To every one involved in the tackle industry from buyers, media, and exhibitors AKA lure manufactures-Christmas morning is about to come.  On July 15-17 in Orlando, Florida, ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show will have the newest innovations in tackle and other fishing accessories on display. Although, most companies keep all their new products a secret until the event, Lawrence Taylor, PR Manger at PRADCO (www.lurenet.com) graciously let me in on some new and exciting products for the upcoming year and ICAST.  Here is a sneak peak at just a few of them.

A Bigger Pop for Zell XZ3
Who’s the best topwater angler in the world? Zell Rowland, of course. He’s the man who made it cool. When we produced the Zell Pop, a lure Zell himself carved, it set a new standard for topwater chuggers and poppers, and now his evil fishing mind has created a larger version of the lure. Like its little brother, the XZ3 features etched scale finish, detailed gill plates and a shad spot behind the eye. The deep concave face pops and spits with the slightest twitch, and the 3-D red eyes taunt fish from above the waterline. The feather-dressed back treble adds to the fish-catching appeal. VMC inline treble hooks ride against the body on the retrieve.  The 2 3/4–inch XZ3 comes in eight color patterns including Foxy Shad, Z-Shad and Arkansas Shiner.

Dancing Babies Are So Cute!
Dancin’ Tadpole
The new YUM Dancin’ Tadpole, the youngest member of the Dancin’ Eel family, measures just 2.75-inches in length and comes in six hot color patterns, including Foxy Shad, Rayburn Red and Rainbow Trout. This soft-plastic-crankbait combo provides incredible versatility. As a sinking lure, it can be worked at any depth, with a slow and steady retrieve that produces a side-to-side sashay or a stop-and-go retrieve that motivates inactive bass into action. The soft-plastic tail produces an incredible action that displaces a tremendous amount of water.  The 3.5–inch Dancin’ Tadpole comes in six color patterns including Foxy Shad, Rayburn Red and Rainbow Trout.

Toadally Awesome Money Frog
Money Frog
With the same attitude of the Money Craw, YUM’s new Money Frog features similar action while providing totally new versatility. The new YUM Money Frog features Money “paddle” feet that produce incredible water displacement and tremendous vibration, and can be fished a variety of ways – buzzed on the surface like a buzzbait; waked just under the surface; Texas rigged and flipped and pitched to thick cover; as a jig trailer and many more. Highly detailed frog patterns are the result of individually hand-painted process, and the bait is highlighted by exclusive 3-D red eyes. It also features the unique belly slot that allows for straight rigging and better hookup ratio because there’s not much plastic to penetrate before hitting fish.  The 3.75–inch Money Frog comes in six color patterns including Gizmo, Yella Belly and El Jefe’.

What’s Them Spooky Sounds?
Rattlin’ Spook and One Knocker Spook
The classic Heddon Spook now sings two new songs. New for 2010 from Heddon are the Rattlin’ Spook and the One Knocker Spook, each with its own unique sound to draw strikes from big fish. The new Rattlin’ Spook features a new rattle chamber containing multiple tungsten BBs for loud panicked baitfish sounds. The design of the chamber amplifies and intensifies the sounds for a loud, fish-calling rattle. The chamber also makes it easier to produce smooth walk-the-dog retrieves. Fourteen realistic color patterns and Mustad Triple Grip hooks seal the deal when big bass crash the surface.
The second new Spook takes One Knocker technology and applies it to this classic bait. The One Knocker Spook features a single tungsten rattle contained inside a sound chamber that intensifies the distinctive “thump” that One Knockers produce. Like the Rattlin’ Spook, the One Knocker Spook’s sound chamber is positioned to promote smooth walk-the-dog retrieves. The One Knocker Spooks come in the same color patterns as the Rattlin’ Spook, and the size is the same as the classic “Sweet Size” Spook that has duped bass for decades.  The Rattlin’ Spook and One Knocker Spooks each weigh ½-ounce and measure 3 ½-inches, and come in fourteen color patterns including G-Finish Foxy Shad, Foxy Momma and the new G-Finish Tilapia.

After taking a sneak peak, it looks like anglers now have more “new” lures to add to their tackle boxes.