Rounding out your spring fishing arsenal? Here are four ICAST award-winning suggestions.
By Tom Schlichter
Why Spring Is the Best Time to Upgrade Your Fishing Gear
Spring fishing season is right around the corner, and whether you’re targeting redfish in the shallows or heading offshore for pelagics, having the right gear can make all the difference. Each year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) highlights the most innovative products in the industry. These award-winning picks aren’t just new—they’re proven performers.
If you’re looking to upgrade your spring fishing arsenal, here are four standout products that deliver on performance, durability, and real-world results.
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Best Saltwater Fishing Lure: Z-Man PrawnstarZ™
Most saltwater gamefish eat shrimp at some point in their lives, so it should come as little surprise soft-plastic shrimp imitations are a go-to choice for many anglers. Among these, Z-Man’s PrawnstarZ™ lineup is top of the class.
The ultra-realistic lineup includes rigged and loose body (PrawnstarZ™ LB) models, the latter having snatched last year’s ICAST title for Best Saltwater Soft Lure. All cast well and maintain a horizontal posture due to their balanced ElaZtech® bodies. Tail fans, antennae, and legs, aided by abdominal segmentation, provide alluring action that triggers aggressive strikes. A glass rattle embedded in the body and hand-painted color patterns, add the finishing touches. Throw these for seatrout, redfish, or snook in southern waters, or weakfish, summer flounder, and stripers farther north, and it’s hard to go wrong.
Price: $9.99/pack of 1, 2 or 3, depending on size and model. zmanfishing.com
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Best Rod and Reel Combo for Saltwater Fishing: Quantum Merit Saltwater Rod and Reel Combos
Looking for a new rod and reel but not sure how to match them up? Consider a combo outfit. Last summer’s ICAST 2025 award winner in this category would be a great choice. Quantum Merit Saltwater Combos are designed, tested, and balanced to be a perfect match. Boaters can choose between three spinning and three conventional setups to cover most any inshore fishing situation. The series also includes a trio of surf-fishing combos.
Inshore spinning combos feature seven-foot, high-strength graphite composite rods sporting one-piece stainless-steel guides that won’t crack, chip or pop out. Matched to size 2500, 3000, or 4000 Merit spinning reels, they’ll handle seatrout and redfish to jacks and trophy snook. Saltwater boat combos pair seven-foot conventional graphite composite rods to size 5000, 6000, and 8000 Merit conventional reels. Merit reels are sealed to IPX6 standards, ensuring protection against corrosive salt water.
Price: Starting at $249. quantumfishing.com
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Best Braided Line for Offshore Fishing: Power Pro Max-8 Braided Line
Offshore anglers need high-performance braided fishing lines engineered for smooth casting, superior control, and rugged durability in big-fish saltwater environments. Whether jigging vertically over wrecks, working the thermocline, or targeting offshore pelagics, Shimano’s Power Pro Max-8 braid cuts to the chase. This ICAST 2025 Best in Category fishing line features 8-carrier Spectra HT fiber construction, is 25 percent thinner than comparable braids, and slices effortlessly through the water while boasting increased line capacity and superior strength. The line is infused with Max-8 resin throughout every fiber, creating a rounder, smoother profile for improved castability, line management, and abrasion resistance.
Price: Starting at $84.99/300-yard spool of 30-pound-test, varies by spool size and line strength. powerpro.com
Best Fishing Cooler for Boaters: Rugged Road 115 V2 Cooler
Tired of lugging that heavy cooler back and forth from the boat? Rugged Road coolers are half the weight of comparable coolers, can take a beating, and come in a variety of useful sizes. Tough enough to handle any adventure, the ICAST 2025 Soft and Hard Cooler Best in Category award-winning 115 V2 cooler is designed to float upright whether fully packed with food or the day’s catch. Slick features include a reversible cutting-board lid for easy food preps, a basket rack, and dividers, plus Game Lidz accessories that double as magnetized surfaces for organizing gear or tying lures. An additional nice touch: All purchases also support the Rugged Road Foundation, which funds clean water wells in underserved communities around the world.
Price: $494.99. ruggedroadoutdoors.com
