Top Picks For ’25 and ’26….
With the new year upon us now please read on to see what I believe to be 10 top items for the last year and leading into the new one…..This list is in no particular order - that would be far too much of a mission and the items in this article are really quite diverse. They are simply items that I have enjoyed using, items that I have found to be very good sellers in 2025 and some items that are too new to have been used very much at all but seem like already that they will be met with great acclaim.
1 Major Craft Engan - this is a series of 5 brand new rods from Major Craft all models being aimed at primarily at boat lure fishing with their 1+1 (short butt, long tip) construction. With casting weights ranging from 20g to 80g there really is a model to suit so many lure sizes, weights, water depths and tide conditions. I am personally quite excited to see these received well by customers and very much looking forward to using several of them myself as soon as the conditions allow.
2 Finish Black Minnow, Lime Juice - it has to be said that on the wall this colour is the last colour you would be drawn to choosing for bass fishing. However after realising how much it “popped’ under the UV torch we decided to give it a try on some trips. The results were quite astounding, on days that had a bit of sunshine and when the water has that cloudy green look about it the Zeste De Citron was absolutely on top form seemingly not just good for numbers of fish but also some good sized ones too.
3 Major Craft Giant Killing PG Set - this soft plastic combo aimed at Tuna fishing is available in 3 different weights. 40, 50 and 70g and 3 different colours. We have found them to be extremely good sellers this year after their introduction in 2024. I have not used them personally but knowing some of the customers that have bought them and been back for more they have caught some UK fish. Having also spoken to some customers on the phone it is also satisfying to know that people are choosing them to take abroad for their game fishing holidays too.
4 Fiiish Crazy Sandeel Monster Head - The X Strong Head for Crazy Sandeel have always been good for larger overseas game fish but this year saw the introduction of the Crazy Monster Head. With its 240lb class hook and flattened eye to ease the fitment of the strongest split rings this is a head made for the biggest bluefin encountered in the UK.
Apart from the 220mm Crazy Sandeel and Size 5 Crazy Paddletail there are obviously many other soft plastics that will suit it, a favourite for many of our customers was also the Illex Nitro Shad Slim 220.
5 Sunline Siglon PE X8 - Sunline has been a major player in line technology for a long time now but we suffered from a lack of distribution for the UK. With that now fixed there are some excellent braid and fluorocarbon options available to us from Sunline. One that has stood out this year has to be this Siglon PE X8. Top notch * strand braid in a range of useful thicknesses for £14.99. It has quickly become a top seller for us.
6 Major Craft Stabi Shad FAT 5” - The Stabi Shad in its biggest size for the FAT models was a nice addition to the range with this 5” version being satisfyingly larger than the other two. It immediately looked a perfect size for boat fishing. It suits a range of jig heads and undeniably my favourite is the Illex Slim Shad head in 35 and 42g, it does take a little bit of scalpel work to get a nice fit, But believe me it is worth it both in looks and performance. Around North Devon I know it has performed exceptionally well, especially the Live Aji, which is without doubt an excellent scad imitation. In 2026 I personally want to give some more time to the Ayu, this looks a very good pollock imitation and I am confident this will also prove very useful.
7 Fiiish Pit Swimmer - I was aware of this new model some time before its launch. Whilst it is marketed with combos aimed more at pike fishing there are body packs available unrigged. Out of the packet it becomes quickly apparent that there is a multitude of rigging possibilities for use both from the shore or boat. The smallest size is going to be extremely useful when bass are feeding on the smaller bait, the 125mm obviously a little larger may prove to be the most popular for general use and the 150mm presented appropriately is going to look like a decent prey for the more confident fish. Being made from the same new tougher material as used for the Master Shad they are going to be very durable and longer lasting too.
8 Madness Madslug - this soft lure has been a consistent fish catcher since its launch making it a deserved member of this list. The notable attributes for this neat little lure is the diversity of rigging options and situations it can be fished in. It is productive weedless and weightless just wafting over shallow reefs from the shore all the way to fishing it in 40 feet or more from a boat. For rigging from the shore, anything that you would use for a 5” Spindle Worm {4/0 Twist Lock, Decoy V36 etc), Decoy SV67 Bachi and the like. For boat fishing I have several rigged on the Decoy SV67 Ultimate Spec heads in various weights to suit the depth.
9 Major Craft Stabi Shad Slim (Large) - this year saw the introduction of the SLIM models in 5, 6 and 7” models. These are great looking lures that are hard wearing and easy to rig on a variety of heads to suit many different situations. Each 1” extra in length the lure gets noticeably more size all round not just longer. The 6’ is a very good general boat fishing size with t he 7” especially good for when you want something with a good presence. For sea fishing my 2 favourite colours so far have been the Live Kibinago and Ayu.
10 Major Craft Eely Shad NEW MODELS - the Eely Shad doesn’t really need any introduction having proved its worth in the 4 available so far…the HOT News for 2026 is the addition of 2 new sizes to the range.
There is a 15g one to slot in just below the popular 22g version which will be great for shallower water etc. There is also going to be a larger version in the region of 50g which I am looking forward to for boat fishing knowing how well the 39g model has worked it will be good to have one slightly larger and for deeper water…..that is all I know about them for now - news will follow as soon as we can!
