Every summer, the who’s who in the fishing realm gather in Orlando, FL, at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) to exhibit the latest and greatest fishing gear before it hits the market. ICAST is presented by the American Sportfishing Association and enables industry professionals, media reps, and wholesale buyers an opportunity to get up close and personal with these new fishing products. Here is a short list of some of the coolest new fishing gear PropTalk saw at the new product showcase.
Best Electronics and Best of Show - Garmin Panoptix LiveScope
This state-of-the-art transducer uses three independent frequencies to stitch together a highly detailed live image of swimming fish and structure contours in the water below. It features both Down and LiveScope modes with range of up to 200-feet and it will communicate seamlessly with your compatible Garmin chartplotter. garmin.com
Best Boating Accessory - Minn Kota Ultrex with Humminbird MEGA Down Imaging
Partnering with Humminbird has produced this new trolling motor from Minn Kota that has an integrated transducer built right into the lower unit giving you down-imaging sonar right beneath the bow of your boat. Combining the transducer into the motor also elimates the need for additional wiring. The unit also features a protective housing to protect these components from rocks and underwater debris. minnkotamotors.com
Best Fishing Accessory - YETI Panga Backpack 28
New from their Panga series is YETI’s 100-percent waterproof bag that is ideal for carrying rain gear, cameras, and other electronics. It is made to last with a high-density, abrasion-resistant ThickSkin Shell and HydroLok Zippers. The interior features a velcro patch for tackle storage and a mesh front compartment pocket for easy access and quick removal of items. yeti.com
Best Saltwater Soft Lure - LIVETARGET Fleeing Shrimp
Their newly redesigned soft-bodied shrimp features a weighted jig head with a rattle. What makes this unique is the floating live skirting which will continue to provide action as the lure dives or even as it rests on the bottom. It is available in two sizes: one for shallow flats and one for deeper environments. livetargetlures.com
Best Fly Reel - Seigler MF Fly Reel
Hand-made in Burgess, VA, on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, these reels are built strong to tackle a variety of saltwater fish species. This model, designed for medium flies, features a lever drag and an asymmetrical spool design to allow efficient line retrieval. The removable dovetail foot makes for easy stowage and transport. seigler.fish
Best Saltwater Reel - Shimano Tekota 500 Levelwind Reel
The newly designed Tekota features a S-Compact body which reduced the size of sideplate by 20 percent for a comfortable fit in your hand. It comes in both 500 and 600 sizes, with or without the integrated linecounter. The drag on these reels can be set for up to 24 pounds, and the 6.3:1 ratio gives you 38 inches of line retrieval per handle turn. fish.shimano.com
Best Saltwater Rod - St. Croix Mojo Yak
The popularity of kayak fishing has exploded across the United States. St. Croix has designed a new series featuring six spinning rods and two casting rods specifically catered to the needs of kayak anglers. The handle was shortened for increased maneauverability and features a rubberized no-slip grip for wet handling. Made with traditional St. Croix quality utilizing SCIII carbon fiber and Integrated Poly Curve tooling for smoother action. stcroixrods.com
~ By Zach Ditmars