September 13, 2024
By Shane Beilue
ICAST, the world’s largest fishing industry trade show, is where tackle manufacturers reveal their new toys and technologies for the coming year. Held annually in Orlando, Florida during mid-July, this show never disappoints for a fishing tackle enthusiast like me, but the sheer magnitude of the booths, displays, and accompanying new product releases make the event overwhelming, to say the least.
While the show is not exclusive to freshwater fishing, bass fishing is the predominant driver of many of the new product releases, which is right down my alley, and likely yours, as well.
Finesse tactics continue to dominate lure design, which is impacts designs in reel frames that are lighter in weight and smaller in profile to handle these lighter lures. Of course, not everything is driven by finesse, so here’s a sampling of some of the latest in freshwater fishing reels.
The Vanford is a familiar name in the stable of Shimano spinning reels; however, the updated Vanford is lighter in weight with features designed for anglers targeting bass with “start-stop” finesse tactics. A lighter MGL rotor maintains superior balance during the retrieve and the new Ci4+ body reduces the overall weight of the reel without sacrificing frame strength. Shimano has packed in more features such as the silky smooth MicroModule Gear II and an Anti-Twist Fin housed in the rotor to reduce line twists. Available in multiple sizes, from the diminutive 500 up to the magnum 5000 size frame. With an MSRP of $249.99 these reels hit the right in the “wheelhouse” for affordable quality and won ICAST 24 “Best of Show” in the freshwater reel category.
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From a name not immediately associated with reels, SPRO sought input from past BASSMASTER Classic Champion Jason Christie to help design his new signature series of reels. The Jason Christie Elite baitcasters come in 4 different gear ratios, which are color-coded on the reel knobs for quick identification when searching for the right reel within a dark rod locker. Oversized paddles on the baitcaster are extremely comfortable and the size 100 frames are easy to palm. MSRP $124.99 .
Top: Daiwa Tatula 100 SV100, Shimano Vanford, Lew’s Custom Pro. Bottom: SPRO Jason Christie Series, Bates Hundo LTS, KastKing iReel 2. I was first introduced to the Bates lineup of baitcasters at this same show in 2023 and was highly impressed with the precision and build quality. The Bates Hundo went on to win “Editor’s Choice” in our Game & Fish Magazine Tackle Test 2024. The Hundo LTS is the latest version of the Hundo, featuring a shallow spool for casting lighter lures. Weighing just under 5 ounces, the Hundo LTS is milled from a single block of aluminum, as is the entire Bates lineup. With an MSRP of $395 , the Hundo LTS isn’t inexpensive but conveys the feel that this reel will last decades.
Lew’s has one of the most extensive portfolios in fishing and the latest version of the Custom Pro is smaller in overall profile over past iterations with a new 30 mm spool to help reduce weight. The internal cast control has an innovative ParaMag ITB (Inertia Transfer Braking) that deploys and retracts based on spool inertia during the cast for silent, friction-free braking. The new version of the Custom Pro will be released in November with an MSRP $279.99 .
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KastKing turned a lot of heads at last year’s show with the introduction of the highly innovative iReel One, which records key casting metrics such as casting distance and retrieve speed. This year’s iReel 2 captures the same casting data with an improved internal processor in a smaller magnesium frame. 6 preset braking modes add to the improvements found in the iReel 2. MSRP $399
This small-framed Tatula is packed with many high-end technologies that Daiwa fans have come to appreciate. The SV Boost spool combined with the T-Wing line guide aids in long, friction-free casting. The aluminum frame is light and strong and the addition of a 90mm swept handle feels great in hand. MSRP $219.99
Shane Beilue also hosts Game & Fish's Bass Crash Course video instruction series. Click to watch .
