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 (8/4/2017) – 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.

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.

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Heiser secures win while Edwards locks up Angler of the Year!

A smaller than expected field accepted the challenge that is Truman Lake in the second Missouri TBF Qualifier on June 3^rd and 4^th at Long Shoal Ramp.  Water levels and current flow were the story of the day with lake levels falling from 25 feet high to “only” 14 feet above normal pool over the prior weeks. With lots of flooded trees and bushes the shallow bite was tempting for lots of anglers but with all the green leaves gone and falling water levels this bite proved inconsistent at best.  Instead, most of the successful anglers also focused on main lake structure and current flow to supplement their bite and/or upgrade their catch.

Long time Truman expert Don Heiser showed his consistency by bringing the only 10 bass limit to the scales for a total of 20.41 pounds.  Don caught multiple keepers each day and culled his way to first place by focusing on main lake points early with Carolina rigs and jigs.  His early fish would often be Spotted bass which he would later attempt to cull with the heavier Large Mouth bass.

Second place on the boater side went to Ken Whitfield who came on strong Sunday with a 5 fish limit for 13.6 pounds and big sack of the event.  His anchor was a 4.8 pounder which was good enough for big bass on Sunday.  Ken caught his fish Saturday and early Sunday by flipping shallow cover but found a main lake ledge that proved to be his honey hole in the last hour on Sunday that produced 7 keepers for he and his non-boater. His arsenal was the same for both locations with texas rig plastics and jigs doing the trick

The final boater slot was secured by Mick Maples with 17.11 pounds fishing the main lake area.  Mick caught most of his fish shallow flipping flooded willow trees and bushes.  He showed his versatility on Sunday though by catching his key fish dragging deeper cover and even targeting suspended fish with a jerkbait! 

The non-boater field was a tight race with the win secured in the last hour of Sunday by new comer Stacey Stracke.  Stacy is new to TBF but a very accomplished angler as proven by his first-place co-angler finish and third overall weight of 17.14 pounds.  He had good partners each day and enjoyed the last hour flurry with Ken Whitfield that helped him finish out his last day limit.

The second-place co-angler was experienced Truman angler Troy Ladehoff.  Troy used the “big bass” approach to his tournament with a total of 15.05 pounds anchored by co-angler big bass on both Saturday (4.34) and Sunday (4.43).

The final co-angler spot was secured by Roger Edwards who overcame a rough first day (i.e. lousy boater) to find 5 fish on Sunday for 9.77 pounds.  Roger fished around the main lake and found his fish relating to current. 

Several other anglers enjoyed individual success with Tom McGovern taking home big bass on the boater side Saturday and overall with a 5.4 pound kicker. It was his first event with the TBF and he finished in 4^th place overall on the boater side with 15.3 pounds. 

The Angler of the Year race was also decided at Truman and in a very close race Roger Edwards squeaked past Brad Tyer and Mick Maples by only 2 points to secure the win! His win was even more impressive given he fished the first event as a boater and due to boat problems had to adjust and fish Truman from the back of the boat.   Roger is a long-time member and recently represented Missouri admirably at the TBF National Championship at Table Rock Lake.  Rounding out the top 5 were Don Heiser and Greg Lampton who finished just a few points off the pace.

TRUMAN RESULTS

FINAL ANGLER OF THE YEAR RESULTS