Each year the fishing industry gathers at ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) to show off the new items set to be released in the coming years. After a break last year where the show went digital, it was back in Orlando, Florida, this week.
As usual, the awards for top new products were dominated by the biggest names in fishing. There were some great breakthroughs in all categories this year, as well as a host of products that flew under the radar.
The following items were unique enough to catch my attention in a sea of new products ranging from small to major brands and from smart to unique to downright futuristic.
The Future? - Clearwater.AR X-Ray Vision for Anglers
As forward-facing sonar has become popular, many anglers have asked, “what will they come up with next?” Well, this may be it. Strikelines has a prototype sunglass that projects 3D topographical maps of the water around you for you to see while wearing the glasses or viewing the app. They are still in a prototype stage but could be a look into the future.
It also includes markers denoting structure, drop-offs, channel markers, and other key features. They will be available with a smartphone version as well as with their SmartGlasses. Retail is $1,199 for the glasses and an annual subscription cost of $99.
More Than Technique Specific – Lew’s XD Cranking Series
Technique-specific bass rods have become the norm, but the next step, if you are Lew’s and Strike King at least, is to have lure-specific rods. This year they released a line of XD Series crankbait rods built with the perfect actions to fish their famous line of crankbaits.
The rods will be available from Lew’s to match the Stike King 3XD, 5XD, 6XD, 8XD, and 10XD and retail for $159.
The rods themselves include a full-length Winn Dry-Tac grip, X-Frame guides, and quality graphite blank with Carbon Nano Tube construction. They feel great in hand and will be a perfect fit for Strike King crankbait fans.
Sea Clear Power LED Navigational Light Pole
The standard navigational light doesn’t get much attention and hasn’t changed for years. Plug it in each tournament morning to be seen better and take it out at your first stop. They are all pretty much the same, but a new LED version from Sea Clear is unique…and bright.
One of the boats at the annual ICAST Cup tournament before the show began was running one, and it was very easy to see and drew comments from many anglers fishing that tournament.
It works like any other navigational light pole but adds much more light, some style, and more safety while boating in low light conditions, as other boaters will not be able to miss you with one shining from the back of your boat.
SPRO Flappin’ Frog
SPRO is one of the most popular brands of frogs on the market, and their Bronzeye series has been a top seller for years. New for this year from the frog king is a flapping version that is soft and durable with the same great Gamakatsu frog hook that gives the rest of their frogs such a good hookup.
The flapping style of frog has been done before, but the soft material, color selection, and streamlined look and feel of SPRO’s Flappin’ Frog make it unique enough to be included here. It comes in a 65mm size with a 5/8-ounce size and eight different colors.
LUNKERHUNT Knocking Jig
This little spoon is intended for ice fishing, but it could have a real use for deep water jigging for bass. It looks like your standard spoon but is two sections. This allows for a unique clacking sound as it is jigged, giving it the flash and action of a regular spoon but with a distinctive noise.
It is available in a two-inch version that weighs 5/8-ounce. The Knocking Jig is unique, and if they eventually offer it in a few more sizes, it will be even better for bass anglers who like to fish spoons.
BeatDown Graph Mounts
As electronics become an even larger part of how anglers fish, mounts have evolved right along with the graphs themselves. BeatDown mounts are solid and secure but what makes them so unique is that you can elevate them. This allows anglers to fish with forward-facing sonar without having to squint and try to see what’s on the screen or hunch over to get a better look.
They are very secure with heavy-duty mounting and robust knobs. They also swivel from side to side to get a better look no matter which direction the sun is facing. When running to your next spot, you can simply lower it down and lock it in place.
The mounts will work with any major brand and come in different sizes and can be configured to hold up to three graphs on one mount.
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