well. The only real problem I have encountered with the Simms sungloves is how dirty they got over the span of the season with the combination of water stains and fish slime staining the gloves. I tried washing the gloves in the sink with a bit of detergent and OxiClean and the stains came right out.

Anglers spend countless hours in the sun and it is important to protect yourself excessive radiation. Sunscreen works but if you're like me your likely washing a great deal of it off while fishing. Simms Sungloves are designed to protect your hands and the open finger and palm design allows you to keep the gloves on and still do all the things you need to do when fly fishing including tie-knots, strip line, and palm your reel. The design on these gloves also make it surprisingly good for handling both spinning gear and even palming baitcasters while bass fishing. The bottom line is that these gloves work and are well worth the money, the thin yet breathable material effectively protects your hands and wrists all day long and when it comes time to head home they pack down quickly and easily.

Reviewed by MyOutdoorTV Staff