7-20-09 web report by Captain Van Hubbard<br />
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I saw lots of new gear and share the optimism dominate at the ICAST Show in Orlando last week.<br />
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ICAST is the industry trade show open to dealers and outdoor press to exhibit, sell and promote fishing gear. You can only imagine the excitement and anticipation the manufactures were experiencing since this was the test to see what they can expect for the next year. Their big opportunity to share the new ideas they are hoping will help business. Most seemed to be happy with the results; the show was busy but not crowded. It was my first show since most are in Vegas, so I don’t have a comparison, but optimism prevailed. It was great to see so many fishing personalities like Flip Pallot, Mark Sosin, Ray Scott, and a hundred others mixing with industry sales staffs. I’ll share a few of the hundreds, actually thousands of products that caught my eye.<br />
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First I was lucky enough to get to have dinner with two gentlemen that are working very hard to promote stewardship thru the “Recycled Fish organization. They have dedicated their time and energy to help protect our fishing recourses and promote stewardship of these precious resources. Check out their site at www.recycledfish.org. Thanks and congratulations to Teeg, Scott, and the others for their hard work.<br />
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The Fire Caddy offered a portable fire pump system just in case you need to prevent a disaster on the dock or at the marina. www.firecaddy.com is their site and it is marketed for gas or battery power.<br />
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PulseTech has a battery maintenance system to rebuild the lead plates on our expensive batters. www.xtremecharge.com is their site for additional info.<br />
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Everyone on the water has had problems with pump and fuel lines leaking so “Rescue Tape” could literally be a lifesaver in an emergency. They say it can even work as an emergency fan belt or O-ring. Works under water and much more; www.rescuetape.com is their site.<br />
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How about Invisa Swivel introduced by <AquatekO.cam>, yep invisible swivels for fisherman. They have several sizes and some new wire for toothy fish too. <br />
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Next a dry sunscreen, DriGrip is not greasy and helps your skin plus protection for sun damage. I have used this one already and it is great. www.drygrip.com for more info. I hope to find it locally soon.<br />
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Now we have some protection for our valuable fishing rods. Stick Jacket offers fishing rod covers and they are colorful for coding too. Try www.stickjacket.com for the details.<br />
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Boone fishing tackle is back with new motivated team to offer some tried and true lures like the old Needlefish lures and feather trolling jigs to offshore lures and rigging gear. I really like there Dave Workman Jr. Pro Series “Duster” and “pearl Duster” for kingfish rigs. I have learned how much they help grab big eyed kingfish’s attention and pull em to my live baits. Color and flash can make your day when fish are scattered. They also offer a Straight Jacket soft plastic spinner blade combo that’s hot for redfish. It combines both the swimming plastic and shiny blade flash plus vibrations from both. Their site is www.boonebait.com because I can not begin to go thru this extensive line from one of the best Profession Kingfish Competitors and gentleman alive in the fishing business, Dave Workman Jr.<br />
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Many of us need artificial baits for these later season tarpon. Baitbuster’s are great but now we have some competition. The Sabo Jig Head is big enough with serious strong hooks and is light enough to suspend and catch feeding fish. The colors are awesome and hooks sharp. It even has those red eyes like the fish producing MirrOlures. www.ahiusa.com is their web site check out all the gear they offer too.<br />
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Many waterfront homeowners add dock boxes for storage. Now you can make it double duty; storage and a comfortable seat with back rest. “Better Way Products” offers a variety of dockside entertainment centers, www.dockbox.com for more ideas. I even saw some speakers mounted in fake pilings at one booth. <br />
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Because our water is so hot now it’s challenging to keep minnows alive in this low oxygen areas like the back country. Keep Alive Oxygen Infusers solve this problem. I have used these and they add a venture system to your existing pump and add needed oxygen; with no extra draw of power. They offer a variety of solutions and ideas try < www.keepalive.net> and see the options.<br />
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How many of us remember how to splice lines? Try the EZ Splice fasteners for a simple, strong solution. Use <www.ezspliceusa.com> for more info.<br />
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Last but not least my electronics are four years old and work but are outdated so I looked at some of the new options. Wow! Check out the new Lowrance HDS10, it even has real time weather with a Sirus hook up. Right down to wind directions and radar all in high definition in color! It’s not cheap but just one example of what’s available today.<br />
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I can’t begin to go thru all the new and improved options available to us today but if you want it someone is offering it. The show was an eye opener for me. Since I’ve been off the water I did check with some of the other captains, Boca Grande tarpon and Charlotte Harbor snook are still ready to play if we are. No easy catching but some good results if you put in some time. Reds and trout are eating fish now. Spanish and snapper offer action and some fine dinning around the passes when winds allow us outside. Let’s go fishin’ soon! Captain Van Hubbard. <www.captvan.com><br />