ICAST 2025

Staff picks at ICAST 2025

Take a look at some B.A.S.S. staff's favorite products from ICAST 2025.

Posted on
Photography by
Chase Sansom
West Virginia
Photography by
Kyle Jessie
Photography by
Laura Ann Butts
James Hall
Garmin Force Current Kayak Trolling Motor: This technology seems like it has been a long time coming! If you mount one of these puppies on the back of your yak, you no longer need strings running from the pedals to electric outboard to steer. Use the power steer foot pedals or the handheld remote. This motor can use both 12V (30 pounds of thrust) and 24V power(50 pounds of thrust). The Current is also easy to stow and deploy and has smart anchor lock technology.
Spro Prop Frog: I know I’m not the only angler who has ever struggled to decide between a frog and a prop bait. With this new offering from Spro, I don’t have to. I adore that my indecisiveness is being supported. Yes, this thing will hop through the slop, walk … and sputter in open water. 
Daiwa Ballistic Spinning Reel: This thing won best new freshwater reel at the ICAST show for a reason. The DigiGear tech makes the reel smooth as butter and tough as nails, while the AirDrive system offers strength alongside perfect weight distribution for ultimate balance. The Monocoque frame and MagSeal tech ensures longlasting durability.
FishLab BBZ Wake Rat: I’m not 100% sure I caught my first bass on a Jitterbug, but it’s for sure the first bite I remember getting. This new rat bait from FishLab was designed by Bill Seimentel when he was a youngster, and is now a reality. Two sizes are available … a cute single-piece 2 ½ incher and a bigger 3 1/2-inch two-piece version. With the cupped metal mouth, you can gurgle this thing back to the boat, or you can twitch the bait and walk it back. If I was a betting man, I’d put money on you remembering the first bite you get using it.
VMC Minnow Shaker Head: There are a lot of good minnow jigheads available these days, but this one stands out. First, it features a 45-degree line tie, which most pros prefer when scoping suspended fish. Secondly, is has a wicked-good keeper system integrated on the hook shank (it’s exceptional for baits made of TPE/superplastic material). There are also sizes and hook options that will accomodate much larger minnow-style baits (up to 6 1/2-inch plastics). 
Kyle Jessie
Strike King Hog Father Jr. – I wouldn’t consider myself a master at the big swimbait game by any stretch, but I do enjoy throwing a glidebait from time to time. Considering I’m not a hardcore big swimbait guy, I’m less likely to spend the high dollar amounts that it typically costs to buy hand-crafted baits. Also, I’m a huge fan of these collaborations between hand-crafted swimbait companies like Tater Hog Custom Lures and larger companies like Strike King. It’s not only more cost efficient, but also much more readily available for the consumer.
St. Croix Legend X2 Rods – I realize that not everyone is in the market for an absolute top of the line rod, but the Legend X2 was one of the most impressive products that I put my hands on at ICAST. Both the casting and spinning models are incredibly lightweight. Having been to the St. Croix factory, I understand the time and effort put into building these rods. I can’t wait to get out on the water with one of these bad boys and put it to the test.
Rapala Claptail 110 – I’m a complete sucker for topwater fishing. Where I grew up in central Arkansas, one of my favorite techniques is spending the summer and fall months running the banks with a topwater, and I could easily see the new Claptail fitting in my arsenal of topwaters. I was hooked when Rapala posted the on the water footage of the Claptail ahead of ICAST. This bait makes an incredibly unique sound.
Yo-Zuri Pro Series Popper – Like I said, I’m a complete sucker for topwater fishing. Before ICAST began, I was really intrigued by the new Pro Series of baits from Yo-Zuri because they looked great in photos/videos, but I was even more impressed once I saw the baits at ICAST. The attention to detail in the colors is phenomenal which is especially a big deal when fishing a popper considering the fish often get a great look at the bait when fishing it slowly.
Daiwa Tatula 150 Casting Reel – Before my time at B.A.S.S., I worked retail at a tackle store in Hot Springs, Ark., called Trader Bills Outdoors, and it always felt like the Daiwa Tatula lineup of casting reels were the easiest to sell. Turns out, they might be the easiest to be sold on as well…
Chase Sansom
Strike King Tumbleweed – This year’s rave was all about the fuzzy dice at ICAST that has been a pretty popular tactic amongst finesse fishermen the last year or two, but it has been pretty hush-hush until here recently. It was pretty exciting seeing a lot of the new dice that are coming out soon as I own pretty much all of them that are available to buy now. But the Tumbleweed caught my attention the most with the ability to have the same bait in a floating or sinking model. The Tumbleweed also features a unique 12 sides and Air-Trapped silicone strands that create bubbles and extra action underwater.
Shimano Outlier Rod – While there were a ton of new rods launched at ICAST my personal favorite was the Shimano Outlier rods. The Outlier rods are a step up from the SLX model (which is also a great rod at the price) but the Outlier rod features the Spiral X blank which I personally love as well as heat wrapped spiral EVA handles, CI4+ reel seat, Fuji guides and a neoprene rod sock to protect it on the road.
Rapala Crush City Freeloader (New Sizes)  – The Freeloader has been a staple in the jighead minnow line for a while now, but it was only offered in the 4.25-inch size. Seems like the trend of minnow fishing right now is to increase the size of the bait for more draw power and bigger bites and that’s exactly what the new sizes have to offer. It is now it is featured in a 5.25-inch and 6.25-inch size in the same colors as the original Freeloader.
Yamamoto Uni – Another dice but a unique dice. I have personally spent a couple hundred dollars on this sort of style dice in the last few months with the actual plastic appendages so I am excited to add another one to the arsenal. It features a different style of plastic that is more buoyant than your typical Yamamoto baits. The buoyancy gives those appendages a more lifelike action while the bait is sinking. 
Z-Man Llama TubeZ – This is honestly probably the one bait selfishly I am most excited about. I do a ton of shallow water wade fishing back at home in West Virginia, and this thing is going to be incredible for that. For the longest time I have used small 2.5-inch to 2.75-inch tubes that you are constantly having to re-tie or get a new bait after catching a fish or two on because the plastic rips. No more with the Llama TubeZ that are made out of Z-Man’s 10X Tough Elaztech material that is incredibly strong. Going to be pairing this up with a Llama TubeZ Jig Heads as well. Stoked for this one!
Laura Ann Butts
BUZBE Swarm + Hexside – The reason I chose this bag as one of my favorite products is because I’m really big on organization, and this setup with the added accessories takes that to the next level. I’ve seriously been considering grabbing one just to keep all my go-to baits packed and ready in the car. That way, I’ve always got a rod and a carry-friendly bag on hand whenever the opportunity to fish pops up!
Hobie Hull Float Eyewear – I’ve always been a fan of floating sunglasses after losing more than a few heavy pairs to the lake, so I was immediately drawn to these. But what really makes them special is how Hobie upcycled old kayak hulls to make the frames, tying both the kayak and eyewear sides of the brand together in a really unique and sustainable way. I’ve been wearing mine all week and love both the way they look and feel. Super cool product!
Huk Sandbar Dress – 412 – Say no more! I’ll be wearing this absolutely everywhere. There’s no doubt that athleisure has taken over both the fishing and fashion world, and this dress nails it. Cute, sporty, comfortable, and functional — what more could you want? Honestly, if I could, I’d buy every color and rotate through them all week.
What really impressed me this year is how Huk prioritized designing pieces that actually flatter the female figure. They added thoughtful details like higher crop lengths so you don’t have to constantly tuck in your shirt — finally! It’s refreshing to see women getting the love and attention they deserve, instead of just being handed a “shrink-it-and-pink-it” version of the men’s gear.
Turtlebox Grande – I will forever be a fan of this company for how they’ve managed to turn a waterproof speaker into something of a status symbol — like the designer bag everyone wants to own. It’s the same incredible product we all know and love, with its extreme bass, rugged durability, and waterproof design. As someone who loves both music and fishing, this speaker feels like it was made just for me!
Boujee Marlin – This one’s less about a single product and more about an entire brand that seriously turned heads this year. New to the scene and still in the early stages of development, Boujee Marlin had every girl on the show floor buzzing — so much so that I made a point to swing by the booth, even though it wasn’t originally on my hit list.
When I say every piece in this collection is truly designed for women, I mean it. The color palette is full of trending hues like lilac, mint, and other soft tones that are super in style right now. Think short bibs, cropped tops with flattering cuts, and luxe fabrics you’d expect from high-fashion activewear brands like Lululemon. You can tell the owner designed her dream closet — and honestly, it might be my dream closet too. I’m really rooting for this brand to succeed.

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