First things first. I have to say that with all the years that the ASA has put this event on this was the worst that they have ever done. From having to pay $11.00 to park as a vendor to not having the right information when you went to pick up your badges. Just getting to the registration area was a trip and an adventure in itself. The signs telling you where to go were so incomplete and lacking direction on which way to go. For example when you went into the back door of the Convention Center there was one sign saying to go straight ahead. When you got to a T, there was no direction. You had to guess. When you entered the main hall there were no signs to say which way to go. You really needed a GPS just to get there. Then when you asked for your badges you were lucky to get yours. The people that I was helping had people from a different country on their badges. And as for security you might as well have had none. No one checked badges. You could walk right in with no problem if you didn’t belong there. For what people pay to be a member and the money for the booths and other expenses they did a crummy job. The people should get some kind of a rebate on the next show. Now for my report on the show and what was there. I’m not going to give the big companies any kind of a write up why? Because they can afford any kind of advertisement that they want. The little guy that has a good product and never has a word written about them are the ones that I’m going to tell you about. They have good products and you should know about them just like the big guys.

Cablz Eyewear Retention.

This product is one of the best for keeping your eyeglasses or those expensive sunglasses on your face while you are fishing or enjoying a sport that you’re doing at the time. As demonstrated by Ms. Holly Williams your glasses will stay securely on your face with just a little alcohol free hand sanitizer. (And I mean just a little) The tips of the arms on your glasses will slide into the rubber ends with no problem. There are 2 sizes to choose from. One that will fit close to your head and the other will allow you to take your glasses off and lay them on your chest. This product is made of a high quality coated surgical steel cable with the patented rubber ends. So if you want something that doesn’t make you sweat, never has a bad odor, and stays off your neck so when you turn you head there is no discomfort, this is the product. For more information you can contact them at www.cablzeyeware.com they will answer all your questions.

Camo Rods by Dennis Ball

These rods are of great quality and the camo is from the Mossy Oak collection. As far as what they are made of I was told that it was a proprietary blend. What does that mean? He’s not going to tell you what the rods are made of, but be sure that they will pass any test that you give them according to Dennis. These rods come in several colors and for you ladies yes he has pink camo rods as you can see in the photo provided. These Camo rods are manufactured in 2 sizes. 6 ft 6ins and 7 ft. They have Pack Bay stainless steel eyes, graphite reel seats. You have a choice of cork or foam rear and fore grips. There are 3 camo designs. Break Out, Duck Blind, and Pink Camo. These rods will sell for the low price of $139.00 each. This is a great deal. You can contact Dennis at www.usacustomrods.com

Touch Down

This is a company that has been around for awhile but has just been purchased by Andy Royalty. Andy has promised to all his customers old and new that things have changed and he is looking forward to bring the company back to what it once was before. From what I can see in his product line that should be no problem. Some of the nicest plastics that I’ve seen in a long time. Love the leach and the ones that you can get with the swim head. The worm should be a big hit because it can be worked with exposed hooks or made weed less. You can see more of Andy’s products on www.touchdownlures.com.

Invis Swivel

This is a product that was an idea from a man named Rusty Uhland. These are Co Palo mar flexible swivels. They are clear in color (color ones coming in the future) and self lubricated. These patent pending swivels are one of the best things since ball bearings. Some of the features of the product are stealth like in strength, non-corrosive, slow in sinking and environmentally safe. They come in 7 sizes. 12lb, 25lb, 35lb, and 55lbs, 65lb, 75lb, and 100 lb. There are 5 in a pack for the price of $4.99 per pk. Also look for their new Nickel Titanium leader wire. 25lb test with 15 ft of wire for $8.99 and a pack that’s 30 ft long for $14.99. 35lbs with 15ft of wire for $10.99.and 30 ft for $16.99 per pack. 45lb pack of 15ft for $11.99 and 30 ft for $18.99. 55lb 15 ft per pack $12.99 and 30 ft for $19.99. And for the guys that want the big stuff 100lb with 15ft per pack $17.99 and the 30ft for $28.99. For more information go to www.aquateko.com

Red Pig

Interesting name isn’t it? Well let me tell you I was a little surprised too but these are one of the finest big game fishing reels that I ever saw. If I was a salt water fisherman and looking for a reel that is of high quality and at a price that you can afford this is the reel. And guys listen to this LIFE TIME WARRANTY. Yes you read it right. If your reel fails in any way you contact Bill Williams and he will give you a new reel free. No one in this business will give you that. So give Bill’s reel a try and I’m sure that you’re going to keep coming back to buy more. Here are some of the features that will make you want to buy these reels. All metal gears, 2 high speed shifting, stainless steel gear shaft, aluminum frames and spools, and 8 ball bearings in all the crucial positions for peak performance. Other features are programmed dial drag levers, ultra precise tension knob, extra large high impact contour, rubber grip and much, much more. Models from 16w, 20w, 30w, 50w, and 80w. For more information go to www.redpigreel.com

Rod Guard

This is a product for all you guys that have those high priced rods and reels. And every once in a while you kick one over the side or forget to strap one down on the deck of your boat while you’re moving to another spot. Give thanks to Steve Hall who was also tired of losing rods and reels. Now you can purchase his product the Rod Guard and place them on the butt of your rods and never lose one again. This patented foam collars are 4 inches long and 1 ½ inches in diameter. With the help of some Windex that you spray on the butt end of your rods the foam slides on very easily. This product will keep your rods afloat until you turn around to pick it up or just bending over when you kick it off the boat. They come 2 to a pack and are in 2 colors, red and blue. For the price of $8.99 a pack you can save yourself a lot of headaches. To order or to get more information go to www.rodguard.com.

Easy 2 Hook USA Knotless Fishing Hook.

For all the divorced, or single moms you no longer have an excuse for not taking the kids fishing. No more I don’t know how to tie the knots on the hooks. For this you can thank Mr. Rodger Baskett CEO and founder of Outdoor Specialty Innovations Inc. This product comes in several sizes from the pan fish hook to the off set bend hook for bass fishing and others, to the larger hooks for Musky and Pike. All you have to do is put a loop around a small nub on the shaft of the hook, then start wrapping the line on the shaft away from you and pull the end through the eye of the hook. You can cut the extra line that you have when you finish it. This will not affect the way that the line is secured to the hook. Believe it or not you can’t pull the line off the hook. It’s as sturdy as if you tied a knot. Each pack of hooks come in a 20 count. That’s all types of hooks from the pan fish to pike. Your pan fish cost you $7.95 the 1/0 to 4/0 off set worm hooks are $9.95 and the pike hooks are $11.95 per pack. This is a pretty good price for the amount of hook you get. To get more information go to www.easy2hookusa.com

Revere Maxx – Fishing LLC

For all you frog fisherman this is your frog. Wish you could fish with different legs on your frog. Well you can put any type of leg you want on these frogs. From skirts to worms of any size. Want to use a grub, sanko, or even a lizard? No problem. Matthew Fenstermaker has come up with these amazing frogs and they are a fish killer. As you can see from the photos there is really nothing you can think of that would not work in his product. This company is also the manufacturer of the Rock Star Frog. This is the same frog that was in the Infisherman, Bassin, and many other publications. If you know this bait then you can imagine what these frogs will do. For more information on this product go to www.revermaxxfishing.com.

Bexy Apparel

Let first tell you something about the lady that started this company Ms April Hoaglin, along with her friend Ms.Tempe Franks. Ms. Hoaglin is one of a kind that’s for sure. She works with the sheriffs dept in the state of Fl. Yes this beautiful lady carries a gun and hand cuffs. And like every other law enforcement officer puts her life on the line for you and for the kids that she protects. Yes I said kids, her line of work is child welfare. She will put you in jail if you mistreat your kids in any way shape or form. And to prove that she had to miss a day of ICAST to go to court. I’m very proud to have met this fine lady and to be able to tell you something about her. Now for her product. Ladies you want to get some of these well made products in this line. Not only are they catchy to the eye but they are not that expensive either. This line was made for the sports minded lady who wants to look good while doing what they like and being comfortable as well. April herself is an avid fisherman and got tired of wearing clothes that were made for men and not ladies. She thought that a woman should look good and be comfortable at the same time. She has many rhinestones, embroidered and printed garments that will make you look good and be able to catch the eye of everyone around you. Ya I know I haven’t told you any prices yet. Ok you ready for this. The only thing that cost $20.00 are the beautiful hats that they make. The rest of April’s line goes for $10.00 and under. Now that’s a great deal. To see this line and take advantage of these prices go to www.mybexy.com. You will be glad that you did. Well that’s it for my review on the ICAST for 2009. I’m for the small guys that just don’t get there kudo’s for what they have manufactured and taken time to let everyone at the show know that they will be out there with the big guys as well.

I WANT TO WISH THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF THEM AND I HOPE THAT I’LL SEE THEM NEXT YEAR.

GOOD FISHING STEPHEN KOKAI PA OUTDOOR WRITER ASSOC.