NWZ

Champion of Fishing Nets

Some anglers think of a landing net as an afterthought or a superfluous option, despite the gear and expense it takes them to land a trophy catch. Yet many rely on junk landing nets with warped hoops and rotten or torn meshing. There’s a beautiful new option on the fishing menu: EGO Fishing’s S2 Slider, a reliable and innovative landing net.

Instead of a cookie-cutter design with snag-prone netting, this modular fishing net system is designed for netting fish and a multitude of other tasks. With 30-plus interchangeable net heads, accessories, and handles, there are also 19 combined hoop sizes and mesh types to choose from.

The extendable net handle is great for reaching boat-shy trophies—and offers a twist-on and -off system that allows interchanging net frames and net sizes/materials to match exactly what you’re fishing and where. (www.egofishing.com)

zoomed in view at three droplets of water resting on the Sunbrella’s highly water-repellent material

Beautiful In The Sun

Sunbrella’s highly water-repellent marine shade collection is now available in 17 high-performing colors for a gorgeous, colorfast look. The Sunbrella Plus line features the benefits all Sunbrella fabrics are known for, including superior UV protection, weather-resistance and durability, while delivering enhanced water repellency thanks to its high-performing undercoating. The result is a highly versatile fabric that’s suitable for a variety of marine shade applications, including Bimini tops, protective covers, and beyond.

In addition to its expanded range of colors designed to coordinate with popular boat palettes, Sunbrella Plus provides powerful protection against staining and fading, so colors look their best for the long haul. The collection also delivers superior resistance to mold, mildew and dirt, and it is bleach-cleanable for worry-free maintenance. (www.sunbrella.com)

four push pole holders from Accon Marine

Out-Of-The-Way Storage For Push Poles

When chasing wary fish in skinny water, a push pole can make or break the day. However, securing these long poles on deck can be problematic, especially when hardware causes a snag or tripping hazard. Accon Marine created an innovative solution with the Flush-Mounted Push Pole Holders. Easy to install and built from polished marine-grade stainless steel, the holders flip down into their base when not in use, and quickly pull up when needed.

A typical Accon Push Pole Holders setup uses three holders, with the center hardware mounted in the opposite direction. Using the springiness of the pole itself, tension secures the device against the other holders. (www.acconmarine.com)

Just For Fun – Caption Contest

If you think you have what it takes to write captions for PDB magazine, give us your best shot at this one. Email your attempt to PDB@pdbmagazine.com. Put “March Caption Contest” as the subject of your email. (Multiple submissions are welcome.)

Pontoon & Deck Boat caption contest image

minimalist vector illustration of an open envelope with text that reads: Stay in the Loop

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Did you know that PDB emails out a newsletter twice each month featuring new products, industry news, and helpful boating tips? Be the first to hear about the latest gadgets, engine updates, and just-released videos. We work hard to keep you informed on everything pontoon and deck boat. Scan the QR Code to sign up for our FREE newsletter or go to www.pdbmagazine.com/sf/NewsletterSignup.html

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Where’s The Paddle?

A paddle is hiding inside each issue of PDB and the names of the first readers to find it are printed in an upcoming magazine! In our January issue the paddle is on page 58 on a leg (shown in the photo below) in the boat show listings photo. Here are the readers who spotted it first:

a feature image from the January 2025 issue of Pontoon & Deck Boat

Ken Braun, Hartford, Wis.
Marcus Rosehill, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Hannah Bemiller, Syracuse Ind.
Tobias Reigns, West Chester, Ohio
Rich Christensen, Townville, S.C.
Danny Criner, North Chesterfield, Va.
Mark Singleton, Johnston, Iowa
Suzan Krzyzanowski, Missoula, Mont.
Richard Burchill, Budd Lake, N.J.
David Groner, Vacaville, Calif.

As soon as you find the paddle, email its location, your name, and hometown to paddle@pdbmagazine.com. Paddle on!

Quotables Of The Month

“We got tossed around like a boat full of Gilligans as the `toon would dive, rise and then dive again, sometimes without much notice.”
~ Brady Kay, pg 20

“With the 2025 M-Class, we are thrilled to offer a pontoon boat that embodies luxury and performance in every detail.”
~ Russ Hafner, pg 26

“Loaded with comfort, exceptional standards, and high performance, the Barletta Cabrio will set you up for successful adventures on the water so that every boat ride is note-perfect.”
~ Rebecca Blackson, pg 30

3

Main classes of pontoons offered by Qwest for 2025

8

Length of hose on the ATMOS built-in air station

25

Gallons of fuel needed to cross Lake Michigan in a pontoon boat

37

Number of speakers with the VeriTune VSI system on the JC TriToon

102.2K

Number of members on the Facebook group Pontoon Junkies

How good are you at identifying people from their boat name? Below is a list of 10 boat names with 10 ideologists. Test your skills by matching the right boat with the right person. By Darin Jarrett

Boat Names
1. Two Navels
2. Wife #1
3. Half Full
4. Man Made
5. No Bones About It
6. Time Well Spent
7. Double Checked
8. Free rider
9. Crystal Clear
10. Wake Lightly

Corporation
A. An atheist
B. A psychic
C. A perfectionist
D. A vegetarian
E. An evolutionist
F. An environmentalist
G. A born-again
H. An optimist
I. A polygamist
J. A nudist

Answers

1-G, 2-I, 3-H, 4-A, 5-D, 6-E, 7-C, 8-J, 9-B, 10-F

a pile of fishing line spools in both black and neon green from XBRAID X8

Elevating the Everyday Fishing Line

Unequaled XBRAID X8 8-strand braided fishing line from Daiwa sets the benchmark for multipurpose applications and multispecies fishing. Though more expensive than monofilament, the advantages of braided line are manifold, including exceptional strength, abrasion resistance, narrow diameter, improved sensitivity, longer casts, and a much longer lifetime on the spool.

Made using WX braiding technology, the XBRAID X8 consists of eight tightly weaved polyethylene strands, which result in a tight body with minimal stretch. That tighter weave results in a smoother, more abrasion resistant fishing line as well as a rounder and slightly stiffer line. This modest amount of stiffness makes it much easier to handle and tie, closer to how monofilament feels. Additionally, specialized coating allows for extremely low friction, as well as heat, abrasion, and chemical resistance…not to mention longer casts. (www.daiwa.us)

a smartphone displaying the redesigned Norsk Guardian App user interface

Battery App Just Got Better

The redesigned Norsk Guardian App has an enhanced user interface for better user experience controlling, monitoring, and organizing Norsk Lithium batteries. By providing real-time performance metrics, health alerts, and seamless connectivity, Norsk Guardian ensures batteries perform at their best—whether on the water or off the grid.

This upgrade also added Bluetooth, a game-changer for hard water anglers by providing seamless connectivity to their portable sonar systems. The main dashboard has been completely redesigned and you can sort your batteries into four categories: Marine, Recreational Vehicle, Sonar, and Off-Grid.

Sub-categories also give you more control over your marine battery setups; you can put your trolling motor batteries into Deep Sleep and leave your starting battery on with an automatic bilge pump for overnight docking. You won’t find this level of functionality in any other lithium battery app. (www.norsklithium.com)

Lightest Spinning Reel In Its Class

Developed to be incredibly lightweight for its size, the KAGE LT from Daiwa is the perfect utility spinning reel for multispecies anglers. Whether you’re chasing bass, walleyes, trout, or panfish, this reel will do it all. And with options down to a 1000-size, it’s tailormade for finesse fishing.

From the Japanese word for “elusive,” KAGE is a term to match the stealth angler who searches for local fishing insights from independent dealers, which is why this reel is exclusively available at Daiwa’s independent brick and mortar dealers. The sensitive, corrosion-resistant reel is made from woven high-density carbon resin to extend the life of the reel. The air rotor is incredibly rigid and with minimal flex, especially at high drag pressures, making it easier than ever to turn the handle. (www.daiwa.us)