Whether you're fishing a lake for crappie or casting on the Bay for cobia, as summer approaches there's no doubt you'll be hoping to find some cool new fishing gear. And this sumer, there's a bunch - here are our latest picks.
FishLab BBZ Hard Swimbait
If you caught our feature about fishing big swimbaits for bass you might be on the hunt for some new lures, and in that case, will want to hear about the FishLab BBZ Hard Swimbait. This four-segment hard bait comes in a six-inch size (4.5” models are also available) and 10 different color patterns—six for freshwater and four for saltwater—that mimic the real thing. Along with a realistic swimming action complimented by a slow sinking/suspending action the BBZ Hard Swimbait comes rigged with 4X #1 or 1/0 BKK treble hooks and heavy-duty split rings. Price: $17.99. Visit FishLab to go for a swim… bait.
Minn Kota Kayak Terrova
Most electric kayak motors provide propulsion, period, and sit at the stern or pedal mount. For 2025, however, Minn Kota has a new bow-mount option that functions just like the bow-mounts on a boat. The Kayak Terrova has a stow-and-deploy lever with fall-away ramps that slide the motor into the water in a controlled fashion and an “Autopark” feature that orients the motor for easy retrieval, plus a micro-remote controller which allows steering and triggering features like Spot-Lock, Drift Mode, and Autopilot from your seat. You can also control the motor remotely via Humminbird fishfinders on the One Boat Network system. The Kayak Terrova is a freshwater-rated, 12-volt, 55-pound thrust model with a Weedless Wedge 2 propeller and a 36” shaft that’s deemed indestructible (and has a lifetime warranty). Weight is 40 pounds. Price: $1499.99. Visit Minn Kota to make that kayak fishing rig even cooler.
Shimano Teremar SE
If you’ve been searching for a lineup of light, sensitive rods that can handle everything from a BKD to a live spot—while getting the most bang for your buck—your search may be over. The Shimano Teramar SE was constructed with versatility in mind, which makes it the perfect all-arounder for any day on the Bay. It features cork handles and a Ci4+ reel seat made of a carbon fiber reinforced resin, which reduces overall weight compared to other materials and gives it a huge boost in sensitivity. That makes it perfect for those heavy-current days at the power plant or the bridge tunnel, when you need to feel every little bump. The rods are constructed with Spiral X and High Power X tech, which give them extra backbone, increased casting accuracy, and boosted blank recovery. That means no more floppy tips, people! The lineup includes medium-light to extra-extra-heavy, including choices for everyone from perch fishermen to cobia anglers. Price: $190 to $230. Visit Shimano and cast to your heart’s delight.
Old Skool 2X Underspin
If you fish the Chesapeake Bay you probably heard at some point last season that the slot redfish were hot for underspin jigs in the shallows. Old Skool Tackle, located on the Eastern Shore, reacted: check out their 2X Underspin Combo. These ready-to-fish, pre-matched head-and-tail underspins come in 1/8-, 1/4-, 3/8-, and 1/2- ounce weights, in three different red-tempting color patterns. Hooks are 4/0 and 6/0 2X VMC Barbarians. Tails are Old Skool’s 3.75” and 4.75” Hammer soft baits, made with their unique plastisol blend that’s denser and more rugged than most soft plastics and has a hard-kicking tail. Price: $6.49. Visit Old Skool to enter the spin zone.
Berkley Forward
Looking forward to long casts and awesome sensitivity? Berkley has a new thermally fused version of braid line called Forward. This means it’s more or less like a next-gen Fireline but when you have it in hand it’ll fool you; the line is extremely limber and silky smooth. It also has a very slick feel, and yes, as usual with braids and especially thermal fuses, you do have to be careful not to tie a regular fisherman’s knot with this stuff or that lure will go slip-sliding away on the first bite. The diameter-to-strength ratio is excellent, and 17-pound Forward is a mere 0.010” (the equivalent to eight-pound mono). It’s available in crystal, flame green, and low-vis green, in four- to 17-pound test, on 150-yard and bulk 1500-yard spools. Price: $29.99/$299. Visit Berkley if you’re a forward-looking angler.