OPENING CAST
It’s back, ICAST 2021 was held the third week of July in Orlando Florida. As always, it did not disappoint.
Although much smaller than pre COVID, innovation by small and large companies were on full display for the media and buyers to evaluate and plan on for 2022. Some really good crappie lures, rods, accessories were there.
I got to personally attend this one vice the virtual version last year. It was informative and fun seeing folks again after two years of isolation.
BnM Poles is celebrating their 75th year anniversary and have several rods and reels branded as such for 2022. A couple of our writers will be highlighting these items.
Bobby Garland Crappie Baits has a new Itty Byte that I have actually tested. This bait comes in some of the best colors and will catch almost anything that swims to include big crappie.
We have asked Tim Huffman and Ron Won to develop articles both of these items and others too lengthy to list. Watch for them in this and future editions of our digital zine.
The overall heartbeat of the show was providing products for family and kids fishing. New easy to use rods and reels those new comers to the sport could readily use without lots of practice by companies like BnM, Zebco, Pure Fishing, HH Rods and Reels and many others were noted.
Easy to use terminal tackle and lure kits were also developed by companies like TTI Blakemore. These kits provided hooks, weights, bobbers, jigs and plastics in compact storage.
A variety of accessories such as functional clothing, outdoor shoe wear like Skuze, tools, rod holders, nets, line cutters like the Shark and so much more were everywhere.
Overall, I am very proud of our fishing industry and especially ASA for promoting conservation, Take Me Fishing for families and kids and helping to promote our beautiful Outdoor experiences.
Follow us on CrappieNOW social media as well as we roll out videos and content in addition to our zine content.
God Bless,
Dan Dannenmueller, Publisher
