New Products at ICAST 2019

[Leprechaun]

For those that have never heard of ICAST, its the biggest fishing tackle show in the USA. Most every manufacturer shows up to show off their latest/greatest creations. I'm compiling some pix and info from around the net and will put up some of the ones that I feel have some application to our coastal SW efforts.

First up is the new Abu Revo EXD. In addition to the obvious "look at me" purple highlights, it features several upgrades to enhance casting performance and at least the one in the pic shows the desirable 5.4:1 gear ratio.

 

[Leprechaun]

Next up is a wide-body Kastking Kapstan 300. Has a big spool (like a Lexa 300), a huge drag rating , a good assortment of ball bearings and the "big fish-friendly" 5.4:1 gear ratio. Not normally a fan of this manufacturer, but the price at $129 list ain't bad. About $20 less than a similar Lexa.

 

[Leprechaun]

13 Fishing is introducing their new Fuse series of rods. Looks to me like a new way to create a rod blank. In truth its the huge market of the FW bass fishing world that propels lots of the latest tackle innovations that eventually make the jump to our inshore light-tackle world and this might be one that comes our way. Here's what the manufacturer says:

This is currently a big-dollar technology at $450 List. But every new innovation starts somewhere and is usually quite expensive to engineer and bring to market. Maybe this will catch on and the economics of scale will bring the tech down to a more affordable level.

 

[Leprechaun]

New Sufix Advance pure fluorocarbon line. I am a HUGE fan of anything/everything Sufix. I fished their DNA, Elite and Siege mono for years and transitioned to their 832 8-carrier braid on all my fluke jigging and togging outfits. 100% satisfaction - no weird mystery break-offs ever, just great performance.

This new fluoro line might be just the thing for shallow-water fluking and the like. One drawback of fluoro lines in general is that they are relatively stiffer than most mono. While there are lines available in the Asian market that do handle well, they are not readily available here in the States. So, if Sufix can overcome this and offer a supple fluoro line that is commonly available here they will have yet another a winner.

 

[Leprechaun]

Eagle Claw/Trokar TK@ Octopus hooks. Take a look at the pic. That wide gap looks just the thing to hold a big hunk of green/white crab. The heavier wire that its built out of is comforting as well. I'm gonna look for these to use this coming Fall - for hunting the "Big Uglies."

 

[Leprechaun]

So here's an interesting one for use with the big GULP" baits. That long shank will allow the threading up of our beloved 6" Grubs and the like - moving the hooks's bend and barb further rearward - for what I believe will be increased hook-ups and less chopped off baits. Though it does lack a bait-holding shank barb, I bet that the fact that the business end of this hook is so far "astern" more that compensates for that.

 

[Leprechaun]

How about a set of solid TITANIUM pliers at a near-human price? Anyone that has looked for such a rare bird knows that they "start" right around of $200 for a decent set, and most are in the $300+ range. Well, Mustad is releasing this set for a list price of $129.

Still a ton of money for a pair of pliers, but for a tool that will last a lifetime and be impervious to rust? I believe that there is a serious market for such a piece.

 

[LBstriperhunter]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Savvy18]

Been using those Trokar hooks for tog for a few seasons now. They are very sturdy hooks and sharp as hell. Never saw or heard of one breaking.

Some hooks have a tendency to "turn in" at the very point which is an absolute no-no when hunting monster tog. It's not something that most guys watch out for and it will almost always cost you a fish if you haven't checked. Never saw one of these Trokar hooks do that. I'm pretty impressed with them so far.

 

[Leprechaun]

Eddy - what is the model number of the Trokars you use? Because the ones I showed are supposedly a brand new model.

 

[Savvy18]

Pete, I was only confirming the Trokar hook is a quality hook (in my experience). I'm sure the hook you spoke about above is a new model. The hooks I'm using were purchased a few years ago.

I'll check and see if I have any packaging for them when I get home. It's doubtful, think they're all snelled.

 

[Savvy18]

So, I was able to locate the package for those Trokar hooks I mentioned having. I sometimes save the packaging/label/tag for items I use (especially after I've tested and approved of them), so I don't forget what they are.

This particular hook is called the "Big Nasty" and I'm guessing that they were designed to catch big nasty fish...like trophy tog!

I'll dig around my tog gear tomorrow to show you the actual hook.

On another note (sorry to go off the "new gear" topic here Pete)...I've been using Eagle Claw baitholder hooks for many years for tog & fluke and I've always been very pleased with them. I did have one occassion where a very determined tog got the best of me (and my Eagle Claw hook) and proceeded to snap the hook in two. A solitary incident about 5 years ago, that has never been repeated since.