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Great time at ICAST 2012
by: Michael Guiles 7/16/2012

All I can say is ICAST is awesome. What a first impression were the wonders of this show. Everywhere you turn there is an Elite Series pro, there was Skeet Reese, Shaw Grigsby, Danny Brauer, Chris Lane and the master KVD to mention a few. If you name a pro from the Elite series or the FLW, they were probably there supporting their sponsors and checking out the new innovations in baits. When I walked in the second day there was an autograph session going on in the press area. Just my luck I didn't have anything to get signed, but there just so happened to be someone handing out free hats for people like me that didn't plan ahead. This worked out great because I wanted to get KVD's signature and the Lane brothers Chris and Bobby, them being originally from Florida. Bobby even gave me some ideas on an upcoming tournament, when I asked him for some help.

As I walked around checking out all the new gear. I stopped by a couple of booths to talk to some of the pros to get their rational for the new baits they had sponsors for. Everyone was very fan friendly, if you had a question they would take time to answer it for you. Nobody was stand offish, they were all just like the guys you would normally fish with, but willing to give up some information.

This show had everything from fishing tackle to boating accessories, kayaks and small boats in almost every aisle, clothing, even spices for cooking. I didn't realize how many different ways you could manufacture a crank bait. Walls of different colored baits, different sizes and the occasional free sample. I will be getting around to trying some of these new baits here in the near future and if they work I will make sure to let everyone know about them. If they don't work for me nobody will ever find out. I don't believe in negative press, lets just keep thing positive.

This show was a lot more than I expected. There was equipment and baits for everyone from the beginners fishing for crappies, to the big game fisherman and the elusive blue marlins. The major part of the show was definitely about bass fishing and the gear surrounding this sport. i hooked up with a couple of our field editors, Danny Barker and Tyler Brinks. A couple of great guys who have extensive fishing knowledge and don't have a problem sharing it. You will be hearing more from them in the near future, I am sure of it. Well hopefully I will be at the next ICAST a year from now to see what is the latest and greatest.

Blog content © Michael Guiles

Member comments

Flyrodn, CO   7/17/2012 1:25:39 PM
Wish I could have joined you, but life has not been kind to me this year.