BY MIKE STEVENS
WON Staff Writer
ORLANDO – The Western Outdoor News team is back from the annual International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) Show in Orlando where top fishing tackle companies unveil their new products for the upcoming year. This “non-consumer-facing” show not open to the public, but fortunately WON not only attends each year, but also weeds through a staggering amount of new tackle for all types of anglers, all over the world, and hand picks some key items to share with WON’s primarily West Coast-based readership.There’s a “theme” for every ICAST Show, and as predicted by Western Outdoor News, 2026 was all about “urchin” style baits and everything associated with them. Bass anglers are still figuring them out, and a lot of the experimentation is based around different ways to rig them, and there was no shortage of rigging and storage solutions for urchin baits at the show.
Here’s some stuff to look for in the upcoming year, some of which may already be available for purchase. In all cases, this is only a sampling of what each of these top-tier companies unveiled at ICAST, but the rest of it can be browsed on their websites listed below after each entry.
Daiwa
Celebrating it’s 60th anniversary, Daiwa did its signature move of unveiling a laundry list of new rods, reels, combos, lures, line and tools at ICAST. Some of those new products were influenced by Daiwa’s long, decorated heritage including the new BG SW Spinning Reel that took Best Saltwater Reel honors in the New Product Showcase. That one definitely pulls from Daiwa’s “workhorse” foundation when it comes to the BG line while benefitting from a modern makeover which includes (but is not limited to) a new oversized POWERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, ROTOR and CRANK POWER BAIL. West Coast anglers should also check out Daiwa’s new SP Minnow LC 150F, J-Braid X8 Ocean Splash and Tatula MQ Elite spinning reels (freshwater) and Saltiga LD80 2-speed. Also, Daiwa’s Beam X rods are all-glass ultralight rod at a staggering price point (under $50) that’s perfect for any back-in-the-day Kencor rod worshippers who’d dig a similar action while leaving their relic Kencors on the shelf for posterity. There’s really too much new stuff from SoCal-based Daiwa to fit here, so check out all the fresh gear at Daiwa.us
AFTCO
In sports terms, one could describe AFTCO’s performance in the apparel categories at ICAST as a “dynasty” for at least the last decade. They’re regulars in the New Product Showcase winner’s circle —oftentimes in more than one apparel category— and they stayed hot this year with another addition to the trophy case. AFTCO’s Hydronaut Insulated Jacket and Bib took home the trophy for Extreme Weather Apparel. Like all AFTCO products, this set is overbuilt with no stone left unturned, and it’s ideally suited for serious anglers (fresh and salt) needing to deal with Mother Nature’s worst. AFTCO also took top honors for Women’s Lifestyle Apparel with the Overcast Sweatshirt which is a wind-resistant, water repellant take-everywhere sweatshirt that comes in the clutch in a wide range of conditions. Western anglers should also check out the AFTCO Fish Ninja Performance Hoodie for UV protection in a quick-drying, comfortable, low-profile setting complete with thumbholes that keep the sleeves in place and an integrated face mask. Check out all the new ICAST-unveiled stuff from another SoCal-based heavy-hitter at AFTCO.com
G-Ratt
NorCal-based G-Ratt Baits showed up and beat out some monster tackle companies in winning Best Terminal Tackle in the New Product Showcase with its quick and versatile G-Ratt Urchin Rig.
This setup allows the angler to quickly rig an urchin bait and choose from three G-Ratt hook options as well as different weight sizes, all easily swapped out on the fly. Conveniently, G-Ratt has its own line of urchin baits, and at ICAST 2026, they showed off their new Pop-A-Web (now available for pre-order) which is the larger version of their standard Webber which features a forked tentacle that allows it to imitate a post-spawn “fry ball.” The lipless G-Ratt Kill Switch crankbait from G-Ratt is also new and available for pre-order, and it was also turning a lot of heads at ICAST. –GRattbaits.com
GAMAKATSU
Hook giant Gamakatsu has hit ICAST with innovative terminal tackle for years, but they’ve been testing the non-hook waters for a while now with impressive results. Gamakatsu’s GSPECX Genkai polarized sunglasses are super-premium shades for the most discerning anglers. They feature Japanese TALEX lenses that most high-end eyewear brands can’t get their hands on. Those lenses deliver unmatched clarity and zero distortion with way less eye fatigue. They’re available in six different lens colors and regular and wide fits. WON was admittedly skeptical on these glasses going into the show only to give them an on-the-spot test and realize they are very much the real deal, and it really was that clarity factor that landed them here.
Of course, “Gama” has been setting the standard in the hook department for so long, it almost doesn’t warrant mentioning when they do it again, but the new Gamakatsu Outsider Treble Hooks are a modern marvel of penetration and corrosion resistance. The magic here is almost imperceivable to the casual observer, but these feature hook points that are slightly angled outward which seriously ramps up hookup ratios, and a larger barb keeps fish hooked. Gama has a bunch of new gear under the NEW PRODUCTS tab at Gamakatsu.com
G-Ratt
There’s a “theme” for every ICAST Show, and as predicted by Western Outdoor News, 2026 was all about “urchin” style baits and everything associated with them. Bass anglers are still figuring them out, and a lot of the experimentation is based around different ways to rig them. NorCal-based G-Ratt Baits showed up and beat out some monster tackle companies in winning Best Terminal Tackle in the New Product Showcase with its quick and versatile G-Ratt Urchin Rig.
This setup allows the angler to quickly rig an urchin bait and choose from three G-Ratt hook options as well as different weight sizes, all easily swapped out on the fly. Conveniently, G-Ratt has its own line of urchin baits, and at ICAST 2026, they showed off their new Pop-A-Web (now available for pre-order) which is the larger version of their standard Webber which features a forked tentacle that allows it to imitate a post-spawn “fry ball.” The lipless G-Ratt Kill Switch crankbait from G-Ratt is also new and available for pre-order, and it was also turning a lot of heads at ICAST. –GRattbaits.com
Okuma
Okuma tends to blow the lid off a wide range of products at each ICAST Show, and the 2026 installment was no different. The all-new Okuma Eminent low-profile baitcast reel is celebrated as “a true gateway performance reel” due to its price point (right around $110), but it absolutely delivers when it comes to construction and performance measurables. The external magnetic cast control minimizes backlashes and allows for fine tuning from one bait to the next so the user gets the most out of each cast, while a CNC-cut aluminum drive gear, machined brass pinion gear and C-40X sideplates ensure precision and durability.
On the salty side, the Okuma Makaira Yellowfin Tuna Lever-Drag made its debut, and its yellowfin tuna color pattern was stopping ICAST attendees in their tracks as did a display of Okuma’s all-new line of affordable, high-performance accessories. That space was arguably highlighted by a filet-knife kit consisting of a 4-blade lineup in a case with a sharpener for right around 100 bucks. Okuma is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, any angler would do themself a favor by checking out all their new stuff from ICAST and otherwise at OkumaFishingUSA.com
Costa
Deeply-rooted in the state of Florida, Costa has huge ICAST presence in Orlando every July. Costa’s vibe and culture are on full display at the show, so much so it’s almost “oh yeah, and we also have some of the best polarized sunglasses on earth, check ‘em out!” Front and center this time around was Costa’s new Pilothouse Pro which popped up on WON’s radar months ago before the glasses made their ICAST debut. They’re a real stand-out departure from much of what Costa has put out there over the years. The Pilothouse Pro are the company’s first “semi-rimless” eyewear and the first in the Pro Series to achieve ANSIZ87.1+ protection. To put it simply, the Pilothouse is designed for when conditions are at their worst. They also feature interchangeable lenses, an anti-skid brow feature, and the 580P polarization tech anglers worldwide have come to expect from Costa. The Pilothouse Pro isn’t all that’s new from Costa, in fact, their list of stuff that’s new to the market isn’t even all sunglasses. Check it all out at CostaDelMar.com
P- Line
A year ago, P-Line launched its innovative EndurX Zero Fade Braid which guaranteed consistent line color for the life of the product. Like so many things in fishing, braid color is almost entirely a matter of angler preference. There may be some advantages to one over the other in terms of muted colors vs hi-visibility depending on the situation, and it seems like the hi-vis guys are pickier than the muted folks when it comes down to color preference. At the 2026 ICAST Show, P-Line added Hi-Vis Orange to the EndurX line bringing a fifth color option to the lineup: Aqua Blue, Electric Green and now Hi-Vis Orange are there for the high-visibility guys, and Midnight Black and Monster Green for those taking a muted approach. All five are available in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65 and 80-pound test as well as in 150, 300 and 2500-yard spools. Fans of P-Lines jigs like the Lazer Minnows should also check out the new P-Line Haruki Jigs Which are premium jigs built around a wire-through-body construction and rigged with 3X strong hooks and split rings. They are overbuilt, great looking and ready for big-game action. – P-Line.com
