Photo: BassFan
Lake X served as the backdrop for the Tackle-X event today.
By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor
For many years, the existence of Lake X was a closely-guarded secret, a mystery testing ground used by Mercury Marine to perfect its outboard motors in the heat and humidity of central Florida. Many referred to it as the Area 51 of the boating and fishing industries.
The 1,400-acre lake is situated on a 10,426-acre property now operated by a charitable organization known as the Kirchman Foundation, named for Kenneth Kirchman, who purchased the tract after the death of Mercury founder Carl Kiekhaefer.
Lake X (or Lake Conlin as it's named on a map) served as the backdrop Tuesday for Tackle-X, a hands-on demonstration showcase of some of the new tackle and products that will be introduced this week at ICAST. A number of manufacturers participated in the event, allowing members of the media to see how their baits, rods, reels, etc. work on the water.
Below is a photo gallery of some of the sights and new products unveiled for the first time.
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Legendary Lake
On the eve of ICAST, several bait and tackle manufacturers were given the opportunity to showcase some of their new products to members of the media at Tackle X, a first-of-its-kind event held at the famed Lake X in central Florida. It is the former Mercury Marine test facility that is now a nature preserve and outdoors education center. The observation tower still looms over the lake. (Photo: BassFan)
Chop It Up
The Jackall Scissor Comb is a new soft plastic bait that looks a little weird out of the water with a split tail and four flapping arms on each side. (Photo: BassFan)
Wet 'N Wild
But once the Scissor Comb is the water, its action and movement is impressive and unique, much like its design. (Photo: BassFan)
Come Fly With Me
Seeing the Jackall Pompador in action has us thinking the winged topwater chug bait will some staying power with anglers. (Photo: BassFan)
Rebel With A Cause
The new Rebel Bluegill crankbaits are 2 3/8 inches long and will dive to 3 feet. The realistic panfish paint jobs mimic forage and the baits also feature barbless treble hooks to incur less damage to deeply hooked fish. (Photo: BassFan)
Got A Lite
The new Team Lew's Lite casting reel weighs in at 5.4 ounces and casts like a dream. (Photo: BassFan)
Don't Forget!
One of the coolest things we saw at Tackle X was the Line Size Indicator that Quantum has incorporated into the butt of the handle on its new series of Smoke rods. It allows users to choose the line weight that's on the reel so it's easily remembered when switching among other rod/reel combos. (Photo: BassFan)
Line 'Em Up
Here's a sampling of some of the new Quantum Smoke rods and reels arranged on the deck of 30-year Quantum veteran Shaw Grigsby. (Photo: BassFan)
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ICAST 2014 – Lake X
