The tackle industry's biggest trade show opens in Orlando on July 15, and the previews are already out. ICAST 2026 -- the American Sportfishing Association's annual showcase -- will fill the Orange County Convention Center with hundreds of new rods, reels, lures and electronics, and the early product lists point to where the sport is heading: sharper forward-facing sonar, finesse tackle built around this season's oddest bait craze, and a fast-growing kayak market finally getting gear of its own.
Forward-facing sonar again dominates the electronics halls. Garmin will show the LiveScope 2 HD, which the company says delivers 20 percent greater resolution, up to 50 percent more detail at close range and a view out to 125 feet, at $2,199.99. Lowrance counters with the ActiveTarget 2 XL, a $1,799 unit offering surface-to-surface 180-degree live views. The arms race extends to terminal tackle: Megabass is releasing a competition-grade MAKIPPA FFS jig with a Blade Hook System built to convert the light bites sonar anglers see on screen, while Strike King's new Spotlight Hybrid Tungsten Ballhead uses a geometric head to throw brighter returns.
If there is a theme on the soft-plastics side, it is the 'urchin' or 'fuzzy' bait -- the elastomer-fringed lures that swept bass tournaments this spring. Wired2Fish's editors expect the category to explode into a full ecosystem rather than just more baits. "It won't just be more fuzzy baits -- it'll be everything that comes with them," editor Nick Dumke said, predicting specialized hooks, weights, rods and rigging systems built for the style. Colleague Will Stanley agreed, forecasting "specialized hooks, unique weights, new rigging systems, or even rods designed" around the trend.
Not everyone is betting on the fuzz. Wired2Fish's Sam Hudson thinks the show's real story will be a material change from Z-Man: "A dense and sinking ElaZtech. I think that will be the buzz at the show," he said, noting that the company's ultra-durable plastic has always floated, forcing anglers to add weight. Joe Albanese, meanwhile, sees momentum swinging back toward small water and light line, pointing to "an increase in small creature baits, building on the success of Rebel's LIVEFlex."
Kayak anglers may be the biggest winners. As tournament kayak fishing has boomed, the gear has lagged behind bass-boat equipment -- something Wired2Fish's Ben Swanson expects to change. "Kayak fishing electronics are going to be a big focus," he said. Minn Kota's new Riptide Kayak Terrova, a saltwater-ready trolling motor with Spot-Lock and a 36-inch composite shaft, lands at $1,899.99, a sign manufacturers now treat the segment as more than an afterthought.
The reel and rod releases lean premium. Shimano's updated Curado DC 150 A ($314.99) monitors spool speed 1,000 times per second to tame backlashes; Daiwa marks its 60th anniversary with a monocoque Tatula MQ LT at $299.99. For budget-minded anglers, 13 Fishing's new SHYFT baitcaster and spinning reels come in at $99.99 each.
Bassmaster, which published one of the first full product previews, cataloged dozens of debuts across every category before the show floor opens. Whether the urchin craze has staying power or the sonar wars finally cool, ICAST 2026 will stock the tackle-shop shelves anglers shop from next season.