GOOD GEAR
- NAFA
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
SHIMANO NASCI FD
The new Shimano Nasci FD range comprises six high-quality spinning reels that deliver significant upgrades over the 2021 line-up. Lighter in weight and featuring a robust one-piece bail construction, the latest models also include Shimano’s advanced Anti-Twist Fin for superior line control and reduced tangles. The addition of the outstanding INFINITYDRIVE main shaft and pinion system further enhances reeling power, minimising winding torque under pressure for a smoother, more responsive retrieve. In short, Shimano has once again refined an already excellent design.
Available from the compact 500-size through to the 5000XG, the Nasci FD range caters to every ultra-light, light and medium fishing application in both fresh and salt water. Whether casting lures for trout, bass, bream, flathead and snapper, or bait fishing for whiting, drummer and more, these reels offer the versatility and strength anglers demand.
Despite their modest price point, the redesigned Nasci FD models deliver exceptional smoothness, durability and reliability—qualities that will undoubtedly make them a favourite among Australian anglers for many seasons to come.
THE UPDATED SHIMANO STELLA SW
Built to Conquer the Impossible, the new Shimano Stella SW represents the pinnacle of saltwater spinning reel engineering. Designed to handle the largest and most powerful ocean predators in the harshest marine environments, this latest generation continues the Stella SW’s 30-year legacy as the benchmark in strength, smoothness and durability.
Precision-engineered for extreme performance, the new model incorporates INFINITYXROSS gearing, INFINITYLOOP line-lay system and the innovative ANTI-TWIST FIN, ensuring excellent smoothness and casting efficiency. The advanced XX-TOUGH drag system exerts pressure from both sides of the spool for heat dissipation and consistent stopping power. Enhanced X-PROTECT and X-SHIELD sealing provide next-level defence against saltwater intrusion, maintaining flawless operation trip after trip.
An oversized drag knob allows precise adjustments during bluewater battles, while refined internals deliver great cranking power and unwavering reliability. Available in three models: 10000PG with a gear ratio of 4.8:1; the 10000HG with a gear ratio5.6:1; and the fast 14000XG with its gear ratio of 6.2:1. The Stella SW is more than just a reel; it’s an investment in excellence. For anglers who refuse to compromise, the new Stella SW elevates saltwater performance to an entirely new level.
SHIMANO TALICA 40A AND 50A
Two powerful new models have joined Shimano’s renowned Talica range of two-speed lever-drag reels. The 40A and 50A now complete the line-up, extending Talica performance from light and medium through to serious heavy-tackle fishing.
Engineered for outstanding game and sportfishing performance, these models fill vital roles in the 24 kg to 37 kg line-class categories. Beyond their increased line capacity, whether spooled with braid, mono or a combination of both, they deliver exceptional power and control. The innovative dual-plate drag system produces up to 30 kg of smooth, consistent pressure without sacrificing effortless cranking, even under extreme load in the 4.1:1 high-gear ratio. A quick shift down to 1.7:1 unleashes immense torque: perfect for lifting stubborn tuna or swordfish from deep water.
Attention to detail extends to a louder strike alarm clicker that cuts through engine noise, ensuring no hook-up goes unnoticed. Designed to optimise modern braided lines such as PowerPro Hollow Ace, yet equally effective with mono or hybrid spooling, the narrower 40A also provides superior balance for stand-up anglers.
Built to excel in blue water worldwide, the new Talica 40A and 50A embody Shimano’s continual pursuit of game-fishing perfection.
SHIMANO HYDRA RODS
Shimano’s new Hydra series comprises 15 models purpose-built for Australia’s dedicated bait fishers. Whether chasing bream, flathead and whiting in the estuaries, snapper, mulloway, gummy sharks and coral trout offshore, or yellowbelly and Murray cod in inland waters, there’s a Hydra rod to match every fishing style and setting.
Each rod features a strong yet lightweight E-Carbon blank that transitions seamlessly into a solid, semi-opaque tip, thus delivering the ideal balance of power and sensitivity for effortless casting, crisp bite detection and reliable hook setting. Once the fight begins, the Hydra’s strength and responsive action provide complete confidence in landing hard-fighting fish.
Distinctive textured silicone foregrips offer a comfortable, non-slip hold under pressure and are easy to clean. There are no more stuck-on scales or lingering bait odours. Genuine Fuji K Fazlite guides and Fuji reel seats ensure long-lasting smoothness and durability.
Exceptionally priced and built to handle Australia’s toughest fishing conditions, the Hydra range sets a new benchmark in practical, no-nonsense bait rods — so good that many anglers will want one in every holder on the boat.
SHIMANO BFS ROD FAMILY
Shimano’s newly released Artiesta BFS and Ascenza BFS rod ranges bring cutting-edge design to Australia’s rapidly growing Bait Finesse System (BFS) scene. Specifically engineered for ultra-light baitcaster fishing, these rods enable anglers to cast lures far lighter than those typically used with conventional baitcasters - ideal for precision targeting of species such as trout, perch, bass, bream, flathead and whiting in narrow creeks and tight, overgrown waterways.
Comprising one premium Artiesta BFS model and two in the more affordable Ascenza BFS range, each rod features a unique spiral-wrap guide configuration. This design reduces overall weight by requiring fewer guides while eliminating torque and twist under load, ensuring unmatched balance, sensitivity and control when casting or fighting fish.
Both ranges incorporate genuine Fuji guides (Silicon Carbide on Artiesta and Alconite on Ascenza), custom reel seats and ergonomic grips, complemented by Shimano’s refined, understated styling.
Developed with Australian conditions in mind, these purpose-built BFS rods deliver accuracy, finesse and performance tailored to local species. Pair one with a Shimano SLX BFS, Curado BFS or Calcutta BFS reel and experience the precision and excitement of true BFS fishing.
MAIKURO RODS
From tiny freshwater creeks to vast dams, tidal estuaries, rugged coastlines and deep offshore waters, Shimano’s new Maikuro range includes a rod to suit every Australian angler and all light to medium tackle applications.
Comprising 23 models, the latest generation of this popular series is built on strong, responsive 30-ton graphite blanks and fitted with premium Fuji O-Ring guides throughout. Newly designed ergonomic grips and refreshed cosmetics provide the ideal blend of comfort, style and performance, and all at an accessible price point.
Whether you’re hiking remote trout streams, leaving fresh footprints on surf beaches or chasing pelagics offshore, the new Maikuro rods deliver the perfect balance of sensitivity, strength and smooth casting performance. Combining practicality with sleek design, they continue Shimano’s tradition of crafting reliable, high-quality rods for every fishing adventure.
NEW-GEN SQUIDGIES: EVOLVED, REBORN AND READY TO DOMINATE!
Australia’s most iconic soft plastics are back. Re-engineered, revitalised and ready to take on a new generation of anglers. Shimano’s New-Gen Squidgies range introduces four dynamic tail designs, blending two fresh innovations with two legendary classics reborn through modern materials and advanced design.
Leading the line-up is the Glimma 90mm, a sleek baitfish imitation featuring shimmering translucent fibres that entice even the fussiest predators. Ideal for finesse work, it is a proven performer on bream, flathead, snapper, trevally, barra, bass and trout. The Squidgy Grub 80mm evolves a timeless favourite, its pulsing tail mimicking prawn kicks or the flutter of an injured baitfish and is deadly in both fresh and salt water.
Two proven favourites also make their return: the Squidgy Bug 70mm, with its meaty, prawn-like body and versatile tail action; and the Squidgy Lobby 90mm, a redefined crustacean profile designed to draw hard strikes in any terrain.
Squidgies co-creator and fishing legend Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling couldn’t be more excited: “Shimano has listened to the anglers, and the result is something truly special. These new Squidgies aren’t just a return to greatness—they’re next-level fishing weapons!”
DARWIN’S FISHING & OUTDOOR WORLD SECURES NATIONAL RIGHTS TO HUK BREAKWATER COLLECTION
When the Top End turns into a pressure cooker — the steamy Build-up from October to December, followed by the sweat-soaked Runoff in March–April — your fishing shirt matters almost as much as your tackle.
Darwin’s own Fishing & Outdoor World has answered the call by securing exclusive national sales rights to HUK’s new Breakwater Collection, making the Top End the home base for what is arguably the most advanced tropical fishing apparel ever released.
Store owner and manager, Ronald Voukolos, is rapt to have the new Breakwater Collection instore.
“At the heart of Breakwater is something called Filium which transforms natural fabrics into lightweight, breathable, odour-resistant, water-shedding workhorses,” Ronald explained.
“There are no harsh chemicals or that plastic-coated feel, so it’s tailor-made for NT humidity: shirts that stay cool, dry fast, resist stink, and don’t cling to you even when the barra are firing and the weather is boiling.
“Breakwater garments repel water, sweat, stains and bacteria, and I understand they keep performing for more than 40 washes.
“Better yet, most of the time you don’t need to wash them at all.
“On a multi-day mission to Shady, the Daly or Bynoe, you can simply wear, fish and repeat,” Ronald explained.
In the USA, where HUK comes from, the company put the Breakwater Collection through a brutal trial: an ice hockey team wore the shirts for more than 20 full training sessions without a single wash.
Unbelievably, there was no odour or breakdown.
Designed for modern fishos, the range offers serious advantages in tropical conditions: thermoregulation to keep you cool when the heat index goes feral; low maintenance for extended trips and barra missions; and lightweight comfort made for casting, trolling, hiking and long days on the water.
“This isn’t just another fishing shirt; it’s a genuine step forward in tropical angler comfort,” Ronald said.
“It’s the perfect fit for the NT’s tough seasonal conditions,” he explained.
You can see it first at Fishing & Outdoor World, Darwin — the national home of HUK Breakwater.
RESPONSE INFLATABLE PFD RANGE
JM Gillies distributes the lightweight, compact and comfortable Response range of inflatable PFDs.
The certified Kids Auto/Manual Inflatable Jacket suits children from 12kg to 40kg. Also certified, tor adults, the Level 150N Manual Inflatable Jackets in Red/Black and Purple/Black provide buoyancy for users 40kg and over.
All LJS inflatable jackets are self-serviceable for recreational use each year for five years, after which servicing by an authorised agent is required.
FLAMBEAU 5000 BACKPACK
During a recent NAFA photo shoot at Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge, Editor Alex Julius put the Flambeau 5000 Backpack Tackle Bag to the test — and came away thoroughly impressed.
“This is without doubt the best tackle bag I’ve ever used,” Alex said. “Its vertical, compact design takes up far less deck space than a standard tackle bag, yet it easily accommodates four large lure trays that are quick and simple to access. The oversized front tool pocket holds everything — from extra-long pliers to a filleting knife — while two generous side pockets swallowed all the essentials I needed on the water.”
The top compartment unzips to reveal an insulated cooler section, ideal for keeping drinks and food cold or, as Alex discovered, for safely stowing reels: “I managed to fit two 5000-size Shimano threadlines and four baitcasters up to 300-size inside — incredible!”
Purpose-built for serious anglers who demand efficiency and storage versatility, the Flambeau 5000 Backpack combines clever design with rugged practicality: a true standout in tackle organisation.
KILLALURE TROPIC LOLLY
The new Killalure Tropic Lolly lure features the latest in advanced hooks and hardware. Made from TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), this lure offers exceptional flexibility, lifelike movement, durability, and environmental friendliness. The Tropic Lolly can bend, stretch, and move naturally through the water while remaining highly resistant to damage.
Available in 8 colours and sizes 75 mm, 95 mm, 130 mm.
KILLALURE TROPIC VIBE
The new Killalure Tropic Vibe has a distinct vibrating action, and is highly effective in deeper water and murky conditions. The Tropic Vibe is particularly suited to jigging techniques.
Available in 6 colours and size 85 mm.
FLAMBEAU SPLASH RATZ 100-piece KIT BOX
Proudly made in Australia, the Flambeau Splash Ratz 100-piece Fishing Tackle Kit is the perfect starter pack for young or beginner anglers. It includes a fun assortment of hooks, swivels, sinkers, floats and other essentials — everything needed to get started on the water. Housed in a tough, single-tray tackle box built from durable, weather- and dirt-resistant composite plastic, it features a Drawtite latch and Tip-Guard tray to keep contents secure and organised. Compact, reliable and easy to carry — the ideal all-in-one fishing kit.
GREAT NORTHERN LIGHT – IT’S LIGHT TIME
There’s a new way to enjoy the unmistakable taste of the North: introducing Great Northern Light, the refreshing new lager made for bright days and easy moments outdoors.
Crystal clear and pale golden in colour, Great Northern Light is a slightly malty lager with delicate hoppy and fruity notes, delivering the same crisp, refreshing finish that Great Northern drinkers know and love. With a light body, gentle sweetness and very mild bitterness, it’s smooth, clean and incredibly drinkable.
At just 2% ABV and 0.5 standard drinks, Great Northern Light is the perfect choice for earlier in the day, when the sun is high in the sky and adventures are calling.
GHOSTS OF YILAGUN - A MAD FISHOS JOURNEY OF ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY
Broome-based NAFA contributor, Kim Courtenay, has just released a standout new book. Kim trained as a journalist at the Sydney Daily Mirror in the early 1970s and his easy-to-read style takes you from the late ‘50s on the near-pristine Murrumbidgee River, to the Sydney rocks in the 1960s catching southern bluefin tuna with his teenage mates.
Through the late ‘70s, on the banks of the upper Hawkesbury where the saltwater meets the fresh, life was simple, connected to the river and the seasons. Broome beckoned in the early ‘80s, when it was a sleepy hollow on the coast and a kayak was a great way to catch a feed. While working on the upper Daly River from 1989-92, a big canoe was easy to get up and down rapids, and to join a secret world of living dinosaurs.
Beautiful artwork by Ben Loaring and Roger Swainston and great photos make Ghosts of Yilagun a visual experience as well as an important historical record. The 15 chapters are stand-alone stories with poignant observations. It’s an entertaining read and an ideal Christmas gift for anyone with a love of commuting with nature.
REIDY’S AKAME GUPPY
Reidy’s Lures Akame Guppy range has become a proven favourite among anglers chasing big barramundi, Murray cod and other serious sportfish. Originally launched in 150 mm, the line-up now includes 200 mm and 250 mm models, giving anglers greater versatility across trolling, casting and live sonar presentations.
Built tough for northern and inland predators, the Akame Guppy continues to impress with its realistic movement, resilience and adaptability. It continues to be a dependable choice for anglers targeting trophy fish in both salt and fresh water.
Available in 150mm, 200mm and 250mm sizes.
REIDY’S JUDGE 85 MM
Reidy’s Judge 85 mm has firmly established itself as a favourite among anglers seeking compact lures with serious pulling power. Delivering the same trademark fast, aggressive tail beat, strong body roll and internal rattles that define the Judge range, this smaller model offers impressive versatility across estuaries, creeks and billabongs.
Compact, tough and proven in the field, the Judge 85 mm continues to deliver outstanding performance for anglers targeting barramundi, mangrove jack and other inshore predators.
