ICAST is always a blast. Good folks, everyone's got new stuff, everyone's stoked and hopeful about the stuff, us bass-heads love new stuff – what's not to love? Amazingly Orlando was cooler some days than NJ too.
Anyhow, here's my first take on what I guess was my ICAST experience, which really means stuff I found innerestin' and think you will too.
Couple deals:
- I DID NOT (and never do) see everything at ICAST. Not possible for one person to do that. So I will miss stuff – if/when I do, please let me know about it.
- Some companies that don't have a booth at ICAST – which was way bigger this year, meaning more like pre-Covid – also launch stuff ICAST week. I'm sure I'll miss some of that too so same deal: Please lmk.
That said, here we go.
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Reminder: If your email program cuts off the bottom of this email, click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry bout that – email programs keep changing stuff.
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Trend 1: Forward-facing sonar (FFS) baits 'n stuff
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Couple weeks back I said, "Get ready to benefit from forward-facing sonar even if you don't have it (and won't get it)." I believe that even more after ICAST.
Before the show I'd heard of 2 baits that were related to forward-facing sonar, ended up a few more than that and I'm not sure I got 'em all. Here's what I saw, no particular order.
This is the rig Jason Christie fished for deeper-water spotted bass in the Classic. He mentioned it but he and YUM didn't out it completely at the time. Here's what it looks like:
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Couple quick things:
1. The swimbait shape is a little different than typical, and obviously the tail is horizontal instead of vertical.
2. Jason specified that hook, a Victory sickle hook.
The KEY to this deal is partly Live sonar, but also the technique Jason figured out for it. In other words, the bait is for the technique and vice versa. More will be coming out form Jason and YUM about it so not gonna steal their thunder, just be watchin' their social.
2. Bill Lewis Scope Stik jerkbait.
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If that looks wider and flatter than a typical jerkbait, that's cuz it is. Been in development for a couple years, and when Bill Lewis got bought by GSM they poured gas on it – so it's coming out in 6 models 'n sizes including a deeper-diving version.
Word from the Lewis clan is it has 2 bennies:
1. The wider profile shows up better on sonar than a standard jerkbait.
2. When you stop it, it turns to the side – its side faces you, the fish and your sonar beam. That's what the lip is designed to make it do. So that's a different action and again more surface area for the sonar to hit.
Can it be fished without FFS? Yep. Let's see what it does. Not on TW yet.
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Designed by Elitist KJ Queen, did not see it in person but it's a ball-head jighead made out of tungsten because you can see tungsten easier/farther on sonar, and it sinks faster than lead too. Here's some real juice on the deal from KJ:
> "The idea for a tungsten jighead came from my college friend Cody Huff. He was looking for a heavier jighead that he could target deep fish on his forward-facing sonar. He was looking for a 3/4-oz jighead with a small profile that could get a small finesse bait down quickly to bass in 20-40'. Cody is a master in targeting the deep fish on his Garmin.
> "Quickly and clearly seeing your bait on the sonar is a big help. Lead absorbs the sonar waves but the density of tungsten causes it to ping bright on the my display.
> "The first time I tried the tungsten jigheads was on Chickamauga. I was with a friend and was playing around with highly-pressured fish on the ledges. To my surprise, I could clearly see the jig head at a long distance on my Garmin. Making long casts I was able to clearly watch the bait go down and trigger the bass. I out-caught my friend around 5 to 1. I only had a few of the prototypes and I was headed to Pickwick for the Elite event...so I couldn't let my friend use any...lol.
> "I spent a 'Day on the Lake' with B.A.S.S. writer Don Wirth. That article will be out soon – I whacked 'em using my Garmin and these jigheads.
> "Recently, I had another good Elite Event on the St Lawrence. I had my forward scope set at 140'. When the water was slick, the smallies got very spooky. I could bomb the tungsten jighead out and could watch it on my scope at over 100' out from the boat. I could lead the jighead right to the smallies and get them to fire. Every bass I weighed in came watching bass hit my jighead on my scope."
Gotta love the deets! 1/2- to 1-oz with a thin-wire 3/0 hook – they're already on TW. A 5/0 version should be out soon.
4. Picasso Speed Drop Jig Head
Don't think Picasso was at ICAST but this was announced last week too and in my mind is "for" FFS so here you go. The jighead was co-developed with Tucker Smith, the young hammer who most-famously was half the winning team at the Johnny Morris million-dollar deal. Tucker is a sho-nuff sonar/FFS expert. Picasso said:
> This one of a kind head design features a thinly tapered edge that easily cuts through the water column, dropping quickly to reach the targeted strike zone.
> The recessed 90-degree line tie not only eliminates fraying but also produces and optimal horizontal presentation and helps to balance the bait as well.
What it looks like and a couple of the available colors:
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Hahaha that looks pretty light! This is a new higher-end rod series called Chromium ($349.00 retail) – gotta say they felt fan-dang-tastic – and believe 2 of 'em have a "Scope" tag on 'em. One's a 6' 10" LMH (Lite MH) and one's a 7' 2" MH. Why "scope"-specific rods? MLF Pro-Circuiter Kyle Cortiana told me:
> "It's not too heavy and not too light. If you go too heavy you lose accuracy....
> "...gives you versatility on what you want to throw – a jerkbait, swimbait [and other FFS baits]."
Makes sense to me, especially the accuracy part. Seems like the whole deal with FFS out deep is to drop the bait pretty much on their heads, or right above 'em, as fast as possible.
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NOT designed for FFS but I think could be used for it because it's sorta like a jerkbait in that it suspends in the water column, but it doesn't have a bill so it doesn't get down as far (slow sink on the pause). It does have as aggressive dart + roll on each pull/snap.
In other words, it could be used with FFS for suspenders, and fo sho has a fatter profile than a jerkbait so guessin' it's easier to see on a screen.
Apparently this bait kills in the salty water, so Yo-Zuri tested it with bass and said it ketches 'em so let's see if they're right!
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That's all I saw and heard about FFS-related stuff. If you know of anything else, please lemme know. Talked to a few major companies who said they have FFS stuff cookin' so expect more – because FFS is the hottest trend in bassin' right now. But once again, you don't need FFS to fish this stuff!
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Depending on who you are, BFS might stand for:
- Bad Frog Snacks
- Bugs For Sale
- Butter Facts Soon
- Bubba Fakes Semiconductors
- Blow Fish Snot
And probly more stuff...😁 In bassin' it stands for "Bait Finesse System." Name of kinda an underground trend that's bubblin' up a little, started in Japan.
It's basically – far as I know – finesse baitcasting. Meaning finesse baitcasting reels, rods and baits. Like a 4-oz-ish smaller reel on I guess a L- or ML-action shorter rod, 10-lb braid to probly a 4-lb leader, and I'm bettin' a 1/8-oz (or less) jighead with a soft swimbait, smaller hardbait or whatever.
From what I understand, BFS was NOT necessarily designed to replace spinning gear for finesse stuff, or even be just an alternative to spinning gear, even though a bunch of folks think it is – which is all good. I'm sure it will morph
Most of the folks at the show I talked to (pros, manufacturers, media folks) had no idea what BFS was or what those 3 letters meant, and didn't know anyone who did it. Not real surprising because it doesn't sound too practical. I mean, how many times are you gonna have that setup in your hand if you're in a tournament or fishing for bigs or might catch a big?
A friend who has used one mentioned that on at least one BFS reel you can't tighten the drag down tight enough to wallop a big fish even if it made a difference...at least I think that's what he said? 🤔 Either way, as you might guess, drag actually is important in BFS.
Anyhow, here's the stuff I saw/heard about that's BFS-related – but in my 2c you can use lighter baitcasting stuff (light reels, lighter-action rods) and get almost the same results. Then again, I'm not a BFS fan, expert whatever.
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> ...designed with a light power and fast-action tip, ideal for finesse-fishing small baits around cover with the control that only a baitcasting rod can offer. These rods come equipped with micro guides that enhance casting distance and accuracy.
> The hand-made carbon fiber grips are designed for a secure, dense grip for enhanced sensitivity to feel even the slightest tick on your line.
Don't think this is specifically for BFS, but Yo-Zuri nailed being ready for it with these deals. They're made just like all other Yo-Zuri baits: Same quality, same sick finishes (actually better in some cases), just 3" ish long (2" for cranks). Here's the Pencil 75 F:
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Gonna say that if you're matching the hatch, like in the fall in shad lakes, you're gonna need to sling these little beasts on BFS (or spinning) gear. Good YT vid on 'em here (click the pic to watch it):
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In other words, if you're after suspended fish with lightweight soft-plastics, this little weight can make your worm or whatever it is pop on your sonar...which does not have to be FFS!
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If I were to BFS, I'd want to BFS with this reel. Just 4.5-oz and it's a full-size reel. But...it's $549.95. Couple cool deals about this reel:
- Lighter spool = lower startup force needed.
- Asymmetric design move the line guide forward a little, which means less friction = more casting distance.
There's more, more than I can list here, and will say this: My 2c is it's worth every dang penny if you've got the pennies. Good thing is, you probly just need one...more maybe two...😁
Ever hear of "hover strolling"? Another Japan deal, this is what it looks like with this hook:
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Hook is very small:
> Perfect for 1-2.5" micro soft-plastic baits...made using super high-quality thin-gauge wire and features a silky flat grey coating to achieve swift hook penetration...pairs perfectly with small swimbaits, worms, craws and ultra-light line to vertically present a bait to lure-shy bass.
Not even sure you could throw such a lightweight deal on BFS? Maybe need the Reins nail weights?
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Some of my faves from ICAST.
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One deal about ICAST I love is that you get to see everything new in person. Way better than watching a video. So here are SOME of my faves (including the above) from the show, focusing on baits, no particular order. More coming in the next Blaster:
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Ott DeFoe is getting a rep like David Fritts: He can't design anything but a real good crankbait. This is the latest in the Ott's Secret Underground Bunker Garage series, and that new color called "bruised citrus shad" is 🔥.
It's a 2.5", 3/8-oz squarebill – sort of a longer DT4 with a square bill, gets to 5':
> Made from premium balsa wood and featuring a rounded body shape...extremely buoyant and is equipped with a circuit board square lip...produces a medium wobbling action that triggers bites year-round and is highly castable unlike some balsa crankbaits....
Btw this is Rapala's first balsa-only squarebill. They do have the BX Series which is balsa but its coated by plastic for durability.
2. Berkley stuff
Awards-wise Berkley/Pure Fishing was a force at ICAST. Here's 3 of my faves from 'em:
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> Featuring new patent-pending "honeycomb" technology, the PowerBait PowerStinger offers additional swimming action when paired with a bladed jig...thick baitfish profile and a dense head [slightly harder plastic] that is durable and prevents tearing...available in both 3.5" and 4.25" with 12 standard colors and 4 HD colors to match any hatch.
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John Cox has been fishing it and doing well with it so...nuff said!
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I know I already mentioned this in a Blaster, but I spent like 15 minutes talking to David about this deal. My main question was why, since every crankbait he designed hasn't had rattles and far as I know he doesn't like rattles.
Short answer is that he made sure it isn't rattles – it's just one BB that he wanted in there to click like a crawfish does so bass can get on it easier in dirtier/stained water. I mean, whatever Fritts says about cranks we can all take to the bank!
3. FishLab stuff
You might recall that Okuma-owned FishLab got with Bill Siemantel last year – and btw Bill ain't right:
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Ain't never been right neither! 😂 Anyhow this ICAST they rolled out a bunch of stuff Bill designed or co-designed. Some legit stuff, here's a couple I really liked:
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This is close to what I would call a brand new type/shape of soft-plastic. Yep it's shaped like a dragonfly nymph, but check it under the water:
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3/4-oz lipped swimbait ("threadfin shad" ^)that gets down to 8-12" and, according to Bill, swims like a live shiner that's nose-hooked. What got me is that it looked good in the tank AND turns around when you stop it.
No ultra-fun topwaters from Lunkerhunt this show, but they of course had innovative stuff and this crankbait is real interesting:
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Basically that metal tail section moves back and forth and "clacks," making a much different noise than a typical rattling or knocking crank, and maybe different than anything. Matt Arey said he's looking forward to fishing the "goldie" golden shiner (^) color over the grass in FL...maybe it can be an alternative to cranks, lipless cranks and bladed jigs?
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Does the Tokyo Rig work? Yep – you can tell by other companies coming out with similar rigs. Happens all the time in fishin' so no big deal I guess. Anyhow, deal with this new version is the wire is twice as long, partly to help with bed-fishing with swimbaits...but not only!
6. Catch Co Tight Rope Bite Getter Spinnerbait
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I THINK (my notes stink, sorry) those are new/not yet out spinnerbaits that adds the very good Tight Rope Firework Super Finesse Jig + turtleback blades = finesse spinnerbait. If I got that right, I'm interested! No word on when they might be out....
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Not a lotta Zoom Speed Worm alternatives, maybe this will be a good one. Cool deal about this, Cody Meyer told me, is that when you stop it it has that Senko quiver on the fall.
8. Strike King stuff
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Just a little bit smaller profile (3" and 3/8-oz vs 3.5" and 1/2-oz) of one of the hottest crankbaits in the country, runs a little shallower. Get em in Oct.
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Fat goby head, believe it was deeZigned by Zona who 100% knows about tubes and crackin' tubes so.... Also available in Oct.
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That's Opens angler and former American bada** Jamey Caldwell, who designed all these redesigned rods and reels. Here's why I'm puttin' 'em here:
1. This is great and 100% legit, Jamey said ➡️ "The team pledges a portion of every American Hero Tier 1 sale to support organizations that work to benefit and restore the body, mind, and spirit of veterans [and I believe first responders] who are transitioning into civilian life."
2. Good quality and reasonable price points ($99-$189 on TW).
3. MultiCam camo = specified by Jamey = camo is always cool. Also all the camo "dips" are different on literally every piece of gear so you're American Hero rod/reel won't look like mine.
As always, love from me to all vets, military and military families, and first-responders.
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Chris Zaldain says he designed the swimbait he always wanted. If you fish 6" and 7" swimbaits, assumin' you're real interested.
Tidbit: Word is many (not all) of the pros who fish big swimbaits mostly or just fish 'em to get the big ones to show themselves....
11. Honorable mentions
4 new Z-Man/EverGreen JackHammer colors! 👀
Here they are – told B Hite he just cost me like $120 with this deal...dang it Hite! 😁
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Had these in a Blaster already but didn't realize these deals are just $3.99!! 🤯 Was told they run right, good new colors ("purple pearl ayu" ^) and have the same Fat Free Shad action so...when's the last time you bought a crankbait for $3.99???? Told 'em – I'm gonna buy at least 2! 😁
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A dude caught an ORANGE smallmouth! 👀
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Seen gold ones before, but not orange:
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Bass-head Josh Chrenko caught it on the Muskegon River, MI – probably on a merthiolate worm hahaha! So cool. Josh is co-host of the Smallie Talk podcast btw. Never listened to it but lmk if you dig it....
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Violated an info rule, here's what he said:
> "I received information from a non-competitor regarding Lake D'Arbonne, which violated rule 23-A. I fully accept MLF's penalty ruling of a disqualification for the Stage One event. I want to apologize for my mistake in this matter."
Wonder if it was an enthusiastic fan?
The walleye guys thought I was an idjit for not knowin' that, and I was like: There are walleye pros??
😁 Just messin', I'm sure he's an ultra-proud dad. Saw 'em both briefly last week....
3 guys per team, I'm bettin' on this one: Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, Ott DeFoe.
Lol just messin' that's not one of the teams. I love this team deal – and really hope the Lane bros don't get to fightin' but if they do it'll be fun to watch...😆
Not sure if that's normal (ish?) this time of year or what. Lake levels dropping in NJ too.
On the coast – not bassin' but incredible:
> "That particular night was the best night I've ever seen. 5 guys there. Each person caught at least 5 fish over 40 inches."
Said the magic bait was a yellow Yo-Zuri Mag Darter – they call it "the meat banana." 🤣 I still think yellow is one of the most underrated colors for largemouths and smallmouths....
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On BassBlaster.rocks right now...
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"It's hard not to have a blowout bad event, and I don't think the fans can truly appreciate what that means at the level we're competing at."
> "Classic wins and Redcrest wins are the most important to your career, but the most self-satisfying one is Angler of the Year because it takes a whole year of really good fishing to accomplish that.
> "Those big title wins get all the hoopla, but Angler of the Year is for the angler."
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Is this dude training a smallmouth? Or is he giving away too much info, meaning turning that smallie into a spy?? 🤔 No idea but I love the shot – posted by MotorGuide on Insta:
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Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best (sometimes worst) and funniest stuff in bassin', picked by me – Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin'. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o' bass so thanks for readin'!
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