Top ICAST Picks for Saltwater Anglers

Every year (except 2020, thanks to Covid-19) fishing industry insiders gather for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or ICAST, fishing tackle show. This show isn’t open to the public, but naturally, we at Texas Fish & Game attend so we can find out what’s new, what’s hot, and what saltwater anglers will want to hear about. This year’s show was jam-packed with cool new fishing goodies, but these three picks struck us as must-haves.

The Savage Gear Duratech Crab won for best new saltwater soft lure.

1. The Duratech Crab from Savage Gear won top honors in the Best Saltwater Soft Bait category, and it looks about as realistic as crabby soft plastics get. Molded after the real thing, the Duratech has embedded weights which control the sink rate and give it the proper body position on the bottom. 3X high-carbon steel hooks are ideal for punching through the bony mouths of crab-eating predators, and the Duratech plastic is flexible but tough. The Duratech Crab is available in one and 1.5-inch sizes, in six color patterns. Price: $7.99/$9.99/2-pack. Visit Savage Gear for more info, but be forewarned, these lures aren’t expected to be available until this winter.
   

   And the award for Best New Line goes to: Seaguar Basix.

2. Seaguard Basix was awarded Best New Line, and this all-fluorocarbon mainline (expected to hit the market next January) comes in four through 20 pound test sizes, in 200-yard spools. It has good knot strength and abrasion resistance, but is soft and supple for easy casting and knotting. Designed for beginners it’s an easy stepping-stone from regular mono to an all flourocarbon mainline. Just as important, it’s MSRP is surprisingly affordable. Price: $9.99. Visit Seaguar to learn more.
   

   If you need a new saltwater spinning reel, the Saltist MQ is one you’ll want to check out.

3. The Daiwa Saltist line is well established, but the new Saltist MQ is upgraded and redesigned to give you more of what you want – and it took the prize for the Best New Saltwater Spinning Reel. The body is now a “monocoque” one-piece design, which allows Daiwa to up-size the gears. The rotor is a Zaion Air, the main shaft is Magsealed, and all models feature six ball bearings plus a roller bearing. The Saltist MQ is available in 2500 to 20000 sizes (for eight to 50 pound test mono or 10 to 100 pound braid) and has 5.3, 5.7, and 6.2:1 gear ratios. Price: $299.99 to $389.99. Visit Daiwa for more information.