Article by Larry Jock
In Orlando, Florida all of the big-wigs in the fishing tackle industry get together at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trade Show (ICCAST) to hobnob and show off their latest and greatest products. The organizers of ICCAST select the “Best in Show” in 24 different categories. Here are a few of the winners from the 2016 Show:
Best Saltwater Rod
This is the first year I saw a product from Lew’s show up as a Best of Show winner, but it looks like we may be hearing more from this company in the future.
Lew’s won for their Mach Speed Stick Series of saltwater rods. These rods feature IM6 graphite blanks, which are multi-layered, lightweight and extremely sensitive. The grips are unique, manufactured with Winn advanced polymer Dri-Tac techology. The grips are also split, a common set-up in today’s rods, making the rod even more lightweight. The 8 guides are American Tackle’s new AirWave slim ring control system, known for easy, smooth line flow to improve and maximize castability. The inshore models, for which they won the “Best in Show” award, come in a 6’9” casting model and a 7’0” spinning model, both capable of handling 8 to 15 lb. test line.
Lew’s Mach Speed Stick Inshore Rods retail for an affordable $79.95.
Best Saltwater Reel
For many years, Shimano was eating Penn’s lunch when it came to saltwater reels, but over the last few years, Penn has made a tremendous comeback. At the 2015 ICCAST show, they won “Best Saltwater Reel” for their Clash spinning rod. At the 2016 show, they won again for their Penn Slammer III spinning rod.
The Penn Slammer has been a favorite among fisherman for several years, and the Penn Slammer III was introduced for heavy use no matter how you fish. The reels feature Penn’s new IPX6 sealed body and spool design to keep the gear box and drag system free of dirt and water. Penn also improved the reel by utilizing their Dura-Drag material into the drag system. This is the same material used in their famed Penn International big game reels. The reel contains 6+1 stainless steel ball bearings along with Instant Anti-Reverse technology. When it comes to comfort, Penn stepped it up a notch with their larger handle design that makes the reel easier to hold and more efficient when you are cranking.
You can find the Slammer III in several models, from the 3500 that can hold 220 yards of 20 lb. braided line up to the 10500 model that holds 540 yards of 80 lb. braid. The reels aren’t cheap with the 3500 setting you back around $250 and the 10500 costing a cool $349.95. However, with the durability improvements made to the Slammer III, this reel should be around for quite a long time.
Best Fishing Accessory
I remember back in college wondering why anyone would pay a whole $1 for a bottle of water. I just couldn’t imagine someone ever doing that and I certainly never thought the day would come where we would pay crazy high prices for modern day, high end coolers. Obviously, the folks at Yeti and Pelican had a different opinion. High end coolers are the current rage and Yeti looks like they are leading the pack in innovation.
Yeti won Best Fishing Accessory for their Hopper Flip 12 cooler. With an MSRP set at a frigid $279.99, the Hopper delivers Yeti’s famous thermal regulation in a small, more portable size measuring 12.5-inches long by 10-inches wide. It’s walls are 3/4 to 1-inch thick and made of TPU-laminated anti-microbial nylon. The HyroLok Zipper is a tough one to open, but it’s sturdy design is a major component of the leak proof cooler, keeping contents airtight and cold. The seams are RF-welded which melds the parts together to improve durability and keeps it leakproof.
With a 3.2 gallon capacity, it is a nice size to hold a days worth of food and beverages and a shoulder strap makes it easier to lug around.
Are these high end coolers worth the money. I may not think so, but there are plenty of fishermen who swear by them. At least the Hopper makes it easy to carry, unlike most of the conventional designed Yeti’s that require a small army to lift.
Best Fish Smart Accessory
I find that fishing nets can become very personal and I know that I am always on the lookout for one that feels better in my hands and improves my chances of getting that whopper into the boat.
At the 2016 show, Adverture Products introduced their Ego S1 Genesis Kryptek Nets as part of their system of nets and accessories..
The S1 Genesis Kryptek Nets use a lightweight, hexagonal aluminum design that provides durability but not at the cost of weight. I’m not sure they could handle big stripers, but they certainly can help you boat any other inshore fish caught off our coast and in our bays.
The main feature of the nets are it’s ability, with a twist of the floating handle, to remove the net and replace it with a different size net or an accessory such as boat hooks, gaffs and brushes. This makes it ideal for multi-species anglers or those looking to save space. Their selection of nets include models with clear rubber, PVC or black rubber mesh in sizes ranging from a 14x16-inch hoop size on an 18-inch handle up to a 19x21-inch hoop on a 36-inch handle.
You can pick up one of these nets for between $56 and $66 with replacements hooks costing a little less than the complete package.
Best Soft Lure
It’s really incredible how a local, Ocean City company like Squidnation has created innovative products that can be found anywhere in the world that anglers are chasing fish. Local angler and founder of Squidnation, Bill Pino, introduced their Longtail Flippy Floppy to the industry and took home “Best Soft Lure” honors at the show.
The original “That Flippy Floppy Thing” took the local fishing scene by storm and won rave reviews from many offshore anglers over the past couple of years. Known for listening to charter boat and avid offshore fishermen, the folks at Squidnation found out that years ago, North Carolina fishermen were stuffing their 9-inch squids with pink or blue skirts that extended beyone the tentacles of the squid. This set-up produced more bites, the same results found through testing by Squidnation, so they decided to add the Long Tail Maulers to the original Flippy Floppy Thing and came up with the Longtail Flippy Floppy. Squidnation offers eight colors of UV impregnated skirts in their clear Mauler squid.
The cost for the Longtail version is $99, the same as the original Flippy Floppy and slightly more than the Billfish Edition.
I have never personally used any of the Flippy Floppy daisy chains but I can tell you that many, many times when I have interviewed anglers about their catch, they have raved about the Flippy Floppy and I see more boats using them every year.
Best Tackle Management
Tackle junkies always seem to be looking for better ways to store their equipment and it looks like Cobra Garage Door Storage Solutions has come up with a way to utilize some unused space and in the process, win a “Best in?Show” award at ICCAST.
Cobra’s Garage Door Storage Rack mounts to the inside of your garage doors with adjustable clamps and ABS?plastic racks that can hold not only your fishing rods but also garden tools and other equipment. The Storage Racks can be used on 18 or 21-inch door panels and are fully adjustable to the length of your fishing rods. The company does offer custom spacers to fit non-standard doors.
The Storage Rack installs in minutes and costs just $35, not much when you are limited in the space you can devote to your collection of fishing rods.
Best Boat
Over the last few years, fishing from kayaks has exploded. We see more and more anglers in kayaks fishing in the bay, around the bridges and even out in the ocean. YouTube is loaded with videos of anglers tangling with huge fish in the ocean. I think they are crazy, but it must be a lot of fun to hook up with a big fish and have them towing you around the big pond.
Last year, Eddyline won Best of Show for their YakAttack kayak and this year, Johnson Outdoors Watercraft introduced their Old Town Predator PDL kayak to rave reviews.
The Predator PDL is one mean looking boat and is made of LT900 polyethylene, making it highly durable and strong. The defining feature of the PDL is the pedal drive system that uses a high ratio propeller drive, giving you a smooth ride, the ability to back up, change position and the ability to hold your position while fighting your fish. Two cool features of the drive is that it is easily removable and it floats. The pedal drive works just like a bicycle, making it very easy to use.
Like it’s relatives in the Predator family of kayaks, the PDL is extremely sturdy, making it easy and comfortable to stand or walk on the deck.
Because it is built like a tank, the PDL is not easy to lug around by yourself and the handles have not received good reviews.
The 13’ 2”, 117 lb. kayak contains several nice features including removable mouting plates for rod holders, GPS units or other electronic equipment. It also has a large tank well, molded paddle rests, a large bow hatch and dual tackle holders giving you quick access to your equipment.
Depending on the accessories you get with your Predator PDL, it will set you back around $2,800, still not a bad price to give you the flexibility and ability to get into the shallow waters throughout our bays and around our bridges.
Every now and then, a new product comes across my desk that makes me wonder if anyone would possibly ever buy it. Recently, I received a press release from Fixate, Inc. about their new FX8 men’s and women’s silicone wedding bands. The rings are made of medical-grade silicone that are hypoallergenic, non-conductive and non-porous, making them perfect for those who don’t want to wear a metal wedding ring on the water. I have heard of several accidents where the leader gets caught on a wedding ring and the results aren’t pretty.
The rings can be custom engraved, both on the inside and outside with up to 12 characters.
So if you want to earn some brownie points with your spouse (and can stand all the busting from your buddies) or you have occupational or rereational issues that prevent you from wearing a metal wedding band, you can pick up one of these silicon wedding rings for only $19.95 at fixatedesigns.com. Just think twice before you do it!
Please remember to shop at local tackle shops and retailers for all your fishing needs. These businesses are vital to our fishing community and deserve our support. Make sure you check with them first for all your tackle and apparel needs.
