Kevin Van Dam Forums

http://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/icast-2012-sneak-peek

Here’s a slide of different stuff coming out. New Q Energy with dual brakes & a flipping switch. The things that most interested me are the Havoc baits & Spiderwire EZ Fluoro. Weird how they list Invisibraid, I thought that was something they already tried. I guess they got a new formula they’re trying to sell, with the exact same package as the old line. Anyone else see anything interesting from iCast so far?

The energy was the most intersting thing I saw on the slide show. Havent seen much really that Im itching to try, either there or several other products Ive seen pop up on facebook through diffrent sites and companys. I wouldnt say its a slow year or anything, just if its not broke then why fix it?

http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Fenwick-Aetos-Lineup-Offers-Lots-of-Action-WhatsUp6913
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Yum-Adds-Several-New-Shapes-Expands-Castable-Umbrella-Rig-Line-WhatsUp6911
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Berkley-Upgrades-Lines-Adds-Havoc-Shapes-and-Joins-Multilure-Craze-WhatsUp6910

Digging the Aeotos line of rods from Fenwick, looks like it could be the Techna line update & brought back & the one Fenwick Techna I had was one of my favorites, too bad I only had one that wasn’t an action/length that I use a whole lot. Definitely looking forward to those, especially if they show up on Amazon & eBay for around $100, in which case I’ll most likely pick up a flipping stick. Really digging the blue color on them. Nothing too exciting from Yum FMP, but I like what I’ve seen from Berkley.

I’ve liked the stuff coming out of Quantum so far, Berkley too the sick fish looks pretty nice.  The new line of Duo baits coming out of Japan looks nice as well.  Hope to see some more great things today.

So far the only thing I have been interested in is the new line of Revos. Looking at the new Shimano Calcutta D reel, it looks as though Shimano has taken a step backwards with that reel also. It looks to have the same cheap handle the new Curado G has. Not too impressed with Shimano the past 2 years.

I am also looking forward to trying the Havoc Pit Chunk. I have had some good success with the Pit boss and am sure the Pit Chunk would look great behind one of my jigs

Oh my, the Revo line won best reel, I’m sure all the Japan fanboys on TT are talking about how meaningless the award is since Daiwa or Shimano didn’t win it. The new Xtremes might be great rods, but I still can’t dig those flat black handles, it just looks so off on a high end St Croix.

Just read something that really interests me, Koppers popping frogs. Considering their frogs are my favorite, I’m sure the popping version will take over for Spros there like they did regular frogs for me too.

I am KCL’s Username - 12 July 2012 02:43 PM

Oh my, the Revo line won best reel, I’m sure all the Japan fanboys on TT are talking about how meaningless the award is since Daiwa or Shimano didn’t win it. The new Xtremes might be great rods, but I still can’t dig those flat black handles, it just looks so off on a high end St Croix.

Just read something that really interests me, Koppers popping frogs. Considering their frogs are my favorite, I’m sure the popping version will take over for Spros there like they did regular frogs for me too.

The Koppers popping version is hard bait,  they took their walking frog and put a clear plexi popping lip on the front.  Cool design.  Just read where most companies are taking some of their older designs and refitting them, the old is new again.  Also the umbrella rig has blown up just about every company has their version or redesigned version.  Starting to get tired of hearing about the A-rig.  Still haven’t heard much from the Quantum camp,  the new Energy reel looks sweet with both the internal and external braking systems.  The new Accurist reel also looked nice,  can’t wait to see it in person.  Haven’t heard much about the new rods though,  maybe later tonight they have a story or some pics.

http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Best-of-Show-Winners-WhatsUp6925
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Quantum-Expands-and-Reengineers-Rod-and-Reel-Lines-WhatsUp6927
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—St-Croix-Makes-There-Best-Even-Better-WhatsUp6931
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—Spro-Expands-Line-ups-of-Hard-Baits-WhatsUp6930
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—SpiderWire-Stretches-Its-Line-with-Zilla-Braid-WhatsUp6923
http://www.wired2fish.com/ICAST-2012—New-from-Strike-King-for-2012-2013-WhatsUp6924

Finding out the Koppers frog popper is a hard version takes away my excitement for it. I’m sure it’ll be a fine bait, but I don’t see myself dumping that much for a popper. Found some other stuff on W2F, including more stuff from Q.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast2012quantum.html

As a VERY loyal Shimano Calcutta user, I am naturally skeptical of new versions.  The old CT250B was (and still is) unbeatable in my mind as a reel….a monster workhorse for $169.
So I’ll be interested in seeing this product.

I also like the “sushi” poppers shown…they look pretty nice.

I really don’t get the selling point of the BB1 from Lews. It’s a new take on the old classic with no instant anti-reverse, but from watching the videos, that backplay looks like it’s only slightly more pronounced than the Curado E series, which is not that significant. When I was reading the selling point on it last year, it was so you could back the crank up when you hit something, but moving back 1/32 of turn is only gonna give you an inch at best on a 21” per turn reel. Now Fritts is selling it like that tiny bit of backplay increases sensitivity & feel for cranks on a TW video, not that backing a crank up sell I heard when it was first announced. Either way, I’m not interested, backplay annoys the hell out of me & I’m not paying over $150 for it & some concocted advantages it has. I’m sure black & white TV has advantages over HD broadcast, doesn’t mean I want it on my plasma.

Lews does have a ton of reels coming out but everything is black & boring, so I’m not all that interested in any of their new stuff, especially with all the stuff Abu has coming with their revamped Revo line, namely the new STX, which is an old Premier only slightly lighter & significantly cheaper.