This year’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades was a bit light on striper-specific gear, but we scoured the floor and found some tackle that will be right at home in the saltwaters of the Northeast. Here’s nine of our picks from ICAST 2024.
The SBP (Stretched-Pressed-Bonded) manufacturing process creates a line that is braided while stretched, resulting in an ultra-tight round weave. The braid is then finished off with a bonding and coating process for a superior strength-to-diameter ratio. The process also affords greater colorfastness, reduced wear, and improved casting distance. Available from 8- to 80-pound test
Expanding upon Daiwa’s new Northeast-focused Blackline series, the Blackline Inshore Rods feature premium cork handles, FUJI K- guide train, Daiwa Air Sensor reel seat on spinning models, and Daiwa’s exclusive SVF Super High-Modulus Low Resin Carbon Graphite as well as Braiding X Daiwa technology for greater sensitivity and strength and improves rod velocity during the cast to improve accuracy and distance. The series features six spinning models and one conventional model designed specifically for fluke.
Penn’s popular saltwater spinning reel got an upgrade for 2024. The Battle IV is built upon the solid foundation of its predecessors, integrating upgraded components to elevate its durability. Incorporating PENN’s Hydro Armor technology, which features additional seals strategically placed in key areas, including the handle, under the dust cap, and beneath the spool on the main shaft, which adds protection without compromising on weight. The updated spool design eliminates through-holes in the spool body, to better prevent intrusion from the elements. These enhancements help to ensure protection from unwanted water, dirt, and sand from infiltrating the reel’s body and handle.
READ MORE ABOUT THE UPGRADED PENN BATTLE IV
This saltwater spinning reel’s sturdy aluminum frame encases machined gearing, which improves the cranking power and smoothness. The sealed Carbon Fiber drag offers best in class max drag power, and a consistent curve, for a wide range of fish-stopping power. The reels are fully sealed and feature an IPX6 rating to help it survive splashing and spray without saltwater or sand intrusion compromising the reel.
READ MORE ABOUT THE QUANTUM’S RETURN TO SALTWATER
This topwater lure features Savage Gear’s new patent-pending reverse magnetic weight transfer system that ensures longer casts while maintaining perfect balance in the water. The innovative magnetic weight transfer system allows the weight to move backward during the cast, then the internal magnet kicks in, transferring the weight and propelling the weight forward while ensuring a smooth, flat landing on the water. Available in 4.7″ and 3.5″ sizes.
Though called a “mullet” this triple-jointed swimbait has a generic enough profile to mimic herring, bunker, or any number of saltwater baitfish. This is a saltwater extension of the BBZ series that FishLab is producing with big bass/big bait guru Bill Siemantel.
The Tournament D’Fin 6” swimbait with classic wobbling kick-tail generates strong flanking moves. Due to the special rubber formulation and the addition of salt, this shad can even be fished with or without jig-head and is ideal for both saltwater and freshwater applications. The rubber formulation is colorless with squid flavor added to enhance the bait and triggering more bites. 8 (UV related) 6” assorted color patterns can be stored together without bleeding into each other. Made in Japan.
Known for their lifelike lures, LiveTarget’s latest is a spitting image of threadfin shad from the south and our peanut bunker up in the Northeast. Designed to be fished with a extra-wide-gap swimbait hook, this looks like a great hatch-matching bait for the fall run.
Though categorized as a “Freshwater Soft Bait” at the New Product Showcase, this wedge-tail swimmer looks like an excellent peanut-bunker imitation. This line-through swimbait continues the lineup of lifelike baits produced by Z-Man, joining the Mulletron and HerculeZ.
