Sep 20

The All-New Minn Kota® Talon® Offers More Control Options, Deeper Anchoring and Added Versatility

The All-New Minn Kota® Talon® Offers More Control Options, Deeper Anchoring and Added Versatility

Minn Kota launches the only shallow-water anchor that gives anglers control from anywhere in the boat, plus unlocks more water for precise, anchored fishing with a new 15-foot version.

Racine, Wisconsin., July 11, 2017 – Using a Minn Kota® Talon® for precise boat control has never been easier. In fact, there are now five ways for anglers to activate the Talon from anywhere in the boat. The newest way utilizes Bluetooth® communication to pair the Talon with Humminbird® units on the boat for total boat control on one console (including the ability to pair Humminbird units with select Minn Kota trolling motors). Anglers can also engage the anchor using a foot switch, with a wireless remote (every Talon comes standard with two), via the new Talon smartphone app, and with the Talon’s built-in control panel.

New Talon Hero

According to Minn Kota Brand Manager Brad Henry, “When it’s time to Talon down we give anglers options so they can lock on a spot no matter where they are in the boat or their style of fishing.”

Another major advancement is the introduction of Minn Kota’s new 15-foot Talon, the deepest shallow-water anchor ever made. It allows anglers to lock down on more spots to effectively unlock more water.

Hall of Fame angler Al Lindner explains how Talon’s depth delivers results for his multi-species pursuits. “I use it for catfish in rivers, for crappies in the spring, naturally for bass, and in more cases than I ever thought – for walleyes. Yeah, you heard me right, walleyes.”

Also new for 2017 is a clever work light built into the Talon top cap. When fishing in dark conditions, the work light illuminates the entire back deck of the boat to help anglers when rigging and landing fish at night. It has three brightness settings and white or blue LED light options for ideal illumination.

Talon allows anglers to anchor in any condition with three user-selectable anchoring modes – another exclusive feature. The AUTO-DRIVE MODE powers the spike into the bottom with three increasingly aggressive hits. A SOFT BOTTOM MODE is ideal for less aggressive anchoring and easier retraction in muddy or silted bottom. When the wind is blowing, the ROUGH WATER MODE performs three consecutive auto-drive sequences at 10-second intervals for a secure hold when the boat rises and falls in waves.

Talon’s electro-mechanical design keeps the motor above the waterline for silent stealth below the surface. Talon also deploys vertically and out of the way, helping eliminate unwanted tangles when fighting boat-side fish. Also, anglers can add the tilt bracket accessory for easy tilt function for passing under low-hanging obstacles.

In addition to the new 15-footer, Talons are also available in 8-, 10- and 12-foot models. They all feature Bluetooth technology with a variety of color combinations including red/black, blue/black, silver/black, silver/white, all black and all white. The new Talons will be available in October 2017 and will retail for $1,899.99 (8-foot), $1,999.99 (10-foot), 2,099.99 (12-foot) and $2,499.99 (15-foot).

For more information visit MinnKotaMotors.com/NewTalon.

About Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fishfinders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of Talon® shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.
About Johnson Outdoors
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Gear. Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Carlisle®paddles; Extrasport® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and digital charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Sep 20

HUMMINBIRD® WINS “BEST OF ELECTRONICS” FOR SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AT ICAST

Humminbird_ICASTNPSWin_2017_2.jpg

Racine, Wisconsin (7/14/2017) – For the seventh consecutive year Humminbird® has earned top honors at the industry’s most prestigious trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). The Humminbird SOLIX® was voted “Best of Electronics” by attending media and buyers during the American Sportfishing Association’s 2017 ICAST New Product Showcase.

“SOLIX is the combination of decades of dedicated development in everything from the transducer to the touchscreen. It’s the best of the best from Humminbird and we’re humbled to be recognized as a leader in the industry by buyers and media,” said Ray Schaffart, Humminbird Brand Manager.

Humminbird combined its best features and placed them into one fishfinder, the SOLIX. Offering the biggest display in the brand’s history – at more than 15 inches – the SOLIX boasts technologies designed to make locating fish easier – including MEGA Imaging™, CHIRP Digital Sonar, Humminbird’s Cross Touch® Interface, and AUTOCHART® Live.

SOLIX offers two display size options – a 12.1- and 15.4-inch screen model. Both come standard with Humminbird’s Cross Touch® Interface, letting anglers operate the unit via touchscreen or keypad, all while customizing the screen with up to four independent viewing panes. Cross Touch allows anglers to use the SOLIX either as a touchscreen or with the keypad for easier control in rough water conditions. Individual panes can be zoomed or moved to different screen locations based on angler preference or fishing situation.

Anglers can select from two SOLIX units – one is equipped with GPS and CHIRP Digital Sonar, the other adds Humminbird’s game-changing MEGA Imaging. This is the first Down and Side Imaging technology to enter the megahertz range with performance that’s nearly three times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies. It results in the clearest, sharpest imaging returns ever.

Also standard on all SOLIX models is Humminbird’s expanded AUTOCHART® Live technology that creates and saves structure maps on any body of water. AUTOCHART Live identifies and maps depth, bottom hardness and vegetation.

In addition, Bluetooth® is built into every unit, allowing anglers to sync smartphones to the on-board SOLIX. Text messages, missed calls, signal strength and other notifications appear right on the Humminbird display, so phones can stay safely in pockets where they belong for hands-free fishing. It creates a flawless on-board network of electronics and connectivity.

For plug-and-fish networking, high-speed ethernet provides easy connectivity to Humminbird 360 Imaging®, Minn Kota® i-Pilot® Link™, Humminbird CHIRP Radar, and additional SOLIX or select HELIX® units. The new units are fully compatible with Humminbird LakeMaster® charts, SmartStrike™ and Navionics® Gold/HotMaps™.

BEST OF ELECTRONICS WINS, ICAST 2011-2017
• 2011: Humminbird 1158c DI Combo
• 2012: Humminbird 360 Imaging
• 2013: Humminbird Bow-mount 360
• 2014: Humminbird ONIX® Series
• 2015: Humminbird HELIX 7 SI
• 2016: Humminbird HELIX 10 SI
• 2017: Humminbird SOLIX 15 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS

  • For more information, please visit Humminbird at  www.humminbird.com.

    Requests for product specifications, customer support and general inquiries should be made through our  Customer Service Department.

    For media/editorial inquiries, please contact:

    Heather Miller
    Gunpowder, Inc.
    Email Heather

    Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird, LakeMaster, Minn Kota and Cannon brands. Humminbird® is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, ice flashers and digital depth gauges. LakeMaster® is the premier brand of high-definition electronic fishing charts. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offers a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

Aug 17

California Bass Federation and Wild West Bass Trail joining forces – PRESS RELEASE

The CBF and WWBT are joining forces! It is with great excitement to announce a new partnership between the California Bass Federation and Wild West Bass Trail. For the first time, two independent California based bass tournament organizations will be joining forces to allow the weekend angler to move up like never seen before.

The California Bass Federation has been wanting to do something special for their anglers. The weekend warriors who represent the California Bass Federation membership are now going to have a shot at winning the largest and most successful west coast pro-am bass tournament championship.

Over the last couple of years, the Wild West Bass Trail has changed the pro-am and team tournament circuits for west coast anglers. Their participation in California has brought back the memories of years past for not only pro-am events, but also team tournaments. The professionalism and paybacks have brought participation not seen in a California based bass tournament circuit in many years. With participation averaging 170+ boats in team tournaments and 100+ boaters for the pro-am events, the excitement and energy is launching new careers for west coast anglers.

So the what is the big deal?

The California Bass Federation State Champions, boater and co-angler, will automatically qualify for the Wild West Bass Trail Pro-Am Championship event. The CBF will pay the entry fees for this event and they will have their shot to launch their careers!

Starting in 2018, the 2017 CBF State Champions, boater and co-angler, will be able to compete in the 2018 WWBT Championship event in early June, 2018 at Lake Oroville!

The California Bass Federation Board of Directors wants to thank the Wild West Bass Trail management for their cooperation with this amazing opportunity to change the tone of California tournament bass fishing. By joining forces and teaming together, the California tournament angler has new opportunities not seen in many years.

Tight lines for the rest of 2017 and in to 2018.

Jun 13

New Minn Kota Apps for i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link Allow Anglers to Operate Trolling Motors from iOS and Android Devices

New Minn Kota Apps for i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link Allow Anglers to Operate Trolling Motors from iOS and Android Devices

Bluetooth®-enabled trolling motors allow for precise boat control through the convenient, familiar interface of phones and tablets Phone-App-Lifestyle
Racine, Wisconsin (2/15 /2017) –Minn Kota® is introducing a revolutionary app technology for trolling motors equipped with i-Pilot® and iPilot® Link™. The free apps allow anglers to navigate and control their trolling motor via their smartphones or other mobile devices by communicating with the trolling motor via Bluetooth®, and also allows users to accept software upgrades wherever they have data coverage.

According to Minn Kota brand manager Brad Henry, “Our goal is always to help anglers catch more fish, and precise boat control is critical to success. The new Minn Kota apps help make that easier than ever. From setting speed and direction to activating Spot-Lock and our new Spot-Lock Jog feature, we are putting a host of features into the familiar, convenient interface of phones and tablets.”

 

Instant fingertip navigation
Minn Kota talked to avid anglers and loaded the new apps with the commands they use most on the water. They include basic Propeller On/Off, Left/Right Steering, Speed Control, AutoPilot activation, and deployment of Spot-Lock and Spot-Lock Jog – which keep anglers glued to a spot even in high winds and strong current. The apps also offer a High-Speed Bypass feature, which immediately boosts the motor to high speed if the angler needs to move the boat quickly.

 

Activate software updates on the water
Since Minn Kota is continually expanding and evolving its technology, there are times when software updates become available. With the new apps, anglers are alerted that an update has been released. They can then activate that upgrade, even while they’re out on the water fishing. “Since integrating Bluetooth into select Minn Kota models, it has opened up a new frontier on upgrades and functionality. On-the-fly software updating is just one of many benefits,” Henry explains.

 

An intuitive interface
The Minn Kota apps for i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link feature an easy-to-use screen layout designed to mimic Minn Kota’s handheld remotes that anglers are already accustomed to. The navigational icons are the same, and the response time is immediate. Some anglers have reported using the app as their primary control or as a back-up to their wireless remote. Still others enjoy using their foot pedal for control. Ultimately it comes down to angler preference, and Minn Kota delivers options for anglers to choose how they control their trolling motor.

App-SS-pair  App-SS-menu  App-SS-ControlApp-SS-software2  App-SS-Software

 

Pairing the mobile device to the trolling motor is easy
After downloading the Minn Kota i-Pilot or iPilot Link app to an iOS or Android device, an angler then “pairs” it with a Bluetooth-enabled Minn Kota trolling motor. The push-button task is fast and simple.

 

Compatible Minn Kota models
The new apps communicate with the new 2017 line of Bluetooth enabled i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link trolling motors, including Minn Kota’s new Ulterra, Terrova, PowerDrive (i-Pilot only) and Ultrex models.

 

For more information call Minn Kota at 800-227-6433 or visit MinnKotaMotors.com/i-Pilot-App.

 

About Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.

Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fishfinders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of Talon® shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

 

About Johnson Outdoors
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products.  The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Gear.  Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Carlisle®paddles; Extrasport® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and digital charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment.

 

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.