ICAST Tackle Recap (New Reels, Rods, Plus The $700 Pair Of Pliers…)
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
We’re back from ICAST and here’s what we liked, didn’t like, and were shocked by!
The fishing industry’s massive convention called ICAST was just a couple of weeks ago and we had quite a few team members make the week-long event.
Listen in as we discuss what new tackle we saw, what we liked, what we weren’t big fans of, and even some shocking products.
We’ll also discuss many of the category winners along with a big name in the industry that didn’t win anything!!
Check it out!
You can watch the video version of this podcast below, listen to the audio version by clicking the play button underneath it, or listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
ICast Overview: The Good, The Bad, & The Shocking [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
ICast Overview: The Good, The Bad, & The Shocking [PODCAST]
Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
Click here to join the Insider Club
Related Podcasts:
- THE SALT STRONG INSHORE FISHING TACKLE INDEX (BEST VALUE & PERFORMANCE GEAR)
- SALTWATER FISHING TACKLE MISTAKES: A GUIDE FOR NEWBIES
Here’s a timestamped table of contents:
- 1:29 – New reels revealed
- 2:55 – The Daiwa Saltist MQ won BEST saltwater reel
- 4:47 – What is the MQ design?
- 7:25 – The timeline to receive the new reels at our shop
- 10:36 – Other awards at ICAST 2021
- 12:34 – $700 fishing pliers
- 16:30 – Guess WHO didn’t win anything at ICAST?
- 22:17 – Pure Fishing & Penn reels revealed
- 26:40 – The Best Saltwater Rod at ICAST
- 29:21 – TFO updates to Luke’s Snook Balcony rod
- 35:09 – The first shark deterrent tackle
- 37:34 – Joe knows exactly what keeps the sharks away
- 39:31 – Bubba Blade’s new cordless filet knife
- 41:40 – AFTCO’s clean sweep on awards
- 42:19 – Ike Jime and preserving your catch
- 47:18 – Plano Edge tackle trays are the best
- 48:13 – The “wash me” tackle box
- 51:46 – Bill Dance, Peter Deeks, Guy Harvey, and more!
Here are the 2021 ICAST Best Of Winners:
- Boating Accessories – Plano Molding
Product: Frabill Ultralight Conservation Net - Boats and Watercraft – BOTE
Product: LONO Aero + APEX Pedal Drive - Giftware – HitchFire
Product: HitchFire Forge 15 - Footwear – XTRATUF
Product: Ankle Deck Boot Sport - Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: Untangled Collection: New Frames Made from Old Nets - Lifestyle Apparel for Women – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: AFTCO Womens Fields Utility Overal - Lifestyle Apparel for Men – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: AFTCO Rescue Regenerated Fishing Shorts - Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt - Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Barricade Elite 4L Waterproof System - Soft and Hard Coolers – Plano Molding
Product: Frabill Universal Bait Station - Electronics – Hummingbird
Product: Hummingbird MEGA Live Imaging - Cutlery, Hand Pliers/Tools – Bubba
Product: Pro Series Cordless Electric Fillet Knife - Fly Fishing Accessory – Plano Molding
Product: EDGE Micro Magnetic Fly Box - Fishing Accessory – Kahuna Wagons
Product: Sidekick Fishing & Beach Wagon - Kid’s Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: ProFISHiency NERF 5FT 6IN Micro Spin Cast Combo - Tackle Management – Plano Molding
Product: Atlas Tackle Pack - Terminal Tackle – Sharkbanz Fishing
Product: The Zeppelin – World’s First Shark Deterrent Tackle - Ice Fishing – Garmin
Product: LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle LI - Fishing Line – Seaguar
Product: BasiX - Freshwater Soft Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Berkley PowerBait Gilly - Freshwater Hard Lure – Rather Outdoors
Product: Strike King Chick Magnet Flat-Sided Crank Bait - Saltwater Soft Lure – Savage Gear USA, Inc.
Product: Duratech Crab - Saltwater Hard Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Berkley Choppo Saltwater - Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis
Product: NRX T2S 8810-2 - Freshwater Rod – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Abu Garcia Zenon Rod - Saltwater Rod – Bull Bay Tackle Company
Product: Banshee Rod – Bull Bay Rod - Rod and Reel Combo – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcast Combo - Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Greys Tital Fly Reel - Freshwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation
Product: Zillion SV TW - Saltwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation
Product: Saltist MQ
Conclusion
ICAST was a blast this year and there were a ton of great new products revealed.
And some really crazy ones too!
Have any questions about the new tackle that debuted at ICAST 2021?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who is excited for new tackle this year, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I have the saltist 3000, and love it. Can anyone tell me the difference between the Saltist MQ vs Ballistic MQ?
In essence, the Saltist MQ is an improved original Saltist. It still has Magseal Technology, but now the MQ model comes with the solid one piece body & threaded side plate, as well as a Zaion Rotor (for weight reduction and smoother rotation of the rotor). Finally, the Saltist MQ comes with a solid Aluminum Round Handle Knob, which is great for Bait Presentations and Jigging (Offshore & Nearshore). On the other hand, the Ballistic MQ is made entirely out of a new material called “ZAION-V”, which is almost as lightweight as their original Zaion material but is much easier to machine/manipulate. The Ballistic MQ is crazy light weight, and honestly more suitable for the hardcore Artificial-Focused Inshore Angler.
Awesome discussions! I’m so in love with that new Daiwa Saltist! I can’t wait till you guys get stock on them…I got my money ready! Btw please…pleeeeeease…do something on your shop page on shipping alternatives. USPS have been horrible on deliveries here in the Miami area. They even sent my packages to other addresses…or not receive them at all. And it’s not just you guys…it’s with anyone I buy from. I don’t mind paying extra for deliveries wether it’s FedEx or UPS…it’s just frustrating with them already! I appreciate everything you guys do. Thanks!
How far down the line do you think daiwa will give the MQ treatment? Is there a chance to see a Fuego or legalis MQ? Those are a little closer to my typical “oops I bought more fishing stuff” budget versus my “put it on your birthday list” budget.
Daiwa responded to my question. They said Ballistic will be most “affordable” MQ reel they make. Side note, you’re not kidding about that company listening to their customers. They responded within a couple hours to my relatively insignificant product question where I was just trying to see how cheap I could be.
Daiwa is on point!!! Their Customer Service (and People Skills, in general) is Excellent. Glad they were able to help you out Mike.
Hey guys,
Great overview of ICAST. Now I don’t have to do the research myself so thank you for that! My two cents on Ike jime and the shark deterrent.
Ike Jime is used by all the serious pelagic longlining fishermen in the U.S. for their tuna catches. I’ve worked as a pelagic observer on several vessels and when they grade the tuna at weigh-ins the difference is outstanding. Makes the difference between a number 1 (premium quality) and a 2 or 3 tuna every time. The influx of stress hormones (cortisol, catecholamines, adrenaline, epinephrine, etc.) can have damaging and sometimes even toxic effects on muscle tissue in post-catch stressed fishes
The shark banz deterrent works by overstimulating the ampullae of lorenzini pits on sharks which are their electroreception organs causing discomfort so as to not take your catch/bait. I’ve previously worked in a fisheries lab in south FL where we used a similar electrical deterrent on longline hooks to help reduce shark bycatch in the commercial fisheries with excellent success!
Thanks for the Awesome info, Aaron! Appreciate the details.
I saw a very informative video on how the shark banz works during this year’s shark week tv marathon. If I remember correctly, they did not specifically refer to the shark banz but they were doing experiments to try and figure out how to keep surfers from getting bit. During the episode they take about what Arron was referring to.
Who gets to cast a vote ?
Retail buyers and fishing media are the only ones allowed to vote.
^Yep, Chris is right. Retail Buyers and Media are allowed to physically cast votes at ICAST the 1st & 2nd Day of the Show.
Great video. Quick questions. You mentioned approx arrival for the MQ’s but what about TFO & BullBay?
Also, if the Sharkbanz deters the sharks, why does it not stop the game fish from biting?
Sharkbanz overstimulates the electroreception organs on sharks causing discomfort which are not present on game fishes.
Saw many videos during ICAST 2021 – could not believe the $700 Plier from DanCco – cool design but a lot of money. Really liked the Hobie Lynx
Nice discussion on the Daiwa reels
Thanks Pablo! The Hobie Lynx was a pleasure to test ride. I really enjoyed how easily it turns left & right, super responsive.
The 7′ 10″ 10-17 Banshee casts really well. Great rod. Won this year because it was released this year. Sniper was 2020.
Agreed Chris! I really like the 7’10” 6-12, I prefer a slightly softer tip. Excellent Rod for sure.
If those were my pliers, I’d have them gold-plated.
And Framed! Haha
Awesome 👏🏻 love it!!!
Thanks Cody!