Every July, fishing tackle makers and dealers gather to share new product lines for the coming year at the ICAST trade show. The new gear — everything from fresh and saltwater tackle to apparel, electronics and gizmos — competes for Best in Show honors. Here are 19 of the winners in categories relevant to saltwater fishing. The 2021 overall show winner was a freshwater soft bait from Berkley, the PowerBait Gilly.
Best Saltwater Reel: Daiwa Saltist MQ
Daiwa redesigned and upgraded its popular Saltist reels. The new versions feature a one-piece Monocoque (MQ) aluminum body. The traditional sideplate and screws have been replaced by an engine plate with a larger drive gear. Saltist MQs also come with a Zaion Air Rotor, Digigear and an aluminum round-knob handle. MSRP: $299.99.
Best Saltwater Rod: Bull Bay Banshee Rod
Bull Bay says it developed this line of rods to emphasize faster, more responsive actions. Each comes with an extra-fast tip and progressive backbone for long casts and high performance. The rods come in 6-foot-8- to 7-foot-10-inch lengths and in medium-light to medium-heavy power for lines up to 17-pound test. They have custom EVA grips with flared edges and double locking reel seats. MSRP: $159.99 to $179.99.
Best Saltwater Hard Lure: Berkley Choppo
This Best of Show win serves to reinforce Berkley’s foray into the saltwater hard bait category. The new Choppo features a durable tail propeller that helps deliver topwater spray. It also comes with heavy-duty split rings and 3X anti-rust Fusion19 hooks. Available in 16 colors, in sizes from 75 to 120 mm, and in weights from 1/2 to 1 ounce, Choppo swims straight at a variety of speeds. MSRP: $12.99.
Best Saltwater Soft Lure: Savage Gear Duratech Crab
Savage Gear’s Duratech material gives this new bait durability, but its lifelike shape, weight placement and scent combine to make it attractive to predators. The Crab comes in lengths from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches and in weights from 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. It features a 3X black nickel hook. MSRP: $8.99.
Best Terminal Tackle: Sharkbanz Zeppelin
The issue of shark predation on recreationally caught fish in Florida waters has become widely known. Sharkbanz says its Zeppelin has been proven to reduce the number of bottomfish lost to sharks. The 6.5-ounce device requires no batteries or charging; it can be tied into the leader, used as a sinker or deployed after hookup, using a carabiner or swivel to slide it down the line. MSRP: $69.99.
Best Boats and Watercraft: Bote Lono Aero + Apex Pedal Drive
Bote says its new Lono Aero delivers speed, packability, portability, versatility and durability. The 12-foot-6-inch pedal-drive inflatable fits into a travel bag. The hull features four chambers with a flared bow and a keel guard. MSRP: $2,298
Best Tackle Management: Plano Atlas Tackle Pack
Plano’s new Atlas Tackle Pack blends the light weight of a soft tackle bag with the strength of a molded box. The waterproof base is surrounded by durable EVA panels. Plano also created a magnetic Dropzone on top of the bag that automatically anchors metal tools and hooks in place. Other features include rod holders, tool holders, water-resistant cellphone storage, internal zippered mesh pockets and molded clamshell side pockets. MSRP: $199.99.
Best Boating Accessories: Frabill Ultralight Conservation Net
The hoop for Frabill’s ultralight conservation net measures 21 by 24 inches. Low-resistance coated mesh and a carbon-fiber handle make the net easy to manipulate with one hand. MSRP: $139.99
Best Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools: Bubba Pro Series Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
Bubba’s electric knife contains a state-of-the-art brushless motor that the company says delivers 21 percent more torque and 22 percent more motor efficiency. The knife comes with four different blades and two batteries. MSRP: $214.99
Best Electronics: Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging
Anglers can see fish and structure in real time with Humminbird’s MEGA Live Imaging. Twist the transducer, which mounts to the trolling-motor shaft, to deliver down, forward or landscape viewing modes. MEGA Live is compatible with select Helix, Solix and Apex multifunction displays. MSRP: $1,499
Best Warm Weather Technical Apparel: AFTCO Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt
AFTCO says Adapt’s bio-based phase-change fabric automatically reacts to changes in body temperature with dynamic cooling or warming. Other features include UPF 50 sun protection, a SpeedVent active hood, an integrated face mask, mesh panels and thumb holes. MSRP: $85
Best Cold Weather Technical Apparel: AFTCO Barricade Elite 4L Waterproof System
Barricade Elite foul-weather gear employs four-layer 100 percent nylon construction designed for salt water. The jacket comes with a SpeedVent hood, YKK AquaGuard chest zippers, double cuff with hook-and-loop adjustment, and brushed tricot hand-warmer pockets. The bibs come with a nylon-lined utility pocket, jacquard elastic shoulder straps, knee-high side zippers and more. MSRP: $848
Best Footwear: Xtratuf Ankle Deck Boot Sport
Xtratuf’s new Sport ankle deck boots weigh 30 percent less than other similar 6-inch models, the company says. Built from a new high-performance foam Pro Lite material, Sports feature a one-piece outsole. MSRP: $130
Best Eyewear: Costa Untangled
Costa has delivered the next generation of its Untangled sunglasses, which are made from recycled fishing nets. The collection includes four new frames for anglers designed to offer maximum coverage and protection on the water. MSRP: $219
Best Soft and Hard Coolers: Frabill Universal Bait Station
The universal bait station from Frabill features a side-mounted aerator and insulated construction. The waterproof nonslip base keeps this soft-sided cooler in place on deck. The quick-access bait door makes grabbing a fresh bait easy. The station holds up to eight quarts of water. MSRP: $59.99
Best Fly Reel: Greys Tital Fly Reel
The Greys Tital series debuts a lineup of new fly reels—for rod sizes from 3 to 10 weight—made from machined bar stock. Titals feature waterproof, sealed, multi-disc carbon drag systems, large arbors for fast line pickup and a narrow spool for line control. MSRP: $259.99
Read Next: Past ICAST Coverage
Best Fly Fishing Rod: G. Loomis NRX+ T2S
Designed for saltwater anglers, the NRX+ T2S is made from a fusion of materials, technology and design to increase the casting distance “sweet spot.” The two-piece tournament configuration delivers one-piece performance with transportability. Components include recoil snake guides and titanium SiC stripper guides as well as AAA grade cork grips. MSRP: $895
Best Fly Fishing Accessory: Plano Edge Micro Magnetic Fly Box
The Micro fly box offers three layers of storage in one box. Soft pads in the top two levels hold smaller flies or larger streamers. The base features a magnetic Dropzone. MSRP: $29.99
Best Kids’ Tackle: Anything Possible ProFISHiency Nerf Micro Spin Cast Combo
ProFISHiency partnered with Nerf to create a two-piece combo with a 5-foot-6-inch medium-action fiberglass rod and a 4.1-to-1 gear ratio micro spincast reel prespooled with 6-pound mono. Each combo comes with a practice casting plug in the shape of a Nerf dart. MSRP: $39.99
