Two of Australia's best known and most respected fishing writers, TV presenters and tackle designers - Starlo and Bushy - have joined forces once again to produce the definitive reference work on soft plastic fishing in this country. On Soft Plastics is a full-colour, 170-page book with hundreds of great photographs and crisp illustrations accompanying its clear, concisely-written text.

It is the complete guide to choosing, rigging and using soft plastic lures to catch all species of Australian fish, in both salt and freshwater. It includes everything from how they re made right through to how to fish them and a species guide of top soft plastics targets. It has a recommended retail price of $29.95.

Enquiries: Australian Fishing Network (03) 9761 7780.

SHAKESPEARE UGLY STIK BLUEWATER ROD RANGE

The Ugly Stik Bluewater range of rods have been designed with the help of leading game anglers to give Australian anglers the ultimate in offshore rods.

The use of Howald Process (graphite/glass) blanks provides anglers with a rod that has literally been built twice, creating a lightweight blank with tremendous strength without compromising on sensitivity or fishability. The upgrade to Fuji SIC guides and Alutecnos aluminium removable rollers on the trolling rods means the company has upped the ante to give anglers a custom-built quality rod that won't break the bank.

Other notable features include blank-through-handle construction, the guides are under-wrapped for durability, and blanks are fully coated with epoxy for extra protection from the sun's damaging UV rays.

There are 13 rods in the range, with different models catering for various styles of bluewater fishing including stand-up game, jig overhead, jig spin, spin, trolling and even land-based game.

Enquiries: Shakespeare Australia (02) 9820 9600. www.shakespeare.com.au

FURY SPORTS CUTLERY FILLETING KNIFE

This stylish filleting knife features a 160 mm flexible stainless steel blade and a superbly finished timber handle. It has a nice weight to it, is comfortable to hold when faced with a big fillet job, and the blade sharpens quickly with just a few licks of a stone or some other sharpening device.

The Fury fillet knife comes in a quality padded soft-sided sheath with a press-stud strap so it won't fall out when attached to a belt. The handle also has provision for a lanyard to be attached.

Enquiries: Colt 0410 598 349.

PENN APPLAUSE THREADLINE

Penn's new Applause series of deluxe threadline reels are perfect for use with braided lines. Each reel in the 6-model range features 5 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth operation, a rotary flat oscillation drive system and one-way anti-reverse clutch. The ball bearing line roller, 1 piece stainless steel bail arm and titanium nitride coated spool lip and bail reduce friction, hence the reel's compatibility with braided line.

Beginning with the 1000 model, which holds 125 m of 3 kg line, through to the 7000 model that has a line capacity of 230 m of 10 kg, the reels have a gear ratio of 5.1:1, which is ideal for most spinning applications.

Finished in an attractive metallic sliver on the body and rotor, with gold and gunmetal silver trims, Penn's new Applause series deserves a hand.

Enquiries: Jarvis Walker (03) 9798 0900. www.jarviswalker.com.au

SUFIX MATRIX PRO BRAID

A new generation of braid, Sufix Matrix Pro is a unique, high performance braid with all of the qualities that anglers search for - high strength, ease in handling, near zero stretch, easy casting and incredible toughness and abrasion resistance.

The special matrix braid process creates a rounder line with enhanced body, which performs much better than traditional flat braids. A rounder braid offers smoother casts, therefore enhancing casting accuracy and distance.

The use of 100 per cent Dyneema fibres ensures high strength to diameter ratio while offering maximum sensitivity and quick hook-sets. It is available in 135 m and 250 m spools in neon yellow and mid-green colours, with breaking strains from 5-40 kg to suit every fishing application.

Enquiries: Jarvis Walker (03) 9798 0900. www.jarviswalker.com.au