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We went to the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the world’s largest recreational fishing show, to get a first look at the new gear you’ll soon be angling for
Penn Fathom Electric Cordless
Boats with outlets in the cockpit for plugging in electric reels are few and far between, and setting a battery on the deck to power up those reels can be a hazard. Enter the Penn Fathom Electric Cordless. With an integrated, rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, these reels can push 30 to 40 pounds of winding pressure. An LED display provides a line-counter, auto-stop function, and customizable settings. ICAST attendees awarded it Best Saltwater Reel of 2024, then added the big prize: 2024 Best of Show. $799.95 to $899.95 | pennfishing.com
Frabill Collapsible Bait Bucket
Tired of tripping over that bulky bait bucket? Frabill’s solution is the Collapsible Bait Bucket that folds down to the size of a standard Plano 3700 Stowaway tacklebox. So it fits perfectly into tackle bags and boat tackle stations. It holds 6 quarts, has fold-up handles, and is available with or without an aerator. $29.99–$44.99 | frabill.com
Epoch 12V 120Ah Group 27 Cranking/Deep Cycle Lithium Battery
LiFePO4 lithium batteries have stormed onto the scene when it comes to deep-cycle applications, and in the past year or two we’ve begun to see starting batteries of the LiFePO4 variety. Now Epoch has a combination cranking/deep-cycle 12-volt (Group 27) battery that’s IP67 waterproof, good for 6,000-plus cycles, puts out 1,100 cold cranking amps (which turns outboards up to 350 hp), and has internal heating for use in frigid climates. It’s Bluetooth compatible, so you can check its status on your phone. Epoch offers an 11-year manufacturer’s warranty. $699 | epochbatteries.com
Raymarine/Power-Pole Control
Integration between your electric trolling motor and multifunction display is great, but units made by different manufacturers don’t usually play nice together. An exception is the partnership between Raymarine and Power-Pole, which have joined to provide complete compatibility with Power-Pole MOVE brushless trolling motors and pole anchors, and Raymarine Axiom units thanks to a LightHouse 4.7 software update and the C-Monster Gateway from Power-Pole.
The Gateway communicates wirelessly with Power-Pole accessories and screws into any open connector (or a T-connector can be added) on the boat’s NMEA2000 backbone. A slide-out menu bar on the Axiom display provides access to all the Power-Pole unit’s functions while you’re sitting at the helm, allowing you to steer and throttle up or down the trolling motor, deploy pole anchors, and more. $119.99 for the C-Monster Gateway; free Axiom software update | raymarine.com, power-pole.com
BKK OCD Tackle Storage System
For anglers who take their hooks to the point of obsession, there’s the BKK OCD Tackle Storage System. This is a fully loaded kit with 270 different hooks including permalocks, dropshots, flipping hooks, offset worm hooks, and more. All are grouped and individually stowed in 48 different Armor Point boxes (and the kit can be adjusted to hold 80 small boxes) that are clearly labeled and protected by the gasketed polypropylene tacklebox. The ICAST crowd was impressed by the BKK OCD, awarding it the Best of Category winner for Tackle Management. $299.99 | bkkhooks-americas.com
Rugged Road 115
Still lugging that bulky, heavy supercooler around? Even empty supercoolers weigh a ton. Take a load off with the new Rugged Road 115, which is coated with Rigorite (the same spray developed by the military to bombproof walls) and insulated with Fridgite insulative technology. The new 115 (measured by 12-ounce can capacity, instead of quarts) weighs just 22 pounds. The cooler carries a lifetime warranty, will keep ice for up to seven days, and comes with a snack rack and water bottle. This one was an ICAST prizewinner, too, taking the Best of Category Award for Soft and Hard Coolers. $479.99 | ruggedroadoutdoors.com
Savage Gear RevMag Walker
So you want to cast farther but also have your lure land without fouling hooks and line when you wing it out there? The Savage Gear RevWalker has an internal magnetic weight transfer system that keeps the weight inside the lure aft when you cast, then shifts it forward for the landing to ensure a perfect plop-down. Once in the water it has a walk-the-dog side-to-side motion on the retrieve. It comes in 10 different color patterns. $14.99 | savage-gear.com
Okuma Cat Slayer Custom Catfish Rods
For serious catfish sharpies, Okuma introduced the Cat Slayer Custom line of catfish fishing rods, designed specifically for targeting those whiskered beasts with an E-glass blank tapered for trophy cats, a sensitive but durable tip, double-foot welded stainless-steel guides, and a heavy-duty aluminum reel seat with locking nuts. Critical for those who target trophy catfish in the dark, these rods have UV activated paint and guide wraps for maximum visibility in low-light conditions. $119.99 | okumafishingusa.com
Hardy Averon
Fly anglers in search of their next love affair should check out the Hardy Averon lineup, winner of the Best in Show award for Fly Fishing Reels. The Averon line offers models with open frames for weight reduction and fast spool changes, plus closed frames in 5000 and 9000 sizes for thin or Euro-nymph lines. Averons feature a multi-pad disc drag system with a 2.5 turn adjustment knob and minimal startup inertia, and are available in titanium with gold accents or black with gunmetal accents. $395–$450 | hardyfishing.com
Scotty Seeker
Anglers trolling downriggers take their best guess at where the thermocline is, how fast they’re trolling, and what the water temperature is far beneath the boat. Scotty Seeker trades in that guesswork for solid data. Made in cooperation with transducer manufacturer Airmar, the Seeker is a probe you clip in-line on your downrigger. It takes constant readings on depth, water temperature, and speed, and displays it on any device running the Seeker app. The Seeker can run for up to 100 hours before recharging and can be set to update data every 5 seconds or every half-second. $1,475 | scotty.com
Spike-It Sonic Coat
If you’ve been paying attention to the latest angling electronics, you’re well aware of the real-time imager craze. Anglers can look at the MFD screen and watch their lures go past fish and structure, seeing firsthand how those fish react. But there’s a catch: Not all lures show up on screen with complete clarity. Enter Spike-It Sonic Coat. Available in gel, spray, or brush-on form, Sonic Coat has ingredients designed to reflect the sonar waves, enhancing any lure’s visibility on-screen. $14.95 | ispikeit.com