Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley offers a look at what he found at this year’s ICAST showcase. The convention took place in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center July 20-23. It’s organized annually by the American Sportfishing Association.
The New Product Showcase has hundreds of items, but the cream of the crop, so to speak, might be the 30 top picks in various categories, as voted by qualified media and buyers. The selections (quite a few of which Weakley voted for), reflect a pretty good cross-section of innovations which anglers will see in tackle shops and other retailers in the year ahead. Not all the products are available for sale as of July 2021—ICAST isn’t a retail show open to the public but rather a place where various wholesalers, distributors and retailers review and fill place orders for new products from tackle companies around the world. Members of the media are also invited.
Freshwater Rod
Abu Garcia Zenon series
Sometimes it's what you don't see that counts the most. Inside the crisp, lightweight carbon blanks of the new Abu Garcia Zenon series is Powerlux 1000 silica nano resin, providing exceptional strength and fracture resistance. The reel seats and titanium alloy, zirconia ring guides are also distinctly minimalist to shave weight and lend to sensitivity. MSRP $399.95
Saltwater Rod
Banshee Series by Bull Bay Rods
Hats off to this Lakeland, Florida, rodbuilder for taking top honors in the always-competitive saltwater rod category at ICAST. The Banshee series, with four-wheelin'-inspired desert tan color, is Bull Bay's “extra fast” action entry, Florida-built models well-balanced for long casts with baits and lures. The blanks are carbon and the guide trains custom-selected and field-tested by the builder to get the best d
Rod & Reel Combo
Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcasting Combo
Think combos are for beginners or for extras to have around on the boat? Well, with this pairing from Abu, you could set up your angler with professional-grade performance for a neat two hundred bucks ($199.95). The reel is a smooth, 10+1 bearing model rated for 110 yards of 12-pound mono and a 29-inch recovery rate. It's matched with a Powerlux Nano-resin impregnated rod with titanium alloy and zirconia
Kids' Tackle
ProFISHiency NERF Spin Cast Combo
Jazzy-looking 2-piece combo, with a 5-foot, 6-inch fiberglass rod and spincast reel rated for 6-pound mono—perfect size for kids plying neighborhood ponds for sunnies and bass. Or, if you want the kids to gain some “ProFISHiency” with the rig before using a hook, simply tie on the included practice plug, none other than a Nerf Dart. MSRP $39.99
Fly Fishing Rod
G. Loomis NRX+T2S
Loomis offers “Tournament Configuration” two-piece models in the premium NRX series. MSRP $895. Some back story: One-piece fly rods offer some advantages in casting dynamics (no flat spots) and also durability (no ferrules to come apart or twist). Three- and four-piecers give you latitude for travel and possibly suitcase packing. Another super benefit of multi-piecers: Broken tip replacement! Anyway, back in the dark ages,
Fly Fishing Accessory
Plano Edge Micro Magnetic Fly Box
Pocket-size solution for fly fishermen. Soft pads in the top two levels hold tiny flies or larger streamers. The base features Plano's Dropzone—a magnetic surface that'll keep flies organized and safe. There's a Dri-loc seal to keep moisture out, and Rustrictor emitter technology to block any rust that might try to start.
Fly Reel
Greys Tital Fly Reel
All of the attributes you'd want in a large-arbor performance fly reel, at a price that hits the sweet spot--$259.99. The drag system is a fully waterproof multi-disc carbon array. The reel is machined bar stock aluminum, lightweight and precision-balanced. It's available for line weights from trout class (3-weight) on up to albies and permit (10-weight).
Freshwater Reel
Daiwa Zillion SV TW
One of the most comfortable reels we've ever picked up, this one has been engineered around a brand-new frame design and integrates some proven Daiwa technologies. This “SV” system describes a spool and casting brake combination designed to provide exceptional distance and performance with various lure sizes, all while virtually eliminating backlash. The new Hyper Drive Design provides maximum power and precision. And the
Saltwater Reel
Daiwa Saltist MQ
This one's going to be a hit in Florida, among any anglers looking to pack fish-stopping power in a compact, built-for-life reel (think casting for tunas offshore, tarpon in the pass; or jigging 60-pound groupers out of the deep Gulf). MQ stands for monocoque—which means single piece frame. Which in the case of a Daiwa spinning reel adds rigidity and also space for beefed-up drive gear. All that works together to optimize smo
Fishing Line
Seaguar BasiX
Some good arguments for fluorocarbon line, in certain situations: Extremely clear and unlikely to frighten fish. Sinks quicker than mono, and at an even rate (good for crankbaits and finesse baits). Pretty good abrasion resistance, too. Of the few downsides, price is one that Seaguar has wiped out with this new product. BasiX is 100 percent fluorocarbon line. Spool here has 200 yards of 12-pound at an MSRP of $9.99. That's about
Tackle Management
Plano Atlas Tackle Pack
Loads of new tackle duffels and backpacks on display this year. Plano took a win at the vote with this one. It has a durable plastic waterproof base and EVA panels, so it stands up on its own when you take it off your shoulders to set it down. In addition to space for three 3750 boxes, the Atlas includes rod bungees, tool holders, patented magnetic Dropzone, water-resistant cell phone storage, internal zipper pocket
Soft and Hard Coolers
Frabill Universal Bait Station
Interesting solution here: A soft-sided cooler plumbed to hold up to 8 quarts of water. Think of it as a collapsible bait station which tomorrow may double as dry containment system for 3600-size tackle trays or other gear. It has a waterproof nonslip base and quick-access bait door. MSRP $59.99
Freshwater Soft Lure
BEST OF SHOW: Berkley PowerBait Gilly
This one looks and sounds to us like an ideal crossover bait for fresh and salt water in Florida. It's a sunfish (or cichclid, or pinfish, or younameit) size and profile bait packed with PowerBait attractant and contoured to flutter with very little effort. Rig sideways weightless, on a weighted Texas rig, or on a jighead or weighted swimbait hook. Pro basser Mike Iaconelli lent his advice on devel
Saltwater Soft Lure
Savage Gear Duratech Crab
Crab-feeders like red drum and permit are also quite frequently scent-feeders, and so this new lure series from Savage Gear has special appeal. The baits are realistic in shape, sink-profile and color, and available in ¾-, 1- and 1 ½-inch sizes (1/4-, 1/3- and ½-ounce). Hooks are 3X strong black nickel, helpful in Florida, where many of our crab-eating fish have tough jaws. MSRP $8.99
Freshwater Hard Lure
Strike King Chick Magnet
Get her attention. That 8-pound sow largemouth, anyway, the one lurking in the shade, ready to crush one of these tight-wobbling, flat-sided crankbaits. The Chick Magnet (in many colors; this one, crawfish), has a circuit board lip and dives 4 to 6 feet. If it looks a little like a classic balsa flat-side bait, that was the inspiration. Strike King worked with FLW and MLF pro Andy Morgan to tweak the design for
Saltwater Hard Lure
Berkley Choppo Saltwater
Not too many tail-prop topwaters out there built to saltwater specs. That can work in your favor, if you're looking to show some savvy snook or seatrout something they haven't already seen—or heard. Berkley took an award at ICAST with the Choppo, a rear-propeller lure built to kick up all kinds of predator-provoking surface commotion. Heavy duty split rings carry the company's 3X strong, corrosion-resistant Fusio
Boating Accessories
Frabill Ultralight Conservation Net
Carbon fiber net handle? Makes good sense—strong and light, gives you quick maneuverability to get that trophy safely to the boat. The handle on this model from Frabill slides smoothly for storage. The hoop size on the display model, 21 by 24 inches, happens to be a great size for Florida favorites such as snook, trout, flounder, permit, small cobia and more. The mesh is soft and shouldn't abrade slime
Terminal Tackle
Sharkbanz Zeppelin
This sounds too simple to be true, but we're hearing reports (including from fishing captains in notoriously sharky Stuart and Key West) that it works. And, we're going to try it ourselves soon. This is a 6-ounce magnet that the manufacturer says repels sharks through their famously keen electro-sensory organs. You rig it up in a bottom-fishing leader, and as you reel a snapper or other catch topside, it's designed to conv
Ice Fishing
Garmin LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle Li
Lithium-ion batteries are powering up all kinds of stuff this year, including this portable Panoptix LiveScope sonar kit from Garmin. It's built for ice fishing (something different than Florida Man rooting around for the last can in the cooler) and has a 9-inch touchscreen EchoMap UHD 93sv combo in a glove-friendly portable bag. MSRP $2,999.
Electronics
Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging
Real-time sonar is pretty slick—not only are you getting the view of the bottom and structure, and images of bait or fish, but you're seeing fish on your screen as they move. With traditional fish-finders, you see what your boat has passed over, and you're left to guess where it is now. With a twist of the transducer, MEGA Live Imaging provides down, forward or landscape views and you can see that snook or bass swimm
Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools
Bubba Pro Series Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
Cordless is a great feature to have when you want that electric knife to make quick work of crappie, sheepshead or other high-limits fish-fry fixins. Bubba put a brushless motor in this knife the company says offers 21 percent better torque and 22 percent better efficiency. Four blades and two batteries come with the kit. MSRP $214.99
Giftware
HitchFire Forge 15
Here's a hitch-mounted, swing-arm portable gas grill with twin 7,500 BTU burners, two side tables and integral bottle-opened. If you can't think of what to do with this baby, you need to go back to man-school. Epic football season tail-gater, for starters, but think of surf fishing St. Joe or Volusia, or back-road camping at the hunt lease. Add a dual hitch receiver to accommodate boat trailer or cargo/bike carrier. MSRP $549
Fishing Accessory
Kahuna Wagons Sidekick
Beach carts are built for convenience—but not many are built to last a lifetime. And if a cart doesn't have balloon tires, it's gonna be a “drag” on Florida's soft sand beaches. This one fits the bill on both counts. It's an all-aluminum fishing and beach wagon with balloon tires, solid 20- by 36-inch deck, 10 rodholders and a manageable heft of 55 pounds. Made in the USA. MSRP $579.99
Footwear
XTRATuf Ankle Deck Boot
Ankle boots are hugely popular in Florida—they're just high enough to keep your feet dry but more importantly, they offer gym shoe secure support for walking on a pitching deck and protection from hooks, falling sinkers, shifting coolers and other toe-stubbers. And of course, they're easy to clean at the end of the day. XTRATuf realized there was demand for a lighter-weight boot; putting the Pro Lite foam to work, out came a
Eyewear
Costa Untangled Collection
Recovered and recycled fishing nets (mostly from South America) are the source of raw material for the Untangled collection from Costa. Four new core performance frames for anglers debuted at ICAST this year. MSRP $219
Lifestyle Apparel for Men
AFTCO Rescue Regenerated Fishing Shorts
Quite a bit of talk about recycling in the fishing industry, which is a good thing. AFTCO offers this great-fitting, techy short in 86 percent ECONYL. The fabric is spun from fibers made from ocean and landfill waste, including decommissioned nets, industrial plastics and textile fabric scraps. Added performance includes durable water (and stain) repellent, slide elastic waistband, and 300-de
Warm Weather Tactical Apparel
AFTCO Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt
The company describes the new fabric as bio-based and reactive to body temp changes, cooling or warming as needed. It's also UPF50. The hooded shirt has a integrated face mask, vented mesh panels, thumb panels and custom tactical camo print. MSRP $85
Cold Weather Technical Apparel
AFCTO Barricade Elite 4L Waterproof System
This is an all-
Warm Weather Tactical Apparel
AFTCO Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt
The company describes the new fabric as bio-based and reactive to body temp changes, cooling or warming as needed. It's also UPF50. The hooded shirt has an integrated face mask, vented mesh panels, thumb panels and custom tactical camo print. MSRP $85
Boats and Watercraft
BOTE LONO Aero + APEX Pedal Drive
Everything but the kitchen sink here, a complete inflatable pedal kayak with gear storage, rod storage, accessory attachment points, elevated seat, bungees—everything you'd want or expect in a 12-foot-plus full-featured kayak… but one that's super light and packs up for travel and storage. Also, it features the hands-free APEX pedal drive. MSRP $2,298
