Each year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, showcases the best products from across nearly every sector of the marine industry. For the offshore-addicted, here are the hot new products from this year’s show.
New Tackle and Gear for 2018
One of the best ways to add a little billfish-attracting color and flash to your dredge baits is with a small skirted lure, but you need one with a larger-than-usual leader hole to easily slip over the wire. The Jr. Ilander Dredge Head is perfect for this application. The Jr. Ilander is 63⁄4 inches in length and weighs in at a half-ounce. The rigging hole is slightly offset to keep the lure tracking straight rather than spinning, and it's available in eight head colors and all the popular skirt combinations.
Anglers fishing for white marlin and sailfish need four key features in a reel: line capacity, high-speed retrieve, a strong clicker and a smooth, consistent drag curve. Accurate took those points into consideration with the Valiant BVL-600. Constructed of T6 6160 aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s incredibly strong and light, weighing just 19 ounces, while holding 650 yards of 20-pound-test mono in the standard model and 750 yards in the wide configuration. The 7-to-1 gear ratio means a retrieval rate of 61.5 inches with every turn of the handle, perfect for those times when a hot fish charges the boat. Accurate’s TwinDrag system offers smooth and controlled drag throughout the range, suitable for lighter lines. Like all Accurate products, the BVL-600 is made in the United States.
Whether it's your morning coffee as you head to the boat or a pitcher of margaritas at happy hour, offshore anglers frequently need to keep hot things hot and cold things cold. Pelican Products, well-known for its protective cases, has developed a line of travel bottles engineered from rugged 18/8 stainless steel, with a durable powder-coated finish and nonslip rubber base. The spill-proof lid doubles as a carrying handle, and the insulated bottle keeps liquids hot or cold for hours. Pelican Bottles are available in three sizes — 18, 32 and 64 ounces — and a variety of solid colors, as well as new Realtree camo patterns.
Sometimes we come across products that are truly unique, like the LeaderKeepers from SeaQualizer. These sunglasses retainer cords are made from repurposed monofilament, keeping it out of landfills. LeaderKeepers are available in five color combinations and two lengths; they help with conservation while looking good along the way.
The iconic International Series reels from Penn has undergone an impressive upgrade that was several years in the making, including a reduction in weight, silent anti-reverse, a new ergonomically angled handle, and more. Anglers will love the Quick-Shift 2 two-speed shifting system and the Versa-Strike button, which can now be adjusted up and down the drag quadrant for greatly increased flexibility. The new International VI Series reels are available in both gold and silver finishes and are made in the United States.
