This year’s ICAST show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, and hosted by the American Sportfishing Association offered up a massive array of new products for retailers to inspect and consider for consumption by the angling industry. This year the show was joined by The American Fly Fishing Association creating an even broader scope of products for the over 9,500 attendees.
Our team scoured the convention to come up with what we believe were some of the coolest products offered. Look for these new entry’s at your local tackle store or reach out directly to the manufacturers. Tell ‘um Coastal Angler sent you!
2013 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners:
- ICAST 2013 Overall Best of Show – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product – Power-Pole Micro Anchor - Best of Show – Apparel – Shimano American Corportion
Product – Dryfender Insulated Raingear - Best of Show – Boating Accessory – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product – Power-Pole Mirco Anchor - Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product – Predator 13 - Best of Show – Combo – 13 Fishing
Product – White Out - Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors
Product – Humminbird Bow Mount 360 Imaging - Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa
Product – Tuna Alley - Best of Show – Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product – Tidal Wave-Micro Wave System - Best of Show – Fishsmart Tackle – Foreverlast, Inc.
Product – G2 Floating Wading Net - Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Columbia Sportswear
Product – Henry’s Fork V Vest - Best of Show – Fly Fishing Reel – Beam Outdoors
Product – Elite 21 Reel - Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product – PRO4x - Best of Show – Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product – CHRONARCH C14+ - Best of Show – Freshwater Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product – NRX Umbrella Rig - Best of Show – Giftware – Rapala
Product – Original Floating Bottle Opener - Best of Show – Kids’ Tackle – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product – Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo - Best of Show – Line – PowerPro
Product – PowerPro Zero-Impact - Best of Show – Hard Lure – Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation
Product – LIVETARGET Baitball - Best of Show – Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product – Lunker Frog - Best of Show – Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product – Stella SW 30000 - Best of Show – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product – Legend Xtreme Inshore - Best of Show – Tackle Management – Plano Molding Company
Product – 3700 Guide Series Tackle Bag - Best of Show – Terminal Tackle – Mustad
Product – Grip-Pin Swim
Wild River Takes Tackle Bags to the Next Level
Wild River extended its line of never-before-seen tackle bags and accessories at the 2013 ICAST Convention. Their product line is the first truly engineered tackle bag/ backpack in the industry. The Tackle Tek series offers a three-level, built-in LED light system allowing anglers to see into their bag or work area when light gets scarce. The Nomad model, shown here, is now available; and, if you can wait until Spring/Summer of 2014, you can get the Nomad XP model with an integrated USB charging system, converter tips and clip-on solar panel so you do not have to rush back to land. It’s well worth checking these tackle bags out.
Igloo Introduces Its Yukon Series of Coolers
Igloo Coolers new addition of the Yukon Series is sure to set new standards for the hard coolers industry. The Yukon Cold Locker Series range from 50-250 quart. Virtually indestructible, these coolers are engineered to keep your ice cold and to withstand even the most rigorous outdoor challenges. Igloo’s history dates back to 1947 when their original metal coolers replaced the wooden drink buckets used by construction workers.
Today Igloo is considered to be the world’s number one cooler manufacturer. The addition of the Yukon family of coolers will only solidify this fact. If you haven’t seen the features offered in the Yukon Series, you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at what may be the last cooler you’ll ever need.
Ballon Fisher King
The Balloon Fishing Clip, a first-of-its-kind item that simplifies balloon fishing, allows anglers to go from on the water to in the water in mere seconds. In short, if you have a clip, a balloon and some line—and a baited hook, of course—you have all you need for balloon fishing.
With the Balloon Fishing Clip, there are no fancy swivels or elaborate knots needed. Anglers just need to clip, bait, inflate and fish. It’s really that simple.
To use the clip, an angler pushes the release/lock button on the side of the item, then inserts fishing line into the balloon clip’s line cavity and releases the button, locking the line into place. (Depth is adjusted by depressing the release/lock button and sliding the clip up or down the line.) Once the balloon is inflated, and a knot is tied to prevent air from leaking out, the knot is inserted into a notch on the side of the clip before the angler stretches the balloon and inserts the neck of the balloon into a cavity on the top of the clip. That’s it. Bait and fish.
Balloon Fisher King is manufactured and marketed by MZL Creations, which is dedicated to creating environmentally friendly products that take some of the hassle out of fishing.
ZipTailsZ Treble Hook Skirts
Innovative Fishing Products officially introduced its ZiptailZ Treble Hook Skirts at ICAST 2013. With the ZiptailZ Treble Hook Skirt you can install and remove a dressed silicone skirt in less than 30 seconds, and, for the first time ever, you can now add a skirt to any of your existing treble hook lures. The unique design of the patent pending tri-wing connector brings life to your treble lures. ZiptailZ Treble Hook Skirts work best on larger lures for larger fish—musky, northern pike, laketrout, stripers, large saltwater species, etc., and is available in two different variety packs of 3 skirts each. For smaller game fish such as bass, walleye, salmon, seatrout and redfish try the Ziptailz Treble Hook Mini Skirts, which is available in two different variety packs of 4 skirts each. Free shipping to any location in the continental USA (Limited Time Offer).
Aqua Login Bait Keeping System
Aquatic system experts at Aqua Logic teamed together with staff of Robinson Wholesale and their expertise in live bait to design a state of the art self-contained refrigerated aquatic tank.
Specifically designed for use in retail outlets selling live bait, this system also has applications in other types of uses including: aquatic research, display, museums and universities, and restaurants and grocery stores. Economic, quiet, and easy to operate, the Aqua Logic bait system is simply the best.
As the water passes through bio media colonized by bacteria, biological filtration takes place and toxic ammonia is consumed and eliminated by this process. The clean water then goes through the pump and a portion is pushed back into the water return pipe. The other portion is pushed through a venturi, which aerates water by sucking air into it, and across the refrigeration coils where the water is chilled. This cycle repeats itself approximately 12 times per hour. Activated carbon and/or zeolyte may be used in place or in conjunction with bio media until bacterial colonies become established. These products provide filtration of the water removing harmful by-products of fish metabolism. For further information and pricing call: (800)-457-2248 or email: info@robinsonwholesaleinc.com.
Tackle Management Redefined
RIGRAP® formally introduced their exciting line of 2013-2014 tangle free fishing rig storage solutions at this year’s ICAST 2013 event in Las Vegas. Less than a year ago, RIGRAP® introduced its first product to the fishing industry and due to the overwhelming interest, the company quickly moved its development of a full line of tangle free rig storage solutions and accessories into high gear and what a great job they’ve done. What RIGRAP has accomplished in less than a year is sure to make every Angler take notice. From conveniently small to offshore extra-large, all combined, RIGRAP has created a new line of rig storage products that will change the way we all store our rigs. There are now 8 various sizes of RIGRAPs; along with a specialty RIGRAP® branded the LURELOCKER4TM intended specifically to store rigged baits and lures tangle free—talk about being rigged and ready! Additionally, RIGRAP introduced an extraordinarily convenient RIGRAP® holder called the RIGRACK12TM which is designed to hold upwards of 12 RIGRAPs and comes with suction cups and straps for secure onboard placement. To top it all off, RIGRAP unveiled a unique storage track system dubbed the RIGTRACTM available in 2 sizes that can be easily installed on anything from a kayak to a state-of-the-art onboard tackle station. RIGRAPs have a MSRP starting at only $3.95. For more information about RIGRAP®, look them up at their website or by calling 561.200.5958
Holster Up!
Whether you’re out for a day of fishing, barbecuing at home with friends and family, or tailgating at the stadium, Holster Up drink holsters are perfect for keeping your bottle or can right on your hip. Their holsters come in a variety of materials and colors, and all feature a pocket on the back panel, so you can keep your ID, cash, and credit card with you at all times! This very cool product is a great gift idea and can even be produced with your company, fishing team or tournament logo. For more information visit them on the web or call: (347) HOLSTER (465-7837).
Aqua Design’s Sun Guard, Tube Pro
Aqua Design’s team has set an industry standard with their newest introduction of the professional face mask series. The inclusion of nose and mouth breathing holes eliminates many of the problems associated with face covers. No more fogging glasses! Their Velcro adjustment feature truly insures the “one size fits all” dilemma that other face covers fail to deliver. UPF 50+ sun protection is built into their stretch fabric and with the added technical construction features, this face cover is built to last.
BigFin Fishing Apparel
From the dynamic art of world renowned marine life artist Ray Domingo, BIGFIN Apparel offers a stunning variety of fishing wear that is available in an assortment of crisp colors that make for a perfect combination of powerful, in-your-face graphics. Some designs feature colorful jumbo images on the back and the hip, accompanied by a contemporary look of shoulder prints on the front.
“BIGFIN Apparel is setting the standard for what fishing apparel can be,” says Mark Nelson, CEO of BIGFIN Apparel. “It’s not just your basic fishing T-Shirt anymore; we are going bigger and better!” Since BIGFIN’s introduction into the fishing apparel industry, the line has received praise not only from leaders in the fishing community, but leaders in the apparel industry as well, receiving Coastal Angler’s Hottest New Line of Clothes Award for ICAST 2012. To satisfy the growing demand, BIGFIN has expanded its line to include women’s apparel and performance tees. So, to stay cool when the action gets hot, GO BIGFIN!
Easy 2 Hook
Outdoor Specialty Products solves the age- old problem of quickly tying the perfect knot. Come to find out, the perfect knot is no knot. This cleverly engineered hook enables any angler to quickly secure a hook to a line with no danger of the dreaded “bad knot” that has cost too many of us “the one that got away.” Easy2Hook also eliminates the frustrating effort that many anglers experience when trying to thread the eyelet of a hook with line. No threading here, just wrap, twist and secure. Available in an assortment of hook styles and sizes.
FloatBack Lures
Floatback Lures have developed a crankbait using transformational and disruptive technology where the hooks are not permanently fastened to the lure, but to the line, therefore enabling the crankbait to eject from the hooked object and float back up to the surface for retrieval. If you get snagged with a conventional crankbait, you have to spend valuable fishing time trying to get it loose and most of the time that doesn’t happen, leading to a lot of time wasted and an expensive lure lost. With a Floatback, the lure ejects from the snagged hooks and floats back to the surface for retrieval, all you lose are the two hooks and the retention bead.
- Double hook-ups – When you strike, the floatback is ejected away from both hooks which then invariably leads to a double hook-up thereby doubling your chance of landing the fish.
- No throw off’s – Because the lure ejects clear of the fish and only the hooks are connected, there is no lure weight to create leverage to cause a throw off.
This technology is significant and holds the opportunity to be a “game changer” in the industry. Look for these lures to be in the winner’s circle on the professional circuits soon Great Action, Great Benefits, Simple to use! See Flotback lures on FOX-Sunsports Network. Floatback Lures will be launching two new versions over the next 2 months; a Square Bill 1.5 – 2.5 ft diver and a walker for top water fishing. To get a better understanding of how these lures are destined to provide the professional angler with a competitive edge, click on Brandon Card’s message on the Floatback website. He’s the 2012 rookie of the year.
Grizzly 75
Specially designed with marine users in mind, Grizzly Coolers unveils its new 75-quart model. The American-made Grizzly 75 fits in factory-mounted cooler brackets located in the center console or under the leaning posts of small- to mid- size boats. The Grizzly 75’s exterior measures 33.24 inches wide by 18 inches deep, and stands 18 inches high. Inside, the cooler is 27.6 inches wide by 13.85 inches deep with a height of 14 inches.
All Grizzly Coolers come in a variety of colors. A limited lifetime warranty is standard with all Grizzly Coolers models. RotoToughTM Grizzly Coolers are constructed with UV-treated, rotationally molded, polyethylene plastic and insulated with ecomate polyurethane foam. Featuring a gasket seal and insulated rigid lid, the Grizzly 75 maximizes ice retention to keep your catch cold. The cooler features a mold-in hinge with solid stainless steel pins for durability, mold-in handles for extra strength and easy handling, and a no hardware latching system. Grizzly Coolers are proudly envisioned and engineered by Iowa Rotocast Plastics, Inc. IRP has been designing, and testing and creating quality rotationally molded coolers since 1983. From start to finish, 100% of Grizzly Coolers are made in Decorah, Iowa, USA.