Gear

International Fishing Tackle Show Preview

Hot new gear for inshore and offshore fishermen

By Chris Woodward

Updated: July 3, 2018

Fashion has its runways. Movies have premieres. Fishing tackle has its ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) held each July. During this massive event — July 10-13 this year in Orlando, Florida — thousands of gear manufacturers and dealers as well as the fishing media gather for show and tell.

Although the public can’t attend this trade event, Sport Fishing editors will bring it to you online daily at sportfishingmag.com from the show, and continue afterward with video and later with print coverage. But we knew you’d want a taste now, so we asked gear-makers to share a few of their new offerings.

Ocean Born Flying Popper 140 and Flying Pencill 160

Expert lure creator Patrick Sebile, who sold his namesake company in 2011, has launched a new venture: A Band of Anglers LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, Florida. Sebile’s first project is Ocean Born Lures. His first two baits: a popper and a pencil designed for great topwater action and long casting distance. With side wings and reduced-air-friction ribs, these plugs fly 10 to 20 percent farther in field testing, Sebile says. Each lure will come in three models — floating (F), sinking (S) and the weighty super long distance (SLD) — with 4x trebles for the F and S models and 6x tinned trebles for the SLD, and in eight colors. MSRP: $22 for F and S models; $27 for the SLD
Available: June Courtesy Ocean Born Lures

Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet Size 06

The latest addition to Rapala’s X-Rap lure family, the new size 06 Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet delivers a subtle, side-to-side swimming motion for walk-the-dog presentations. Anglers can also fish the bait with a slow-sinking glide-and-drop technique to send the mullet into pockets where big fish ambush prey. Constructed with an X-Style translucent body and lifelike 3D holographic eyes, the lure swims 1 to 2 feet deep, comes with two corrosion-resistant VMC Coastal Black 1x in-line single hooks, and is available in 17 enticing finishes. It measures 21/2½inches long and weighs in at 5/16 ounces. MSRP: $10.99
Available: July Courtesy Rapala

Sufix Advance Monofilament

Sufix says its new Advance Monofilament offers abrasion resistance along with sensitivity — characteristics that give braided line its strength and effectiveness. In fact, the new mono is made of fiber molecules traditionally found in braided line, a unique composition achieved through Sufix’s proprietary magnetic extrusion process. Advance boasts 50 percent less stretch and UV absorption than standard monofilament, along with castability and superior knot strength. Available in clear and low-viz green, the line comes in 330-yard spools and in pound-tests from 4 to 25. MSRP: $12.99
Available: July Courtesy Sufix

Halco Slidog 150

Halco has developed a sinking, sliding stickbait that features heavily reinforced side walls, ultratough 7xx fish rings, and Mustad 7/0 inline single hooks. The Slidog 150 measures 6 inches long and weighs 3 ounces, allowing long casts on medium/heavy casting outfits. MSRP: $18
Available: Fall Courtesy Halco

Z-Man Trout Trick Jerk ShrimpZ

Z-Man used the backward-swimming action of frantic, fleeing shrimp to craft a natural look for its Trout Trick Jerk ShrimpZ. The 31/2-inch shrimp employs features such as the tucked-under tail and flat belly of the shrimp, which yields a gliding action on the fall. Designed to target seatrout, redfish, snook, flounder and other inshore species, the bait’s thin appendages and twin paddle-tail antennae generate lively motion when twitched and hopped. Available in eight colors and made from tough ElaZtech. MSRP: $5.99 per pack of five
Available: August 1 Courtesy Z-Man

LiveTarget Atlantic Mackerel Swimbait

LiveTarget‘s Atlantic Mackerel swimbait combines biologically precise anatomical features and color patterns with biomimetic action and robust saltwater components. The tail generates a swimming action and vibration that trigger strikes. The bait’s dorsal fin doubles as a shield to protect the extra-wide-gap hook from collecting vegetation. A side accessory pin allows for customization, using willow-leaf attractor blades or even a second hook. The bait comes in 6- and 7-inch lengths and 13/8- or 23/8-ounce weights, and in silver/blue and silver/blue/green. MSRP: $12.49 to $13.49
Available: Late fall Courtesy LiveTarget

Eagle Claw TroKar TK24 Heavy Wire Octopus Hook

Eagle Claw designed its new heavy-duty octopus hook with a curved point for increased holding power. The cold-forged, high-carbon TK24 carries a black-chrome finish for better corrosion resistance and durability. The hook comes in sizes 1/0 to 7/0 for applications that require a smaller hook with extra strength, such as for snook, redfish and tarpon as well as snapper, grouper and amberjack — whenever a J hook is preferred. MSRP: $9.99 (in quantities of six to 16, depending on hook size)
Available: Fall Courtesy Eagle Claw

Berkley Fusion 19 Bucktail Jigs

Designed to pair with Berkley Gulp! baits, the Fusion19 bucktail jigs feature quality components for fishing soft plastics. The corrosion-resistant Fusion19 hooks penetrate hard mouths and stay sharp. A double line-tie offers versatility for jigging or casting and retrieving. The jigs come in 12 sizes from 1/8 to 8 ounces and in eight colors. MSRP: $3.99 to $9.99
Available: Fall Courtesy Berkely

Storm 360GT Coastal Weighted Swimbait Hook

At last year’s ICAST show, Storm introduced its 360GT Coastal baits, a collection of soft-body lures. This year, the company is offering a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant VMC Coastal Black hook for rigging these swimbaits. The hooks come ready to fish with a tapered-screw bait keeper and balanced keel weight. Fish with these weighted hooks around vegetation and when you need a slower retrieve speed. The hooks come in packages of four and in four sizes. MSRP: $5.99
Available: July Courtesy Storm

Williamson Big Game Catcher Kit

Williamson‘s lure kits allow avid anglers to purchase a variety of baits in one package. The new Big Game Catcher kit includes four 8-inch trolling lures with concave pusher heads that create erratic swimming action. Each lure head features holographic 3D eyes with embedded holographic foil, trailed by a holographic foil skirt. Baits come pre-rigged with a 5-foot, 175-pound-test Sufix leader and are trollable at speeds up to 8 mph with a VMC 9/0 hook. A roll-up lure bag is included. MSRP: $49.99
Available: July Courtesy Williamson

Quantum Accurist Inshore

Redesigned from the ground up, the third-generation Accurist S3 reel now comes in an inshore saltwater version. The reel features R.E.D. (Reel Engine Design), which includes precisely aligned, aluminum unibody construction for a smooth retrieve and durability. The one-piece gearbox leaves no side cover to flex under load, resulting in smooth gears that hold up under extreme use. Quantum‘s patented ceramic drag system includes a new adjustment mechanism. The reel will be available in 25 and 30 sizes. MSRP: $99
Available: Fall Courtesy Quantum

Penn Spinfisher VI

The legendary Spinfisher series, originally launched in 1963, has received an upgraded IPX5 sealing and proprietary machined CNC Gear Technology. The VI series comes in 11 sizes from 2500 to 10500; the new 2500 size will be Penn’s smallest sealed reel ever. Also available are four Live Liner models from 2500 to 8500 sizes, which feature an innovative rear drag adjustment; two bailless models in 4500 and 6500 sizes; and three long-cast models in 5500, 6500 and 7500 sizes. MSRP: $139.95 to $249.95
Available: Fall Courtesy Penn

Okuma Tesoro 5S

The popularity of the compact, machined-aluminum Tesoro Star Drag reels has spawned an even more compact version. The new ultracompact Tesoro 5S is a high-speed star-drag reel that will offer the capacity — 465 yards of 50-pound braid — and power to hold up to most any game-fish contender. MSRP: $319.99
Available: August Courtesy Okuma

Fin Nor Trophy

Fin Nor‘s affordable Trophy spinning reels and combos feature rigid graphite construction and stainless-steel components. Fin Nor’s MegaLock clutch and double-shielded stainless bearings add performance and durability. Reels range from 25 to 80 sizes, and combo rods come with cork handles and graphite blanks for inshore and with EVA grips and heavy-duty composite blanks for surf and offshore in 7- to 10-foot lengths. MSRP: Reels cost $49; combos cost $69 to $79
Available: Late fall Courtesy Fin Nor

Alutecnos Gorilla Rods

Alutecnos’ new Gorilla conventional rods employ Fuji K series double- and single-foot guides and an Alutecnos silver reel seat. The three carbon-fiber models measure 6 feet 6 inches long, and are rated for 12-, 20- and 30-pound test. MSRP: $379 to $399
Available: July Courtesy Alutecnos

G. Loomis E6X Inshore Rods

G. Loomis introduces an upgrade to its ICAST award-winning E6X Inshore rod series, now offered in 11 spinning and three casting models (down from five) and in 6-foot-6-inch to 8-foot lengths. The redesign includes smaller guides, reducing overall blank weight while providing better balance through the company’s multi-taper technology. Spin and casting models feature Fuji reel seats. MSRP: $199.99 to $229.99
Available: August Courtesy G. Loomis

Okuma PCH Custom Inshore Rods

The new PCH Custom Inshore Series includes two 7-foot-6-inch casting models in medium and heavy actions, two 8-foot casting models in medium-heavy and heavy actions, and two 8-foot spinners in medium-heavy and heavy. The rods come with top-end components from Fuji and ALPS. MSRP: $189.99 to $199.99
Available: Summer Courtesy Okuma

Quantum Smoke Inshore

Building on the success of the current Smoke Inshore rod series, the new S3 family of products is even more refined. Starting with HSX64 graphite construction, the S3 blanks are a blend of Toray graphite materials for strength, sensitivity, durability and action. Components include Fuji SK2 reel seats and Quantum’s PT Guide System featuring aluminum-oxide guides. Available in spinning and baitcasting models in multiple lengths and actions. MSRP: $149
Available: Fall Courtesy Quantum

Columbia Terminal Deflector ZERO Hoodie

Columbia’s next generation of Omni-Shade Sun Deflector technology significantly reduces material weight and improves breathability. Tiny titanium-dioxide dots help deflect heat from the sun, and Omni-Freeze ZERO technology provides cooling relief next to the skin. The performance hoodie will come in sizes S through 2XL and in five colors: vivid blue, black, cool gray, green mamba and riptide. MSRP: $75
Available: Spring 2019 Courtesy Columbia

Cuda Professional Snip

Cuda launches an extension of its Professional family — which currently includes knives — with the 8-inch Professional Snip. The tool’s titanium, nonstick stainless blades are corrosion resistant, will stay sharp, and feature a microserrated edge to cut rope, straps, nets and fins. The snips also cut wire, braid, mono and fluorocarbon. The handles are multilayer two-tone cold-molded Micarta with full-tang construction and a lock. The snips come with a hard-molded sheath and a lanyard. MSRP: $59.99
Available: Fall Courtesy Cuda

Pelagic Pursuit Low-Rise Deck Boots

Pelagic gave its 6-inch Pursuit Low-Rise Deck Boots a Neo-Tech Cooling Liner for those hot days on the water. The boots’ heavy-duty, waterproof rubber construction keeps feet dry, and the reinforced toe and ergonomic footbed offer protection and comfort. Available in Ambush Camo print and in sizes 8 through 13. MSRP: $89
Available: October Courtesy Pelagic

AFTCO Proteus Waterproof Jacket and Bib

The Proteus outerwear system is made from three-layer nylon fabric with 20,000 mm waterproofing and 15,000 g of breathability. Features include YKK Aquaguard coil zippers, fully taped seams, reinforced knees and cuffs, a pliers pocket, and a cord-lock system at the hem and hood on the jacket. Available in sizes S through 2XL and in black. MSRP: Jacket, $225; bib, $199
Available: October Courtesy AFTCO

Huk Leviathan Foul-Weather Gear

Huk’s new Leviathan jacket and bib carry a waterproof/breathability rating of 15,000 mm/15,000 g, meaning they’re built for nasty offshore days in cool or warm climates. For safety, the garments feature Reflectek print technology that brightly illuminates when hit with a light source. Available in black and in sizes S through 3XL. MSRP: $379.99 for the jacket, $379.99 for the bib
Available: December Courtesy Huk

Xtratuf Deck Shoe

Xtratuf says its new Deck Shoe, available in men’s and women’s sizes, was inspired by the popularity of its 6-inch Ankle Deck Boots. Constructed of hand-laid rubber, the lightweight shoes are waterproof, feature nonmarking, slip-resistant outsoles and come with an Xpresscool lining to cool the feet, wick away moisture, and dry quickly. Men’s shoes come in sizes 7 to 14 and in navy and Mossy Oak manta; women’s in 5 to 11 and in sea foam. MSRP: $80 for solid colors; $90 for camo
Available: Spring 2019 Courtesy Xtratuf

Bluefin USA Camo Hoodie

Designed with a regular fit and flat-lock construction, the long-sleeve camo Hoodie is made from a soft microfiber-spandex blend that wears like a “second skin,” Bluefin says. The Hoodie’s design is dye sublimated to keep the original technical features of this performance top. The hoodie offers SPF 50-plus sun protection and antimicrobial properties. MSRP: $49
Available: September Courtesy Bluefin

Yeti Tundra Haul

Yeti introduces the first-ever Yeti cooler on wheels, the Tundra Haul. Just like its Tundra predecessors, the Haul features resilient roto-molded construction, a StrongArm Handle with an all-metal T-bar design that allows you to pull the cooler next to you rather than behind. Its shape has been updated to be wider and taller — definitely wine-bottle friendly — for those impromptu happy hours at the dock. The NeverFlat Wheels never have to be inflated. The Haul will be available in white and charcoal. MSRP: $399.99
Available: Summer Courtesy Yeti