Gear

ICAST International Tackle Show Sneak Preview

Get the scoop on newest gear debuting next week in Orlando.

By Chris Woodward

Updated: June 27, 2015

ICAST Sneak Preview

Christmas in July. That’s the best way to describe the annual rollout of new tackle and gear from manufacturers at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), held each summer. This year’s ICAST, in Orlando, Florida, runs July 14-17. ICAST is open only to tackle dealers and media. Sport Fishing editors plan to bring you live coverage online as well as follow-up articles in print. To whet your whistle, here are just a few details on 17 of the products expected to debut at the show. Chris Woodward

Shimano Twin Power

The Buzz: Shimano brings its Hagane reel-design concept to saltwater anglers with the new Twin Power SW spinning reels. Offered in five sizes — 4000XG, 5000XG, 8000PG, 10000PG and 14000XG — the Twin Power reels feature Hagane’s cold-forged gear to provide precision, power and durability. The Hagane body design offers the rigidity to support that power. The reels also feature X-Shield and X-Protect for water resistance in extreme conditions. On the four larger reels, the drag washers are compressed from both above and below. MSRP: $479.99 to $619.99 Available: Late July Courtesy of Shimano

Old Town Loon Angler

The Buzz: While sit-on-top kayaks have dominated the fishing market, cold-water anglers prefer the safety and comfort of a sit-in boat. Available in two sizes — 10 feet and 12 ½ feet — the Loon Anglers feature a completely new design, an innovative work deck with an attachment track, and a USB port and built-in storage, and they come with Old Town‘s ultra-padded and customizable ACS2 seat. MSRP: $999 and $1,099 Available: January 2016 Courtesy of Old Town

Eagle Claw Trokar TK197 Primal

The Buzz: Eagle Claw says the new TK197 Primal takes the Lazer Sharp L197 circle hook to a whole new level. The same offset, light-wire circle hook that anglers have preferred now comes with a super-sharp Trokar point. The TK197 Primal will come in sizes 2/0 to 7/0. Retail packs will contain eight to 13 hooks, depending on size. MSRP: $11.99 Available: January 2016

Penn Carnage II

The Buzz: Lightweight and built for braid, Penn Carnage II rods feature SLS3 construction, which combines graphite and fiberglass to deliver a light, thin-diameter blank. By offering slightly more parabolic action, these rods offer more forgiveness when violent strikes come on braided line. Components include Fuji K guides with alconite inserts, ALPS machined-aluminum reel seats, and textured rubber shrink-tube grips. MSRP: $179.95 to $199.95 Available: Mid-October Courtesy of Penn

Accurate Boss 300

The Buzz: Accurate designed a new 300-size single-speed reel for shallow-water or inshore fishing. The TwinDrag conventional reel weighs 9.3 ounces and is made from 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum. It comes with a new Cam Stop feature, a secure indent in the drag cam that stops the lever before it goes into full. The 300 offers a 6.1-to-1 gear ratio, holds 325 yards of 30-pound braid, and retrieves 29 ½ inches of line per crank. MSRP: $399 Availability: Holidays 2015 Courtesy of Accurate

Columbia Force 12

The Buzz: Named after a hurricane-force storm, Columbia‘s technical PFG jacket comes with OutDry Extreme technology and a host of technical features for hardcore anglers. Despite its rugged waterproof design, it’s fully breathable. It offers abrasion-resistant overlays at stress points, an adjustable hood, a removable pocket, neoprene cuffs and reflective detailing. MSRP: $500 Available: January 2016 Courtesy of Columbia Sportswear

Mustad Elite Series

The Buzz: Mustad‘s new Elite Series jig heads feature 2X-strong UltraPoint hooks with extended shaft lengths for fishing large baits and braided lines. For saltwater inshore and offshore fishing, Mustad will offer Shrimp Heads, Bullet Heads (pictured) and Shad Darter Heads. The latter two will also be available in a 2X-long version. Bullet Heads also come with a collar that allows for customizing the jig with a skirt or bucktail. Weights range from 1∕8 to 2 ounces, depending on style. MSRP: $2.99 to $6.99 Available: November Courtesy of Mustad

Alutecnos Reel Colors

The Buzz: Previously made in either silver or gold, Alutecnos‘ Gorilla (pictured), Albacore and Veloce reels will now be available in an additional four colors: black, red, gunmetal and blue. Machined and hand-assembled in Italy, these reels comprise high-quality materials built to precise tolerances. Color is added as the metal is anodized. MSRP: $30 upcharge Available: Late July Courtesy of Alutecnos

SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo Braid

The Buzz: SpiderWire is introducing its new Blue Camo multicolored braided line with varied hues of turquoise, black, navy blue and white. Blue and green colors remain true in deeper depths. Anglers looking for less line visibility should find that Blue Camo camouflages the line against a background of clear blue-water conditions. The braid will come in 125-, 200-, 300-, 1,500- and 3,000-yard spools, from 10- to 100-pound-test. MSRP: $17.99, $21.99 and $23.99. Available: Mid-September Courtesy of SpiderWire

Penn Clash

The Buzz: One of the lightest spinning reels Penn has designed, the Clash features a full metal body, a sealed HT-100 drag system and eight sealed ball bearings. The company’s Leveline slow-oscillation system produces precise line lay, which improves casting distance and reduces wind knots. New CNC gear technology means both the main and pinion gears are machined from high-quality aluminum and brass, delivering a smooth, durable gear system. MSRP: $179.95 to $259.95 Available: Mid-October Courtesy of Penn

Guy Harvey Hammerhead Performance Shirts

The Buzz: The Hammerhead series features original front-and-back sublimated Guy Harvey artwork of popular inshore and offshore fish species such as redfish, sailfish, dolphinfish and hammerhead sharks. The shirts are made from new Ultra Pro UV-X fabric, which blocks 96 percent of harmful UV rays. Ultra Pro UV-X is moisture wicking and quick drying to keep anglers cool. MSRP: $45 Available: August Courtesy of Guy Harvey Sportswear

Quantum Smoke Inshore Speed Freak

The Buzz: Lightweight yet strong, Quantum‘s Smoke Inshore now comes in a Speed Freak model with a higher gear ratio and greater inches gained per handle turn than its sisters. The reel gets its strength from its SCR aluminum body and side cover, and the C4LF carbon-fiber rotor. The CSC carbon-fiber drag achieves extra drag force, and the MaxCast spool lip helps you cast farther. MSRP: $199 Available: October Courtesy of Quantum

G.Loomis E6X Inshore

The Buzz: Available in 11 spinning and five casting models, with moderate-fast, fast, extra-fast and Magnum moderate-fast actions, the G.Loomis E6X rods are one-piece blanks with full cork handles. The spinning rods come in 7-, 7-foot-6-inch and 8-foot lengths; casting rods measure 6 feet 6 inches or 7 feet. MSRP: $179 to $219 Available: Mid-July Courtesy of G.Loomis

Shimano Pop Orca

The Buzz: This new popper features an unusual design — an open mouth that mimics a jet engine. Low pressure turns into high pressure, feeding water into a bubble chamber, a port on top of the lure. Water can spray out the top or erupt like a large bubble trail when the lure is pulled subsurface. Fish Pop Orca three ways: Steadily reel, use small sweeps, or use large sweeps to make it dive. The lure is available in 4 ¾-inch and 6-inch lengths and in seven colors. MSRP: $27.99 Available: Late July Courtesy of Shimano

Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra

The Buzz: The freshwater version of the Ulterra debuted last year. Now it’s our turn: The new Riptide Ulterra is engineered for corrosion resistance and comes with Ulterra’s auto stow-and-deploy feature and power trim. Using the i-Pilot wireless remote, saltwater anglers can stow or deploy the motor with the push of a button. Once Ulterra is deployed, the remote adjusts shaft depth. Riptide Ulterra also features i-Pilot GPS functionality, including Spot-Lock (an electronic anchor); it remembers fishing spots and paths (and automatically retraces them), and stays on a heading with Advanced AutoPilot. MSRP: $1,969.99 to $2,329.99 Available: Fall Courtesy of Minn Kota

Azores Jigging

THE BUZZ: Okuma says this is one of the lightest yet strongest rods it has ever produced. Built on 24-ton carbon blanks with an OC-9 carbon outer wrap for improved hoop strength, these rods work well with braided line. Azores rods employ Fuji K-concept guide frames with Alconite inserts. The spinning and conventional models will range from 6 to 7 feet in length and come with comfortable grooved EVA foregrips. MSRP: $189.99 to $199.99 AVAILABLE: August/September Courtesy of Okuma

Fin-Nor Bait Teaser

The Buzz: This heavy-duty Fin-Nor bait-feeder reel was built to offer absolute free spool in feeder mode for optimal live-bait fishing. It comes with a sealed carbon-fiber MegaDrag system, Megashield coating and a Megalock clutch. MSRP: $99 Available: November Courtesy of Fin-Nor