Best of ICAST - Swimbait Rod: G.Loomis IMX Pro: This ICAST G.Loomis focused on expanding their popular IMX-Pro line with some additional application specific rods targeting both ends of the power spectrum, including new swimbait, bladed jig, crank, ned, and ledge rods. The application specific swimbait rods were sticks that we felt were definitely needed to help round out the line and the company introduced three extra-fast action swimbait models, the 862C SWBR 7-foot-2-inch medium and 863C SWBR medium-heavy power casting rods, along with a ‘micro swimbait’ medium power 882S SWBR 7-foot-4-inch spinning version for lighter ball-headed swim jigs. As with all G.Loomis rods these new IMX-Pro offerings are still made in the company's Woodland, Washington factory. These new swimbait rods will retail from $345 to $355 dollars and start shipping this Fall.

Best of ICAST - Swimbait: Storm Arashi Swimmer: Following on the popularity of the Arashi Glide introduced last year, Storm launched a more subtle, 3-piece version addition in the Arashi Swimmer. 3-piece baits are typically more snakey swimmers than their 2-piece siblings and create less disturbance in the water. They are actually a more traditional hard, big bait design. The Arashi Swimmer will be offered in 9 different colors and come with the same rotating hook hangars as the Glide. It measures seven inches (7") in length, weighs just two and three sixteenths of an ounce (2 3/16oz), comes with two, VMC 1/0 treble hooks and a spare tail and is rated as a moderate sink bait (0.8ft per second). It is available for pre-order right now at TackleWarehouse for $37.99 per bait. The Arashi Swimmer may not have the same allure or collectability as a custom made resin or wood carved swimbait but it costs magnitudes less and is designed to be fished day in and out. It sure is easier mentally to tie on one of these baits than a $250 dollar Roman Made for example.

Best of ICAST - Hardbait: Strike King Hybrid Hunter: Strike King knows how to make hardbaits that catch fish. Their latest offering is the Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr lures which feature a fat bodied, flat sided shape with a unique, “L-Shaped” 90-degree bill that combine to create a hard thumping, exaggerated hunting action and come loaded with an extremely loud rattle to attract attention and draw strikes. Thanks to the shape of the body, the unique lip design and the buoyancy of the bait, Strike King pro staffer Todd Castledine said that it is more than a crankbait. “There’s no other bait like it on the market,” said Castledine.  “It can work effectively in situations many anglers throw a lipless crankbait, a jerkbait, a crankbait or a swimbait.” The Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. are designed to be fished on heavy line and perform best in the 1 to 5-foot of water range. Available in two sizes, the Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. are sure to revolutionize your shallow water fishing game. They will be available in the fall of 2020 and retail for $8.99 each.

Best of ICAST - Softbait: A Band of Anglers Hyperlastics DartProp™ Pro: The last time Zander was in Florida he had an opportunity to fish with Patrick Sebile and when he came back he described Sebile as "an absolute beast." The man is a beast of a fisherman and seems to be able to fish 24/7 without ever so much as thought about sleep. On top of that his knowledge about fishing and tackle design is seemingly endless. It was after this trap that Zander said he finally understood why Sebile was such an accomplished lure designer, he simply understands fish. His latest bait is another take on his popular Hyperlastics Dartspin, and blends props with the extremely tough SofTough plastic, essentially creating a hybrid plastic swimbait-spybait lure that can be fished underwater, or waked at high speed.

Best of ICAST - Jig/Wire Bait: Z-Man JackHammer 2.0 : The original Z-Man/Evergreen Jackhammer was already Zander's favorite bladed jig and when he learned that there would be a second version designed for clear water it pretty much made his week. Considered by many anglers as the gold standard by which all bladed jigs are measured, the Evergreen International, Z-Man collaborative JackHammer is a tough bladed jig to beat. Never a company to rest on their laurels, Z-Man changes things up with JackHammer 2.0 by taking suggestions from Brett Hite and going to a StealthBlade made of a clear polycarbonate. Viewed as a more finesse alternative, JackHammer 2.0 was developed with clear water, smallmouth lakes in mind as well as largemouth waters that are highly pressured. MSRP is set for $15.99 with availability expected at the end of August. Tackle Warehouse has a pre-order page already set up and we know of one angler here on staff that has already placed a big order. Seriously Z, save some for the rest of us! 

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