ICAST 2013 wrapped up yesterday in Las Vegas and it was an incredible show! We got to chat with dozens of B.A.S.S and FLW Pro anglers.  Combine that with all the cool new innovative products, we were re-energized with excitement about the industry and angling in general.

 

For our favorite new product releases, there were a few key themes:

1 – Focus on realism for baits including both visual and audio features

We saw the best examples of this from Lunkerhunt, Livingston Lures and Live Target.  Lunkerhunt released their Lunkerfrog, a new take on the hollow body frog with anatomically correct legs earlier this year, and also announced the development of their new Pocket Frog. Livingston Lures continues to lead the charge in lure sound technology which mimics baits in distress, and announced the release of their next generation Pro Series later this year. Live Target showed off their new BaitBall lure, which visually mimics several bait fish together instead of just one.

 

2 – Balancing quality functional design while keeping retail prices low

This balance and focus on making high quality lures and equipment attainable for most anglers was most evident in the Daiwa, Livingston Lure’s and Power-Pole’s new product launches. Daiwa’s design of the new Tatula rods and reels take premium features and engineer them into a high-performing and durable line, without the premium price tag. This was echoed in the Livingston Lures press conference by the pro anglers who are highly involved and personally invested in the lure designs, including Randy Howell, Brent Chapman, Jeff Kriet, Byron Velvick and Hank Cherry. The 2013 ICAST Best in Show Winner, Power-Pole’s Micro Anchor was designed specifically for smaller boats 1500-lbs or less, including canoes and kayaks for a small fraction of the cost of  a traditional entry-level Power-Pole.

 

 

3 – Use of technology to save and share information between anglers

Navionics and Fishidy both presented their approach to doing this through different channels. Fishidy is an online community which provides anglers with tools to mark catches, access tips, techniques and data on thousands of waterways with a growing community of anglers via the web. Navionics held a press conference this week to announce the availability of Navionics+ and Navionics Updates through resellers worldwide. This means that customers will be able access cartography and boating information by providing easy online updates to ensure their charts reflect the most current data available for their GPS chartplotters. Navionics+ contains multiple content layers including Nautical Charts, SonarCharts™ high definition bathymetry map layer, and Community Edits.

 

 

 

Here is AnglingAuthority.com’s ICAST 2013 Top 10 Show Highlights:

1 – Power-Pole Micro Anchor

The new Micro Anchor was the 2013 ICAST All-Around Best of Show and in the Boating Accessory category. This awesome accessory brings the functionality of a traditional Power-Pole to smaller boats less than 1500-lbs, including kayaks and canoes, starting at just $599.

 

2 – Lunkerhunt’s Lunkerfrog and Pocket Frog

The Lunker Frog was the 2013 ICAST Best of Show winner in the soft lure category.  The new Pocket Frog shows lots of promise too. These new frogs won’t hurt your wallet either, retailing for about $8.00.

 

3 – Tatula Series of Rods and Reels

Before the press conference announcement started, we overheard Ish Monroe telling someone from Daiwa that he was taking a couple of their display models with him, “No, seriously, I NEED these.”  He continued to explain that all the pros were back on the tournament trail again right after the show. Not only is this line highly desired and tested by pros like Ish and Randy Howell, but they are easy on the eyes.  The reels and rod models start at $149 each.

 

4 – St. Croix 2-Pc Musky Rod

These Premier Musky rods are new for 2014 and will retail for $240. They come in 2-pcs for both convenience and performance. There is no question that this is a must-have for all the musky anglers out there. More details to follow soon.

 

5 – Livingston Lures Pro Series

Livingston Lures has been leading the market in new sound technology that is integrated within their baits. A new Pro Series line with additional features will be launched in the coming year. Although we don’t know many details beyond this, it was the unsaid cues from pro anglers like Randy Howell, Jeff Kriet, Brent Chapman, Hank Cherry and Byron Velvick that clued us into how big this new line is going to be. The Livingston Lures pro staff team are personally involved in the design of these lures, and they are all clearly excited about the new line.

 

6 – Freedom Tackle Spinnerbait

Freedom Tackle’s second ICAST product launch has proven that we should only expect great things from this new lure manufacturer. They’ve taken some of the best features of their hybrid jigs and incorporated them into a new spinnerbait concept to help you catch more fish.

 

7 – Lowrance Elite 5 HDI

The Elite-5 HDI includes many of the proven features recently launched with the highly successful Elite-7 HDI.  Now you have the option of Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) at a more affordable price. Models start at $449.

 

 

8 – Navionics + and Navionics Updates

Navico has enables anglers to upload their sonar data and make community edits, creating more accurate and up to date information and charts.

 

9 – Shimano Chronarch Ci4+

The new addition to the Shimano reel line-up won 2013 ICAST Best in Show in the freshwater reel category. Features new to this reel include a light-weight slim profile, 7.6:1/6:2.1 gear ratios and SVS Braking System for fine tune adjustments. It’s available for pre-ordering now for $269.

 

10 – Talon 12ft Shallow Water Anchor

12-foot shallow water anchor – need we say more? This new addition to the Talon family will be available in fall 2013, and will be available in silver, black, blue and red.

 

Stay tuned for in-depth articles on each of our top picks.

 

 

Here is the official American SportFishing Association’s Official Best of Show Results as voted by buyers and media who attended this year’s show:

ICAST 2013 Overall Best of Show – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product – Power-Pole Micro Anchor

 

Best of Show – Apparel – Shimano American Corporation
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

 

About Grant

Grant is the Founder of AnglingAuthority.com.  While he primarily fishes for large mouth and small mouth bass, he’s passionate about sport fishing in general.  Learning about new tactics, gear, species and conditions is all part of what makes the sport challenging and enjoyable. Grant also loves to travel, particularly to prime fishing destinations. Grant participates in regional tournaments and is a proud member of Gambler’s Am Pro Staff, Canadian Bass Anglers Federation and Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters.

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