The Revolution knows that you work hard for your money and that testing new hunting and fishing gear in the lobby of your local Cabela's just doesn’t cut it when it comes time to drop some coin. So Jim, Trav and Mrs. Bunny, each week, put the industry's best new outdoor products to the test as they rank them in their Buy or Bust segment. They aren't in to cheap gimmicks, they don't care about what's sexy, they just want dependable gear at reasonable price and nothing else.
Outdoorsmen and women spend a good amount of time processing and cooking the meat they bring home from their hunting and fishing pursuits. Having the right tools makes this process much quicker and easier. A good electric fillet knife is one of those tools that every hunter and angler should have in their bag of tricks. A good electric fillet knife will save you time, alleviate hand fatigue, work through fish or whatever food you are preparing quicker, make nice clean uniform cuts, and more.
It’s not all about the bass, all the time. Sometimes it’s about chasing those panfish! On this installment of Buy or Bust we take a look at some brand-new offerings from Bass Pro Shops – rods and reels specific to panfishing. Plus, we’ll talk briefly about power and action of rods and what you should look for based on the species you pursue most. Let’s dive in!
The Bass Pro Shops® Crappie Maxx® Mighty Lite Rod is a beast of a panfish rod. It’s lightweight with super sensitive tip actions, but at the same time it has an incredible amount of heft and durability. Jig with ultra-thin line and ultra-light jigs – you’ll be able to feel the subtlest strikes. The RT1 graphite blank features a high-visibility tip, Sea Guide® guides with aluminum oxide rings, a graphite reel seat and an easy-gripping EVA foam handle. Available in 7-foot to 12-foot lengths and ringing in at only $40 to $50, it’s a solid choice with a lot of versatility.
I don’t care what you say, eventually that Energizer Bunny will stop “going and going and going”. That’s the cold hard truth, the cottontail can’t go forever. Another truth about batteries, they always die at the least opportune time. And the last truth, they are expensive. While I’m not leading the parade when it comes to renewable energy, in some cases I’m all about it. For example, solar panels for your trail cameras. Forget the hassle of changing batteries, let the sun power those whitetail mugshot takers!
What is your hearing worth to you? Let’s take a look on this edition of Buy or Bust.
My grandpa Hugh hit the beaches of Normandy on D-Day Plus 1, fighting day in and day out in World War II. Let’s be honest, the men of that generation were cut from a different cloth, more rugged than many of the man bun, skinny jean wearing “men” of today. They were tough as nails and in the heat of battle, I highly doubt any of those soldiers gave even a passing thought to the possibility of hearing damage as a result of exposure to firearms, explosions and the sounds of war. Grandpa Hugh was one of the very few to make it home from his unit, and he did so largely unscathed. However, his hearing did take a hit. He wore hearing aids, but still had difficulty hearing. Conversations were always a little more fun with grandpa as a result, bad hearing makes for interesting small talk. Ask him if he wants a “Dr. Pepper” and somehow he thinks you’re insulting a woman named “Heather”. Ask him to put in his hearing “aid” and he can’t figure out why you want him to be your “bridesmaid”. Amusing for me, but no doubt frustrating for him.
Are you working with a dog this spring, getting it field ready before fall? Maybe you just have a dog at home that could benefit from some training. A training collar can be a hugely beneficial tool in correcting behaviors and establishing good habits. On this edition of Buy or Bust we’re looking at the Cabela’s Gun Dog Electronic Training Collars, specifically the GS-4000 model.
Calloused hands and blue jeans have long been the official uniform of hard workers. More than 100 years ago, the tough men and women that worked in mines and built the railroads, gold rush prospectors, early farmers and ranchers and other folks who made a living by breaking a sweat wore jeans. Denim was, and still is, a strong and durable material that withstands harsh working environments, plus it hides dirt well.
Fact: The oldest known pair of jeans were found in the bottom of an old mine in 1998 and at the time of discovery they were 115 years old.
Are you a professional ninja? Is stealth your middle name? Probably not.
As quiet and sneaky as you think you are while hunting, the truth is that nature has a way of upstaging us all in the outdoors. Animals have incredibly keen senses – vision, hearing and scent. While spot and stalk is my favorite style of hunting, admittedly there is a time and place for ground blinds. Ground blinds help you add a little more stealth to your hunting game. On this edition of Buy or Bust it’s all about the BlackOut Stealth Hunter 5 Ground Blind available at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.
Very few things in the world of fashion are timeless. Things that were popular more than 150 years ago are generally not seen or worn today. However, there is always an exception to the rule and in this case it’s buffalo plaid, you know the iconic red and black plaid pattern. This pattern is something that has been around since the 1850’s, likely worn by you, your dad, your grandfather and preceding generations. Cowboys, lumberjacks, outdoorsmen, Elmer Fudd, and others have long worn this pattern. My point – buffalo plaid is awesome. So, on this installment of Buy or Bust we’re tipping our hats to this vintage pattern with the new RedHead® Men's Redwater Buffalo Jacket available at both Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.
Just as a construction worker wouldn’t head to the job site without his hard hat, a nurse wouldn’t see patients without a stethoscope and a dog walker wouldn’t leave the leashes or doo-doo bags behind - a hunter never goes afield without a knife. It’s true, for outdoorsmen and women, a knife is a necessary and important piece of gear we don’t want to be left without.
How often do you clean your firearms?
Simple gun maintenance is important to keep your firearms in top shape. Guns get dirty, carbon builds up inside the barrel, rust can occur, and trace amounts of metal can even be found from the ammunition you use. Furthermore, if your firearm is exposed to wet conditions, salt, dust, dirt and corrosive ammunition, it’s even more important to clean it regularly to curtail the effects of extreme wear, which when left unchecked can ultimately lead to the shortened life of your firearm. Regular cleaning and lubricating help fix these issues and keep your gun cycling and working properly.
The Revolution with Jim & Trav is a voice for the outdoors on the airwaves. The Revolution with Jim & Trav dominates the outdoor radio segment as the fastest growing nationally syndicated radio show and podcast dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. This weekly radio show and podcast aims to accomplish a simple goal: to promote the participation in and enjoyment of outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing.
The Revolution with Jim & Trav
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