ICAST 2020 showcased a wealth of innovative tackle for the coming season.
PowerPro Depth-Hunter Offshore braid changes color every 100 feet, with tick marks every 10 feet, for precise deep-dropping, targeting deep swordfish or setting a repeatable trolling spread with ease. The Enhanced Body Technology offers an improved strength-to-diameter ratio. Available in 1,000-, 1,500- and 3,000-yard spools of 65-, 80- and 130-pound-test. $129.99 to $489.99; powerpro.com
The redesigned Mojo Inshore rods from St. Croix offer 27 models: 19 spinners, from 61⁄2 feet to 7 feet, 11 inches, light to extra-heavy; and eight casting rods, from 7 feet to 7 feet, 11 inches, light to extra-heavy. Lightweight SCIII carbon and Integrated Poly Curve technology eliminate transition points for smooth action from butt to tip. $160 to $230; stcroixrods.com
The Battle III, the latest generation of Penn’s Battle spinning-reel series, incorporates upgrades such as CNC gears cut to a precise tolerance, an HT 100 carbon-fiber drag, spool gasket for nonslip spooling, line-capacity markers, and 5+1 sealed bearings, all in an aluminum body. Available in nine sizes, from 1,000 to 10,000, with gear ratios from 5.2:1 to 6.2:1, and a high-speed 4,000 with 7.0:1 ratio. $99.95 to $149.95; pennfishing.com
Designed for ultra-slow shallow retrieves, Slow Tail Swimbaits from Hogy imitate mullet, herring, menhaden and shad, and feature twin ribbon tails for lifelike swimming action. Ideally fished with a slow-and-steady or a slight stop-and-go retrieve, these 5 1⁄2-inch, 1 1⁄4-ounce baits come equipped with VMC 3X trophy inshore and tuna-grade Barbarian hooks. $7.95; hogylurescom
Covering light inshore to heavy offshore demands, the six single- speed, 10 two-speed, and two special-design reels in the revamped Daiwa Saltiga LD series feature a machined frame, side plates and spool for top strength and stability, while oversize bearings and stainless gears offer consistent performance and power across the range of the Advanced Tournament Drag System. $419.99 to $699.99; daiwa.com/us
Alutecnos now offers Albacore lever-drag, one-speed reels—in sizes 12 through 130—and two-speed reels—in sizes 30 through 130—with a choice of solid colors or color combinations for the ultimate in color-scheme design. Up to five parts, including side plates, spool, frame, handle, and all external knobs and components, can be ordered in your choice of six different colors for detailed customization. $529 to $1,669; alutecnos.it
The Yo-Zuri Mag Popper Weight Transfer System slides to the tail during casting for distance, then snaps forward for instant action on landing, followed by serious commotion with its oversize cupped face. This bottleneck design comes in bone, black-purple, pearl redhead, black-silver, sardine, bronze, green mackerel and yellow, in 5 1⁄4-inch (1 3⁄4 ounces) and 6 1⁄4-inch (2 7⁄8 ounces). $16.99 and $17.99; yo-zuri.com
The SP-Orca FB 150 sinking pencil baits from Shimano incorporate Propulsion Weight Transfer that increases casting distance, and Flash Boost Technology, a foil strip suspended on springs to produce flash to mimic an injured baitfish, even when sitting still. At 5 7⁄8 inches, 2 1⁄2 ounces, the lures are sized for pelagics and feature durable through-wire construction, with 3X hooks and split rings. Available in six colors. $22.99; shimano.com
Plasma II jigging rods from Star Fishing Tackle offer parabolic action, with a tip section that loads and unloads to facilitate proper jigging action. Available in both spinning and conventional models (5 feet, 2 inches), in heavy and extra-heavy actions, and slow-pitch jigging models (6 feet, 8 inches), from medium-light to medium-heavy actions. All feature Fuji graphite reel seats and Fuji Alconite guides. $234.95 to $329.95; starfishingtackle.com
The X-Rap Magnum Xplode popper from Rapala features a low-set line eye and a deep face for huge surface disruption. Rear-weighting extends casts and positions the lure vertically on the pause. Through-wired VMC 75 Series 6X hooks on heavy split rings ensure durability. Available in six colors and two sizes: 5 1⁄4-inch (2 3⁄16 ounces) with 2/0 trebles, and 6 3⁄4-inch (5 ounces) with 5/0 trebles. $19.99 to $24.99; rapala.com
Combining HMPE fibers with a high weave count, Sufix ProMix Braid is now made with a color- injection process that resists fading and retains its color twice as long as other braids. Available in nine different tests, from 6- to 80-pound, in 150- and 300-yard spools, and eight tests, 10- through 80-pound, in 1,200- and 3,500-yard spools. Starting at $12.99 for a 150-yard spool; rapala.com
Designed in conjunction with Capt. C.A. Richardson, the 6-inch DarterZ from Z-Man combines a slim profile and forked tail to mimic needlefish, ballyhoo and sand eels. The segmented body accentuates swimming and darting action, while belly and dorsal slots allow weedless rigging with a ChinlockZ SWS weighted hook, HeadlockZ or Eye Strike jig head to cover the water column. Available in 10 colors. $5.99 per five-pack; zmanfishing.com
With Eagle Claw Trokar series Surgically Sharpened Technology, the TK3XL wide-gap, medium-wire, lancet circle hook requires half the pressure of conventional hooks for penetration. A welded eye and black chrome finish lend durability to this cold-forged, high-carbon hook. Available in a 50-count pack and smaller quantities, in sizes 1/0 to 9/0. Starting at $9.99 per pack; eagleclaw.com
Gamakatsu’s Treble SP Medium Heavy hook employs Hypershield technology for exceptional corrosion resistance and durability. TGW (tournament-grade wire) is thinner, stronger and sharper than the standard wire, and ensures the point stays sharp longer when put to the challenge with big, toothy fish. Available in sizes 2/0 to 6/0. Starting at $4.20 per pack of four, five or six; gamakatsu.com
Forged from vanadium steel for superior strength and corrosion resistance, Tournament 1X Strong Circle B-Lok Hooks from VMC are designed with an extra-wide gap, and incorporate a non-offset needle point, and dual-fluorocarbon stop on the shank that effectively prevents baits from slipping back to the bend of the hook. Available in sizes 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0 and 9/0. Starting at $6.99; rapala.com
Okuma’s ITX Carbon spinning reels are fabricated from C-40X long-strand carbon fiber, 25 percent stronger than standard graphite reels. Combined with Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology, a multidisc, carbon-fiber drag with Hydro Block Gasket keeps water out and the drag running smooth. Available in sizes 1,000, 2,500, 3,000 and 4,000, with 6.0:1 high gearing. $104.99 to $119.99; okumafishingusa.com
Designed with stripers in mind, the Spro Power Bucktail Jig HD does the job on any oversize bottom or wreck species. With a natural, horizontal gliding action on the drop, a generous helping of bucktail controls the sink rate and reduces bottom snags. With a 10/0 Extra Heavy Gamakatsu O’Shaughnessy hook, 3D surface contours, lure eyes and realistic finish, the jig is available in white or yellow, in 6- and 8-ounce sizes. $19; spro.com
Flanker Stickbait by FishLab is designed for high-speed retrieve and big game. Owner hooks through-wired to the solid core body offer strength and durability. Pre-rigged with a nose split ring, the slim dart-style design enables long casts to tuna, dorado, striped bass, bluefish, calico bass and yellowtail. Available in seven color schemes in 3 1⁄3-inch (3⁄4 ounce) and 4 1⁄2-inch (1 ounce) sizes. $16.99 to $17.99; fishlabtackle.com
Tuf-Line fluorocarbon specialty lines combine near invisibility and high abrasion resistance. Fast-sinking XD excels in heavy cover and over rocky bottom, while XS offers greater sensitivity for skittish fish in clear water. XD comes in 20- to 200-pound-test, in 25-, 50- and 100-yard coils; XS is available in 4- to 25-pound-test, in 25- and 200-yard coils. $13.99 to $109.99 for XD, $10.99 to $42.99 for XS; tuf-line.com
The Salt Series from Florida Duckett Fishing features eight rods: four spinning configurations—from medium-light to medium-heavy power—in 7- and 7 1⁄2- foot lengths, and four casting rods—from medium to medium-heavy—in 5 1⁄2 to 7 feet. The multimodulus graphite Sensi-Touch blanks yield a high strength-to-weight ratio in a true parabolic action that boosts castability and hookup efficiency. $149; duckettfishing.com
