ICAST Scene & Heard: Waterproof Drone, Team USA Qualifiers, Award Winners

The 67th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show in Orlando highlights the best and newest in fishing gear in numerous categories. Game & Fish editors are there to bring you info on the gear that matters to you.

Here’s what is new, cool and weird from Day 2 at ICAST 2024.

SCENE

Cup Performance Lands Team USA Spots

There were more than bragging rights on the line at this week’s ICAST Cup bass fishing tournament at Lake Toho. There also were spots up for grabs on Team USA for two women.

USA Bass partnered with Major League Fishing and the American Sportfishing Association’s Keep America Fishing angler advocacy program to award the top-finishing women’s pair a spot on the 2025 USA Pan American Bass fishing team.

According to an MLF news release, Nicole Abrams and Julie Leavitt, who caught three bass weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces, have qualified to compete next year at the 2025 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship.—Lynn Burkhead

HEARD

Here's What We Heard at ICAST 2024

• “You definitely catch more bass with live bait. I just don’t use it on my show because you can’t get a sponsor for live bait.”—Tournament pro and TV show host who shall remain nameless
• "Being able to tell the technology story behind the new product is very important. Just because we’ve come out with the new rod, the new reel, if we can’t tell the dealers, the consumers what it does for them on the water, it just doesn’t move. We need to tell that story and that’s part of being here.”—Capt. Blaine Anderson, Shimano saltwater product marketing manager
• “I love seeing all of the latest gear and technology. That’s what makes this show unique. I get excited about all of the new gear, just like everyone else, but I also love catching up with all of the industry colleagues I’ve met over the years.”—Raymarine Technical Marketing Director Jim Hands

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WHAT’S COOL

Waterproof Fishing Drone Debuts

For years, camera-toting drones have provided anglers with a couple of major benefits: spectacular aerial photography and the chance to scout for fish and new locations. Despite upgrades and technological advancements, however, even expensive models often go out of control and plummet into the body of water they so effortlessly hovered above just moments earlier. Such costly mishaps could be a thing of the past with the new XPECE One, a waterproof fishing drone debuting at ICAST this year. It floats and lets you see underwater as it navigates on the surface. Its HD camera sends live video to the also-waterproof remote control. It can also carry a bait as heavy as 8 pounds and drop it a mile out. And the XPECE ONE is the first drone equipped with BiteSense, which enables it to troll a bait and release it automatically when a fish bites. $2,299.00; info—Alex Suescun

Winning Pattern for CPF Lures

You’ve got to have some bass-fishing prowess to reach the top of the leaderboard in the annual ICAST Cup tournament at Lake Toho. Chuck Pippin and Jason George also brought their own baits to win the 41-team tournament Tuesday morning. George and Pippin, partners with CPF Lures, used the company’s 10-inch ribbon tail worm to catch a three-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces. “We’re really known for our 8-inch trick worm, but sometimes this time of year when the weather’s hot and the water’s dirty, they want a little more action, so we slipped over to the ribbon-tail. You can never go wrong with a June bug-colored bait on this lake,” Pippin said. $5.29; cpflures.com—Lynn Burkhead

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WHAT'S WEIRD

Hey Dude, Wanna Clean That Up?

Anglers and hunters who’ve been caught with their pants down while away from the comforts of home know that it pays to be prepared for those times when nature calls. Carrying toilet paper and keeping it dry aren’t the easiest of tasks, and now Dude Wipes offer a better alternative. Fragrance-free and made with plant-sourced fibers, aloe vera and vitamin E, these larger-than-average flushable wipes clean you thoroughly while remaining gentle on your sensitive areas. Sold in three-packs of 48, Dude Wipes in new Realtree Advantage design are New Products Showcase entry at ICAST in the “Novelties & Wellness” category. $20; dudewipes.com—Alex Suescun

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Full-Cup Press from Yeti

If you are a coffee lover who couldn’t fathom starting the day without freshly brewed java, even in the woods or at a hunting or fishing camp, YETI has just the thing for you. Among the many offerings at its ICAST booth, the innovative brand has a superb French press to provide you with the juice of life for years to come. The latest addition to the Rambler drinkware line, the press pot is feature-rich and built to last. Its top attributes comprise durable kitchen-grade, stainless-steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation to keep coffee hot longer, YETI’s Twist-to-Lock lid, DuraSip ceramic lining for easier cleaning, and the GroundsControl Filter at the bottom of the plunger to stop the brewing process and isolate coffee grounds from the beverage. Available in several colors and 34- and 64-ounce sizes. $110-$130; yeti.com—Alex Suescun

Three in a Row for Z-Man Fishing

Z-Man Fishing may be better know for its freshwater lures, but the company is now on a three-year run in winning ICAST’s Best Saltwater Soft Lure award. The latest is the Z-Man PrawnstarZ, a shrimp imitator with lifelike stature and range of natural movements. A versatile lure, the 10X Tough ElaZtech Z-Man PrawnstarZ is balanced for authentic horizontal posture as bait freefalls and sits on bottom. Designed for shallow sight-casting, drifting/freelining/dragging or fishing under a popping cork. For unmatched action, the lively bait’s tail fan, antennae and legs pulse, quiver and “crawl.” Body segments propel undulating motion. 12 vivid colors endorse the illusion, 3.5”, 3/8-ounce and 5”, 1/2-ounce sizes. Internal glass rattle included. $8.99; zmanfishing.com

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