The ability to see and handle new fishing gear not yet on the market equates to a dream come true for Sport Fishing’s editors. Thankfully, we realize that dream each summer during the massive trade show called ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades). This year’s event—July 9-12 in Orlando, Florida—will amass thousands of manufacturers, dealers, and media representatives for a fishy show and tell.
Although the public can’t attend this trade-only convention, Sport Fishing editors will bring it to you daily on social media. Coverage will continue after the show at sportfishingmag.com and in an upcoming issue of the magazine. However, we knew you’d want a taste now, so we asked gear-makers to share a preview of their product debuts.
Reels
What’s Hot: Cedros update The Buzz: Okuma is reintroducing the Cedros spinning reel, featuring the company’s Dual Force Drag system with multidisc drag adjustment and 40-plus pounds of max drag. The magnesium-aluminum-alloy construction produces a rigid and corrosion-resistant reel built for durability and strength. The dual anti-reverse and manual bail-trip functions mean the new reels remain reliable and ready. MSRP: $159.99-$179.99 Available: Fall Courtesy Okuma
What’s Hot: Fathom II 15 Casting Special The Buzz: The Fathom has been upgraded for 2019 with premium bearings in the spool to cast farther. The new version also comes with Penn’s Fast Gear Access side plate and a double-paddle handle. The easily accessed magnetic, knobby dial on the left side plate allows anglers to adjust on the fly for maximum casting distance. MSRP: $249.99 Available: September Courtesy Penn
Rods
What’s Hot: PCH Custom Kite Rod The Buzz: With the popularity of kite-fishing growing in all coastal regions, Okuma has developed the PCH custom kite rod. The rod features a carbon butt section, which allows anglers to easily move it from one holder to another. The PCH also employs a solid-stainless-steel tip section with an oversize opening to allow anglers to reel large swivels directly onto the reel. The rod comes with a ringed clip to leash the rod to the boat to prevent accidental loss. MSRP: $119.99 Available: Fall Courtesy Okuma
What’s Hot: Plasma II The Buzz: Star has given the popular Plasma rod series a fresh look and made some component changes to create the new Plasma II series. The new rods are still built with two types of multidirectional graphite layers leading to a reinforced graphite butt weave, held together with Duratech technology. The inshore versions come with a Fuji SK2 reel seat and Fuji K-Series Alconite guides. Boat rods (spinning and conventional) feature a carbon-weave butt section for added strength and ease when moving the rod from the holder while under pressure. They also come with EVA foregrips, Fuji graphite reel seats and Fuji K Series Alconite guides. Plasma II jigging rods feature a parabolic action with a unique tip section that loads and unloads with each vertical motion. They’re available in spinning and conventional models, and also employ Fuji graphite reel seats and Fuji Alconite guides. MSRP: $199.95-$269.95 Available: July Courtesy Star Rods
Gear
What’s Hot: Camo Long-Sleeve Solar Tee The Buzz: Designed with a regular fit and flat-lock construction, the solar tee is made from a soft, microfiber-spandex blend that wears like a second skin. The camo design is dye-sublimated to keep the original technical qualities, which include SPF 50-plus, antimicrobial protection, as well as quick-drying and moisture-wicking features. The mesh-vented armpit keeps air flowing for better heat dispersion. The shirt comes in light blue and in sizes XS through 2XL. MSRP: $48 Available: September Courtesy Bluefin USA
What’s Hot: UV Arm Sleeves The Buzz: Buff will make its UV arm sleeves with a new fabric and fit for spring 2020. The sleeves deliver UPF 50-plus protection and will be made from ultralightweight, four-way-stretch fabric enhanced with HeiQ cooling technology. The elastic upper seam with its engineered silicone grip will hold the sleeves in place. Select styles will have reflective elements. MSRP: $25 Available: Spring 2020 Courtesy Buff
What’s Hot: Kraken The Buzz: Xtratuf created a 100 percent drainable shoe with a molded upper that will not absorb fluids, and a slip-resistant outsole. The Kraken will come in men’s sizes 7 to 14, and in gray, navy and brown. MSRP: $120 (preliminary) Available: Spring 2020 Courtesy Xtratuf
What’s Hot: Coldfront Icon LS The Buzz: The Coldfront Icon LS will provide the same functionality as the popular Icon X, but now in a design for cold-weather fishing. Huk’s warming fibers use an angler’s natural body heat to keep him or her warm while providing functionality. The shirt comes in hoodie, quarter-zip and crew-neck styles. MSRP: $55 Available: July/August Courtesy Huk
What’s Hot: Ocean Master Boat Shorts The Buzz: Packed full of features, these high-performance fishing shorts incorporate a triple-threat tool pocket with terminal-tackle stash, and a quick-access fish-spike compartment. Pelagic’s Tightlines adjustable drawcord system provides a secure fit even when your pockets are loaded with gear. Made from a four-way-stretch polyester with Repreve recycled fibers, the eco-friendly Ocean Master includes waterproof-zip hand pockets, a left-side cellphone pocket with internal key loop, dual back pockets, and a branded tool clip. The shorts are available in Belize camo (pictured), blue hex, dorado hex and ambush camo colors. MSRP: $89 Available: Spring 2020 Courtesy Pelagic
What’s Hot: Renegade Fish Cooler Bag The Buzz: Built to keep fish fresh on board, the Renegade fish cooler bag is made from a highly durable TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) material with reinforced nylon carry straps. The full-length zipper comes with a custom bottle opener on the pull. The bag folds for easy storage and comes in two sizes: 40-by-15 inches and 68-by-24 inches. MSRP: $89.99-$179.99 Available: September Courtesy Calcutta
Tackle
What’s Hot: Hard Mack Attack The Buzz: Available in 7- and 9-inch lengths, the new Hard Mack Attack hard swimbaits come in slow-sink and fast-sink models. These three-piece jointed hard baits can be cast or slow-trolled for a seductive side-to-side swimming action with a subtle roll for extra flash. Hard Mack Attacks will come in seven top-producing colors. MSRP: $13.99 to $18.99 Available: Summer Courtesy Fish Lab
What’s Hot: Saiko Pro The Buzz: AFTCO has developed a new premium fluorocarbon-leader material in collaboration with Sunline, a leading Japanese fishing-line manufacturer. Saiko Pro was designed to be extremely abrasion-resistant with a small diameter and consistent breaking strength. Twelve- to 80-pound leader (clear or pink) comes packaged in AFTCO’s SecureSpool system, which allows just the right amount of leader to be removed and controlled. Heavier 100- to 300-pound-test leader (clear) comes in 35-yard coils packaged in reusable mesh bags. MSRP: $10-$95 Available: July Courtesy AFTCO
What’s Hot: Fluoro-Stretch The Buzz: Soft Steel, a company recently purchased by Okuma, is set to release a leader material that blends fluorocarbon construction with the stretchable properties of monofilament. Fluoro-Stretch features a knot-breaking strength of 95 percent of the stated pound-test. The stretch also improves shock absorption: When a big fish hits, Fluoro-Stretch absorbs some of the shock, allowing for a better hook-set and fewer pulled hooks. The line will be available in 5- and 25-yard leader packs of 10- to 150-pound test. MSRP: $8.99-$89.99 Available: Summer Courtesy Soft Steel
What’s Hot: 3D Inshore Twitchbait, 5¼ inches The Buzz: Yo-Zuri will debut a new larger version of the 3D Inshore Twitchbait at 5¼ inches. With a running depth of 2 to 6 feet, the larger bait works well for striped bass, trophy snook and tarpon, and offshore species such as tuna, mahi and cobia. Available in 13 colors, the lure features an erratic darting action when retrieved with sharp twitches of the rod tip. On a straight retrieve, it moves side to side. This larger bait comes with 3x No. 1 trebles and stainless split rings. MSRP: $9.99 Available: October Courtesy Yo-Zuri
What’s Hot: DieZel MinnowZ, 5- and 7-inch The Buzz: Originally available only in a 4-inch size, the popular DieZel MinnowZ swimbaits now come in 5- and 7-inch sizes for larger predators. The soft baits feature Z-Man’s ElaZtech construction with a realistic baitfish profile, molded scale pattern and dorsal fin. The oversize paddle tail imparts aggressive swimming action on fast or slow retrieves. The 5-inch bait pairs with a 6/0 HeadlockZ or ChinlockZ jig head; the 7-inch tail works with the 8/0 jigs. MSRP: $4.99 (four pack, 5-inch), $6.99 (three pack, 7-inch) Available: July (5-inch), August (7-inch Courtesy Z-Man
What’s Hot: Ultracast X8 The Buzz: Made from eight tightly woven PE (polyethylene) fibers, Ultracast X8 casts long distances while providing strength and abrasion resistance. The new line will be available in aqua camo and inshore camo, and in pound-tests from 4 to 100. MSRP: $18.99 (164 yards), $36.99 (328 yards), and $249.99 (2,187 yards) Available: July Courtesy SpiderWire
Tackle
What’s Hot: Slidog 125 The Buzz: Featuring versatile action, the new Slidog 125 has a compact body profile applicable in shallow and midwater casting situations. The lure comes with 1/0 Mustad trebles and Halco’s ultratough 4XX fish (split) rings. The 5-inch lure weighs 17/8 ounces and comes in nine colors. MSRP: $13.95 Available: Late summer Courtesy Halco
What’s Hot: Gulp! Fat Hollow Sandworm, 4-inch The Buzz: Berkley says the 4-inch Fat Hollow Sandworm swims and looks like it’s alive. The hollow body creates a more realistic-feeling bait; the Gulp! scent dispersion expands the strike zone. The Fat Hollow Sandworm is available in three colors: natural, bloody and camo. MSRP: $6.99 (10-count bag) Available: August Courtesy Berkley
What’s Hot: Twitshad The Buzz: Designed by Patrick Sebile to be the ultimate finesse twitchbait, the Twitshad features a fat body, patented belly-fin stabilizer, and weighted tail—all balanced for long, accurate casts. The rounded shape pitches and rolls with a twitch-twitch-pause action and is great for walking-the-dog or for a slow, steady retrieve. The first Twitshad in the series will be an inshore floating bait, and it will measure 3½ inches long. The next will be a 67/8-inch version for striped bass and other large predators. Rigged with 4x-strong hooks, the Twitshads come in 10 colors. MSRP: $9.99 Available: Summer for smaller bait, winter for the larger version Courtesy Engage
