New Products from Icast The world’ s largest sportfishing trade show
GADGET CORNER
by Mort Bank
New Products from Icast The world’ s largest sportfishing trade show
F rom every corner of the world, retail buyers and outdoor media reps recently converged at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida for the World ' s Largest Recreation Fishing Trade Show), better known as ICAST.
ICAST also features the New Product Showcase from around the world. Outdoor media votes for the best new products in over 25 different categories. The show covers over 600,000 square feet with hundreds of booths and 700 exhibits. Unfortunately, the show is only open to outdoor media and retail buyers.
Here ' s some of the new products introduced at ICAST:
Lithium Batteries- The lithium battery revolution is in full swing. There were at least a dozen companies displaying their different products. I ' ve written numerous articles in Dakota Country about the many advantages lithium batteries have over lead-acid batteries-- lighter weight, more power, quicker recharging( 4X faster), longer-lasting, maintenance free and a 10-year warranty are just a few reasons it makes sense to switch to lithium.
Norsk Lithium Battery Charger- When you switch to lithium batteries, odds are you ' ll have to replace your on-board charger. Norsk Lithium has numerous options depending on the
number and size of your batteries. Norsk ' s EVO-TEC chargers offer the ability to select the needed voltage and their new DC-to-DC chargers harness excess current from your outboard alternator when its running or from the starting battery. No matter what boat battery power installation you have, Norsk Lithium has the charger for it. norsklithium. com
Kast King Mg-Ti Elite Casting Reel- Kast King makes some of the best reels in the industry. At ICAST they introduced the world ' s first true titanium spool. Their Mg-Ti Elite reel is engineered for extreme strength, yet extremely lightweight. It ' s 250 % stronger than aluminum alloys with zero enertia and effortless casting. Kast King ' s Halo Vortex Braking System virtually eliminates backlashes for better cast-ability and casting distance. The reel has a gear ratio of 7.2:1,18 lb maximum drag and 12 ball bearings. kastking. com
Z-Man Graph ShadZ- I always look forward to going to Z-Man ' s booth to see countless new products they ' re introducing. Created to reflect a vibrant forward-facing sonar signal, the Z-Man Graph ShadZ
features radical realism and a profile that appeals to all game fish. It ' s a soft plastic jerk shad and comes in 3 sizes and 12 colors.
Z-Man Chatterbait- If you don ' t have a good selection of Chatterbaits in your tackle box, you should. They catch everything that swims-- just cast it out and reel it in-- fish can ' t resist. Z-Man introduced their Micromax, a smaller profile that packs a big punch. Featuring a direct bladeto-head connection, heavy-duty # 1 hook, hand-tied skirt, and pro-driven colors, this micro-sized, bladed jig offers tournament-grade performance in a compact package.
Acme Reef Runner- Lipless crankbaits like the Bill Lewis Rattletrap have been around for over 50 years. While it ' s hard to improve on a lure that successful, Acme Tackle has done just that with their new Reef Runner Flash. It ' s a one-of-a-kind lipless crankbait. This innovative lure
is designed to attract fish from long distances. Its numerous, angled mirrors that are enbedded in the lure ' s body, create bright flashing colors. It ' s a look fish have never seen before-- making it the perfect choice for anglers looking to add a new weapon to their arsenal. Available in two sizes and 16 colors. acmetackle. com
Fishe Gear and Apparel- I was really impressed with Fishe, the leader in bold women ' s outdoor apparel. They ' re redefining the fishing space with vibrant, functional gear made by women, for women. Designed for anglers and adventurers alike, Fishe " s gear is UV-protectant, fast drying, breathable and built to last on and off the water. Everything they were displaying was impressive but my favorite was their hats, with unique, colorful fish designs. Awesome stuff. fishewear. com
Line Cutterz- The Line Cutterz Elite Pliers Generation 2 is the ultimate cutting tool for professional anglers and serious fishing enthusiasts. Building on the success of the original, this upgraded model features a revolutionary click-in, click-out patented ceramic blade cartridge. No more holding the blade in place. Simply click it out to cut and click it back to secure. It ' s built with high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, ergonomic grip and precision line crimping capabilities. linecutterz. com. •
www. dakotacountrymagazine. com Dakota Country, September 2025, Page 27