New products are a big part of the lifeblood of the annual ICAST sportfishing trade show held in Orlando, Fla. Here are the 24 product winners deemed the most innovative in their respective categories at the 2016 show. They range from newly designed hooks that cost less than $4 for a pack of six to a trolling motor and a kayak that each run about $2,800.
Minn Kota’s new Ultrex gives you the control of a cable steer Fortrex, plus the brains of i-Pilot. Get responsive, comfortable power steering with GPS-powered tools like Spot-Lock. $2,200-$2,800. minnkotamotors.com
The Team Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Spool is built on the company’s new proprietary SLP “super low-profile” platform and has a small diameter 32-mm spool, which makes the reel’s compact design possible. The reel is 10 percent smaller overall than the traditional Speed Spools. The 11-bearing reel has an aluminum frame and custom Winn Dri-Tac knobs on the handle. $260. lews.com
The Penn Slammer III has the new IPX6 sealed system to keep water out of the gearbox and drag system. Its Dura-Drag system with washers eliminates hesitation under extreme drag settings. Eight models of the Slammer III cover inshore, near-shore and offshore angling from pier, beach or boat. The 3500 Slammer III is the smallest of the family weighing 13.9 ounces. Slammer III prices start at $250. purefishing.com
Legend Glass is a new series with linear S-Glass blanks built on IPC-engineered mandrels. Legend Glass is designed for fishing a range of crankbaits and other lures that excel when matched with a moderate-action rod. $240-$250. stcroixrods.com
The new Savage Gear Suicide Duck mimics a distressed hatchling that’s been separated from the brood, offering an easy meal for big muskie, pike, bass and other bad boys. The Suicide Duck is a dual-prop topwater bait available in two sizes, 4.25” (1oz.) and 6” (2.75 oz.), and three colors: Yellow Duck, Wood Duck and Black Bird. $17 and $20. savage-gear.com.
The Long Tail Flippy Floppy from Squidnation teases tuna, wahoo, dolphin and marlin. It depicts a fish attacking a small school of bait, with the goal of triggering a strike. $100. squidnation.com
Sole fly rods are based on a one-ferrule concept with the location 28” from the tip. This design provides one-piece performance while removing much of the difficulty transporting a 9’, one-piece rod. St. Croix has re-engineered the ferrule making tip section replacements easy. $340-$360. stcroixrods.com
The new mid-arbor series of President fly reels is a balance between lightweight and compact size and line capacity. The reels are made of high-grade aluminum; the drag mechanisms are smooth and reliable; the aluminum handles are comfortable and easy to use; they have a quick-release spool and are configured for right- or left-hand use. The President comes in five sizes, with prices starting at $170. purefishing.com
The Men’s Under Armour Fish Stalker Short Sleeve is made with a light, breathable, stain-release fabric offering 30+ SPF sun protection, UA’s Moisture Transport System and anti-odor technology. The new shirt has roll-up sleeve loop and holder, and has a loose, fuller cut with mesh-backed vents. $60. underarmour.com
Lew’s Mach Speed Stick Inshore rod uses Lew’s Carbon Nano Tube process for greater strength in its lightweight and sensitive design. The rod also has American Tackle’s new AirWave guide system and a split-grip handle with Winn Dri-Tac technology. The Mach Speed Stick Inshore rod is available in a casting and spinning model, each retailing for about $80. lews.com
The U.S. Coast Guard recognizes the Frabill I-Float Suit as a USCG-certified Personal Flotation Device. One of the most technologically advanced, high-performance, cold-weather fishing suits an angler can wear. $300 jacket, $250 bibs. frabill.com
The Old Town Predator PDL has a pedal drive with no-fail forward and reverse for boat control and positioning in wind, current and around structure. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph. The kayak is 13′ 2″ long, 36″ wide, weighs 117 lbs. (with PDL drive) and will carry up to 500 lbs. $2,800. oldtowncanoe.com
Designed to be the brightest easiest-to-use fishfinder on the water, the four models in the HELIX 10 family have Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Dual-Beam SONAR with SwitchFire and chartplotting. All come with AutoChart Live, which allows anglers to make their own 1-foot HD maps in real time, no PC, server or cloud upload required. Helix 10 units come with an Ethernet port for networking units. $1,000-$1,500. humminbird.com
The Hopper Flip keeps ice for days. Its compact, cubed design makes for easy hauling while the wide-mouth opening provides greater visibility and access to your food and drinks. Construction includes the leak-proof HydroLok Zipper, puncture-resistant DryHide Shell and up to 1 inch of ColdCell Insulation. Waterproof construction; double-stitched handles; and comes with a removable shoulder strap. $280. yeti.com
The reel is Lew’s new low-profile design and has a 10-bearing system with double-shielded stainless steel bearings and “Zero Reverse” anti-reverse. The reel’s frame and sideplates are strong and lightweight graphite. The combo rod is a 7′ one-piece IM8 premium-graphite rod built. Guides are durable stainless steel frames with aluminum oxide inserts. It has a SoftTouch graphite skeletal reel seat and a split-grip handle. $180. lews.com
Rafael has a wide temple design and signature three-square hole venting. The model has an integral hinge, heavy-duty TR-90 nylon frame and includes a hard case. It blocks UV light and its polarization eliminates reflected glare and reduces eyestrain. Built by hand, the glasses are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Plastic lenses are light and impact-resistant; glass lenses have the greatest clarity. Both are scratch-resistant. $249. costadelmar.com
The EGO Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net has the high-tech Kryptek camouflage technology and is designed to float. It has a special grip design, detachable handle and can be stored easily. $70. adventureproducts.com
Jump-starts any boat, car, truck, motorcycle or ATV with a gas engine up to 6.4 liters and diesel engine up to 3.2 liters. Weego 44 also charges phones, tablets, laptops and other USB-powered devices and powers 12V accessories and includes a 500-lumen flashlight. $150. myweego.com
The Retractable Fly Box ensures that your flies are always handy. The combo kit includes a small retractable gear tether and a two-sided waterproof fly box that keeps up to 170 flies (85 each side) dry and secure. The retractor has a tough 24” Kevlar cord and an easy-to-use carabiner or convenient belt clip. $24.95. boomerangtool.com
Offered in whole sizes from 8 through 13, the boots are constructed with vulcanized rubber and 5-millimeter neoprene; they have a corrosion-resistant nylon front zipper with a wide opening for easy on and off. A belt-loop ankle closure prevents sand from coming in from the top. They have a non-marking, spine-resistant bottom sole. $80. shimano.com
P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon is a Japanese fluorocarbon engineered using the latest advancements in extrusion technology. It casts easily. It’s invisible, soft, strong and durable. It is available in 200-yard spools and 6-20 lb. test. The new fluorocarbon will hit stores in October. $20-$30. p-line.com
Trapper Tackle’s Dropshot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook features a right-angle box, restricting the hook from rotating out and losing the fish. The new hook also improves bait retention to allow more fishing. A pack of six is $3.58. trappertackle.com
Starter Rods is a new series of combos designed to give youngsters an enjoyable, tangle-free fishing experience. Lighter, stronger and retrieves faster than its predecessor. Comes with a 48″ medium action inline fiberglass rod, a newly designed metal spincast reel w/ 8-lb. line & 4.1:1 gear ratio and an adjustable seat spit-grip EVA handle. $30-$35. kidscasters.com
Cobra Garage Door Storage offers easytoinstall, durable racks that attach to standard 21inch and 18inch garage door panels, where they are horizontally bundled in the stiff sections of an accordion style door. Each rack holds six rods. Installed without tools, they can be positioned to fit almost any length rod. Hard mounting to walls and ceilings can be done. $35 per pair of door racks. cobrastorage.com
