ICAST 2015: Top Takeaways, Day Two

Fishing's biggest and best trade show continues to impress with fun new equipment for anglers.
  • Updated: July 16, 2015

(Want to see more ICAST coverage? Here is our Day One gallery.)

Van Staal VR Series Spinning Reel

Van Staal VR Series Reel

You have to pick up the new VR Series from Van Staal — literally. You won’t believe the weight dropped with the newly engineered spinner. Still featured is the forged and machined 6061-T6 aluminum, the fully sealed waterproof construction and the solid titanium spool shaft. Price starts at $499 for the VR125. — Sam Hudson Sam Hudson
Winn Grips Fishing Rod Grips

Winn Grips Neon Rod Grips

Golf-club grip maker Winn Grips has entered the OEM fishing market with an assortment of unique rod grips like these in neon colors. — Chris Woodward Chris Woodward
Lithium Pros Lithium Powerpack M3160-24 24V Sealed Lithium-Ion Marine Battery

Lithium Pros 24-Volt Marine Battery

Lithium Pros‘ M3160-24 lithium 24-volt marine battery weighs only 24 pounds and does the work of two 12-volt batteries. But it’s not cheap. MSRP: $2,200. — Jim Hendricks Jim Hendricks
LiveTarget Cigar Minnow crankbait

LiveTarget Cigar Minnow

Is it LiveTarget or is it real? The manufacturer of lures renowned for accurately matching the regional hatch is displaying several new designs at this year’s ICAST show. One of those designs I found compelling: This Cigar Minnow crankbait. It’s available in 4½- and 6-inch shallow-running models and a 6-inch deep diver; the lure retails for $19.99 to $23.99. — Doug Olander Doug Olander
Buck Knives Splizzors Multi-Purpose Tool

Buck Knives Splizzors

Buck Knives‘ saltwater Splizzors multi-purpose tool can cut up to 200-pound braid. It features a bottle opener, crimpers, scissor edges, and plier tips. — Christopher Balogh Christopher Balogh
Don Ray Gear Boat Bucket

Don Ray Gear Boat Bucket

The Don Ray boat bucket features a rope handle and special grip at the base for scooping and dumping water, bait and chum. MSRP: $14.99. — Jim Hendricks Jim Hendricks
Smith Optics Captain's Choice / Guide's Choice frames

Smith Optics Frames

Smith Optics has debuted its new super-lightweight Captain’s Choice (left) and Guide’s Choice frames — available with ChromaPop or Techlite Glass lenses. — Chris Woodward Chris Woodward
Z-Man ElaZtech Mag SwimZ Soft Baits

Z-Man ElaZtech Mag SwimZ

Z-Man‘s unique ElaZtech soft baits have long been a personal fave: I know of no soft bait that has better action or that is even close to as indestructible. Its new 8-inch Mag SwimZ with a curved paddletail promises fabulous action with even minimal motion. Fastening these to the new Headlocks HD jig heads (in various sizes up to 3 ounces, all with a keeper designed specifically to hold ElaZtech tails) should be a dynamite combination. Three one-ounce heads sell for $8.99. A package of three Mag Swimz retails for $9.99. — Doug Olander Doug Olander
Patagonia Tarpon Graphic Tech Fish Tee and Stormfront Roll Top Pack

Patagonia Tarpon Tech Tee / Stormfront Roll Top Pack

Patagonia released a new tarpon Graphic Tech Fish Tee, which is hanging next to Patagonia’s water-resistant Stormfront Roll Top Pack. — Christopher Balogh Christopher Balogh
Aftco MaxForce XL Stand-Up Harness

Aftco MaxForce XL Stand-Up Harness

Aftco‘s new MaxForce XL stand-up harness is 20-percent larger and twice the pad of the original MaxForce harness. The XL is built for the biggest tuna you can handle on stand-up tackle. — Sam Hudson Sam Hudson
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