ICAST 2016 Coverage - Owner America

ICAST 2016 Coverage

Owner's Turn to go Beast-Mode

Date:	8/8/16
Location:	Orlando, FL
Admission:	Buyers & Press Only
Manufacturer:	Owner America
Reviewer:	Cal

Introduction: It can't be easy for terminal tackle companies to continually innovate and develop new product to debut each passing year at ICAST, but Owner managed to address something this year sorely needed by big bait fisherman - larger swimbait hooks!

Pictures don't do this hook justice.. this is a 12/0 wide gap hook from Owner - it's a BEAST!

The weighted version rigged on this oversized soft body swimbait gives you a bit sense of scale. the hook almost stretches across the palm of my hand!

Beast 12/0: Remember back in the day when a 5/0 wide gap worm hook felt huge? Most of today's hollow body and split bodied paddletail swimbaits laugh at hooks that small. Well, now things have really gotten out of hand with the introduction of Owner's new Beast 12/0 weighted and unweighted hooks. These hooks are made to answer the needs of those seven to nine inch paddletail baits that up until now were a bit of a mystery as to how to rig.

The unweighted, 12/0 Beast hooks by owner will sell in packs of 2 for around $8.99.

The weighted versions will be sold in packs of 2 for $9.99.

The Flashy Swimmer also gets a new, larger size.

Beast Flashy Swimmer: Taking the Beast Hook a step further, Owner introduced their new Beast Flashy Swimmer. Formerly more of a finesse only bait with a light wire hook and small sizes, the new Beast Flashy Swimmer is available in 3/8oz, 1/2oz, and 3/4oz sizes with 8/0, 10/0, and 12/0 hooks respectively. They will be sold in packs of 2 and ranging in price from #12.50 - $15.00 depending on size.

Not yet quite as large as the largest Beast hooks, the Beast Flashy Swimmer is available in sizes up to 10/0.

Bucktail shads are nothing new, but they're entering a bit of a revival of late.

Bucktail Shad: Owner BASS Elite Series Pro, Kota Kiriyama, has been making some noise this season with a hand tied bucktail jig. Owner is capitalizing no his success with a production version of this jig called the Bucktail Shad. Made to imitate a slow moving or wounded gizzard shad, this bait is most productive near ledges and in conditions with little or no current. The baits feature living eyes, a vertical line tie, and a hand tied white bucktail skirt. It comes in four sizes (1/2oz, 5/8oz, 3/4oz, 1oz), and sells for $13.00 per bait.

We know Kato Kiriyama has been using this for black bass, but everytime we see baits like this we can't help but think of Striped and Peacock Bass!

The Akuro Jig in Black and Blue.

Akuro Structure Jig: Owner joins the bass jig market with the new Akuro Structure Jig designed to be fished in clear and shallow water. The bait's compact size and heavy weedguard allow it to be fished in the heaviest of cover and the cutting point hook ensures solid hooksets. It will be available in three sizes (1/4oz, 3/8oz, and 1/0oz) and in three colors (Red Craw, Natural Shad, Black Blue). MSRP on the Akuro Structure Jig is $8.00 per single jig but expect to find them cheaper than that.

The Akuro Jig in Natural Shad.

The Akuro Jig in Red Craw.

Thanks to the team of Owner America for always taking the time to talk about what's new and exciting.

Conclusion: It's always interesting to see what Owner America is up to and we're glad we did. To know there's a good solution coming to answer the dilemma of how to rig the increasingly larger and larger soft bodied swimbaits is comforting. To know there are some other baits like the Akuro jig and Bucktail Shad to give a try, well, what else is new in the life of a tackle tester? Thanks Owner America and see you next year!