Over the years, the name of Masterline has become more and more well known, not only because of the unique range of products that it has to offer, but also because it has done a great deal in support of sea angling. Now, as it moves forward in its plan to upgrade both its facilities and tackle range, we thought that it would be nice to take a peek at some of the exciting developments that are on their way to UK anglers.
Owned by American tackle giants Cortland, who produce some of the finest fly fishing rods in the world, Masterline is currently poised to inject some exciting new developments into the UK tackle market. Given the invitation to look around their new premises, I jumped at the chance to have a sneak preview at some of their latest ideas.
Arriving at the 15,000 square foot warehouse, indicative as to how popular their products are becoming, I was immediately confronted by a spectacular display of Rapala lures, with plugs of all sizes and colours. I could immediately see a number that I would have loved to have tested out on some of the bass in Torbay, from jointed slivers and shad raps to husky jerks, magnums and the enticingly shaped skitter pops. I could easily imagine just how exciting it would feel to watch a large bass swirl below the lure and erupt from the surface as it seized the plug in its jaws.
Just some of the Rapala lures on display in a cabinet containing every size and colour imaginable!
Observing my reaction, Dick Tallents, Managing Director of Masterline, grinned as if my thoughts were plainly transparent. (It was probably the twitch in my striking hand, marking time as I tweaked an imaginary lure across the water's surface.) "If you like those, I've got something upstairs you might like to have a look at. We've had in some packs of the new Storm lures, which we are pretty pleased with. Have a look and see what you think."
Now the Storm lures are, if you will excuse the pun, going down a storm in my neck of the woods. I have had a lot of success on the weighted shads and the naturalistic sandeels have proved deadly for the bass.
Anchovies...
sardines...
and mackerel so realistic that I couldn't wait to try them out over some of my local wrecks!
So it was with great interest that I had a look at Dick's new lures, especially the anchovies, sardines and the mackerel, which were my particular favourites. In the early and late part of the season, there are some wrecks out from Dartmouth where the bass, including some real whoppers, chase joey mackerel with considerable enthusiasm. Now these lures were so realistic that I have no doubts but that they will prove as irresistable to the bass as they were to me as an angler. I will definitely be buying some!
