There are those who lament the timing of the ICAST show, the annual gathering of fishing tackle manufacturers where all manner of new gear is unveiled to members of the media and retail communities. The issue? The show falls during prime fishing season. Time spent at the show means time away from the water. This is true. But so is this: Walking the aisles of the venue made me want to fish even more. As one might expect, there are tons of rods and reels on display. There’s also thousands of lures, nets, and accessories. Here’s a short list of some of some of my favorites.
Following on the heels of the popular Helix line of graphing units, the Solix lineup adds touch-screen capability. The Solix uses Humminbird’s excellent MEGA imaging with CHIRP technology which uses multiple frequencies in the megahertz range – the first sonar unit to do so. Translation: Crazy sharp images and clarity that let you see under the water in a new way. The touch-screen functionality works similar to an iOS device with pinch-and-zoom functionality. The units also allow for the creation of custom presets that toggle between your preferred screen layouts in an instant. Available in 12- and 15-inch models, the Solix line ranges in price from $2,399 to $3,499.
When I first saw these lenses, I had two thoughts: First, I knew that a dream had come true. Second, that my dreams are kind of strange. But here’s the deal. I fish a few weeknight bass tournament series during the summer months. They typically end about 9 p.m., which means the final hour of each event is done as the sun rapidly fades. Normal polarized lenses are simply too dark to use during that “magic” hour. And I curse the setting sun every time. Costa’s Sunrise Silver Mirror lenses, are designed specifically for low light conditions. The lenses have a slightly yellow tint that greatly enhances visibility on cloudy days and, of course, during sunrise and sunset periods. Like all…
