Read these true stories of women who have decided to become Shimano anglers.

Shimano is interested in hearing from all the Shimano women anglers who have a story to share about their days on the water. What were you using when you caught the fish of your lifetime? Oh, and don’t be shy. If you have a picture that compliments your story, pass it along too. Send your story here.

Adrift in still soothing silence
Circles ripple atop fluid glass
Slight wisps of cool breeze caress the skin
A thick mist floats just above the surface

Crisp dawn slips away the darkness
Tall firs and snowy mountains reveal the landscape
Peregrine falcon screams for his morning catch
Slipping and swaying across the lake

Relaxed and hypnotized by solemn thought
An easy hand steadies the wand
Then suddenly a tug quickens the heart
And the Shimano Dance begins

To and fro filament slices the water
The glass is shattered by an indignant breech
A rainbow of colors, speckles and browns
The wand arches and strains against the fight
A whir and click awaken the calm

A silvery trout gives chase and shows his fervor
Speeding this way and that
Certain of his pathway to release
The dance proceeds in fluid motion

Reeling and tension in balanced step
Taught line to achieve the catch
Up and down and in and out
Pulse racing in growing anticipation

At last the wand achieves its task
And he a handsome catch
Sleek and round with one last rebellious slap
The Shimano Dance fulfilled



Author: Phyllis Doreen Slayton
16 October 2007

Early one morning my boyfriend and I went surf fishing at New Smyrna Beach. I felt lucky with my new birthday gift, a Shimano Baitrunner 6500 reel. After casting out a live pin fish for bait, I put my rod in the sand spike and sat back to relax and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. When suddenly, I had a huge hit and the line started peeling off the reel at a high rate of speed! I jumped up, grabbed the rod, and snapped the baitrunner into gear! When the line continued to go out against the drag, I knew it was a really big fish!! Quickly my boyfriend put on my fighting belt and I dug my heels in as my rod bent over like a paper clip! The suspense of what was pulling out the line so fast was unforgettable. After a while into the battle, my boyfriend offered to help, but I was too determined to win the fight and not give up.

The excitement continued to grow as more and more people gathered around wondering what I was fighting!! It was amazing to see the line and the reel stand up to such tremendous pressure! Almost an hour went by when we spotted the dorsal fin cutting thru the top of the water! Suddenly the crowd screamed, "It’s a shark!!" This moment was a huge adrenaline rush!!

The crowd grew even larger and so did the thrill of the fight!! It was an unforgettable experience as I continued to reel in this big shark and now I was finally able to see him! He was magnificent!! After several attempts, my friends managed to get a rope around his tail! They pulled him up on the beach so we could take some pictures, we naturally then released the shark unharmed.

For me this was an awesome experience of a lifetime. I was amazed to see this powerful beautiful shark caught right from the beach! He was over 5' and approximately 170 lbs.

I want to thank Shimano for a great product that made this adventure a wonderful and memorable experience.

Terri G.

OK… It’s not just a guy sport, because I’ve been fishing with many of my seven brothers many times, and I’ve often out fished them. A few years have passed since my youth. I’m now married to an avid fisherman and I usually out fish him as well. Mike tells me it’s all in the woman’s “scent”.

I stripped the drag from my last fishing reel that was not Shimano. Since I’ve switched to the Tekota series of reel, catching fish is a pleasure. Salmon often make numerous runs. Many runs, (depending on the pound of the fish), can be 50 to 100 yards long. I utilize 30 pound braded line, and 25 pound of mono leader. I’m still catching fish from the Columbia, yet my reel doubles for the large lake fishing we do with down riggers.

We fish Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille. The Lake trout, and rainbows can be strong and very large. With the Shimano’s technology, and percussion equipment, I’m always excited to load up the boat and motor home to go fishing with my husband for big fish.

This year we’ll be fishing the deep water of Lake Chelan in Central Washington State. With down riggers, the right equipment, I’ll always be a winner.

Thanks Shimano.

Bridget R.

I am a 17y/o High School Senior in Gainesville, FL. I am an honor roll student and a dedicated angler. I have been fishing since I could walk. For my last birthday I even got my own flats boat. I primarily fish inshore waters (flats) along Florida’s gulf coast for Tarpon, snook and redfish. I throw my own cast net and tie all my own leaders. After I secure my college education (plan to major in Marketing), I plan on becoming own of the state leading fishing guides. All of my reels are Shimano.
I fish with Stradic reels exclusively.

Thank you for the efforts you have already undertaken to further engage a greater number of females into the wonderful work of fishing.

Tight lines,

Lauren G.

Dear Shimano,

I recently used my Shimano Cardiff 401A reel in Nicaragua to catch this giant tarpon. Its estimated length was 75” and weight 120-150 pounds. My reel never let me down during the 30 minute battle to bring the fish to the boat for landing. The drag was very smooth while I fought throughout its multiple runs. Thank you for making such a fine reel!
Sincerely,

Crystal Lady

Hello,

Two summers ago (2006) I spent the summer leading an adventure-based trip for high schoolers in Alaska; once work finished I made my way to visit a friend in Homer. I was very excited to purchase my first fishing permit and have a chance to catch a king salmon on the Kenai River (near Soldotna).

Part way through the day I felt a bite on my line and spent the next forty minutes struggling to get the fish near the boat. Once we had the fish in the net, it was pretty clear that it wasn't anywhere close to average. Quite honestly it was one of the more beautiful things I have ever seen and I didn't have the heart to kill it. We measured the fish and then released it back into the Kenai River. I was using a Shimano triton 100 reel when I caught the fish.

I easily won the biggest fish released category in the derby, but the real kicker is that some buddies of my boat-mates ran the numbers of the fish and it was conservatively estimated to weigh 101 pounds. (54 inches long and 38 inch chest).


The world-record for a king salmon is 97 pounds...while I can't claim the world record because I didn't kill the fish; it's still a pretty great story for a surfer from California! (Though I have to admit it would be pretty cool to have a statue of me, like Les Anderson).

All the best,

Jenny

I love the sound as the line peels off the spool, the feeling of adrenaline pumping through my veins, the tingle of excitement and anticipation and the contentment when the fish are safely in my boat or on my kayak.

My name is Deborah, I live at Seaforth in Sydney, Australia. In October I went up to Daydream Island in the Whitsundays for my son’s wedding. I had stayed three extra days at the resort so that I could experience fishing the Whitsundays. On the last day, I got up at three in the morning and set about catching a GT. Around 6am I hooked up a GT, it wrapped my line around one the pylons, it was a stalemate and I had to cut the line.

I re rigged and set out another live herring, in a flash I was hooked up, the line peeled away between two pylons, I was using my Loomis rod and my Spheros 8000 reel filled with 20LB Tuff Line, 60Lb leader and a size 6 Gamakatsu hook. Half an hour later I got the first sight on my fish, a beautiful GT, I almost lost her a few times, once when she wrapped herself around the pylon, I was faster this time I didn't let her get around the second time and dragged her back, she then headed for under the wharf but luckily I turned her head and lead her towards shallow water.

A staff member held my rod while I scrambled off the wharf and down the ramp into the water up to my chest where I took my fish in my arms, just as the leader broke. A staff member who had been passing took some photos before I released her. Lucky me.

Regards Deborah

Greetings and Salutations,

This is my biggest Striper 29.5 lbs on an 8 lb. Maxima line, 7’ 9” pole with Shimano Calcutta bait casting reel. It took me 45 minutes to bring it in. I was pooped after that.

Sincerely,

Captain Morgan

Hi there,

My name is Christine and I am an avid female angler. I try to spend nearly every weekend on the water, throughout the entire weekend, to support my passion for fishing. I always get excited for the next season as every year I tend to beat my personal bests. This year I caught my personal best largemouth bass at 21" and 5.8lbs on Muskrat Lake in Cobden, Ontario. I was fishing heavy slop using my favorite Shimano Castaic and WHAMMO!!! A monster largie attacked my top waterfrog right in front of some gentlemen fishing a tournament.

My fishing partner netted the beast for me, took a quick picture, and I released it to swim another day.

I am most happy when I'm out on the water fishing for a variety of species including bass, pike, trout, salmon, walleye, panfish, etc on soft water or on the ice. My goal is to get all my close friends (male and female) into fishing so they can understand why I love it so much.

Cheers,

Christine C.

Howdy,

Here's my story...Shimano Butterfly Jig lands a 71 lb Yellow Fin Tuna!!! The Captain knew where he wanted us to be & knew that Shimano gear would bring in the Tuna!!! It was my turn, at 4am & about 87 miles offshore of NJ in “Spencer Canyon”, aboard Captain Tim Smith’s Boat: Bodacious.

Two rods started runnin’ at the same time. One was mine at the bow & the other was my brother’s at the back of the boat. My Tuna dove down deep way down & under. I was doubled over with one of the mate’s holding my gimble belt so I didn’t go overboard. I knew this fish was big, but didn’t realize how big she was until the mate gaffed her & hauled her in. The struggle was intense & lasted about 20 minutes.

My brother got his as well with the Butterfly Jig, but his came in 1/2 lb shy of mine…the little sister, finally caught a bigger fish!!!

Looking forward to more adventures with Shimano gear.

Shimano RULES!

Kelly S.

Not too long ago my husband came home one afternoon with a bright yellow kayak; he had made the decision to take up kayak fishing. After witnessing his obvious joy with his “new love”, the kayak, I made the decision to suppress my anxieties and “brave the wave” in the pursuit of sharing his interests. Amazed at the ease of the paddle and the utter beauty of the bay, I could not wait until the next trip.

On our twenty-seventh anniversary he appeared at the front door with an uncertain twinkle in his eye. Well, let’s just say that nothing says love like a big red kayak and a shiny gold Shimano rod and reel.

I love to break out my Shimano Solstace and limit out on redfish while he gets totally skunked not fifty yards away. That “how is this happening?” look on his face is priceless!

Girls, get over your fear of turtleing and ichy fish slime! Go out and discover the wonders of nature. If you enjoy nature and photography, this is the ticket for you!

Perry

Words cannot explain trying to catch this yellow tail all day long, I had been hooking up a real large fish, I ended up farming most of them. (typical woman huh) until this last time….we were on our way back from Mexico when we saw this paddy. I cast my Shimano Calcutta TE 700 into the water.

Immediately my bait gets hit. I let the fish take the bait for a while then I set the hook…Bammmm!!!!! I had him hooked. Off he took the bait…zzzzzz…….I was excited and scared….i had to calm myself for this….my father explained to me not to rush it and to take my time and let him go…when the fish tried to start winding him in….so I did. Almost a half an hour went by, I got the fish to the bottom of the boat…I fought and fought …back and forth….finally when he was close, he would then in a instant go back down. I did this for almost ten minutes, by this time arms were drained, I won the battle finally……wow what a fish!!!!

Lorree P.

First of all....I am 14 years old. Not quite a lady yet but that makes this story better.

My dad took me fishing offshore out of Freeport, Texas last week. He has a boat that will fish very well in the bay but the conditions must be perfect to go offshore. The weekend maintained perfect conditions so he told me to get out of bed one morning and we went offshore. We trolled for about an hour and then I caught a 42 inch King fish on a Shimano Calcutta 250 reel.

The fish peeled off a lot of line and I did not think that I was going to be able to hold him......but after about fifteen minutes he gave up and came to the boat. My dad gaffed him and we put him in the cooler. This reel is the best reel ever. I told my dad that it would be mine one day so that he better take care of it. He said he would and I will one day be the owner of that reel.

Emily W.

My husband, Jarid and I are newlyweds, and he began teaching me to fish a little over a year ago. After a few days of fishing for the illusive musky on a lake in Wisconsin in June I quickly realized why they call muskies “the fish of 10,000 casts.” We had tried every musky lure imaginable and time was running out on our trip, so using a quick strike rig and a chub along with my Shimano Sienna 4000FB Spinning Reel, I boated my first musky ever- a 36 incher!

It was the only musky caught on the trip, and it was caught by a woman. In my short time fishing, I caught a musky that many would consider the fish of a lifetime. Catching that fish, I realized why my husband is such a musky fanatic. It was truly a priceless moment, and an adrenaline rush I could not have imagined. Jarid and I are fishing partners for life!

Amy D.

My Shimano Curado helped me to catch one of the biggest trout I've ever caught. Here it is-27-1/4". It took first place in size in the June Summer Madness tournament via Texas Lady Anglers.

With a lightweight rod and my lightweight Curado reel, it's easy to cast; and it provides great action. Having been fishing with my husband's equipment for the past 32 years, I recently decided to buy my own equipment. Based on recommendations from a couple of friends who are also fishing guides, the Shimano Curado was what I purchased. It's proven to be a great decision!

Bonnie B.

I had recently purchased my first Shimano rig - Trevala TC4 rod and Tekota along with all of the different butterfly jigs, hooks, rings, cocoons and jig bag. My husband, Peter and I went out fishing to the Coronados in San Diego to test out my new rig. Two casts in the water and upon jigging up the 2nd time, Bang! Hook Up!

I caught a 19lb yellowtail on a pink butterfly jig! All day long, I was catching fish left and right on that rod. As you can see my smile tells the story of how fun it was that particular day.

What is so nice about these rigs is that they are so comfortable for ladies' hands and easy on the back and legs when fighting a fish.

Dee V.

My husband and I were out fishing at the Coronados in San Diego one weekend morning. We anchored in the middle grounds with about a dozen other party boats. Our boat has gates on either side of the boat that swing out.

Well, I was walking up one of the sides and cast out with my Shimano rig - Trevala TC4 rod and Tekota. Unfortunately, the gate was not closed properly and wham! I hit the water! I'm in the water. I know the party boats saw the whole thing because they were about 25 yards away from us. My husband was fishing on the bow, he heard a 'splash' and looked over and asked what I was doing in the water and saw my Shimano rig sinking down. I said to get me out of the water, and he said what about the pole. "Get me out of the Water now!"I got out of the boat, however, I was very sad... because I had just lost my rig and not very happy about fishing.

I picked up another rod that had a bait soaking on it, and started reeling it in so I could use it for casting. As I was reeling it in, I noticed red spectra was tangled on the mono line... I kept reeling and unbelieving... there's my rod and reel! I had caught my own rod and reel. I guess the drift was just right and drifted past my soaking bait and got the best hook up of the day! Lucky girl I was that day.

Since then, my husband now has the same rig as I do and he loves it! Catches everything on the jigging system. It's really great!

Thank you Shimano for letting me share my stories!

Dee V.

This is about the awesome tuna trip we took in July. We went out with Strike Zone Charters out of Venice, LA. It was a 24-hour trip that went 50 miles offshore. We took our own equipment. I took my Torsa, my 2 speed 30 and 50 Shimano LRS.

My first fish on the way out my first fish was a billfish. This is the first billfish I have ever caught. It was caught on the LRS 30. I will attach a picture of my fish. But the action was even better when we started tuna fishing at about 10:00 p.m. that night. We put the 50 on one side and the 30 on the other. After chumming with black fin tuna for about three minutes we began to let the line out slowly on each side. We would have a fish on each side of the boat. Both the Shimano 30 and 50 worked great. It was my fish tuna trip and one I will never forget.

Judy S.

I want you to know I am a woman on the water, too. I run a privately-owned 45' Viking S/F at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. I only use all Shimano reels because I do feel in my experience, they are the most dependable. From baitfishing to billfishing, I demand the best, so I demand Shimano!

Thank you for making a wonderful product that continues to keep up with the demands and trends of sportfishing!

Jen C.

My name is Edith and I only fish about 3 or 4 times a month if I’m lucky, I mostly fish with my 15 year old son Garrett, we try and fish a few bass club tournaments. My son and I are strictly Shimano fisherman and women. We have over 15 Shimano rods and reels.

I caught my biggest bass just two months ago from Poway Lake on a Gary Yamamoto watermelon black flake senko. She weighed 10 lbs 2 oz. Me and my son were having a great day catching fish left and right up to 5 lbs and then we decided to go to this rock pile where it is known for big fish, on my first cast "thump, thump” she hit and the fight was on, with six pound test it was a good minute fight, I thought she was only 7 or 8 lbs at first and then my son pulled her out of the water and I couldn’t talk, of course it put my Shimano Crucial 7'2" d-shot rod with my Shimano Stradic 1000 to the test and they aced it with no problem thanks to your guys technology and skill.

The fish was released within two minutes of the catch so she can be caught another day. Thanks Shimano and thank you for reading my story, I hope to talk to you soon.

Edith C.

My name is Wendy, I have had 2 back surgeries and 1 neck surgery and until lately have not been able to fish because I was unable to cast the heavier poles. Here are 2 pictures of catfish I caught using my Stimula my husband bought for me. He ordered me a new lightweight Shimano Compre and a lightweight Stella reel so I can go fishing with him more often. I am now able to cast for awhile with just a little pain due to the lightweight products Shimano makes.

I can't wait for my new shimano reel and pole to get here, so I can send in some more pictures of the fish I am going to catch.

Wendy J.

Hi my name is Gina and I love fishing. My boyfriend and I try to go fishing whenever we have free time. We both bought the same Shimano rod. It’s a Scimitar and that’s all we use, we have been using this rod for two years now and love the way it feels.

Gina G.

As a young girl, I went fishing with my dad all the time. We were always on the lake, always bass fishing-looking for the BIG ONE. One day, I grab my lucky fishing pole and tacklebox, get in the truck with the boat attached, and head to the lake with my dad. We had been fishing for a while, when the sudden I get a bite.

It was the biggest fish I had ever had on. It was fighting so hard my dad had to help me. All of the sudden, right in front of the boat it starts to come up, but the water was so dirty I could not see it. I tell my dad it is coming up. All of a sudden it comes out of the water. I get so excited. I scream, "Dad, It's a swordfish. It's a swordfish, Dad!!"

My dad fell to the bottom of the boat laughing. I had never seen a gar before this day. But, I knew that I did not want to get it into our small aluminum boat just big enough for me and my dad.

The fish finally cut my line with its sharp teeth, my dad finally composed himself enough to get up off the bottom of the boat, and I learned what a gar looks like.

Now, I fish professionally, but my dad still brings up the "Swordfish" story to everyone that we meet.

Kristy D.

I just got back from celebrating my birthday with an all family trip on the Bright and Morningstar out of San Diego’s H&M Landing. My husband bought me a Torium 14 and a rod for my birthday. I brought along with me my 2 sons ages 7 and 9 years old. We were on the hunt for the elusive albacore. This was the first trip all 4 of us got to go on together. I really wanted my boys to catch an albacore.

The Torium 14 is the sweetest reel I have ever fished. I was fly lining an anchovy on a number 2 hook and 25# line. I could out cast everyone on the boat with that reel and it helped me as I hooked up on 3 nicer albacore, all 30 pounders.

Cindy M.

My friends and I head to northern Ontario several times each summer for canoe/fishing trips. There is no better place in the world to be than out on a perfectly still lake in the early morning, with mist still on the lake, watching the sun come up and a fishing pole in your hand!

I take a medium power, light action Shimano rod and fish for bass and trout. It is now officially recorded on your menu that I catch the fish for breakfast and it is very rare that I am not lucky enough to do so. The thrill of having that rod bend to signal that a fish has hit is unparallel and the excitement of reeling it in is indescribable! It really feeds my soul and refreshes my mind till the next time I can get away from it all with my fishing pole.

Leslie E.

I fish with a Shimano, Sahara 2500FB reel and a medium rod. I am not new to fishing but I am new to fishing from a kayak. What fun and what a challenge. I have played around with artificial bait but definitely prefer live bait. I live in Naples, Florida and my bait of choice is live shrimp or small mullet. I have pulled the traditional bait bucket around for a month and now have the old favorite 'pickle bucket' with an aerator in it. I am learning to throw a cast net (today was my first official try) and I caught 8 mullet on my first throw. 10 more throws and nothing. More practice required..........

Anyway, I caught a beautiful Redfish today, fought it for about 10 minutes. When I finally got it to the kayak it was hooked by the minutest piece of flesh that I could hardly believe I landed it. I use braided line with a mono leader tied line to line. I have also caught (on the same rig) goliath grouper, gag grouper, snook, flounder and snapper all in the back country. Everyone should try fishing this way as you see and hear so many things of nature its amazing.

Monica M.

We were down at the Oregon Coast staying at Coyote Rock RV park when it happened!!! We were out in our boat that evening fishing for Salmon. We were anchored and using quick fish with a piece of sardine strapped to its belly. Let's just say, I've put in my time waiting to catch my first salmon ever. I had my Shimano reel set and ready for the catch, like I had so many, many times before.

I was watching my pole when the take down happened. I couldn't believe it. I was freaking out. I was yelling, I can't lose it, I can't lose it. Then I was yelling at my husband to get the net, get the net, don't miss it! Get it in the boat, please just get it in the boat.

Well, he netted it and I was shaking like a leaf and smiling ear to ear. The owners at Coyote Rock knew how long I had been trying and I think they were as happy for me as I was.

Shelly S.

My name is Samantha. Well I surf fish off of Gilgo beach in Long Island, New York. I’m only 13 years old. So I don’t know the names of the types of reels or rods that I use. I asked my dad if he could buy me a new reel since my other one was getting kinda old.

The next week my dad and I went to a tackle store by our house. We were looking around, but the new Shimano Torium 14 reel caught my eye. The man working in the store said we were the first ones to purchase the reel in his store. That same day my dad and I went to the beach to try it out.

First cast of the new reel and first cast of the day, and bam as soon as the bait hit the bottom of the water my pole was bent and my fishing line moving like I've never seen before. About 7 or 8 minutes later I had reeled in the line. The fish at the end of the line had to be about 3 feet long. It was a sand shark! I couldn’t believe how cool it was to catch a shark. My dad catches them alot but I had never caught one myself on my own reel.

My dad has been teaching how to cast conventional reels from the beach. It’s pretty cool. My finger doesn’t hurt from spinning reels but my thumb burns a little bit. I guess I’ll have to get used to it. My dad always said that I can get more distance with it and now I know what he means!

Samantha

My name is Capt. Barbara Fusco. Last Fall I was out with a friend of mine fishing the grass line in about 2 to 4 foot of water. We were both using Shimano 4000 spinning setups. Every time I fish this area I always say there is a big Bass feeding in this grass line with my name on it, but the biggest Bass I would get every now and then was about 34”.

Well, I set up a drift and Whack!!!!! I get hit like a freight train. 90% spooled me in about a minute. I now had to fight my dream fish drive the raft and weave in out of the grass line, worry about running aground, plus I had a stiff wind to boot. I could not gain any line on him; he was pulling me all over the place going the same direction as the wind.

I get him within ten feet of the boat and he spools me all over again but this time runs way back in the creek in between all the thick grass and, mussel beds. I thought for sure I was going to loose him there. I finally got him to the raft, slid my hand in his mouth and slid him in my raft. I don’t recall how many inches he was, but he did weigh in at 23 lbs.

Although I have caught Bass up to 40 lbs in the L.I. Sound, this fish was truly my trophy because I have been trying so many years to land a fish in skinny water over 20 lbs.

Barbara F.

My name is Dorothy and I caught this 35 lb halibut a couple years ago. At first when I was hooked up I couldn't figure out what I caught. It felt big but didn't really fight like a yellowtail, and when I pulled it up to the surface I saw it was a big butt! I was using my beloved Torium 16 with 50# spectra and a flouro leader on a 7'7" Muskie.

Dorothy L.

This was my first time catching tuna and it was on the Let’s Talk Hook Up/Shimano Trip on the Searcher out of Fisherman's Landing. It was so much fun I'll be going on the trip again this year! I was using my Torium 16 and 7'7" muskie set up.

Dorothy L.

I was fishing on the east side of Snake Island yesterday, which is on Lake Simcoe and I caught a four pound small mouth bass using my Shimano rod which I have had for a million years and I would not trade if for anything.

As I was reeling in the bass, there were three small mouth bass following my captured bass to the boat and they were larger than the bass on my line. I have never seen this before in Lake Simcoe and I have been fishing a good many years. The environment has been cleaned up which has made the fishing spectacular.

Gail H.

I was out hiking in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada one day, and when I was finished my hike, I still had a few hours of sunlight left, so I stopped at a section of the Elbow river called Allen Bill.

I watched the water, saw some fish jumping, and threw my Shimano FX Spinning rod and IX2000 Reel combo into the water with a jighead and wiggler (baitless, barbless fishing only). Second cast landed me this beautiful rainbow. No weight on her, but she was 49cm (19") long, and a wonderful end to a beautiful day. (Note my Shimano ball cap that I wear everywhere!!)

Kevyn P.

My husband and I were fishing in SW Florida in the Marco Island area. We had fished for a couple of hours and neither one of us had caught anything to brag about. As I went to the livewell for bait, I realized that we were down to our last live shrimp. I offered that shrimp to my husband to use but he insisted that I use it and he would get the boat ready for our return trip to the dock.

I cast our "lone" shrimp as close to the mangroves as possible and suddenly the drag on my Sustain 4000 began to scream. I had hooked a large snook and it had other plans than coming aboard our boat. Realizing that I needed to keep this snook from getting into the mangroves, I tightened the drag on my reel and started to work it closer to the boat.

After one final run we netted and released a gorgeous 36" snook. That "lone" shrimp may have been our last shrimp, but remember, it only takes one. Every time we pass the spot where I caught that snook we always recount the story of our last shrimp.

Mary Alice D.

Our story begins by fishing our first Tournament together at the Port Mansfield “Ladies” Tournament in 2006. Ashley & I were the first Mother/Daughter team to ever win Grand Champion Bay and Grand Champion Runner Up together. Ashley fishes with a Shimano Stradic 2500 FH on a Laguna rod, and I fish with a Shimano Sustain 2500 FD on a Coastal rod. This was the first time Ashley ever wade fished.

This past week we also entered the 33rd Annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament where we fished against the guides and men that entered – there was not a Ladies division. Well again we made Port Mansfield Tournament history in their other tournament by being the first Mother/Daughter team to again take Grand Champion and Grand Champion Runner Up out of 200 entrants. We had a great two days fishing. The first day was very calm and we caught fish from the time we put our line in the water. We were wade fishing with croakers and we kept seeing sharks swim by us. Ashley and I were close enough to the boat so we of course backed up and got on the boat till the shark swam by.

We look forward to our next tournament on August the 11th the Ladies Kingfish Tournament out of South Padre Island, TX. I, by the way was last year’s 2006 Grand Champion Bay winner in that tournament also.

Nancy G.

My story may not be as great as everyone else but years ago went I went fishing on vacation with my family, I hated it. But in the last year I started fishing small local bass tournaments with my father, after softball season is over of course.

Now I can not get enough, we fish every weekend and go in as many tournaments as we can.

Thank you,

Amber R.

Hi. My name is Christina I'm from Texas but I live in Washington State and I love to fish. I fly my mom up when the Steelhead and salmon are running so I have a fishing partner. Just bought her ticket yesterday can't wait until she gets here so we can go fishing everyday. I have been using a Shimano Spirex 4000FD but I have wore out the quick lease on two of them, but I am not giving up on Shimano because today I went and bought myself a new Shimano Sahara 2500FB. I can't wait to go try it out and catch me a big steelhead, yummy! Thanks Shimano I really do love your products.


Your Friend,

Christina S.