BY MIKE STEVENS
COSTA MESA— The 2025 Pacific Coast Sportfishing (PCS) Show was packed to the gills with impressive gear specifically curated for western anglers in particular. Attendees left the show fully loaded with tackle, accessories and intel that will be used to maximize their time on the water this year and beyond, and Western Outdoor News handpicked a handful of products as some of the most notable of the show that deserve another look if not a deeper dive for more info.
Accurate teased a big announcement in the weeks leading up to the PCS Show, and attendees flocked to the booth to check out the new Valiant 2 lever-drag reels that were unveiled at the show. The internals are essentially the same as those in the proven previous generation of Valiant reels that skyrocketed in popularity – especially in the Pacific – for it’s big-game capabilities centered around a twin lever-drag system while delivering the castability of a star drag, all in a light yet bulletproof package. The Valiant 2 maintains all that but now has better ergonomics thanks to adjustments made to the reel’s shape and “edges” based on angler input, and the new generation features an external push-button drag stop (prior to full drag) that eliminates accidentally pushing the drag lever too far forwad, among other drag related “safety” features.
Dive deeper on the new Accurate V2 Vaiant reels (that come in a wide range of styles including one speeds and slow-pitch models) at AccurateFishingcom.
Daiwa was stopping traffic in the aisles with its new ultra-premium 2025 Saltiga spinning reels that are sporting some serious, pioneering technology. The centerpiece on the larger 18,000 to 25,000 size (seriously) is Daiwa’s new and patented DRD “roller drag” system that’s built around metal drag washers with integrated rollers instead of standard washers. This results in incredible drag to 66.1 pounds, consistent drag pressure regardless of heat (big fish) and washers that essentially do not wear out. They’ve already been tested on big tuna, giant trevally, marlin, tarpon and sharks all over the world with staggering results.
Serious big-game anglers owe it to themselves to learn more about these ground-breaking, big game spinning reels at Daiwa.Us.
Penn unveiled a line of Fathom Electric reels at the 2024 ICAST Show, and those reels are now in the hands of West Coast anglers who first reached for them for big game, but they’ve since become popular with rockfish anglers who, due to all the fun new regs on the rockfish front, need to know precisely what depths they are working in. At ICAST, Penn not only did they win the Saltwater Reel category in the New Product Showcase with this reel, but they took top overall honors with a Best In Show win. The Penn Fathom Electric comes in three sizes (30, 50 and 80), and it stands as the only reel with an integrated battery, and it’s one it’s one that provides incredible torque and power.
For more info, visit pennfishing.com.
AFTCO always comes through with new, high-performance gear for anglers at the PCS Show which makes sense considering the venue is right in the SoCal-based company’s backyard. There was a lot to choose from, but front and center was the AFTCO Deep Set Bib that delivers commercial grade performance and waterproof characteristics to any angler looking to stay warm and dry on the water. Also drawing a lot of attention was the Made in USA AFTCO Titan Landing Net which is tabbed as “the last net you’ll ever need.” According to AFTCO, the Titan’s hoop is meticulously crafted from top-tier aircraft-grade aluminum. Its heavy-duty machined yoke guarantees maximum durability, and an extendable locking handle offers versatility for any catch. The hand-sewn 100% latex-infused 1-inch knotless netting protects fish’s slime coat and scales.
Find both at AFTCO.com
Okuma has been at the forefront of what might be called a surf-fishing resurgence on the West Coast. That might not be the word for it, since casting from the beach has always been “a thing” out here, but in recent years, surf casters are paying a lot more attention to their gear and looking maximize performance measurables including castability, sensitivity and durability. Okuma’s Hawaiian Custom Rods have been very popular in the western surf fishing community for a while now, and retailers that carry them are saying the newer models that are lighter, stronger and have very cool updated graphics are hard to keep in stock. Reps at the PCS Show said the 902M, 902MH and 1072MH are the big sellers in California.
Check the whole line out at OkumaFishingUSA.com.
Calstar listed ten new rods in the PCS Program that all fit very specialized West Coast roles that needed to be filled, but there were a few particular products that stood out even from that impressive lineup. According to the folks in the Calstar booth, a quiver of 9.5-foot jig sticks are now available due to “dealer request.” Apparently, shops offering custom rod building are constantly building 9-and-a-half foot jig sticks (with variations), so they thought it would be cool to be able to stock factory rods in those specs so anglers can grab one right off the rack. Calstar delivered the WC95JF (glass), GG95 (graphite/glass hybrid) and Grafighter GFDH95J, all sporting factory wraps and premium Fuji guides to anglers looking for custom performance in a factory stick.
For more info, visit CalStarRods.net
Berkley showcased a bunch of stuff geared toward western anglers, but a couple items in particular were standing out among PCS attendees. The first was the Berkley Trout Dough Molding Kit which allows users to mold PowerBait dough into a “honey worm” shape, or even into a spoon shape that can be cast and retrieved. One Berkley rep said he even had success while slow trolling it for trout in the great white north. There is no doubt this kit will be a hit in the Eastern Sierra as well as in lower-elevation trout waters across the state.
Berkley also upgraded ProSpec Chrome braid (now a high-performance 8x carrier version) and its new Forward Braid that, while designed for FFS users, is also ideally suited for minijig users looking for supreme castability and sensitivity in a high-vis package so it’s easy to visually detect subtle bites.
Visit berkley-fishing.com
Eagle Claw/Trokar continues to find ways to innovate in the hook department, and the new Trokar TK150VP drop-shot hooks are among the legendary company’s latest exhibits of exactly that. Based on the wildly successful Trokar TK150 drop-shot hooks, this version sports a Pro-V Bend that helps ensure solid hooksets, but more importantly, one a fish’s lip gets past that bend, it’s not coming off. Drop-shotting is a money-making tactic out west, so any angler in a tournament situation with big bucks and prize boats on the line need to stock TroKar Pro V Drop-Shot hooks (available in sizes 4 to 1/0) in their arsenal.
Check them out at EagleClaw.com
Pfleuger keeps on improving on classic lines, and the latest installment of President spinning reels delivers the punching-above-its-weight-class performance that anglers have grown to expect from Pfleuger. The latest Pfleuger President XT reels feature a machined aluminum main gear (rather than a cast gear) and 10 bearings resulting in a crazy smooth operation. The 20 and 25 reels are ideal for Eastern Sierra anglers, and larger models are available in rod-and-reel combos that can be had for under $175.
Visit pfleugerfishing.com for more details
