The Major Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Continue to Refine and Improve Their Products

Each summer, the American Sportfishing Association holds its annual ICAST fishing industry trade show, where a myriad of companies gather to display their wares and introduce new products for the coming season. ICAST began as a humble fishing tackle show years ago, where tackle dealers placed their orders for the coming year, but it has grown into much more than that. Although it remains a tackle show at heart, the show now features a much broader selection of products, including new fishing gear for 2024, marine electronics, clothing, boats, accessories and gadgets, travel services, Internet services and much more.

What’s New at ICAST 2024?

After attending each year I’m always asked, “What was new at ICAST?”  While truly new products do debut there, most of the things you see are refinements of previous versions of one thing or another. That’s not a bad thing, because modern tackle is so good, advancements are incremental by design. It’s hard to make major improvements on things that are already of high quality.

Much of this refinement follows trends in the way we fish these days. Reels have grown much smaller and feature more powerful drags at the same time, due to the nearly universal use of braided line, and rods have been redesigned to offer tremendous lifting power in much smaller packages to follow that same trend. It’s not uncommon to see small reels that until recently might have held 20-pound nylon monofilament line, now loaded with 80-pound braid.

Tackle Innovations from Top Brands

No matter how you fish, rest assured that the tackle companies build a line of products that will perfectly suit your needs. Here are just a few of those new products they’ve brought to market this year.

Daiwa: New Electric Reels and Spinning Reels

Daiwa SEABORG G1800M-RJ

Daiwa’s new electric reel does double duty as both a formidable swordfish reel and as a kite fishing reel, too. It comes with a hard silicon carbide level-wind guide, which is large enough for swivels and line connections to easily pass through. The deep spool easily accommodates over 1,000 yards of 100-pound-plus braid, like DAIWA’s Saltiga Boat Braided Line. The SEABORG’s powerful new MAGMAX-G MOTOR is 170 percent more powerful than Daiwa’s current SEBORG 1200, and the drag is 150 percent stronger as well. Plus, the MEGATWIN two-speed feature enables you to drop into a lower gear for added power if you’re at a stalemate with a big fish. Daiwa https://daiwa.us/products/seaborg-1800mj

Daiwa SOL MQ LT Spinning Reels

This new series of saltwater spinning reels are new from Daiwa as well. A one-piece, ZAION monocoque body design yields a stiff and distortion-proof frame with no screws or side plates, which makes the overall size of the reel smaller even while gears get larger. Daiwa’s exclusive, woven high-density carbon resin ZAION material is extremely lightweight, yet provides critical rigidity. Since ZAION is challenging to work with in the manufacturing process, it is only used to manufacture Daiwa’s top-of-the-line spinning reels. The combination of the one-piece monocoque body design and ZAION material yields the strongest and lightest frame achievable. Daiwa SOL MQ LT Spinning Reels

PENN: Advancing Durability and Strength in Reels and Rods

BATTLE IV Spinning Reels

PENN’s new Battle IV reels feature the Hydro Armor System, technology that better protects the reel from saltwater intrusion and corrosion, increasing its durability and performance. The fourth generation of the PENN Battle series incorporates additional seals strategically placed in key areas, including the handle, under the dust cap, and beneath the spool on the main shaft, to add protection without adding weight. An updated spool design eliminates through-holes in the spool body, to better prevent water intrusion. PENN’s CNC Gear Technology and an HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag System provide a smooth drag and come with a spool ready for superline without requiring backing, and convenient line capacity rings. A durable, full-metal body and side plate add strength. With a 5+1 sealed, stainless-steel ball bearing system for smooth operation, the Battle IV is available in nine sizes, ranging from a 1000 size to a 10000 size, and includes a sleek matte appearance and impressive finishes. The Battle IV also comes in DX models in 2500 to 8000 sizes, available exclusively through PENN dealers. With the DX line you get an additional stainless-steel bearing, and the CNC machined gear is upgraded from aluminum to brass. PENN Battle IV Reels

Ally II Rods

PENN’s Ally II Rod Series added 15 boat rods and eight West Coast models this year, all featuring high-end components and technique-specific customizations.

The Ally II series was designed for avid offshore anglers, whether you prefer deep dropping, trolling, or need a species-specific rod. The rods feature premium components and materials that increase durability and strength, ideal for offshore applications. With one-piece tubular graphite composite blanks, the new boat and West Coast models come equipped with Sea-Guide PVD black stainless-steel guides with zirconium inserts. EVA grips add comfort as do custom, full rubberized shrink-wrapped handles (on select models) for additional durability while under pressure. Heavy-duty Sea-Guide machined aluminum reel seats, also on select models, help keep a secure grip on the reel.

PENN Fishing; Ally II Rod Series

Quantum: Celebrating 40 Years with New Saltwater Reels

Benchmark Reel

Quantum celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with big plans to focus on the saltwater market. They’ve assembled a team of industry veterans in sales, marketing, product, and brand management with over 150 years of experience in the saltwater tackle business, and now have the critical foundation needed to achieve that goal. Toward that end, the new Quantum Benchmark spinning reel comes in six sizes to catch anything from trout to sailfish and are built to the highest quality standards. A sturdy aluminum frame keeps all gears and bearings in perfect alignment and are fully sealed with SEALOQ 6 protection to protect internal components from water, salt, and sand. Precision gearing precisely cut to tight tolerances and made of premium materials provides extreme cranking power while maintaining exceptional gear feel. The CFX200 Carbon Fiber Xtreme drag system offers impressive max drags, with great range and a consistent curve, for impressive fish stopping power, and the new Benchmarks feature five stainless steel ball bearings for seamless performance day in and day out.

Quantum Fishing; quantumfishing

Shimano: High-Tech Rods and Reels for Big Fish

Talica 20IIA and 25IIA

Shimano North America Fishing recently introduced its latest Talica reels, the newly redesigned Talica 20IIA and 25IIA. These medium-sized, two-speed lever drag reels deliver ultra-smooth operation and powerful drags, perfect for anglers fighting big fish in harsh conditions. Shimano’s innovative Infinity Drive technology helps anglers maintain control and power during tough battles by significantly enhancing drag force while reducing side-load pressure, resulting in up to 40 percent lighter rotation during high-drag situations. The new Talicas have super-smooth Cross Carbon Drag technology with a maximum drag pressure of 50 pounds. A new 1.9:1 low-gear ratio and redesigned handle configuration offer unparalleled winding power, and both reels include a Light-Line Drag Cam with a lower drag curve for billfish and lighter-line applications. Shimano Reels

Shimano Ocea Plugger Full Throttle Rods

These high-performance rods were recently redesigned for anglers targeting large pelagic species. Engineered with Shimano’s most advanced rod technologies, they provide unmatched power, precision, and durability for popping or plugging to catch large fish, situations like tuna boils or pelagic busts on the surface. Shimano’s proprietary Spiral X Core technology enhances torsional rigidity by 10 percent and compressional rigidity by 15 percent, compared to rods with standard Spiral X constructions. Toray Nanoalloy technology keeps the rods lightweight without compromising strength or durability. Spiral X Core and Hi-Power X technology further improve rod rigidity, enhancing casting distance and accuracy while maintaining recovery and overall strength. The reduced blank weight ensures anglers can cast effortlessly while maintaining exceptional fish-fighting performance. Additionally, the innovative Screw Lock Joint provides a secure connection between rod sections, keeping the reel seat and guide train perfectly aligned during the most grueling battles. Shimano; fish.shimano

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