What’s new, fisherman?

Products introduced at ICAST are mind-boggling

The 56th edition of the largest fishing show in the world was held July 10-12 in Las Vegas. ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) is the show that manufacturers of sportfishing tackle and accessories look towards each year. It is only open to buyers and the press, but it attracts them from around the world, and their expectations are as high as the anticipations of the manufacturers. Participant numbers reached 9,500, and more than 700 of those were representatives from a diverse variety of media.

ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). This year, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) joined the ASA and scheduled the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show (IFTD) at the same time and place to make both shows accessible to more manufacturers, buyers and the press. With 400,000 square feet of show space, more than 700 product lines of tackle, accessories and clothing were there to be seen by the attendees from 60 plus countries.

“The energy and excitement generated during this year’s show was felt by everyone,” said ASA President/CEO Mike Nussman. “ICAST is our industry trade show. It’s very important to us that we create the show that the industry wants.”

“We saw great attendance this year with lots of product on display on the show floor,” said show director Ken Andres. “Our aim is to continually enhance the show for the benefit of our exhibitors, buyers, media and other attendees.”

Keeping in mind the desire for new products, it isn’t difficult to understand the New Products Showcase is one of the favorite parts of ICAST. It holds a special preview the evening before ICAST opens just for buyers and the press. New products are grouped by categories, and the attendees vote for the “Best of Show” in each of the categories, plus the “Best of Show” overall.

Where ICAST really shines is when the new products displayed there begin reaching the shelves in your favorite tackle shops. This is when fishermen get to grade the products and the comments from the public-relations folks and the press. While some of the new products shown were prototypes and are just beginning production, some were already in stock and will be available at your favorite tackle shop or boat dealer by the time you read this.

The big winner in the New Products Showcase this year was the Power-Pole Micro Anchor by JL Marine of Tampa, Fla. It won the “Best of Show” award in the Boating Accessory category and the very coveted Overall Best of Show Award.

JL Marine is already well known for its line of electric-hydraulic Power-Poles. Electric hydraulic Power-Poles are available in several lines in lengths ranging from four to 10 feet. The original Power-Poles were designed for bass, bay and flats boats and use a separate electric-hydraulic pump to power a hydraulic cylinder that raises and lowers an anchor spike mounted on a boat’s transom.

The Power-Pole Micro Anchor downsizes and simplifies the pole anchoring process by using a lightweight electric unit that will secure boats, canoes and kayaks weighing up to 1,500 pounds in depths ranging to 8 feet. The Power Pole Micro Anchor will operate from the boat’s 12-volt battery or there is an optional rechargeable power pack for kayaks and canoes or boats without a battery. For more information on the Power-Pole Micro Anchor and to find the closest dealer, visit www.power-pole.com.

Other “Best of Show” winners in the various categories were:

Apparel: Shimano American Corporation, Dryfender Insulated Raingear;

Boats: Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc., Old Town Predator 13 Kayak;

Combo: 13 Fishing, White Out;

Electronics: Johnson Outdoors, Humminbird Bow Mount 360 Imaging;

Eyewear: Costa, Tuna Alley;

Fishing Accessory: American Tackle Company, Tidal Wave-Micro Wave System;

Fishsmart Tackle: Foreverlast, Inc., G2 Floating Wading Net;

Fly Fishing Accessory: Columbia Sportswear, Henry’s Fork V Vest;

Fly Fishing Reel: Beam Outdoors: Elite 21 Reel;

Fly Fishing Rod: G. Loomis, Inc., PRO4x;

Freshwater Reel: Shimano American Corporation, Chronarch C14+;

Freshwater Rod: G. Loomis, Inc., NRX Umbrella Rig;

Giftware: Rapala,  Original Floating Bottle Opener;

Kids’ Tackle: Pure Fishing, Inc., Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo;

Line: PowerPro – PowerPro Zero-Impact;

Hard Lure: Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation, LIVETARGET Baitball;

Soft Lure: Lunkerhunt, Lunker Frog;

Saltwater Reel: Shimano American Corporation, Stella SW 30000;

Saltwater Rod: St. Croix Rods, Legend Xtreme Inshore;

Tackle Management: Plano Molding Company, 3700 Guide Series Tackle Bag;

Terminal Tackle: Mustad, Grip-Pin Swim Hook.

At the risk of appearing to slight some of the category winners, there were some products that caught my eye and some that didn’t. Some simply weren’t in categories that interest me, so they were fighting from behind the whole time. Please don’t take any offense if I don’t mention your favorite.

The Tidal Wave-MicroWave Guide System from American Tackle Company is something I have been waiting to see reach production. The MicroWave guide was one of the last inventions of Doug Hannon, The Bass Professor, who passed away earlier this year. The key to this guide system is a second smaller guide made into the stripper guide. This is designed to straighten the line path, reduce line slap on guides farther out the rod and increase casting distance. These guides also won the Best New Product “Innovation of the Year” award at the 2013 European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition (EFFTEX).

I have several friends whose fishing opinions I value, and every one of them that has tried this system said it actually does increase casting distance. With these guides now available as an accessory, they can be purchased in chrome (freshwater) or black (saltwater) to use on our favorite rod blanks. Other benefits promised by the MicroWave guide system are better casting accuracy, increased range of lure weights with the same rod and eliminating wind knots. For more information visit www.americantackle.us.

As a kayak fisherman, the Old Town Predator 13 Kayak drew my attention. Kayaks have been prominent in the New Product Showcase for the past few years, and this kayak has some great features. I like the adjustable seat, molded-in transducer scupper, wider hull for stability and abundant storage. It is an excellent example of how kayak companies are competing for the growing interest in fishing kayaks. For more information visit www.predatorkayak.com.

I’m not really a techno junkie, but I like the idea of seeing what is in the water under and all around me. The Humminbird 360 imaging is interesting, and now a mount is available that allows mounting the transducer to the shaft of several Minn Kota Trolling Motors. This is as it should be as Humminbird and Minn Kota are both divisions of Johnson Outdoors. For more information visit www.humminbird.com.

There were many unique and interesting products introduced at ICAST this year and there should be several that appeal to anyone. There are a few, like the Power-Pole Micro Anchor and the Tidal Wave-MicroWave Guide System, I’m planning on giving a try. Some are at your favorite tackle dealer now and others will be arriving throughout the fall. Good fishing.