Each July, the fishing world converges for the ICAST show held in hot and humid Orlando, Florida. Inside the comfort of the convention center, it’s the place for fishing companies to showcase their newest offerings to members of the media and retail buyers, who also vote for awards in each category.
The list of winners for each category typically includes the biggest brand names in fishing and there’s always a handful of products in the back corners of the show and small booths that don’t get the same media attention. In what has become an annual tradition on this site, here are my picks for the truly innovative products, the unicorns that should have received more love.
Fishing Reel – Svivlo Reels
ICAST is also a networking show and an excellent time to meet up with people in the fishing industry that you see just once a year at this show. The biggest topic when catching up is usually, “See anything cool this year?” and most years, there isn’t much to share.
This year, I told everyone about this Swedish baitcast reel company that produces the Draken 1 and Genesis 1. The reels are almost impossible to backlash. Better yet, you don’t need to use your thumb at all. I also walked several people to their booth to see it and make a cast because they had a hard time believing me. I still fully don’t understand how it works, but it does.
Designed with some of the same technology in watches, the reel has a pendulum system and detects slight changes in rotation as the lure or bait is in the air. The reels are unassuming and look like most other reels, but the insides make it different and while it may seem farfetched, it works as designed. The hardest part is reminding yourself not to use your thumb while casting.
Terminal Tackle – Bambuie Bear Wacky Neko Clip
I’m a sucker for a good piece of terminal tackle that solves a common issue and that’s precisely what this little clip does. With the popularity of wacky and Neko rigging, tons of items on the market help you rig your soft plastic bait, from O-Rings and silicon sleeves and more.
This little clip is ingenious because of its simplicity, and it won’t come off your hook because of the angled hook slots. Turn the clip slightly to insert the hook and then rotate it and then the barb of your hook can’t come out. The plastic sits right inside the clip and the two hook holes are there to fit various hook sizes. Just pick the one that fits your hook. It’s a simple little item but holds the bait just right. This company also has a unique scent injector, which is pretty neat. They appear focused on doing something different than what everyone else is producing.
Storage – Ryugi Japan Single Hook Stocker
Tackle storage is another category I’m always interested in and it seems like these items have become better and better every year. I’ve got plenty of specialty boxes for my terminal tackle, but hooks are one thing I haven’t dialed in yet. I prefer to keep them in the original package to protect them and also so I can see the sizes, and this simple binder from Ryugi lets you do it.
It’s about the size of a wallet and you can fit many different hook packs inside the hook stocker. It’s simple, but I thought it was unique and solved a problem for my terminal tackle storage.
Boating Accessory – Swim Well Fish Recovery Spray
Fish care is crucial whether you are a recreational angler or compete in tournaments and this can of water-based spay contains plenty of oxygen to boost your fish. It sounds strange initially, but it makes sense the more you think about it. This product sprays a mist, like a sunscreen, giving struggling fish more dissolved oxygen.
The company did plenty of testing with fish to see how they did after swimming in fast currents inside tanks and it helped tremendously for those fish. They also find that it works well for stressed trout caught in warmer weather but could easily help bass inside your livewell.
Lure – Alex the Gator from Natural Selection Lures
In the dozen ICAST shows I’ve attended, I’ve seen lures that imitate ducks, bats, spiders, turtles, and all sorts of crazy things. But I have not seen a gator imitating bait until this year.
I don’t know how this bait swims or performs, but I’m sure it will work in the right situation. It’s a thick bait with segmented tails designed to swim along the surface like a baby alligator.
While many of the same players won the awards this year, five more received my vote for the unique new product at ICAST 2023. It’s too early to tell if these unicorns will ever make it to the big time, but they are certainly different.
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