Gear

ICAST 2016 — Top Rods and Reels

A look at some of the newest rods and reels showcased at this year's ICAST show.

By Sam Hudson and Devin Golden

Updated: July 18, 2016

Penn Slammer III

Penn’s Slammer spinning reel returns due to popular demand. This time the new Slammer III features IPX6 sealed system to keep water out of the gear box and drag system in heavy spray and sea conditions. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 with 37 inches of line retrieve on the smaller reels to 4.2:1 with 43 inches of line retrieve on the largest. Maximum drags start at 30 pounds in the smaller models to 60 pounds on the largest. Slammer III prices start at $249.95. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Penn Torque II

The Penn Torque II, available in gold or silver, is designed for heavy-duty fishing. The new Torque II reels feature Penn’s IPX6 sealed system to keep water out of the gear box and drag system. An updated drag system now utilizes proprietary Dura-Drag material. Prices range from $699.95 – $799.95. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Okuma Makaira

The new Okuma Makaira combines forged and machined aluminum framing, side pate and rotor with with a complete forged and machined stainless steel drive system. Twenty-three O-rings and gaskets completely seal the body and drag system from saltwater. And the high-output drag system is similar to a conventional lever drag, allowing anglers to pre-set their drag based on target species. The precision adjustment has 20 different reference numbers for anglers, but actually features 60 individual detent points for precision tuning. The beefiest spinner model is expected to cost between $800 and $900. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Okuma Komodo SS

The new Okuma Komodo SS series includes two sizes, 350 and 450. The 350 size includes a 6.4:1 gear ratio that retrieves 31-inches of line with every turn of the handle and maximum drag output of 25 pounds. The the “SS” in Komodo SS stands for stainless steel. The Komodo SS is built around a heavy-duty stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive shaft and spool shaft. Price is $260 to $270. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Shimano NASCI

Shimano’s NASCI spinners feature a Hagane, cold-forged driver gear, and Shimano’s CoreProtect, to provide water resistance. The NASCI spinning reels could be the best mid-level series ever offered by Shimano, retailing from $99 to $109. Devin Golden / sportfishingmag.com

Shimano Forcemaster 6000

The Shimano Forcemaster 6000 is an electric reel with the ability to set the depth of your cast. This big-game fishing reel is $1,099.99. Devin Golden / sportfishingmag.com

Accurate Valiant

Accurate’s Valiant lever-drag reel is surprisingly light at 9.9 ounces. Yet this reel handles 350 yards of 30-pound braid and cranks 32 inches of line turn. Features include proprietary twin drag, precision-cut stainless steel gears, newly designed handle, and 2 anti-reverse bearings with sealed washers. Price is $399. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Accurate Fury

Accurate entered the single drag market with the introduction its Boss Fury line of reels. The Boss Fury 400 comes in single speed in gear ratios of 4.1 and 6.1, and 2-speed models featuring a 3.1:1 low and 6.1:1 high. Price is $329. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Fin-Nor Offshore

The newly redesigned Fin-Nor Offshore spinner features an improved stainless steel main gear, megashield multi-layer corrosion protection and new carbon-fiber sealed megadrag. Models range from 4500 to 9500, with prices from $159 to $189. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Fin-Nor Mega Lite

Priced from $50 to $70, the three models of the new Fin-Nor Mega Lite pack plenty of value. Features include graphite body and rotor, sealed megadrag system, aluminum side cover and four stainless steel shielded bearings. All three reels handle braid or mono. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Daiwa Saltist

The new Daiwa Saltist saltwater spinner comes in 2500 to 8000 models. Features include magsealed line roller and main shaft, waterproof carbon drag system, aluminum spool, and digicut digital gear design. Prices range from $200 to $250. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Daiwa BG

Daiwa’s new BG spinners feature an oversize digigear (machine cut and heavy duty) and air rotor design. This saltwater reel has a 7 bearing system (6BB + 1RB), waterproof carbon drag, and aluminum spool. Model sizes range from 1500 to 8000, with prices starting at $99.95. Devin Golden / sportfishingmag.com

St. Croix Mojo Jig Rod

The new St. Croix Mojo Jig rods were built specifically for vertical jigging. With Fuji reel seat components and a premium graphite blank, St. Croix built the rod for heavy-duty saltwater fishing. The Sea Guide guides are corrosion-resistant frames with aluminum oxide rings. St. Croix utilized underwraps on the guides for added blank protection. Four spinning and four conventional rods are part of the series, all priced at $200. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

L.L. Bean Surf Spinning Rods

The L.L. Bean Surf spinning rods come in three 2-piece models. The medium-fast action rods measure 8, 9 and 10 feet. Rod features include high-modulus graphite blank, rubber handle, and low profile guides. Prices range from $89 to $109. Sam Hudson / sportfishingmag.com

Eagle Claw Wright & McGill Sabalos II

The new Sabalos II reels have a smooth, long cast and can be had for just $99.99. The three-layer drag system is made to stop the strongest fish in the water. Devin Golden / sportfishingmag.com