Introduction: The swimbait market continues to be one of the fast growing areas of the tackle industry and this year at ICAST we are seeing a big push by large manufacturers to either create new baits or work with custom builders to bring some of their popular designs to market. On the other side of the industry we are also seeing custom bait builders either partnering with larger manufacturers or going out on their own to build mass production injection versions of their baits. The goal? To hit lower price points and make their baits more accessible to anglers, and be the gateway product into their higher-end custom resin baits. This year the show was filled with some cool new baits, some weird new baits, plenty of knock offs, and a few that break the mold. Let's take a look at the ones that stood out for us.

KGB was one of the first custom swimbait makers to work with a larger tackle manufacturer to bring a more cost effective version of their baits to market and this year is launching a smaller SPRO KGB swimbait called the "Lil Guy" which measures 120mm and will retail for $54.99

The American Baitworks Artisan Glide 180 is crafted by carver Andrew Gardener and features a highly detailed body, glass eyes, BKK treble 6066 3X NP size #1 hooks with swiveling hook hangers and will retail for $99.99

One of the OG builders Mike Bucca partners with GSM to bring a 8" Trick Shad to marker with ABS construction and a variety of color patterns that are not possible with resin glides. The 8" features rotating hook hanger, ND 8 different patterns and retails for $49.99

Kyle from Throwback attended ICAST for the first time to launch his new WakeWalker LT

The team at Throwback developed their own injected version of their popular Wake Walker

The WakeWalker LT is a 5.5" 2oz. bait and Kyle talked about how consistent the new bait is

The tail is ultra durable TPU and the company will offer replacement tails

Good news for custom swimbait fans is that Throwback is committed to developing and supporting all their handmade resin and wood baits still

Tater Hog is another popular custom swimbait maker to partner with a larger tackle manufacturer and worked with Strike King to launch the Hog Father Jr. a 7" injected version with some great new finishes. Each bait features swivel hook hangers and combines the function and style of the original with the consistency and value of Strike King. Each bait will retail for $44.99

Yo-Zuri introduced the Pro Series Glide Bait which is a Japanese designed chopping style glide. This 7" 2-5/8oz. lure features Yo-Zuri triple coat hologram finishes and will retail for only $24.99

By far the wildest, and most aggressively styled swimbait (or swimbaits) is the SPRO KGB K-Rig which is a swarm of KGBs that are connected and swim in unison but with their own tail wagging action. The K-Rig will retail for $129.00

Shimano's Gravitator 220SS is Shimano's largest swimbait to employ ARMABOOST and is designed to fold in the air of a longer cast. It also has a removable action modifying insert that enables anglers to adjust the action. When removed the lure will have a choppier and tighter action

A hinge unlike any other. The Shimano Gravitator retails for $49.99

The FishLab BBZ Wake Rat has a metal bill which pays homage to the classic jitterbug but with a rat body which knocks and can be walked

Designed by Bill Siemantel this bait has been decades in the making. He showed us an original bait he made when he was a kid out of salvaged parts, including the leg of a stool!

Munenori Kajiwara showed us the brand new Gancraft Jointed Claw MIX183

The MIX 183 has a hard body and a soft tail section making it a hybrid Gancraft

The soft body has inserts that are customizable to adjust action. The MIX will be floating and slow sinking depending on how you customize it and will start shipping at the end of the month

Imakatsu is launching the Bassroid Jr Taboo which measures 140mm and weighs 1.7oz. It will be a floating bait

Designed to get up close with structure the Taboo features a massive removable guard. This bait will start shipping in August

Jackall is introducing one of our favorite JDM colors this season for the Gantarel and Gantarel Jr. called the Black Pirarucu

We also got a sneak peek at an upcoming Fish Arrow prototype. It is also a hybrid bait and the final name has not yet been locked in. Whether custom US or JDM the swimbait makers worldwide never sleep

Our Quick Take: Lot's to unpack here and we are sure to see some other swimbaits over the next few days here as we are just one day into the show. We will go deeper on some of these baits and also cover soft bodied swimbaits. The push by custom baitmakers to make some of their custom swimbaits more accessible will be welcomed by many anglers, especially those just getting in the game. Those that we talked to at the show reiterated their commitment to continuing to develop and build custom handmade baits which will still represent their halo products. There are those in the community that would like to see custom swimbaits stay custom, but the more accessible options will not only help these brands grow, but also act as a gateway for many into their more collectible handmade options.