5 Fishing Products for Beginners from ICAST

There’s no doubt about it, I was like a kid in a candy store upon entering the 2015 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trade, or ICAST show, in Orlando last week. For those of you who may not be familiar with ICAST, it’s the world’s largest sportfishing trade show — the one place where you can see all of the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel. My goal was to return with a report on some of the best fishing products for beginning anglers and kids.

Below are five fishing products that are worth checking out if you have recently caught the fishing “bug” or if you are an experienced angler who enjoys mentoring beginning anglers.

1. Steinhauser Tangle-FREE Fishing Rod. This 41″ medium action in-line fiberglass rod features an in-line feed through the center of the shaft, which eliminates any type of obstruction between the line and the exterior of the rod. This design provides hours of hassle-free fishing. The Steinhauser Tangle-FREE rod has been engineered to fit any standard or micro spincast reel. This is an ideal rod for beginning or novice anglers that is priced around $36.99 and can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s or Walmart. The rod is an ICAST 2015 “Best of Show” award-winner for “Best Kids’ Tackle.”

2. Lil’ Anglers Training Lures. These clever training lures for kids transform into large colorful sponge fish after being cast into the water. The sponge fish also double as casting plugs and can be recast again while on or off the water. The sponge fish and paper pouches are 100% green and biodegradable. You can choose from different character themes such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora and Friends, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The training lures are priced at $6.99 for a package of four and can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s or Walmart.

3. South Bend Insulated Bait Holder. This is a “must-have” item for those of us who take freshwater fishing trips on hot summer days (particularly those of us who live in Florida). This handy insulated bait holder not only stores your natural baits, but also helps to preserve bait quality. Constructed with foam insulation, it keeps worms cool and lively, even in the hottest of conditions. The South Bend Insulated Bait Holder can be purchased at Walmart, Kmart, Cabela’s or Dick’s Sporting Goods.

4. P-Line Adaro Junior Pliers. These pliers are a reduced-sized version of P-Line’s popular Adaro Pliers, so they are well suited for women or younger anglers with a smaller grip. These Adaro pliers feature machine-cut aluminum handles for reduced weight. The tungsten carbide cutters are built specifically for braided line. The jaws are made of a coated stainless steel for strength and durability. The Adaro Junior Pliers can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s at a cost of about $39.99.

5. FishSmart Freshwater Release Ruler. The Freshwater Release Ruler provides the estimated weight of fish (such as largemouth bass) based on length and scientific data. Teach beginning anglers how to record a catch, get the estimated weight and then release a fish unharmed. The Largemouth Bass Freshwater Release Ruler is priced at $15.99 and can be purchased from local tackle retailers or through The Billfish Foundation.

Is there a particular type of fishing tackle, gear or product that you feel is particularly beneficial or useful for beginning anglers? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a “tweet” at @shefishes2 or contact me through the blog.