Another ICAST has come and gone. The fishing industry gathered in Orlando, Florida to see and show off the latest innovations in fishing. There were countless new ideas, some improvements to existing categories as well as some off-the-wall things that will probably never hit the stores.
Here is a recap of what I found to be the truly unique items in some of the popular categories.
Marine Accessory: T-H Marine HYDRA Battery Terminal Multiplier
Next time you are around your boat, take a look at all of the wires going to your batteries. If you have a charging system, electronics, trolling motor and more accessories it probably looks like a mess.
The HYDRA makes it easier to keep your wires separated and easier to access when adjusting wiring. It comes in both a three and five-way version and is said to have improved electrical conductivity. I thought it was simple but genius.
Reel: The Shimano Curado DC
This is the same reel that won the award for Best New Freshwater Reel and rightfully so. I voted for this item and agree with the rest of the media and buyers who had a vote. It is truly unique.
The Curado K is already a solid reel and they have now added the DC (digitally controlled) technology. The idea behind it is that it controls the cast for fewer backlashes and longer distances. Basically, a microcomputer controls the braking and slows or speeds up the spool on a cast and I know from firsthand experience that this reel performs as advertised.
The DC technology is not new as it has been around for years in some of the high-end Shimano reels, but this new version retails for $249 and that is what makes it unique. This is a much more obtainable reel for bass anglers and I feel it is worth the cost.
Honorable Mention: Daiwa Tatula 100.
A new, smaller and lighter size in the popular Tatula lineup.
Terminal Tackle: G7 GAMBIT Screw Sinker
The Neko Rig technique is here to stay and the evidence of that was clear as many companies had Neko-specific products to show off in Orlando. VMC had some cool new items and even won the award for the Neko Skirt, but for uniqueness, the new tungsten screw sinkers from G7 were my pick.
The beauty of Neko is you can use a specifically designed product or something from a hardware store. Nails and drywall screws will work, but the specific weights designed for them make it even better. The GAMBIT was unique because it can be screwed into the bait to prevent them from flying away and it is also made of tungsten to make it very small. While they are expensive, for the serious Neko Rigger they may well be worth it being able to use tungsten and screw it into the soft plastic.
Honorable Mention: VMC Tokyo Rig.
This rig allows for a unique way to flip and pitch baits that blurs the lines between power and finesse fishing.
Freshwater Lure: Jenko OffSpring Buzzbait
The new LIVETARGET Hollow Body Craw won the award in the Freshwater Soft Bait category and I also thought it was cool and unique. It is a hybrid lure that is a jig with hollow craw body.
I also liked the Jenko OffSpring buzzbait, but this was part of the Freshwater Hard Bait category. It had a spring coming from the head that looked strange, but the blade clacked it perfectly while spinning. It had a cool sound and will give the bass something new to listen to when you are fishing it. Really, both were deserving, but my pick is the Jenko buzzbait because I have seen hundreds of buzzbaits but never one like this.
Honorable Mention: Jackall Chop Cut Propbait.
This Japanese designed bait has a plopping sound and unique look for a topwater bait.
Apparel: AFTCO Hydronaut Heavy-Duty Waterproof System
Again, I had to agree with the voters on this one. There are plenty of good options for quality raingear and you can add this system. Besides being ultra-dry, it has some cool features built in that make me believe it was something unique and worthy of a mention.
The first thing you may notice is the Cyclops camera mount on the chest. This makes it easy to record your fishing adventures without the need for a chest strap mount. It also has a vented hood that allows airflow as you are running down the lake. I think most bass anglers can relate to the driving down the lake with your hood attempting to strangle you. It has some other cool features like a pocket built to fit your pliers, adjustable shoulder straps and you can tell it is a quality design all around.
As you can see, there were some great new products shown off on the floors of the ICAST show. With so many items and so many vendors, it is hard to see it all. After three days of walking the show, I saw good, bad, weird and truly unique. The items listed above all stood out among the masses and caught my attention.
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