Gear

New Fishing Tackle for 2019

The best of ICAST 2018

By SWS Staff

Updated: October 22, 2018

ICAST, the annual showcase of new gear, presents the latest in tackle for the coming season. Here’s the best, headed soon to a tackle shop near you.

Penn Spinfisher VI

Penn’s Spinfisher VI series now includes the company’s lightest and smallest sealed reel, featuring major upgrades in the proven product line, including a protective sealing to IPX5 standards and a revamped, fully machined aluminum and brass gear train. The sealed spool carries HT-100 drag washers for reliable and exceptional stopping power. Available in a full range of sizes, from 2500 to 10500 models. $139.95 to $249.95; pennfishing.com Jon Whittle

Bass Pro Frigate II Spinner

Offshore Angler’s Frigate II spinning reel boasts an all-aluminum frame, with a composite rotor on the 3000 to 6000 models and a forged aluminum rotor on 7000 and 8000 models. A stainless main shaft, brass- and zinc-alloy gears, and an eight-bearing system yield stable performance. Carbon fiber and a PTFE drag stack provide 13 pounds of drag. The anodized aluminum handle and the 5.2-to-1 retrieve ratio gather over 30 inches of line per crank. Starting at $79.99; basspro.com Jon Whittle

Shimano Curado DC

The Curado DC from Shimano brings a game-changing concept to baitcasting reels. An onboard microcomputer monitors and tweaks spool speed 1,000 times per second to prevent backlashing and maximize casting distance. Adjustable brake settings include max distance mode, braid/mono mode, fluorocarbon mode for stiffer lines, and skipping mode for casts under docks or into a stiff wind. The DC150 offers a 6.2-to-1 gear ratio, the DC150HG a 7.4-to-1 ratio, and the DC150XG is 8.5-to-1. Available in right- or left-hand retrieve. $249.99; fish.shimano.com Jon Whittle

Alutecnos Gorilla 20V_2S

The Gorilla 20V_2S from Alutecnos offers a no-nonsense, two-speed reel with retrieve ratios of 6.5-to-1 and 3.4-to-1. The ergonomic drag preset and side plate offer maximum comfort when the fight gets tough, and a Double Drag Disc (Multi Drag Disc) provides up to 45 pounds of pressure. The extended arm generates the maximum power to take full advantage of the two-speed capabilities. Capacity ranges from 985 yards of 20-pound mono to 546 yards of 90-pound braid. $726; alutecnos.com Jon Whittle

Quantum Accurist S3 Inshore Reel

The Gen 3 Accurist S3 reel from Quantum now comes in an Inshore model with aluminum uni-body construction. The one-piece gearbox eliminates side-cover flex to maintain gear alignment under load. The patented ceramic drag system includes an improved adjustment mechanism for reliability. The SCR Aluminum Saltguard corrosion protection, NiTi titanium bail wire, Duralok clutch, and six PTAC anti-corrosion ball bearings are backed by a three-year warranty/PT protection plan. Available in sizes 25 and 30. $99; quantumfishing.com Jon Whittle

Daiwa Saltist Back Bay

Designed for inshore anglers, Daiwa’s Saltist Back Bay LT reel employs Hardbodyz aluminum alloy for strength and minimal weight. The Magsealed shaft rides in magnetic oil that repels salt water without creating friction. The digitally milled aluminum-alloy DigiGear train maximizes efficiency and reduces play while delivering 15.4 pounds of maximum drag. Available in two sizes: the 3000LT with a 5.6-to-1 retrieve cranking 33 inches per revolution, and the 4000LT with a 5.7-to-1 retrieve ratio. $199.99; daiwa.com Jon Whittle

Berkley Fusion19 Bucktail

Versatility is key in the Fusion19 Bucktail jig from Berkley. Designed to pair with Berkley Gulp! baits, the corrosion-resistant Fusion19 hook features a bait keeper to aid in rigging Gulp! plastics. The twin line-eyes allow for top or front-end attachment, facilitating cast-and-retrieve tactics and vertical jigging. The flat bottom on the head allows the jig to maintain orientation on the bottom. Available in eight colors and 12 sizes, 1⁄8 to 8 ounces, with size 1 to 10/0 hooks. $3.99 to $9.99; berkley-fishing.com Jon Whittle

Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet

The popular Rapala X-Rap Twitchin’ Mullet is available in a smaller 06 model, sized for shallow inshore work. Its side-to-side action and slow sink rate work in a foot and a half of water or less. Fitted with No. 1 VMC Coastal Black 1X in-line single hooks, the translucent body with 3D eyes comes in 12 colors: Albino Shiner, Bone Chartreuse, Blue Sardine, Fusilier, Glass Ghost, Gold Olive, Hot Olive, Moss Back Shiner, Olive Green, Red Belly, Red Ghost and Silver. $9.99; rapala.com Jon Whittle

Spro Power Bucktail

The Spro Power Bucktail was designed for getting down to big fish. The super-strong Gamakatsu O’Shaughnessy hook comes overdressed with natural bucktail to retain a beefy profile and provide buoyancy to keep the hook out of the rocks. Suited to a range of situations, from surf casting to casting and jigging for stripers, cobia or grouper, it’s available in 1-, 11⁄2-, 2- and 3-ounce sizes on 7/0 and 8/0 hooks. $8.99 to $10.99; spro.com Jon Whittle

LiveTarget Fleeing Shrimp

The Livetarget Fleeing Shrimp comes to life with a proprietary skirt that emulates a live shrimp’s front legs, which is particularly effective on redfish, snook and speckled trout in skinny waters. An internal glass rattle creates a ticking sound on the retrieve. Impregnated with a natural shrimp scent, the baits are available in 23⁄4-inch-1⁄4-ounce and 31⁄2-inch-3⁄8-ounce sizes in eight color patterns: Sand Shrimp, Glass Shrimp, White Shrimp, Glow, Brown Shrimp, Pink, Grass Shrimp and Clear. $9.99; livetargetlures.com Jon Whittle

PowerPro Super8Slick V2

PowerPro’s Super8Slick V2 braid combines an eight-end weave construction with Enhanced Body Technology for a new level of performance. The EBT process floods resin through the weave, producing a smoother, rounder line to reduce backlashes, increase casting distance, ease knotting, and improve strength-to-diameter ratio. Available in moss green, black, hi-vis aqua green and blue in 8-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 65- and 80-pound-test in 100-, 150-, 300-, 1,500- and 3,000-yard spools. $20.99 to $339.99; powerpro.com Jon Whittle

SpiderWire Dura-4 Braid

SpiderWire expands its portfolio with Dura-4 braided line, a four-strand braid that’s easy to tie and cinches down on most knots effortlessly. The no-stretch properties of the PE fibers in SpiderWire provide ultimate sensitivity to detect bites and underwater structure, and exceptional strength for its diameter. Available in 125-, 200-, 300-, 500-, 1,500- and 3,000-yard spools in 10- to 80-pound-test. $9.99 to $164.99; spiderwire.com Jon Whittle

Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon

Gold Label fluoro leader material, as much as 23 percent thinner per pound-test than other fluoro leaders made by Seaguar, allows stealthier presentations, enhances lure action and reduces detection. Seaguar’s co-extrusion method yields a Double-Structure leader, uniting two fluorocarbon resins for a strong, sensitive core and a supple exterior. Available in 25-yard spools in 15- to 40-pound-test. $18.99 to $34.99; seaguar.com Jon Whittle

Sufix Advance Monofilament

Sufix marries the qualities of nylon mono and fluorocarbon in Advance Monofilament, a durable, low-stretch, abrasion-resistant line that makes no sacrifices in performance. Combining HMPE molecules with Hyper Copolymer, a magnetic-extrusion process draws HMPE molecules toward the surface of the line and bonds with the Hyper Copolymer, resulting in a mono with enhanced castability, reduced memory, superior knot strength, and 50 times less stretch than standard mono. Available in clear and low-vis green from 4- to 25-pound-test. $12.99; sufix.fishing Jon Whittle

Fin-Nor Tidal Series

Fin-Nor Tidal rods feature solid graphite construction that never collapses under pressure and provides a balance of strength and sensitivity. All models carry heavy-duty reel seats and premium stainless guides with aluminum-oxide inserts to handle braid. Tidal Boat Rods, in medium and medium-heavy action, sport EVA grips with rubber gimbals. Heavy-action rods include EVA foregrips, slick butts and aluminum gimbals. Six models cover any situation. Six Tidal Inshore Spinning Rods, sized for bonefish to tarpon, come with premium cork handles. $99 and $129; finnorfishing.com Jon Whittle

St. Croix Mojo Yak

The Mojo Yak series of rods from St. Croix includes six spinning and two casting models, ranging from 7 to 71⁄2 feet in medium-light, medium and medium-heavy action. The fast-action rods deliver casting distance without sacrificing accuracy or sensitivity, retaining plenty of backbone for the close fight. All are built from high-modulus SCIII graphite fitted with Kigan Master Hand 3D guides, aluminum-oxide rings and black frames, and Fuji reel seats. Starting at $150; stcroixrods.com Jon Whittle

Maxima Colored Crimps

Forget about touch-and-fit and trial-and-error when crimping mono and fluoro rigs. GoFish, a division of Maxima, now offers crimping sleeves color-coded by size. The aluminum, single-barrel sleeves come in seven different sizes, each in a different color, ranging from 0.031 diameter for 50-pound line to 0.059 for 175-pound line, with 50 per pack in smaller sizes and 35 per pack in the largest size. $10; maximafishingline.com Jon Whittle

Gamakatsu Outbarb Circle Hook

An innovative twist on the ubiquitous circle hook, Gamakatsu‘s Outbarb Circle places the barb on the outside of the point, rather than the inside. The result is a point twice as strong as that of conventional circle hooks, and a barb that latches on and stays put, even on a slack line. The 1X light wire is forged for extra strength. $3.99; gamakatsu.com Jon Whittle

Z-Man Weedless Eye Strike Jig Head

The Eye Strike Fishing Weedless Eye jig head from Z-Man incorporates a weed guard that slides through grass without fouling and features the prey-critical attack spot: an oversize 3D eye. A trailer-keeper locks ElaZtech soft baits securely in place on the heavy-duty, 3/0 black nickel Mustad UltraPoint hook, and the flattened jig head and eyelet placement activate paddle-tail baits, producing a wobbling action that resembles a spoon. Available in 1⁄8-, 3⁄16- and 1⁄4-ounce weights and five colors. $6.99 per three-pack; zmanfishing.com Jon Whittle