I’ve spent most of the week in Orlando for the ICAST trade show, the place where most of next year’s fishing tackle is unveiled.
This is something I look forward to every year because, like most of you, I get real excited about new fishing products.
I work with a lot of companies in the development of new products, especially those that are KVD branded, and seeing them on display to the trade for the first time gets me excited. Nothing is more rewarding than to have someone tell me they had their best day of fishing using a lure or rod and reel I helped design.
There are several other pros here at the show that are helping sponsors showcase new products. Our role is to convey advantages and benefits of new tackle, including the subtle advantages of each feature.
We will be doing a lot of videos and work with print media to get the message out. You’ve probably seen a lot of those already on Bassmaster.com.
Although you’re seeing this on Friday, I had to put it together earlier in the week due to a busy schedule at the show. For that reason, I can’t tell you about everything that is coming from my sponsors because we’re sworn to secrecy until the show opens.
However, here’s a quick peak at some of the products from my sponsors that I can talk about:
Rods and reels: You will see a lot of trends coming out of the show this year, but one of the biggest is quality rods and reels offered at an exceptional value. Quantum is debuting a new series of Team KVD Rods and Reels in that $79-$99 price point. This is quality stuff, including an eight-ball bearing reel that casts and performs incredibly well.
In fact, they’re offering a combo outfit with a 6-9 medium heavy graphite rod with a Team KVD reel for $100.
Although this is the only one I’ve seen, I suspect other companies will be offering similar value-priced bass outfits, too.
Lures: Strike King has a lot of new colors, sizes and shapes in hard baits and soft plastics. One in particular that has me excited is the 2 Tap Redeye Shad, a sister bait to the proven Redeye Shad lineup. It’s a got a side-to-side rattle sound chamber with a single bead that gives a unique back-and-forth tapping sound with the same shimmy fall as the regular Redeye.
Electronics: Humminbird is showing its new Helix Series with super sharp, bright and easy-to-see screens at a lower price. You get many of the same features in the Helix found in more expensive units a couple of years ago.
Terminal Tackle: Mustad is rolling out a new series of lightwire KVD Grip Pin hooks for finesse fishermen and a new, extra, extra short round bend treble, ideal for some of the smaller square bill crankbaits. The new trebles give you a bigger, stronger bite without tangling.
Accessories: GoPro just launched its Hero4 Session camera that is 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter, along with some new mounting options. The camera is self-contained and water proof in a much smaller package. I’ve been playing with one on a wrist strap and I hardly know it’s on me.
TH Marine has delivered the KVD Kong Mount – a heavy duty electronics bracket built for bigger, heavier electronics. It can be mounted on the front deck or off the side of the console and can take the pounding in rough water and protect your electronics investment.
MotorGuide will offer a new trolling motor for 2016 that I’ve been working with them on for a couple of years while Plano continues to provide new innovations in tackle storage systems.
Those are the items I’ve been involved with that will be rolled out this week. You can see them and more offerings here on Bassmaster.com.
Get ready … there are some outstanding tackle innovations coming your way that will make bass fishing a better experience.
And remember, it’s all about the attitude!
Kevin VanDam’s column appears weekly on Bassmaster.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.
