July 24, 2013
By John Geiger
We scoured the aisles of ICAST 2013 to find the latest and greatest bass fishing gear innovations from your local bait shop, online store or wherever you pick up new tackle in 2014. Take a look to see what we discovered.
RODS Invicta Series
The Invicta Series technique-specific rods sport handles that are custom golf-style grips from Tour Star/Winn that have a unique feel and don't get slick when wet. A new blank-exposed reel seat and double-locking hood have a solid feel.
MSRP, $249. DROPSHOT HOOK Lazer Trokar's Helix TK230
Lazer Trokar's Helix TK230 is a dropshot hook with a unique crane-style swivel designed to prevent line twist below the swivel as well as twist between the swivel and hook. Hook sizes No. 1, 2 and 4.
MSRP, $9.99. LURE Livetarget's BaitBall
Livetarget's BaitBall lure looks like a small pod broken off from a school of bait fish being attacked by a predator fish. Five styles, from squarebills and jerkbaits to poppers.
MSRP, $16.99. MULTI-TOOL Buck's Splizzors
Buck's Splizzors is heaven-sent for guys who use a lot of braid. Made of 420HC stainless steel, the hybrid needle-nose pliers and snips are com-fortable to use and can be worn on your belt.
MSRP, $89.99. TRANSDUCER AND MOUNT Humminbird's Bow Mount 360
Humminbird's Bow Mount 360 is simply a bracket that lets you mount your transducer to the bow-mounted trolling motor rather than a separate stern-mounted transducer pole that you'd lower into the water.
[imo-slideshow gallery=105],499, includes transducer. LINE GUIDES Microwave Guide Systems
The Microwave Guide Systems is designed to help you cast farther and more accurately. The spiraling guides capture the arcing waves in your line, controlling oscillations, so more en-ergy is held in the line.
BAITCASTER Abu Garcia's Revo Rocket
Abu Garcia's Revo Rocket is an amazing baitcasting reel. An incredi-ble 9:1 ratio picks up 37 inches of line per turn.
MSRP, $299. TACKLE STORAGE Tackle Tek Rogue
Wild River is pushing boundaries with its Tackle Tek Rogue, a bag that can handle five plastic trays, has a sunglasses-protecting exterior pocket and built-in speakers that can pump out tunes from your IPod or MP3 player.
MSRP, $219.