Shimano, G. Loomis and Jackall Collect a Quartet of Tackle Warehouse Awards

Shimano Curado MGL 150 and Sustain FJ, G. Loomis GCX JWR and Jackall Bling 55 Earn Industry Accolades

Shimano, G. Loomis and Jackall have earned high honors among the annual ‘Best New Bass Fishing Gear’ awards from mega-retailer Tackle Warehouse.  The Shimano Curado MGL 150 and Shimano Sustain FJ, the G. Loomis GCX Jig and Worm Rod (JWR) and the Jackall Bling 55 crankbait all earned top marks in their respective categories.

The Shimano Curado family is the well-established workhorse of the bass fishing universe.  A quick scan of the boat decks at any tournament reveals the Curado in its many past iterations, attesting to its popularity among anglers seeking rock-solid performance at an accessible price point.  In 2021, Shimano expanded the Curado franchise with the introduction of the Curado MGL 150.  By incorporating a feathery MagnumLite (MGL) spool – delivering longer, more accurate casts – into a 150-size frame, this dynamo now reigns as the lightest weight Curado in the lineup. However, this reel can still handle the heavyweights, as it maintains the rigid aluminum HAGANE Body and a durable Cross Carbon drag that outputs 13 pounds of stopping power.

The fishing public’s response to the Curado MGL 150 has been nothing short of outstanding, as the reel garnered 31% of the Tackle Warehouse Viewer’s Choice votes – doubling its nearest competitor. The Tackle Warehouse staff pick was even more overwhelming, with the Curado MGL 150 collecting 65% of the vote – far outpacing the rest of the pack.
The Curado 150 MGL reel offers unparalleled versatility and a virtually endless range of applications by combining increased casting distance with improved accuracy. Matt Allen of Tactical Bassin’ remarked, “I loved the Curado 200 – I think it is one of the workhorse reels on the market. The Curado 150 MGL takes it a step further.”

While the Curado 150 MGL was sweeping the baitcasting reel awards, the Shimano Sustain FJ earned top marks among all spinning reels in the Tackle Warehouse Viewer’s Choice category.  The Sustain is one of the strongest in the MagnumLite (MGL) Series of spinning reels, capable of handling the toughest of inshore or freshwater species. The Sustain FJ features a litany of advanced technologies and refined aesthetics, headlined by a MagnumLite rotor for light start-up rotation and faster hooksets. The reel’s rigid aluminum HAGANE Body minimizes flex when battling hard-pulling fish, all in a package that’s even lighter than its predecessor.

“Sustain is one fine piece of machinery,” remarks professional angler Alex Davis.  “It’s available in four models from 2500, C3000, 4000 to C5000 to cover all of the bases.  It has the new MicroModule II gearing as well as SilentTune, which combine to make every turn of the handle smooth and quiet. Sustain’s Long Stroke Spool means you’re going to be able to cover more water by casting farther. These are the reel characteristics that every bass angler is looking for.”

G. Loomis earned top marks among Tackle Warehouse staff for Best New Casting Rods with the brand new GCX Jig and Worm Rod (JWR).  The versatile GCX series incorporates G. Loomis’ exclusive Multi-Taper Design technology to achieve precise flex and action for enhanced performance with added durability. Anglers will also find SeaGuide Hero One guide trains, premium cork handles, and ever-popular Fuji reel seats across the GCX series, creating a high-quality, lightweight rod package at a very affordable price point. The G. Loomis GCX JWR earned 26% of the Tackle Warehouse staff vote – more than three times that of their nearest competitors.

MLF Bass Pro Tour angler Luke Clausen explains, “the new G. Loomis GCX rods replace the rods we’ve known as the E6X line.  The versatile GCX collection is a comprehensive, all-new, much-improved rod series with 23 technique-specific models, all made in the United States. One of the things that struck me is the enhanced balance of the GCX series rods, which results from the highly refined guide train spacing along the blanks.” Anglers can now build a complete library of G. Loomis GCX rods to suit any presentation in their bass fishing arsenal without breaking the bank.

Back by popular demand and irresistible to bass, the Jackall Bling 55 earned the Best New Crankbait award among Tackle Warehouse staff. The Bling 55 is a flat-sided crankbait featuring a custom Circuit Board fiberglass lip that creates quick wobbling action. The Bling 55 features a specially designed weight transfer system that increases casting distance while keeping the crankbait stable during retrieves. The Jackall Bling 55 dives to depths of four to six feet to trigger shallow water bass throughout the season. The Bling 55 was an overwhelming choice among the TW staff, garnering nearly three times the votes of the second-place finisher, and is sure to earn a place in many shallow water crankbait boxes during the months ahead.

Alex Davis adds, “the new Bling 55 is not technically new – after being discontinued and generating a huge rallying cry from bass anglers, the Bling 55 is back in all its glory! This is an incredibly effective flat-sided bait with a Circuit Board lip in eight colors, including two originals and six new patterns.”

All of these award-winning Shimano, G. Loomis and Jackall products are available now. Visit the Shimano, G. Loomis or Jackall websites for more information on the award-winning Shimano Curado MGL 150, Shimano Sustain FJ, G. Loomis GCX JWR and Jackall Bling 55, and then visit your favorite Shimano authorized dealer to add them to your bass fishing arsenal.

About Shimano

Leading the fishing industry in innovation and quality for 100 years, Shimano’s manufacturing capabilities allow for anglers worldwide to enjoy their time on the water to the fullest. We designed the entire lineup of Shimano products to elevate angler experiences with features that continuously evolve to push the boundaries of modern fishing tackle while raising the bar for the whole fishing industry.