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ICAST 2011 – Day 2

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We walked the floors for a second day at the 54th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades – or ICAST – the world’s largest tackle trade show…
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The Halco Hamma hard lure offers a unique system of interchangeable lips to give anglers quick-change options and fishing flexibility. A custom weight transfer system gives long casts yet allows the lure to site level when it lands. They come in quite an array of color options.
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Coming this spring from Old Harbor Outfitters is this lightweight roll-top camera bag. Complete with double-coated, welded seams and a front pocket with a corrosion-proof YKK zipper, in my opinion it’s the ideal bag to use when you’re looking to sling a camera body and a lens or two over your shoulder for a day on the water or around town. Internally, it’s designed to protect your gear with padded separators to organize your accessories without the weight of a bulky hard case to weigh you down. I can’t wait to try it. -Stephanie Pancratz
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A two-speed spinner! Many at the show were drooling over this revolutionary reel from Fox, the Stratos 20000 TS. That switch on the bottom isn’t what you think – with quick flip the reel changes from 6:1 gear ratio to 2:1. The reel switches gears effortlessly even under load to give anglers an advantage over powerful fish. Available in December, it will sell for around $1500.
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New Pakula Carbon Tracing Gloves offer sensitivity at the fingertips while still retaining abrasion-resistant laminated carbon on the back and palms to allow the safe wiring of fish.
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The new Okuma Cedros low-profile baitcaster gives inshore anglers a light-tacke option that can stand up to the elements with stainless-steel components and corrosion-resistant coatings.
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The Daiwa Seagate SGT50H gives anglers a solid composite reel with quality components for a small price tag.
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If I had a dollar for every time I read a Facebook update lamenting that one of my friends’ iPhones “went for a swim,” I’d be able to buy this new “Shark Pack” by Fathom It Distributing. At $19.99, this waterproof protective case is perfect for anglers addicted to snapping photos with their smartphones while out on the water. A few puffs on each of its two valves inflates the Shark Pack to floatable status, two locks assure it’s water-tight, and its thin material was pliable enough for me to press external buttons on my Android phone and navigate its touch screen. I even called my pal with no indication to him that we were talking through plastic! I’d love for all of my high-tech pals to use these simple solution instead of sacrificing their toys to the techno-gods. -Stephanie Pancratz
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Fill up the baitwell quick with these irresistable Glow Hook sabiki rigs from Ahi, which boats a special coating to attract fish.
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Ono’s delivered one of the highlights on Day Two at ICAST. The performance eyewear company unveiled a new line of Ernest Hemingway polarized sunglasses – as well as a surprise visit from Hemingway’s son, Patrick Hemingway. The sunglasses are offered in six styles (with names such as Pilar and Pamplona) and feature 100-percent UVA/UVB protection and TR-90 Grilimad frames. Patrick, meanwhile, offered up some fond memories and stories of his famed father, known affectionately and simply as Papa – Mike Mazur
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Costa took a New Product Showcase win with this new in-demand line of women’s styles. The Little Harbor, Tippet, Islamorada and Hammock all feature 580 lenses and let women anglers hit the water in style without sacrificing performance.
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The ACCEL 100 from Mustang is designed specifically for fishing and is touted at “the fastest vest on the market” with a 100-mph speed rated-flotation.
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The SR6 from Accurate is made 100% in the USA features strong and light solid billet construction. Oversize drag washers will let anglers really turn the screws to big fish. The reel will be available in early 2012 and has a projected MSRP of $499.
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Lowrance has designed its new Transducer Scupper Mount for kayak anglers hoping to add a fish finder to their sit-on-top craft. The mount installs using most any scupper opening, and positions the transducer so it’s totally submerged in the water. The mount works with HDS, Elite, Mark, and X-Series Lowrance Skimmer transducers, both 83/200 kHz and 455/800 kHz DownScan Imaging models as well as earlier 1-inch 200 kHz transducers. Visit www.Lowrance.com. – Chris Woodward
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You never have a problem finding Patrick Sebile at ICAST – here he demonstrates one of the latest Sebile offerings at the company’s test tank. Sebile took top honors this year with a “Best Hard Lure” New Product Showcase win.
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Minn Kota packed a number of new features into their popular I-Pilot GPS trolling motor control system. The new controller (left) has been redesigned for easier use on the water and now allows users to store up to six hot spots and six tracks.
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Humminbird took the “Best New Electronics” award this year with their series of 1158c Combo units. The down-imaging displays feature the industry’s largest displays and the fully-functional chartplotter option works with Navionics cartography.
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Raymarine’s e7D multifunction displays go wireless and let anglers connect with their iPhones and iPads. Built-in Bluetooth also allows a wireless wheel contol.
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Gill came to the show with a selection of new foul-weather gear that is lightweight, breathable and capable. Clockwise from top left: the Race Softshell, the Pro Top, the Hooded Pro Softshell and the Inshore Lite jacket.
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Okuma offers dual-force carbon drags for ultimate stopping power in their new Raw II spinning reels. The reels boast up to 50 pounds of drag at an affordable price.
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We gave you a sneak peek at AFTCO’s revolutionary RTD reel seat last year and now it’s finally available to anglers who want to keep tabs on just how much drag a fish is pulling. The LCD display gives precise readings and the sealed design should prove durable on the water.
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AFTCO tapped Marlin editor and big-game angler Peter B. Wright when designing their new GBR harness, which features and extremely comfortable yet beefy construction reinforced with carbon fiber and a ruled belt that allows quick fits to a number of different anglers in the midst of battle.
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Maui Jim debuted their Island Time collection at the show
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Anglers wanting to use their iPad on the water need to worry no more. Pelican’s new 1075 Harback case features a custom-fit insert that provides great waterproof and shockproof protection for an iPad, keboard and accessories and also doubles as a stand. A version without the custom-fit insert is available for other netbooks and tablets.
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Make sure and check out all of our ICAST product, event and video coverage here.
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