Get Your Hands on This Stuff
A slice of new gear from the largest fishing trade show in the world. Fellow tackle addicts, you’ve been warned.
ICAST has an almost incalculable amount of new gear lining the floors of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The show lasts four days, which is barely enough time to take it all in. We did our best and rounded up a few items that we thought you’d like.
1. Old Town Sportsman Bigwater EPDL+ 132 johnsonoutdoors.com
Kayaks have come a long way, as evidenced by the Sportsman Bigwater EPDL+ 132. The latest from Old Town features the saltwater-proof EPDL+ drive, which provides anglers with a pedal assist, similar to what you would find on an e-bike. This allows anglers to switch between manual pedal, power-assisted pedal, or fully motorized cruise control on the fly. All told, there are five levels of power assistance, plus cruise control that lets the motor take over for trolling or just to provide a rest.
2. Mirrolure Duke Dog shopmirrolure.com
Mirrolure has been making its signature foil-centered lures since about 1951. The new Duke Dog is the latest in that lineage and was impressive enough to win the saltwater hard-lure category in the ICAST new-product showcase. Named after the Mirrolure mascot, the family Airedale, Duke, this one delivers all the fantastic walk-thedog action the company is known for. With a shad profile, reflective foil inserts and a variety of colors, there’s one to target your inshore favorite gamefish.
3. Simms G4Z Waders simmsfishing.com
I’d venture a guess that most of our readers fish primarily from a boat, but hitting the surf can be pretty awesome too. If you find yourself fishing in waders, you’d be hardpressed to find a better pair than Simms’ G4ZS. These made-in-theusa waders are Simms most durable offering, designed to survive the rock rash that accompanies boulder hopping. The zip-front makes taking them on and off easy, while the Gore-tex membrane keeps anglers dry from the inside out.
4. Savage Gear BFT Flyer savage-gear.com
Savage Gear always has innovative lures, and this year’s ICAST show was no different. The kite-fishing and trolling set will appreciate their new BFT Flyer, which captures the essence of a flying fish in softplastic form. The design is based on a meticulous 3D scan of an actual flying fish and comes equipped with a pre-rigged harness. A line-through design causes the lure to surge up the leader when a fish is hooked. For storage and transport, the wings of the 16-inch-long bait are removable.
5. G. Loomis NRX+ Inshore gloomis.com
I still use the GL2 popping-cork rod I purchased 20 years ago nearly every day in season, so I was delighted to see the next generation of G. Loomis rods hit the show floor. And apparently, I wasn’t the only one because the NRX+ Inshore series took the honors for the best saltwater rod at ICAST 2023. These 10 casting and spinning rods were designed with technical presentations in mind, built on fast and sensitive American-made blanks with Fuji Titanium SIC guide trains.
6. Seviin Reels seviinreels.com
St. Croix has been known solely for its rods, until now. The Park Falls, Wisconsin-based company released a line of fresh- and saltwater spinning and baitcasting reels under the Seviin moniker. The reels in the saltwater GSW series are sealed, with gasketed side plates and blade seals on the spool shaft. A precision hard-brass pinion and die-cast drive gear should hold up to saltwater bruisers, and the powerful multistack carbon-fiber drag system with stainless-steel components should stop them. Available in 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 sizes, with a 6+1 shielded stainless-steel bearing system.
7. Garmin Force Kraken garmin.com
Brushless trolling motors were out in force this year, with introductions from three major brands. Just before the show, Garmin introduced the Force Kraken, which produces up to 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system with all of the goodies you expect from a high-tech troller, including anchor-lock technology, route navigation and heading-hold abilities. Available in 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft models with a pivot-style mount, these will work with the biggest center-consoles.
8. Costa King Tide costadelmar.com
Costa introduced a pair of sunglasses that are the result of years of development and 40 years of heritage: the King Tide. The innovative glasses are available in both a familiar wrap around an eight-base frame and a flatter six-base curve frame, with removable side shields keeping out stray light. Shark-inspired venting, sweat-management channels and eye-wire drains move sweat away and help prevent fogging, and nonskid hooding keeps them in place when you set them down. The King Tide took the crown for best new sunglasses at the show.
9. Z-man Mulletron LT zmanfishing.com
Z-man’s Mulletron LT won the best saltwater soft-lure category and is sure to be a hit with soft-plastic or swimbait enthusiasts. The new bait has a wedge-shaped tail that will deliver realistic swimming action, with enough thump to encourage even neutral fish to bite. The realistic mullet profile is offered in detailed hand-painted and photoprinted color schemes. A linethrough harness (“LT”) lets the bait slide up the line after you hook up, helping the 10X Tough Elaztech body withstand repeated abuse from aggressive saltwater gamefish.
10. Fenwick World Class Rods fenwickfishing.com
The unique foregrip on the spinning rods in Fenwick’s World Class lineup increases sensitivity, letting anglers place their fingers directly on the blank in a manner that no other rod has before. The lineup is technique-specific and includes several inshore spinning and casting rods that are lightweight and responsive, thanks to the 40and 36-ton graphite blend with proprietary reinforcing resin that cuts weight without being brittle. Other highlights include contoured rod butts and titanium guide frames with super-thin zirconia inserts.
11. Daiwa Seapower 1200
With new offshore waters being opened to anglers, interest in electric reels has surged. One of the most noteworthy introductions is the Daiwa Seapower 1200, which clinched the best saltwater reel category. Daiwa says the new powerhouse has a winding power of 108 pounds and can take up 140 yards of line in a minute. Coupled with the 66 pounds of drag pressure, you have a serious contender for benthic species and swordfish. Aluminum construction provides strength while keeping weight down, and a simple lever allows for power adjustments.
12. Shimano Mastiff FC fish.shimano.com
Shimano made a splash with the introduction of Mastiff FC fluorocarbon line, winning the best line category. This new fluoro has improved knot strength thanks to its microscopic ridges embedded in the line. Shimano calls this Nanoarmor technology. Despite the increased slip resistance, the line seems to have excellent handling characteristics for smooth casts.