If you're looking for a new reel for the bass fisherman on your list, Pinnacle Fishing has just come out with its new Scion Select X. This baitcaster has an ultra-high speed 7:1 gear ratio designed to let anglers cover lots of water quickly. It features a metal frame and gear side cover covering nine stainless steel ball bearings, plus a roller bearing, for smoothness and reliability. A free-spinning, double anodized aluminum spool and Pinnacle's "tandem cast control" system is meant to make long, trouble-free casts a reality, too. Tandem Cast incorporates an automatic centrifugal brake at the beginning of the cast and an adjustable magnetic brake throughout the cast to help prevent backlash. The reel also has oversized, high-precision, machine-cut brass gearing and multi-stack drag washers to provide consistent pressure on fish. Other features are "unlimited anti-Reverse," a titanium shielded line guide and a quick-access removable side plate. Suggested retail price is $129. For information: Pinnacle Fishing, 101 Trade Zone Dr., Building A1, Suite A2, West Columbia, S.C. 29170; 803-454-3488; Pinnaclefishing.com .
Lure of the week
Lure: Stone Fly
Company: Uncle Buck's ( Basspro.com )
Lure type: Jig
Sizes and colors: Available in a 1 1/2-inch model in four colors: pepper frog, white pearl, chartreuse sparkle and black/yellow swirl.
Target species: Bluegills, yellow perch, crappies and bass.
Technique: This lure can be jigged vertically over the side of a boat or from shore, or cast and retrieved. It produces best when fished around cover such as weeds, timber and rocks. Cast out, let it sit, then twitch it back in.
Sugg. Retail price: $1.49 for two rigged baits and two spare tails.
Notable: These lures feature a double tail meant to flutter when pulled through the water, as well as lifelike red eyes. Though primarily a panfish lure, they will take bass and even trout on occasion.
Tip of the week
The state's firearms deer season is already halfway over and most of the deer out there have encountered hunters in one way or another. That means they are pretty wary about now. You can still have success, though, by keeping a few things in mind. First, try to hunt in places no one else has, maybe spots so thick or steep that few people venture there. Try hunting at odd times, too. If you normally head back to camp at lunch, stay in the woods. And if you've been hunting the fringes of a bedding area all fall, now's the time to throw caution to the wind and get right in there to see if you can't roust a deer out. There's no sense saving that spot anymore; the season's almost done.
Recipe of the week
Hashbrown potato venison loaf
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups shredded hash brown potatoes
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 gloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup Italian-flavored dry bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ground venison
Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. In a large bowl, combined the onion and garlic with the potatoes, eggs, bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Next, add the ground venison and mix gently. Shape the mixture into a meatloaf and bake at 375 degrees for 70-75 minutes. Let stand, covered, for 15 minutes before serving.
