ICAST Day 1: First Impressions

Day 1 at ICAST is about the most exciting (tackle shop related) day for me each year. Even though I have been to several of these shows now, it still impresses me when I walk through the doors for the first time. For as far as you can clearly see, its booth after booth after booth of nothing but fishing products. To give you an idea of the size, picture the Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Expo held at the NC State Fairgrounds each year. You could probably fit that entire expo (both buildings) in about 4 aisles of ICAST. There are more than 20 aisles in total. Thats not even counting the adjoining marine after market accessories show that is now attached to the ICAST show. All your major brands are here; Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, Yum, Bomber and so on. Each of which continue to pump out newer, better, prettier products year after year. However, the most exciting thing for me is not so much those big "household" names, but the little guys. The companies that often time lead the market trends, but sometimes you never get to really know, whether it be because they get quickly bought out by the big names, or, unfortunately too often, knocked off and put under. As a tackle enthusiast, this is what really gets me pumped for ICAST. I want to find that cool new company whether they are making some simple new plastics with just a little improvement that goes a long way, or some new innovative rod concept, or even just some cool tshirts. I am here to find the new and different so I can bring it back to our shop for you, our customers to enjoy. Below you will find my first impressions from ICAST on new rods and reels. I have not been by every booth yet, so if you don't see a manufacturer you were expecting to read about, please check back tomorrow or the next day. Pictures and more info will follow in the upcoming days (tough to get pics at ICAST). Check it out and please feel free to comment back or email me at corey@castawayfishingsupply.com.

Rods....
Several new rod models from existing manufacturers this year but no new manufactures themselves which is a reversal in the trends from the past two years which seemed to be a rod "boom" era. This years trends seems to be economy driven as many manufacturers are trying to deliver more value at a better price point. More specifically, most of the new rods offerings are in the $100 and under category. But I must say, several are quite impressive for being at that price. Here is my take on a few...

1. Skeet Reese Signature Series from Wright & McGill- I never would have guessed that one of the best, if not the best bass fisherman in the world would be designing rods with Wright & McGill. Wright & McGill is a name that has been around fishing for a very very long time. Otherwise known as Eagle Claw. Now most of us bass guys would never put in Eagle Claw rod in our hand and think we actually had something. Well, W&M is looking to change that image. They have brought Skeet Reese on board this year to design a lineup of technique specific rods, all with split grip handles, zirconium guides and W&Ms Exclusive S Curve Technology. Whats all that mean? It means you get a really good rod for a very good price. Starting at just $89.99, the Skeet Reese rods are available in nine technique specific models, 2 spinning, 7 casting (including 1 glass crank bait rod) and they are all backed by a limited lifetime warranty. And of course, since they are Skeet's, they are yellow. I got a chance to talk with Skeet about them today and he was very excitied and hopes that they will be well received by the bass fishing public. We have 36 of these bad boys ordered and they should arrive in the shop by October.
2. Falcon Bucoo-Falcon is known in bass circles as one of the best all around rod manufacturer's out there. They have always built solid, durable, high performing rods since day 1. Castaway has signed up to become a Falcon dealer and will have our first rods in stock before the end of July. We will be stocking several models in the Lowrider and Cara series, most of which have been redesigned this year to be in the split grip handle design. But I will focus my talk on Bucoo as this is their newest model. Bucoo is again, sticking with my theme, a value priced bass rod at $100. These rods are made with all Fuji components and believe it or not, are made in the USA (yes even the blanks). Falcon is known for their rod actions. They have power ratings for each of their rods which break down the actions beyond the traditional med/mh/hvy ratings. We are exciting to be stocking the BuCoo as well as the Lowrider and Cara rods from Falcon.
3. Shimano Cumara Reaction-The Cumara has been Shimano's high end offering in bass rods for several years but has been a limited lineup as they mainly just offered worm and jig rods in the past. Shimano has expanded Cumara to include several "moving" bait rods (crank, spin, jerk, etc) including crankbait actions that can handle those really deep (16-20) big baits like the new SPRO DD Little John. Cumara's are backed by Shimano's over the counter warranty and retail in the $220-$240 range. If you would like to feel a sweet combo, match up the Cumara rods with the Shimano Core series baitcasters and Shimano Stradic C14 Spinning reels and the heaviest combo you will have will be 10.5 ozs. Most (all but 2 of the bigger rods) will come in under 10ozs. Just to clarify, thats the rod and reel combined, not just the reel.
4. G.Loomis- Loomis has added several new rods to its technique specific lineup including a new swimbait rod for us east coast guys not throughing big 5oz 10" swimbaits, but more your 1-2oz 4-6" swimbaits. Also new Frog rods, jerkbait rods, topwater rods...I think that about covers it. Loomis may join Falcon and W&M as additions to Castaway's lineup of premium rods soon. Stand by for more on that in the upcoming months.

Reels....

More to come on reels as I have yet to go through Quantum or Daiwa. Here is what I have seen so far...

1. Ardent Denny Braur Signature series Flip N Pitch- Ardent has made some upgrades to Denny Braur's specs on their Flip N Pitch reel. If you haven't seen the original as of yet, look for both models at Castaway's in the next couple of months.
2. Shimano Core 50- The Core Magnesium reels are not for everyone with a $370 retail. But those of you familiar with the reel know it to be one of the lighest, smoothest casting reels on the market. A new size this year Core 50 in both right and lest hand retrieve, similar in size to the old Chronarch 50, this is sure to be a hit, if you don't mind the price tag.
3. Shimano Stradic C14-Borrowing from Shimano's cycling business, this new Stradic Spinning reel is constructed from a Carbon fiber, dubbed CI4. Whats that mean? Light, light, light....but also, longer last. This material actually contains no metal, so it will not rust and can stand up to salt water. Did I mention it was light...the 2500 is just 7ozs. The Stella which retails for $649 is over 8 ozs. The CI4 is basically positioned as a companion to the Core baitcast series, but comes in at a lower price point, $199.99. Cosmetically, it matches the Core with a black frame and red spool and trime.
4. More to come on new Quantums and Daiwas tomorrow!

That's all for now, check back tomorrow for more on rods and reels, as well as soft and hard baits, clothing and accessories, line and more! Let me know if you have any questions thus far that I can try to get answered for you at the show.