2011 ICAST Preview – Wright and McGill

7/7/2011 – by Dan O’Sullivan

Next week, the fishing industry as a whole arrives en masse at the Las Vegas for the American Sportfishing Association’s ICAST show. At that show the media and commerce is introduced to new products that will help drive the industry for the 2012 tackle year.

Advanced Angler.com will be on site with our “ICAST Raw” coverage of the show. Our approach is to allow the individuals responsible for the development of the products to speak for themselves; as opposed to through written word and imagery.

We have been able to get a sneak peak at some of these goods in the past several weeks, and will share some of them with you in the days leading up to the show.

Our first ICAST Preview involves the Wright & McGill Co. family of companies. Wright & McGill Co. is the parent company of Eagle Claw, Lazer TroKar and they have their own branded goods as well.

Wright & McGill Co.
Long recognized for its storied tradition in fly fishing and cold water fishing in general, Wright & McGill Co. branched out in 2009 and entered the warm water market with the Skeet Reese Tessera Series of fishing rods.

In 2010, they followed up the Tessera Series with the introduction of the Skeet Reese Micro Honeycomb Series that featured a revolutionary new blank construction and micro guides. They also released a new line of Reese signature Reels; called the Victory Series, that met the high end performance need of consumer at a value price point. All of the Reese rods products retailed between $89 to $99.

Reese and Wright & McGill Co. will be releasing four new rod models in the Micro Honeycomb Series as well as two new models in the Tessera Series. The 7’2” drop shot rod, the 7’2” Football Jig rod, the 7’6” Football Jig / Big Worm rod and a 6’3” Finesse Worm / Fluke rod will make their debut in the Micro Honeycomb Series.
The Tessera additions include a pair of 6’4” models designed for close quarter’s action. The S-Curve Jig / Worm and the S-Curve Spinnerbait / Worm rod give anglers the weapons they need to make precision placement in and around cover.

In addition to the new Skeet Reese products, Wright & McGill Co. is also releasing new fly rods. Following along the lines of the Skeet Reese rods, the new Generation II S-Curve Fly rod feature revolutionary Nanotube construction that is reported to be 20% stronger than standard blank materials. The fly rods are made with a high density rubber handles and a new and unique finish that completely sets it apart.

Blair Wiggins; saltwater captain and host of Addictive Fishing has also teamed with Wright & McGill Co. to produce a new series of rods called the Flats Blue Line Extension. The series includes four new 9’ saltwater fly rods that vary from 7 to 10 power for handling any species of saltwater game fish.

The 7’ and 7’6” offshore spinning rods feature plenty of power and a split grip design for balance and feel while the new travel rods are 7’6” models that offer anglers on the go premium equipment whether they prefer spinning or casting gear.

Eagle Claw
One of the premier terminal tackle brands for anglers everywhere; Eagle Claw is introducing two new jig lines in Las Vegas. The first is a series of Walleye jigs that provide anglers the benefit of Eagle Claw premium hooks on a walleye head that is perfect for tipping with soft plastics or live bait. Eagle Claw Walleye Jigs will be available in three sizes; 1/8-ounce, 1/4-ounce and 3/8-ounce and will come in six his visibility finishes designed to attract Walleye. The unique head shape of the Eagle Claw Walleye Jig gives it a lively darting, dancing action that is sure to illicit strikes.

Along with the Wally Jigs, Eagle Claw is also introducing a new, complete lineup of bucktail jigs. Featuring an Eagle Claw hook, the bucktail jigs are also available in three sizes; 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 ounce, and 10 colors that will give anglers an option, no matter where they fish. The Eagle Claw Bucktail jigs all feature tied bucktail skirts that hold strong on the hook for durability and lots of fishing action.

Lazer TroKar
Since their introduction in 2009; Lazer TroKar hooks has been one of the fastest growing brands in bass fishing. Their high tech materials and revolutionary hook point has proven to be the sharpest available in the industry today. The pro staff and engineers at TroKar continue to produce hook shapes that give anglers who want an edge on the water hook styles to get the job done; no matter the soft plastic bait they need.

New this year is the TK125 Magworm wide gap hook with the pin style keeper B.A.R.B. system on the hook shank for keeping plastics from balling up on the hookset. The TroKar B.A.R.B system is a proprietary blend of materials designed to help the bait retention system remain in place while casting and fighting fish. The TK125 Magworm is available in sizes 3/0 through 6/0 for use with most popular soft plastics styles.

Also new at the 2011 ICAST show is the Lazer TroKar TK400 Octopus hook. Over the years, the Octopus hook has become one of the preferred shapes for anglers everywhere. Freshwater, saltwater, artificial or live bait; the Octopus hook has an application in every angler’s tackleboxes. The TK400 Octopus hook will be available in a wide range of sizes from 6, 4, 2 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, and features a 22-degree offset for increased hookup ratio.

Like the rest of the TroKar lineup these new additions are constructed of TroKar’s Q741 wire and tempering process as well as the TroKar surgically precise; three sided scalpel sharp point.

Of course you never know what else the folks at Wright & McGill Co., Eagle Claw and Lazer TroKar might come upwith, and we’ve heard rumors of some other projects that will be released at ICAST, but we haven’t been able to get confirmation of them as yet.
Check in on July 13th as Advanced Angler’s ICAST Raw coverage begins with coverage being updated throughout the day. We will be on site all three days bringing you the news as the industry puts its best foot forward July 13 – 15 from Las Vegas Convention Center.