Another ICAST show has come and gone, and some great products were introduced at the show. Like always, the biggest names in fishing continue to showcase their latest and greatest, whether it's new lure styles, clothing, or improved rods and reels.
Every year, the media and buyers vote on the awards for the best in every category, which are generally won by the most popular names. At the same time, the smaller vendors and new brands often get overlooked. It has become my tradition to write this story about the true unicorns, the unique products that often get overlooked but deserve more attention. Here's a rundown of some products that fit the bill and should have received more coverage for their uniqueness.
Imakatsu Bass Flat Swimbait
Imakatsu is a well-known Japanese brand, but it didn't have a significant presence at the show besides a small table showcasing their latest baits. One that caught attention was the lifelike-looking Bass Flat in a baby bass pattern. It looked just like a real bass, but the unique thing was how the bait was designed. It's a jointed soft bait that is 145mm long (5.7 inches) and weighs roughly 2 ounces (35g), but the key is that the cutout for the jointed section is only on one side of the bait.
This bait was designed to be fished along a wall, whether a seawall, bridge piling, or bluff. It will still run true, even when the hook is rigged horizontally, so you can retrieve it along the hard structure. Larger bass are used to seeing smaller fish hug tight to this cover, so you can now fish a bait alongside it and catch those larger bass keying on small bass and other baitfish.
Bates Fishing Co. SAM Spinning Reel
Bates is a relatively new reel brand, but they've been gaining some traction and have some loyal fans for their baitcast reels. Now, they have a spinning reel that is very solid as it's CNC-made from aluminum. It's also completely sealed so that you can submerge it without worry.
Besides that, another unique feature is that it's made in America, which is very unusual in the fishing reel world. It's a smooth reel and not going to be cheap, but the American-made aspect is worth a mention. One downside to the reel is the weight, but it will be a solid option for saltwater fishing, and they may reduce the weight in the future.
Trika 10X Rods
Trika is a rod brand that has been selling directly to consumers in recent years, but now they will be available in retailers. They have a few different rod lines, and all look unique with their carbon fiber blanks and sleek black carbon rod seats and handles.
The 10X is their top-of-the-line series and will retail for around $450 per rod, but they are very lightweight and use the best components, including Titanium Torzite guides. They are also well-balanced and feel great in hand. The company is also making spinning and casting reels and should be a brand to watch as they grow.
Buckeye Lures Piggyback Jighead
The minnows and jigheads were everywhere you looked this year at ICAST, but the Buckeye Lures Piggyback head stood out. It looks like a standard jighead, but it has a screw on the bottom of it for rigging your minnow or swimbait in an entirely new way. This gives the bait a different look; you can lift and drop it to provide a unique action, and the design will make any bait roll more.
Accuphy PingLive Mini Sonar
One of the biggest complaints about forward-facing sonar is the cost, as most older units are incompatible, and you also need to purchase a new unit and transducer to go with it. Getting started can be a hefty cost, but the Accuphy PingLive Sonar makes it more affordable with a transducer that connects and displays what it sees to your phone or tablet; no other electronics are needed. While not yet in the United States, the retail cost for the setup will be around $750.
The box used for sonar is also very small, so it would be very portable for small boats and kayaks, and could even be brought onto someone else's boat. The transducer shows live sonar, but can also do down scan and traditional sonar, and you can display all of that on your electronics in several different view options.
ICAST is always a great time to see what's new in the fishing world and watch for the latest trends, but some items get overlooked in the mix of all of the excitement. These five items were unique and noteworthy in the sea of the new product releases and deserve a little of the spotlight.
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