I just got home from ICAST and am ready to go to work at the Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair.
Working the tackle show is grueling, but it’s also a time to reconnect with friends. The tackle industry is like one big family for those of us who make a living in the fishing business.
And the show can be fun, and it certainly was this year. I went a couple days early and participated in the Lunkers and Bunkers golf outing. It was a charity event for the Keep America Fishing program.
And, man, I came within a few feet of winning a new Phoenix Boat on a 3-par hole. And, oddly enough, I was playing with Teresa Johnson with Phoenix.
Before I hit the shot, I told her, “I’m going to win that boat!”
Now, let me be clear, I am not a golfer. Before that hole, I was spraying the ball all over the place. But this time I hit it great, saw it hit the green and disappear as it rolled toward the hole.
The official at the tee box looked at me and said, “I gotta go check that!” He drove his cart to the hole and let me know I came up a few feet short.
I bogeyed the hole.
But I did get lucky later. I bought six tickets for a drawing and won two rods, a reel, a pair of Costa Sunglasses and a guided trip with Chris Lane on Lake Guntersville!
That will be a blast to reunite on the water with one of the nicest guys in pro fishing.
Of course, the tackle show was interesting as always. I saw some new stuff that made me shake my head and some things I know will be big hits.
I’ve learned to withhold judgment on new products that I think don’t have a chance. I recall the year YETI coolers came out. They were exhibiting in a small booth, and I talked with the owners. I thought no one would pay that much for cooler that had a goofy name, and boy was I wrong. YETI proved customers would pay more for a cooler that keeps items cold for a longer period of time. This year, YETI had one of the biggest exhibits at the show.
Some things just have success written all over them. I remember the year Minn Kota went to the show with its Ultrex trolling motor, and I knew it would be a slam dunk. I told them everyone will want one on their boat. I was right.
I didn’t see anything like that this year, but you could tell the industry is changing. Instead of the latest and greatest crankbaits, I saw small plastics with hairy appendages.
One that I’m certain will be a hit is the 5-inch Yamamoto Senko in the Fuzzy Series. I also liked Rapala’s ClapTail 110 that won the best hard bait category. I’ve tested a prototype, and I’ve caught fish on it.
Rapala also announced an addition to its popular DT series of crankbaits. They will have a DT 12 this year that will fill a hole in my arsenal and hit a depth range for prespawn fishing in the North and South.
There were some other things I saw that made me roll my eyes. But, as I learned from my YETI cooler experience, you shouldn’t knock it until you try it.
