By Paul Lebowitz
It was party time at this year’s ICAST, the 50th edition of the fishing industry’s annual trade show. Kayak anglers had a special reason to join in the celebration. For the first time in the show’s history, a product designed specifically for our sport earned a prestigious New Product Showcase honor.
The Shimano Bristol Bay Portable Live Well took home the hardware, but it wasn’t the only innovative gear at the huge show. Here’s a look at just a handful of the exciting products on the way:
A Sparkling Gem: Abu Garcia’s Revo Inshore Low Profile Baitcaster
Kayak anglers who chase bass in the bays and at the kelp beds should love Abu Garcia’s new Revo Inshore reel. The newest entrant in the happily expanding line-up of low profile reels built for the saltwater environment, this little powerhouse generates up to 24 lbs of drag according to Berkley staffer Jimmy Decker.
Decker fishes it with lines from 8-lbs all the way up to 30 for just about anything that swims in the salt. The Inshore offers a power handle, one thumbscrew takedown, and a corrosion resistant design. Like the rest of the highly acclaimed Revo series, this little jewel is compact, lightweight and looks good. It should be a joy to use. www.abugarcia.com
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Unsinkable: Okuma’s Baidarka Kayak Rods
Okuma’s brilliant new Baidarka kayak rods didn’t win a Showcase award, but they should have. The first rods that scream kayak fishing from butt to tip, they feature an integrated leash tab, hardened double-foot guides, and actions tuned for fighting fish at water level. These babies even float if they go overboard. The innovative rods earned my Showcase vote.
Okuma was also showing off another first for a fishing tackle company, their Baidarka Fishing Kayak. Based on a tested design with one of the fishiest decks around, Okuma is marketing this ‘yak right to the angler. Look for Baidarka Kayaks in tackle stores in the months to come. www.okumafishing.com
Bait in a Bag: Shimano’s Bristol Bay Portable Live Well
Shimano’s newest entrant to the Bristol Bay line was voted the top new Tackle Management product in the hotly contested 2007 ICAST New Product Showcase. The prize was well deserved. Shimano product designer Ted Sakai worked with kayak fishing guru Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing to develop a top-notch tank.
The Bristol Bay Live Well fits most fishing kayaks. Strap it down in the tankwell and take off. The bag is built of water-resistant heavy-duty tarpaulin material, and is it ever tough. The solid inner case, made of polypropylene, holds up to 6.25 gallons of water. That’s enough for a bunch of bait, and it’ll keep a tournament limit kicking too. fish.shimano.com |
