ICAST 2026: My Favorite New Fishing Gear from the Biggest Fishing Trade Show of the Year
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love getting out on the water just as much as I love checking out the latest fishing gear. Every July, the fishing industry comes together for ICAST 2026, and it’s easily one of my favorite events of the year.
This year marked my eighth trip to ICAST, and every year it gets bigger, better, and more exciting. Whether you’re a weekend angler, a tournament fisherman, or someone looking to book a Tampa Bay fishing charter, ICAST is where you’ll find the newest rods, reels, electronics, tackle, and boating accessories before they ever hit the shelves.
If you’re wondering what stood out at ICAST 2026, here’s a look at some of my favorite products and experiences from this year’s show.
What is ICAST?
For anyone new to the fishing world, ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) is the largest fishing industry trade show in North America. Every major fishing brand is there unveiling new products, meeting with dealers, talking with captains, and showcasing what anglers can expect over the coming year.
It’s also one of the best networking events in the fishing industry. After eight years of attending, I’ve been fortunate enough to build relationships with companies that I genuinely believe in and proudly use every day on my charter boat.
My First Stop Every Year: Okuma
The very first booth I visit every single year is Okuma.
They’ve always treated me like family, and they’re kind enough to hook your boy up with an ICAST pass every year. That support means a lot, so stopping by their booth is always my first priority.
This year they had several exciting products on display, but two immediately grabbed my attention.
The brand-new DTR Custom series looked incredible, with premium components and the kind of craftsmanship you’d expect from Okuma.
The real showstopper, though, was the new Makaira Tuna Series.
If you spend any time offshore chasing tuna, grouper, amberjack, or other hard-fighting fish, you’ll appreciate just how impressive this reel looks. Built with serious offshore anglers in mind, it’s one of those reels you immediately want to spool up and put through its paces.
Beyond the products, it’s always great catching up with the entire Okuma team. They’re passionate anglers who continue pushing innovation while producing equipment that’s built to last.
Hitting the ICAST 2026 Show Floor
Once I finished hanging out with Okuma, it was time to explore everything else ICAST 2026 had to offer.
One of the things I enjoy most about attending ICAST is discovering products I wasn’t expecting. Sometimes it’s the biggest companies making headlines, and sometimes it’s a smaller manufacturer introducing something completely different.
That’s what keeps this show exciting year after year.
Danco’s Primo Knife Looks Incredible
One of the first products that stopped me in my tracks was the new Primo Knife from Danco.
As someone who spends countless hours cleaning fish, rigging bait, and working around the boat, I’m always looking for quality knives that can handle real-world abuse.
The Primo immediately stood out because of its clean design, premium feel, and overall craftsmanship.
It’s definitely on my list of gear to add to the boat.
Westin Boat Works and Lateral Vision
Next up was checking out the Lateral Vision display from Westin Boat Works.
Marine technology continues to evolve every single year, and companies are constantly finding new ways to improve the experience for both recreational anglers and professional fishing guides.
It’s always interesting seeing how these companies are making boats more efficient, more functional, and better equipped for long days on the water.
Power-Pole Continues to Push Innovation
Every year I make sure to stop by Power-Pole, because they’re one of those companies that never seems satisfied with standing still.
They’re constantly developing products that improve the fishing experience.
At ICAST 2026, I got to check out their latest shallow-water anchors, spend some time playing with Vision, and look over their trolling motor lineup.
If you’ve spent any time fishing the shallow flats around Tampa Bay, you already know how valuable a reliable shallow-water anchor can be. Products like these have completely changed the way many captains fish.
Garmin Still Makes Me Want Everything
No trip through ICAST is complete without stopping at Garmin.
I’ll be honest—I already have a fantastic Garmin unit on my boat.
The problem is every year they introduce another accessory that makes me think, “Well…I probably need that too.”
Between advanced sonar technology, networking options, mapping, and every upgrade imaginable, Garmin continues raising the bar for marine electronics.
Unfortunately, my wallet doesn’t always agree with my wish list.
Seaworx Terminal Tackle You Can Trust
One booth I always enjoy visiting is Seaworx.
If you’ve ever fished with me, there’s a good chance you’ve already used some of their terminal tackle without even realizing it.
When you’re running fishing charters, gear reliability matters. Hooks, swivels, leader sleeves, snaps, and every small component need to perform every single trip.
That’s why I appreciate companies focused on building dependable tackle that holds up under real fishing conditions.
Coffee First…Then We Found Aqua Amp
After several hours walking the massive show floor, we needed a serious caffeine refill.
Once we got recharged, we stumbled across a newer company called Aqua Amp.
They had several really unique products that immediately caught my attention.
Without giving too much away, I think you’ll probably see some of their gear showing up on Blue in the future.
I’m always interested in products that genuinely solve problems anglers face on the water instead of simply adding another gadget.
Dropout Cast Nets Might Have Changed the Game
One of my favorite stops every year is visiting my buddy Nick over at Dropout Cast Nets.
This year he unveiled one of the most interesting products I saw during ICAST 2026.
Instead of traditional lead weights around the bottom, this new cast net uses chains.
According to Nick, the design dramatically reduces tangles while still opening properly.
If you’ve ever spent twenty minutes untangling a cast net while the bait is flipping all around you, you know exactly why this caught my attention.
I can’t wait to throw one on the boat and see how it performs in real-world conditions around Tampa Bay.
Celebrating Okuma’s 40th Anniversary
To finish out the day, we headed back over to Okuma for their 40th Anniversary Celebration.
The event was packed with anglers, industry professionals, and friends from across the fishing world.
There were free beers, raffle prizes, plenty of laughs, and a chance to celebrate four decades of one of the companies I’m proud to work alongside.
Moments like these remind you that the fishing industry is built on relationships just as much as it is products.
Why ICAST Matters to My Tampa Bay Fishing Charters
People sometimes ask why I spend the time attending ICAST every year.
The answer is simple.
As a fishing charter captain, I want to stay ahead of what’s coming.
Whether it’s better fishing reels, stronger rods, improved marine electronics, innovative tackle, or accessories that make life easier on the water, these products eventually make their way onto my boat.
That means my clients get to fish with some of the newest and best equipment available.
Attending ICAST also allows me to meet directly with the companies making this gear, ask questions, provide real-world feedback, and learn about products before they’re released to the public.
That’s something you simply can’t get by browsing the internet.
Final Thoughts on ICAST 2026
Overall, ICAST 2026 was another incredible experience.
It was great catching up with companies I’m fortunate enough to work with, making new industry connections, and getting a firsthand look at the newest fishing gear before it hits stores.
There are plenty of products from this year’s show that I’m excited to test on future fishing trips, and I have a feeling several of them will become permanent additions to my boat.
If you’re looking for more fishing gear reviews, Tampa Bay fishing reports, inshore and offshore fishing tips, or you’re ready to experience one of the best Tampa Bay fishing charters, keep checking back here at TampaBayFishing.co. I’ll continue sharing the gear I trust, the techniques I use, and everything I’m learning out on the water.
Until next year…I’ll see y’all at ICAST 2027—and hopefully on the water before then.
June Fishing Report Tampa Bay: Redfish, Snook, Trout, Tarpon & Snapper Bite is On Fire
