BY MIKE STEVENS
ORLANDO, Fla. – There was plenty of new gear unveiled at the ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) Show that saltwater anglers on the West Coast should keep an eye out for, some of which took top honors in the event’s New Product Showcase. ICAST is the center of the sportfishing universe for three days at a global level, so the amount of new stuff to check out is overhwhelming to say the least, but Western Outdoor News was on hand to cherry-pick some of the tackle that should be of particular interest to WON readers.
Penn Fathom Electric reels
Penn was one of a couple manufacturers on the ICAST floor that unveiled an electric reel at the 2024 ICAST Show, and not only did they win the Saltwater Reel category in the New Product Showcase, 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. That battery can be easily swapped out – even on the fly with a fish on – and it also sports an easy-to-use LED screen with a crazy-accurate line counter, auto-stop functionality and angler-friendly customizable settings. You heard it here, there is going to be a buzz surrounding these reels come SoCal show season in early 2025.
Costa 580G Gold Mirrored Lens in Grand Catalina
Costa rarely gets through an ICAST Show without Best Eyewear hardware for the trophy case, and they added to that collection with Grand Catalina frames (an iconic Costa frame that has been remastered) featuring a gold mirror lens. With a 580G glass lens in that color, Costa was looking to create “one lens for all waters” that perform under bright or overcast skies and a wide range of water conditions. Western Outdoor News has been field testing Costa’s gold mirror lenses all summer, and they proved themselves worthy on all fronts.
AFTCO Coastal Layer Hood
AFTCO has a knack for delivering high-performance apparel for on-the-water applications that and with the same product, comfort and style off the water. They nailed it again with the Coastal Layer Hood which won best Lifestyle Apparel (men) in the New Product Showcase. What jumps out right off the bait is the softness of the lightweight, moisture-wicking, stain-resistant material which sets it apart from other hoodies. It’s light enough to be layered or on its own when it’s just chilly enough to need long sleeves and many a hood, both of which offer UPF 50 sun protection in a breathable package. AFTCO also won for Cold Weather Technical Apparel (women) with the AFTCO Armorloft Zip Hood, so those are also worth checking out.
Fujinon Techno-Stabi X binoculars
Fujifilm is a sleeping giant in the binocular game, and those in the know are taking advantage of very high performance at a price point well below that of other brands of “gyros” with Fujinon binos. According to the Fujifilm reps at ICAST, the 1440 (14 x 40) model has been their sweet spot and it’s the most popular model with anglers. WON has been checking these out on the water here in the heart of the saltwater season, and the performance has been impressive to say the least. Check them out online or at Baker Marine in San Diego, and look for them at the 2024 PCS Show.
Penn Battle IV spinning combo
Penn also picked up a win in the Rod and Reel combo department with its new Battle IV rod and reel combo. The Battle IV reel has been upgraded and is now even tgougher with Penn’s Hydro Armor sealing system that protects critical components. The reel has a full-metal body, Penn’s proven HT-100 drag system and CNC Gear Technology, and it’s paired with a graphite rod equipped with Penn Dura Guides. This outfit bucks the trend of saltwater rod-and-reel combos being low quality, and it will provide years of dependable service from half-day trips on up.
Daiwa Seaborg G1800M-RJ
Daiwa also came out of the electric gates swinging with the Seaborg power-assist reel which will quickly find a home with swordfish hunters but it also doubles as a masterful kite fishing reel, too, taming giant surface-blasting fish like marlin, bluefin tuna, wahoo and sailfish. The centerpiece technology in the new SEABORG is its new MAGMAX-G MOTOR which is 170% more powerful than Daiwa’S current Seaborg 1200, and the drag was increased by 150%. The reel also has a unique Bluetooth remote that works like controlling a trolling motor with a remote. Wth the new SEABORG, the angler can manage key functions with the included remote which comes in handy if you’re running multiple lines and at the same time trying to keep the boat in perfect position.
Daiwa also unveiled new Proteus Inshore and Outrage rods that will quickly settle in on the West Coast, and Daiwa also announced a partnership with Japan’s X-Braid which will bring some the world’s best fishing lines to the North American market.
Berkley Gulp Dragon Tail
Over the years, Berkley has put out baits for one type of angler that another group adopts and runs with. The Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shad comes to mind, intended for freshwater but it quickly became a West Coast staple for calico bass anglers. The Berkley Gulp! Dragon Tail is set to be the next offering that takes off out here in similar fashion. While WON was checking out the 3.7-inch slug-type bait at ICAST, former WON BASS U.S. Open champ Josh Bertrand spotted it, stopped in his tracks, picked it up and mentioned several ways he could put it in play on the freshwater bass tour. At the same time, WON staffers were drooling over the thought of firing it off a half-day boat or private vessel and piling up big numbers of calicos. They are a little on the small side, so they’re likely to emerge as exactly that: a numbers killer on the inshore bass scene. The Berkley Gulp! Dragon Tail has an estimated availability date of October 1.
Rapala Sarda
The overbuilt Rapala Sarda is a high-speed trolling lure with a stainless-steel internal one-piece construction that – spanning two years of testing – hammered bluefin tuna, wahoo and yellowfin from Europe to the Florida Keys and yes, Southern California. Along with the indestructible construction, the Sarda features two forged VMC TechSet single hooks with welded rings, and it can be trolled up to 14 knots. This one has SoCal offshore written all over it.
Hobie floating sunglasses
Shades that don’t hit bottom when dropped in the drink are not new to Hobie, and due to their popularity, Hobie is taking more and more of its most-popular frames and launching floating versions of them. Hobie (established in 1982) is well-known for producing overperforming polarized eyewear at a very accessible price point and the floating models remain in that sweet spot. Prescription options are available along with multiple lens colors, and WON started on-the-water testing of the Hank Cherry Bluefin model immediately following the ICAST show, and they’ve notched high marks across the board.
