Visited ICAST in Orlando Florida this past week. For those trying to reach us during this time, apologies for any inconvenience. We are a family business, and we traveled as a family, meaning the internet side of things was closed for three days last week.

Always an interesting show with introductions and display of new products and innovations. A larger show than last year, but still lacking some International suppliers like Nomad. For reels, just a few new items, but some significant:

Daiwa Tanacom 1200 - these will be produced in Thailand and other Tanacoms will move production there, too. That will significantly improve delivery times for these wonderful electric reels. The 1200 is simply larger, incorporates a few new wrinkles...to be discussed. Delivery SOON! Just a couple new saltwater related reels, but some good ones...

Penn - new FATHOM series introduced to become available in the Fall. Some pluses and minuses in my estimation. Cosmetics change, finish changes too... Penn also showed off their new spinner - Authority - to replace Torque series. Import item, sub $500 price point. Great sealing system, took best new saltwater reel (Penn did not put the new Fathom in the running - wanted to focus votes on one model for the voting - that paid off with a win).

Van Staal - they are making some changes in design which will be incorporated in new production. Now part of Pure Fishing - Penn, Berkely, Abu, Fenwick, 7Strand (they sure killed that line of lures and accessories...).

Okuma - New Solterra series reels - look great and will help a lot of guys get into big game fishing on a smaller budget. New Tesoro spinning reels - EXCELLENT! Some new rods and freshwater reels, lures...and more tackle storage solutions.

Seigler - focused on new fly reels, no changes for conventional reels.

Accurate - staying with what they have and boasting of improved production.

AFTCO - lots of intros, new tackle bags, lures, fluorocarbon (Sunline makes...of course), boots... but the nicest new items were their kill bags. These showed some innovations which I think are quite positive: drain system, liner...

Mustad - Little new in hooks, but more lures and even rods...

AFTCO and Mustad doing what we see other companies have done such as Gamakatsu, Pure Fishing, Daiwa and the bike maker, broadening their offerings beyond core products to other categories of me-too products. Not expanding sales within their area of strength, rather going into other product categories to increase business.

Ocean's Legacy and JYG continue to show innovative lures and even rods - these make more sense to me given slow and fast jigging, specific system's approach in terms of rods.

Some interesting accessory products, these we'll show off soon.

Tanacom 1200

Accurate

Sergey pulling on a new Temple Reef rod.

Last Day