ICAST fishing gear highlights
We take a look at some of the impressive, award winning new products from ICAST 2021
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Thousands of anglers made their way to Orlando, in July, showcasing new fishing products and the latest news regarding everything in the fishing industry.
ICAST was electric with pent up energy after last year’s show was moved to solely online. The showfloor was abuzz with vendors, old friends and complete strangers making connections through a shared passion of fishing.
Fishbrain was in the middle of the excitement every step of the way.
This year featured some truly jaw dropping rods and reels and irresistible new baits (if you are a fish).
More than 20 new fishing products took the honor of being named best of ICAST 2021. Everything from rods, reels, baits and apparel were selected as winners. Below we highlight some of the most impressive winners from ICAST 2021. Make sure and check them out and get started on that early fishing wishlist!
ICAST Winner Best Fly Reel
This beautiful machine worked fly reel comes in four sizes ranging from a 3/4 to a 9/10 weight. The reel is fully machines and made from bar stock aluminum. The drag system is also completely sealed with carbon stack plates inside to prevent anything from getting in and affecting your drag.
The Greys Tital Reel comes with a lifetime warranty and a neoprene carrying pouch.
ICAST Winner Best Saltwater Rod
A surprise winner this year, as Bull Bay Rods aren’t the household name (yet) many anglers are used to. That being said, the Banshee is a fast action rod that should be the top of any salt anglers Christmas list. The sharp Desert Matt finish will look sharp in your hands and will pair well with a new level of responsiveness many anglers have never experienced. Tangle free guides will keep you fishing and not untying birds nests on either salt, or fresh. The rod also comes with a lifetime warranty.
ICAST Winner Best Freshwater soft bait
Best of show
Berkley does it again with a lifelike soft bait for any bass situation. The gilly
Bass bait designed for multiple situations.The Gilly mimics baitfish in presentation, action, look and even the feel in your own hands. The GIlly comes in three different sizes and 12 different colors for true match the hatch opportunities. Not only that, but the Gilly is the ultimate rigging bait fit for a Carolina rig, Texas rig, weedless, drop shot and it even fits well on a chatter bait.
The bait not only took home honors for best freshwater soft bait, but took the overall honors of best in show from the entire product line at ICAST.
Berkley Choppo Saltwater Hard Bait
ICAST Winner Best Saltwater Hard Bait
Berkley pulled the Choppo over from freshwater and turned it up to make a formidable topwater salt lure.
The Choppo comes in 105mm 120 mm sizes that both create a ton of surface disturbance.
The Choppo also comes in 10 new saltwater specific colors fitting all your needs and preferences. Fusion 19 treble hooks are used, which are anti corrosion and laterally forged with a shaughnessy bend.
The hooks are incredibly durable and will not need to be replaced often. Stainless steel hardware also prevents corrosion in the salt. The pull string on the Choppo’s hook hangers are 50 pounds for large and toothed saltwater fish.
Any angler should be ecstatic about taking this topwater bait into the flats for sea trout, snook and reds.
ICAST Winner Best Fly Rod
This fast action rod can handle any weather system less than a volcanic explosion. Whether you have to make an accurate 20 yard cast directly into the wind, or deal with heavy rain and unpredictable hydraulics on a winter steelhead river, the NRX plus 22x can handle it.
The two piece rod was designed to provide the power, speed, and loop stability you would expect from modern fast-action rods, without losing finesse, or accuracy.
As soon as you get your hands on the AAA grade cork grip, this handcrafted rod will instantly transport you anywhere form the salt flats in Key West, back to the Pacific Northwest where the rod was handcrafted.
Be sure and check out the FIshbrain blog for more gear reviews, tips and Q&As with some of the influential anglers on the floor at ICAST!
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