ICAST 2023 Historical Perspectives

Recently I had the privilege of attending the 2023 ICAST show, July 11-14 in Orlando, Florida.  ICAST is an acronym for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades and is the successor of the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA) show for you trade show historians.  Today in ICAST 2023 Historical Perspectives, we’re going to look at some old companies and see what they have for the market today.

ICAST is the second largest fishing tackle trade show in the world, second to the Osaka Tackle show in Japan.  Once a year, the major fishing industry manufacturers come to show off their new products.  The show is all encompassing and includes both fresh and saltwater lures, rods, reels, terminal tackle, line, boats, apparel and fishing related accessories.  It is the place to see what is new and trending in the fishing industry.

So what does this have to do with Bass Fishing Archives where our focus is on the history of bass fishing?  Well, it relates in two separate ways.  One, today’s tackle and trends become tomorrow’s history.  What will endure and what will fade away?  Only time will tell, but a brief discussion of what is trending in 2023 will provide some food for thought.

Secondly, there is a handful of long standing tackle companies still doing business, as well as entrepreneurial individuals resurrecting old brands that were relevant some time ago.  This is where we’ll focus on a few of those companies and the history that they are preserving.

First, let’s briefly look at what was new and trending at the show.  Consolidation continues at a consistent pace with many lure brands ultimately coming under the same ownership umbrella.  Pradco started this trend several decades ago, with their acquisition of multiple “old school” brands like Bomber, Heddon and Creek Chub.  They have since acquired “newer” brands like War Eagle and Bandit.

From a contemporary viewpoint, one can now find formerly competing brands like Yamamoto and Big Bite Baits now in the same stable with Bill Lewis Lures under GSM ownership.  Similarly, many rod/reel manufacturers are now offering their own line of baits.  Daiwa and Duckett have for several years, and now brands like Ark and the Mach series of Lew’s are following suit.

Conversely, Z-Man, a relatively new and successful lure company, is now entering the rod market with their Drew ‘s series of rods specifically designed for finesse applications.  These sub-six-foot rods sport a Tennessee handle that require reels to be secured with electrical tape and are exact copies of rods made by Ray Fincke, Billy Westmorland, and Charlie Brewer in the early 1970s.  It will be interesting to see what level of interest these throwback-style rods generate.  Italian lure manufacturer, Molix, is also entering the rod market.

Electronics, especially sonar, have continued to evolve at a rapid pace and the current rage is all about forward facing technology (FFS).  What’s intriguing is the amount of lure manufacturers riding this trend with specific baits designed especially for this new format.  There are multiple lures that tout their ability to show up prominently on forward facing sonar screens.

Fish Formula

The FFS trend has even led to the resurrection of the old Fish Formula brand, and their new “bait pop” product, touted as not only an attractant but also a visibility enhancer when used with this technology.

The original Fish Formula brand took the fishing world by storm back in the late 70’s.  Developed by pharmacist and fisherman, David Bethshears, it had a major impact at the time it was introduced and help usher in an increased focus on scent applications in bass fishing.  Their current promotional efforts include endorsements not only from original Fish Formula pitchman, Bill Dance, but current number-one ranked bass tournament pro, Jacob Wheeler.

Producto by Bodacious Baits

Also related to the reemergence of an old brand is the re-launch of Producto lures, specifically the 8” Tournament Worm by Bodacious Baits.  The Tournament Worm is a Florida bass fishing staple that has been around for over 43 years.  Originally made as Jake’s Tournament Worm and then more famously as the Producto Tournament worm, this 8-inch soft plastic worm with a high floating tail really came to national prominence with its notoriety for catching large bass on Lake Toho in the early 1980’s.

A Bassmaster article on Lake Toho describing the success of this particular worm further fueled its popularity.  As a young man, my dad and I headed to Toho several times in the early eighties and always sought these worms out due to their effectiveness.  Their 8-inch length and segmented body appealed to big bass, and when lubricated with scent and baby oil they slid through the Florida vegetation handily.

Producto lures is now part of Bodacious Baits run by husband-and-wife team, Brad and Heather Houchins in Thomasville, NC.  They secured all the original molds from Producto’s previous owner and have kept the plastic formulation the same, which gives the worm its unique softness and flotation.  Out on their Facebook page, there is a cool video of Brad demonstrating the worm at the ICAST demo tank, without a hook, and the bass won’t leave it alone!

Creme Lures

Another venerable plastic lure brand with an early bass tournament winning resume is Creme lures.  Celebrating 75 years in business, Creme is still making old standards, resurrected classics, and new baits in an effort to remain relevant in today’s tackle market.  Founded by Nick and Cosma Creme in Akron, Ohio in 1949, Creme plastic worms were one of the first mass produced and marketed artificial worms.

Many of the early B.A.S.S. tournament wins in the late 1960s and early 1970s were made on Creme worms, especially by pro staffers, Bill Dance and John Powell.  The company was sold in 1989 to Wayne Kent of Tyler, Texas who had been making plastic baits since 1965 under Knight Manufacturing.  One of his successes was the “Tube Worm”, which was recently resurrected by current Creme owners, Wayne’s son, Chris and his wife, Anne.

The tube worm was originally introduced in 1976, right about the time that Rebel introduced the Ringworm.  Both were successful, but like a lot of good lures the Tube Worm faded into obscurity and was discontinued.  In 2019, the worm was re-introduced and is still being marketed.  It’s a unique bait, much like a long, slender tube lure or Gitzit, but with a solid head. The bait floats tail up and works in multiple applications.  Creme also still produces the original Scoundrel that along with the discontinued Shimmy Babe and Shimmy Gal, set the early tournament scene ablaze.

Chompers by Table Rock Bait and Tackle

Lastly, one lure company bucking the trend of selling out to the large conglomerates is Table Rock Bait and Tackle, home of Chompers Baits.  Started in 1995 by Table Rock guide, Sonny Chafin, their first offering was the Twin Tail Skirted Grub.  They continued to develop a full line of soft plastics, mostly geared to the clear waters of Table Rock reservoir.  They also became known for their trademark garlic scent that is still prevalent in their current offerings.

Now expanding into jigs and terminal tackle, the operation still maintains its Midwest roots in Sullivan, Missouri.  Run by owners, Aaron Click and Ben Hill, they maintain and manage a regional business with national distribution.  All of their baits are made in-house in Missouri, and because of this they have quality control that is second to none in the industry.  If you’ve never used their baits before, you need to check them out.  You might even find yourself with a craving for good Italian food after getting a garlic whiff when opening a fresh bag of Chompers.

More than anything, ICAST reassures that the fishing industry is alive and well and that technology, like it or not, will continue to play an ever-expanding role in the future of the industry.  What it also demonstrates, however, is that bass fishing will remain vital because it offers such a wide spectrum of involvement for its varied participants.  Tackle and equipment is available for every level and pocketbook, from beginner to enthusiast.

There are those who will chase after tournament glory in $100K boats with multiple sonars, power poles, guided trolling motors and the latest technology driven rods and reels.  On the opposite end, there will be those youngsters starting out with a basic pole, a bobber, and a can of freshly dug worms.  In between, there is room to find your niche in a canoe, kayak, johnboat, or in a pair of waders, a float tube, or perhaps just walking the shore.

No matter how you do it, the most important thing is to get out there and fish!  The bass are there and waiting.  What are you waiting for, get out there and make your own history.