The first official day of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) trade show in Orlando, Florida, brought together 500 vendors to show off their newest products for fishing. Inside the massive Orange County Convention Center, the Kayak Angler editorial team scoured miles of booths and displays to find the hottest tackle and gear for our unique corner of the sport. We found new hook-removal tools for kayak anglers from DHUKR, motors from Bixpy and ePropulsion, a KastKing smart reel, bulletproof saltwater baitcaster out of Daiwa and more cool stuff to check out.
King of the Ring: Kayak Angler Awards Jake Suvak with YakOff Championship Belt
The Kayak Angler team took advantage of the gathering of industry and anglers to congratulate Jake Suvak on his win in the first-ever YakOff kayak-build competition. Suvak faced a field of 16 pro anglers in a head-to-head battle with the public voting on their favorite kayak build. In the end, Suvak’s Vibe Shearwater won the competition along with cash and prizes. Gathering all the players at the Vibe booth, Kayak Angler’s Keith Stevenson congratulated Suvak and presented him with a green, gold and rhinestone championship belt. Suvak hoisted the belt overhead as the crowd cheered. After the presentation, Suvak began rigging a Shearwater with full electronics, lights and Bixpy motor to raffle off at the end of ICAST.
DHUKR Heard Your Call for a Kayak-Friendly Human Dehooking Tool
The DHUKR human de-hooking tool made a big impression at last year’s ICAST as a quick and painless way to remove a fishing hook from skin. To drive home the point, DHUKR designer Mike Pisano convinced Kayak Angler’s Keith Stevenson to be his guinea pig. After Stevenson intentionally pierced his arm with a 3/0 jighook, Pisano used the DHUKR to safely pop free the hook. For 2025, DHUKR introduced two new models. The DHUKR model called The Yak is designed specifically for kayak anglers with a more compact handle that is easy to clip to a life vest. To remove tiny hooks, like Sabikis and trout flies, DHUKR released a smaller model called The Dink with a single-finger trigger and downsized head to accommodate thin-wire hooks.
YakAttack Introduces Tow and Stow Cart
In addition to the new kayak motor, YakAttack added 50 new products to their long list of kayak fishing accessories. The new products range from pliers and dehookers to kayak soap and protectants, but a few standout products caught our attention. To power the new motor, YakAttack developed a waterproof 12-volt battery with 100 amp-hours that fits in a briefcase-size case. The case includes a display of remaining power, a charging port and USB outlet. Another product that caught our eye was the new Command Center with a zero-play Lock and Load mount for a solid connection to the boat that still allows for quick removal. One of our favorite new YakAttack products is the Tow and Stow Wheelie Bar Cart. The take-along cart puts less pressure on the kayak to prevent damaging your kayak’s plastic, and folds out of the way in seconds.
Bixpy Releases a Powerful Tiller-Driven Electric Outboard
One of the early innovators in kayak propulsion, Bixpy’s compact and powerful impeller motors allow anglers to motorize their boats without modifying the kayak. Now Bixpy is upping the game with the three-horsepower electric outboard. The new Bixpy N-3 is a tiller drive electric outboard with an integrated battery. The new, more powerful motor will confidently push a full-size kayak loaded with gear. The removable battery is easy to charge and maintain. If the power runs low, I can swap the battery for a fresh powerpack and keep fishing.
Forget Strava Stats, KastKing’s Smart Reel and App Make Baitcasting a No-Brainer
KastKing shook up the trade show with a fully electronically controlled baitcasting reel that connects to a smartphone app. The KastKing iReel 2 uses a digital casting brake and tension system for precision cast control. Using the app or a dial on the side of the reel, I can choose among pre-programmed settings for casting small finesse jigs to skipping larger lures. Using the smartphone app, I can monitor graphic data on the distance, speed and power of each cast. The system allows me to track and adjust the reel for different lure weights and varying fishing conditions. When I change lures or the wind starts to blow, I don’t have to adjust the power and control of my cast—the smart reel does the precision adjustment for me.
Daiwa Brings Premium Reel Features to Affordable Models
Daiwa continues to add more features to their affordable rods and reels. Trickling down advanced construction and materials from their premium reels, Daiwa’s new offerings give anglers a better fishing experience for a lower price. The new Coastal TW 200 is a perfect example. The saltwater-ready reel improves durability and reliability with an aluminum frame and gear side plate. To keep the reel running smoothly, Daiwa used ball bearings in easy-to-access points and corrosion-proof carbon bushings for internal parts. Combined with their beefed-up drag and clutch, the $300 Coastal TW 200 performs like a more expensive reel.
X-Braid Lets Loose Tactic-Specific Lines
I was also excited about Daiwa’s partnership with X-Braid to develop tactic-specific braided lines. For example, the Finesse Braid is super thin for light lures. X-Braid Sinking line complements deep diving lures and live baits with negative buoyancy. I like the X-Braid Full Drag, which resists deformity caused by fighting big fish under heavy drag. While most braided lines are similar in construction and materials, X-Braid modifies the manufacturing process to create performance braids to match the requirements for a variety of fishing tactics.
Benchmade’s Mini Adira Folding Knife Puts Utility in Your Pocket
At first look, the Benchmade Mini Adira looks too nice to take fishing. The pocket-size folding knife features a three-inch tempest gray handle with a sapphire blue thumb stud, titanium blue blade and matching paracord and bead that look more appropriate for black-tie affairs than bluewater fishing. However, the Mini Adira’s features make it appropriate for any setting. The heart of the knife is a premium stainless steel blade that balances edge retention with corrosion resistance better than other metal compounds. Combined with a stainless locking mechanism and corrosion-proof reinforced fiberglass handle, the Mini Adira is saltwater ready. I like the short paracord and nylon bead tied to the handle to quickly pull the knife from my pocket. With the combination of eye-catching appearance and reliable performance, the Benchmade Mini Adira lives in my pocket whether I’m on land or water.
The ePropulsion eLite Motor Wants Your Input
In the most recent issue of Kayak Angler magazine, I tested a Sea Eagle FS1210 with an ePropulsion eLite motor. The tiller-drive motor and battery combo were perfect for the light and shallow-draft inflatable kayak with a swivel seat. At the end of the trip, to remove the motor, I pushed one button and the 15-pound motor popped off the transom mount for storage and transport. To bring the compact motor to more kayak anglers, ePropulsion has been at work on throttle and steering controls for easy installation and control. At the show, ePropulsion had a NuCanoe kayak rigged with an ePropulsion motor, a NuCanoe steering pedal and a remote throttle. The system is still in the prototype phase, and the ePropulsion team is asking anglers for input on the best combination for kayak fishing.
Bajio’s Greenland Sunglasses: Tested in the Arctic to Conquer Your Home Waters
Researched and developed in the brutal conditions along Greenland’s Kangia River, Bajio’s new Greenland sunglasses have updated features suitable for extreme weather and hardcore fishing. The Greenland shades are built around Lapis lenses that combine sun protection with premium polarization. The frames are packed with comfort-prioritizing features, including a sun ledge to block the sun from entering the top of the frame and side vents to allow moisture and heat to escape. Rubber nose and temple pads, along with flexible hinges, keep the glasses securely planted on my face. The Greenland is Bajio’s most technologically advanced frame, ready to take fishing to the next level.
Kayak Angler‘s Keith Stevenson poses with inaugural YakOff Awards winner Jake Suvak as he receives his championship belt. | Feature photo: Kayak Angler Staff
