Many of the industry’s biggest companies gathered at the annual ICAST fishing trade show in Orlando to showcase their latest products. Several themes emerged throughout the week, ranging from new kayak trolling motors to a plethora of glide baits to new fuzzy dice lures. Some were impressive, and others, well, not so much. I combed the floor for a couple of days and even had the opportunity to test a few of the products before they were released. Here are my top 10 gear picks from this year’s ICAST show to keep an eye out for this fall.
1. SPRO KGB K-Rig
The SPRO KGB K-Rig was the star of the show when it comes to best new lures from ICAST 2025. This three-in-one configuration of SPRO KGB Chad Shads looks ridiculous lying on the table, but when it hits the water, you realize there is nothing on the market like it. With two line ties, you can tie to the bottom and get the bait down to 15 feet or more, or tie to the top and work it right along the surface. Make no mistake, this thing will be heavy to throw, and you’d better tie a good knot because the K-Rig isn’t cheap. Still, I see this being a pivotal bait in the shift towards bigger being better.
2. Garmin Force Current Kayak Trolling Motor
The product that impressed me the most at the on the water day was the new Garmin Force Current Trolling Motor. This stern-mount motor comes in 12 or 24 volt options that generate up to 30 or 50 pounds of thrust. I could spin on a dime in this thing as if I were on a zero-turn lawn mower. The base model is priced at $3,000, with the optional foot control model selling for $3,600.
3. Lew’s Accel Combo
For less than what many individual rods or reels would cost, you can get this whole combo. I was able to get my hands on and fish with the Lew’s Accel Combo a few weeks prior to the show, and I was very impressed. There are four versions available, including right and left 7-footers in either medium or medium-heavy configurations. The entire setup will cost you only $110.
4. FluxJet Kayak
A jet-propelled kayak is genius. FluxJet has incorporated an electric jet motor into the hull of its 11-foot kayak. This creates a cleaner-looking boat and also makes it less likely for someone to snatch your motor off while you’re in a restaurant or gas station. It features adjustable foot pegs for steering, built-in running lights, deck lights, and USB chargers, as well as a gauge that displays the remaining battery level. All for an absurdly low price compared to the competition, given the motor is included. This boat can travel at speeds of up to 3 miles per hour with a 12-volt battery and up to 7 miles per hour with a 60-volt battery. A new Flux Jet comes in at $2,750.
5. Force Flex Hydro Sunglasses
Born from the nose piece of swimming goggles, Force Flex Sunglasses has developed a virtually indestructible nose piece design. The super-flexible material can bend and twist in any direction, not only helping to prevent damage, but also creating a custom fit as the glasses flex to fit your head. The company has several models but the one that impressed me the most is the Hydro.
6. Minn Kota Kayak Terrova
I know I already highlighted a new kayak trolling motor on this list, but the Minn Kota Kayak Terrova was too good not to include. For starters, the Minn Kota is a bow mount as opposed to a stern mount. It can be operated by a remote and has all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect, like Spot-Lock and its indestructible shaft (guaranteed for life). It is a 12-volt motor with 55 pounds of thrust and costs $1,500.
7. Svivlo Reels
Swedish company Svivlo made quite a stir at the show. Their Draken ONE and Genesis ONE reels both feature Svivlo’s CastGuard technology, which utilizes a mechanical braking system that senses when the spool is slowing down and automatically applies the brake. I left the show before this one blew up on social media, but I saw videos of everyone from the common angler to Steve Harvey casting this thing, and there wasn’t a single backlash.
8. Jigging World Rods
Born in the Northeast and geared towards saltwater fishing, Jigging World has decided to dive into the freshwater bass fishing space, and they are making quite a splash. They simultaneously released three lineups of both shining and casting rods at price points of $100, $150, and $300. I inspected all three, and several things stood out: the bounce-back guides that will bend and return to their original position (on the higher-end models), and the textured foam grips on the $150 Revel Series. I was also impressed with the overall quality and feel of all three rods for their price points. See some more of our favorite rods from the show.
9. Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT Spinning Reel
In short, Daiwa engineered a sideplate that eliminates the need for screws where the reel handle arm meets the body. Instead, the whole plate threads onto the body. The result is a super stable connection with no flex, and the byproduct is a lot of freed-up space in the body since there’s no need for screw receivers. According to Daiwa, this creates 20 percent more room in the 2000-size reel and 30 percent more in the 3000. Priced at $240, the Ballistic MQ LT will be a great option for what has become the middle-of-the-road price point. See more of our favorite reels from the show.
10. Evolution Fishing Linemaster Bulk Spool Bag
Of all the great ways to store lures, baits, and terminal tackle, I’ve never found a good system to store fishing line—until now. The Evolution Fishing Linemaster Bulk Spool Bag can store up to six spools of line. Plus, anglers can even spool up reels straight from the bag through the small holes that guide the line. There are two chambers in the bag to slide the spools in, and spacer disks help keep them separate. You can write the pound test for each line on labels so you know exactly what you’re spooling up. And Evolution Fishing includes a set of their Line Wranglers to secure the line on each spool so it doesn’t become a jumbled mess in the bag.
THE 1871 CLUB
