So Whats Everyone Think About Icast This Year

[ex301p]

Personally I am no where near as excited as I was last year. There's a few things of interest to me like the smaller frogs coming out, of which normally if I need a smaller frog I just tie on old reliable, the Scum frog Popper, but it's nice that there is other options out there now. The new smaller size Spro Popper will find it's way into my tackle box, but most the others probably will not. As far as small frogs goes, to me anyways, nothing can replace the old Scum Frog Popper and at only $2.79 a pop, why would I switch.

The other thing I am liking the looks of is Strike Kings new football jig with a heavy duty hook, about time a big name company produces one with a heavy duty hook.

But for the most part, there's really not anything I have seen so far that is calling out the bait monkey like last year.

All these rods now with micro guides are starting to make me worry that soon I won't be able to get normal guides on a rod. I know some like them, but for me there a pain in the butt around here in cottonwood land. Cork seems to be on its way out to, not crazy about foam handles. There's a couple reels that look interesting but not enough to make me got to have one. Power Pro has a new line called Power Pro Super Slick, only it don't come in moss green, I mean really no moss or dark green, has Shimano lost there minds.

Speaking of Shimano, they have redone the Loomis GL2, here again with half micro guides and split grips of which I prefer full rear grips but can deal with split, but what is absolutely a stupid move IMO, is pricing that rod in the 200 buck range. They had a perfect opportunity with the GL2 IMO to do like others and add a 100 buck rod to the line up, but greed is greed I guess. Make it cheaper, with cheaper components and charge more for it is the name of the game I guess.

I don't know, to me Icast this year just is not so exciting. I am sure I have not seen it all yet, but so far it's rather dull IMO.

What do you all think? I know everyone is different, hopefully there's something from the show that interest you, if so please chime in, would love to hear what you all think.

[topcat]

Ditto...... this Icast has nothing that get me excited about the 2011 new products......I looked at the new shimano curado reels......they changed the Curado E to Curado G With four Shimano SUS bearings and an A-RB (anti-rust) roller bearing......The new Curado G reels weigh 6.9-ounces and each will handle 155 yards of 10-pound test mono or 120 yards of 50-pound PowerPro braid. The Curado 200G7 and 201G7 – with 7.1:1 gear ratios, will retrieve 30-inches of line per crank, the Curado 200G6 and 201G6 with 6.5:1 gear ratios will pull in 27-inches of line per crank, while the Curado 200G5 winds in 23-inches of line per crank with its 5.5:1 gear ratio.........

From what I see from Icast this year there is nothing to get the blood pumping.... And the can't wait to try one spirit is not there for me......It seem looking at Icast this year that the more things change the more they stay the same.....there is nothing new.....Strike King the more they tried to change the more they stayed the same....I all ready got small frogs.....I have 46 Cara rods and  more tackle than I got places to store it......and all of the shimano reels that are suppose to be new I already got them they just changed the names on them...... so the thrill is not there for me.....nothing to excite me......that can't wait spirit is not there this year.....hopefully the young guns who are just starting out can get excited and spend some money for what most of us  already got........

Topcat

[ex301p]

I don't know, maybe stuff has just been moving a long so fast tech wise and has become so much better then what it was 10 years ago, that adding a bearing here or there or a smaller size this or that just is not so exciting or matter anymore. My honest opinion is that they all did such a great job last year that it was awful hard to improve upon such this year. I am sure the economy did not help either. Lower budgets to produce new products and such.

Don't get me wrong I am sure the quality of everything at Icast this year is still up to par, good products and all, just not as exciting as last year for me.

On a good note, the stuff we bought last year is still kicking just fine so at least we can keep the bait monkey in check for a little bit anyways. Yeah Right! LOL

[Mike Cork]

I think the economy had a lot to do with it. Consumers are slowing down on dropping $30 a bait and manufacturers are seeing it. I think ICAST kinda proves it. Most companies made subtle changes just to have something new some even went less expensive.

ex301p, be sure to keep an eye on the Dobyns line Gary loves cork handles and doesn't like split grips or micros so he'll always have something for you 

[ex301p]

I think the economy had a lot to do with it. Consumers are slowing down on dropping $30 a bait and manufacturers are seeing it. I think ICAST kinda proves it. Most companies made subtle changes just to have something new some even went less expensive.

ex301p, be sure to keep an eye on the Dobyns line Gary loves cork handles and doesn't like split grips or micros so he'll always have something for you 

Will do. I am looking at getting a Dobyns rod this fall, actually two. I am due for a new jig rod and of course I got try his frog rod, only don't know which frog rod I want yet for he has a couple. But this fall is the plan.

[beast96z]

I'm liking the new Crucials. They are basically the same/are a Cumara now. Difference is, they kept the Crucial price. Not sure what the Cumara's are doing now, but I'm interested to see. I would like to see some expansion on the Cumulus line, but maybe the Cumara's will become the Cumulus? I liked Power Pole's new 10' offering, but it's still a power pole. Who knows. I agree on the other aspects of the show. I think we've come so far so fast that trying to find something "ground breaking" is going to be hard to do.

[Camden]

ICAST was kinda down this year but like you said. its down all across the board. but on the up side i did see a few things that peaked my interest. the new shallow square bill from lazer lure and and the squarebill from jackall.
exp was you talking about the IOBEE frog from jackall. i like the idea of it being able to walk the dog out of the package.

[ex301p]

ICAST was kinda down this year but like you said. its down all across the board. but on the up side i did see a few things that peaked my interest. the new shallow square bill from lazer lure and and the squarebill from jackall.
exp was you talking about the IOBEE frog from jackall. i like the idea of it being able to walk the dog out of the package.

Not sure I saw that one yet. Koppers Live Target And Spro Poppers coming out with smaller models and a few lessor known name brands also. I believe most are in the 1/4oz range of which may be good for spinning gear froggers. Strike king has a new KVD hollow body frog also, similar to the Spros, same colors only a little different design, but at $7,99 why not spend a couple pennies more and get the real deal. I also saw a new toad by someone that actually floats so you can pause it, but I kind of like the standard ones that sink into pockets and such.

[Camden]

the jackall IOBEE is like 2.5" long and has a sort of keel on the front not for dure on price yet but looks interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2yNb3RxZ18&feature=related

[-Shawn-]

I am not at all impressed wiht the Shimano offerings this year.  The took the 200E mof=del Curado and are calling it the Chronarch and then taking the Caenan, give it an aluminum frame and change the paint color and call it a curado?  Not impressed at all!!   

SO The C200E is worth 199.00 when you paint it white and give it a CF handle?  Give me a break! 

Glad I can pick up the Clearance reels for 139.00  I will just pretend it is white. 

[Mike Cork]

Can't find anything other that gear ratio and line pick up stats on the new chronarchs where are you getting that it's just a curado?

What are the gears made out of?

Bearing rating and placements?

spool?

These are the things that make a chronarch and I can't find anyone talking about them yet or a schematic? Help a brother out?

BTW....If I had a couple thousand I'd buy up every E model curado I could find 

[-Shawn-]

Tackle tour has all the Lowdown.   

[topcat]

ditto Shawn.......this is one of Shimano worse Icast shows ever.........Mike if  you can find a ad where they are selling the 200E7 for 139.00 you can take it to your local Wal-Mart and they will sell you there Curado 200E7 for the sale price.... (The sell ad has to be in a 50 mile radius of the Wal-Mart store you take the ad to )......I am very disappointed with Shimano...I guess I can understand the economy being what it is.....The big companies are feeling the effects of it and just not willing to sink to much money in new products......not knowing what the future holds......I know Shawn that is no excuse for what Shimano is doing........IMO this is a down year for Icast across the board........

Topcat

[-Shawn-]

Monster has the 139.00 price and free shipping.     

I am going to order some while they are available. 

[Mike Cork]

TT doesn't do much but talk about the color?  They've gotten to PC when it comes to the big companies.  I want to know what's inside!  We can assume that it's similar to the curado because of shape and price? I guess  but that's not gonna cut it for me.

[DBrooke]

BTW....If I had a couple thousand I'd buy up every E model curado I could find 

But just the 201
Hell yeah!

[topcat]

Thanks Shawn for the info I am going to there website right now........

Topcat

[-Shawn-]

TT doesn't do much but talk about the color?  They've gotten to PC when it comes to the big companies.  I want to know what's inside!  We can assume that it's similar to the curado because of shape and price? I guess  but that's not gonna cut it for me.

If you really read what TT is saying they tell you what is happening.

If you look around all specs match up from the E to the new Chronarch and from the Caenan to the new Curado-- the E had 6 BB and 1 ARB  the new Curados have 3 BB and 1 ARB

Anyway you look at it that has to be a reduction in performance.  They should not have messed with a great product.

[Ron Fogelson]

If you really read what TT is saying they tell you what is happening.

If you look around all specs match up from the E to the new Chronarch and from the Caenan to the new Curado-- the E had 6 BB and 1 ARB  the new Curados have 3 BB and 1 ARB

Anyway you look at it that has to be a reduction in performance.  They should not have messed with a great product.

Great read Shawn thanks for the info and insight. 

[ex301p]

the jackall IOBEE is like 2.5" long and has a sort of keel on the front not for dure on price yet but looks interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2yNb3RxZ18&feature=related

That company does make some good stuff and that frog does look pretty good. Interesting that they went with rubber legs also, may add a little more action to the bait. Would like to know who's and what size hook there using though.

[Mike Cork]

If you really read what TT is saying they tell you what is happening.

If you look around all specs match up from the E to the new Chronarch and from the Caenan to the new Curado-- the E had 6 BB and 1 ARB  the new Curados have 3 BB and 1 ARB

Anyway you look at it that has to be a reduction in performance.  They should not have messed with a great product.

6 BB ? you should take a look at your schematic again

[-Shawn-]

Handles too. Look at the feature list above. That is straight from Shimano.

[Mike Cork]

what featured list? I can't see it? Doesn't mean it's there I'm getting old

I'm just looking at the schematic I have in front of me, that's all. 4 bearings in the reel, well not including the roller bearing.  If handle bearings is where it's at for you, you should switch over to BPS Johnny Morris reels they put two bearings in each paddle, them suckers really spin To me handle bearings are just added weight where brass sleeves work just fine. To be honest I haven't taken an E7 handle apart?  Haven't needed too, if they claim they have 6 bearings in an E7 then the other two much be in the handle as they are not in the reel.

This is all really irrelevant anyway.  The E7 is a great reel, obviously no one disputes that.  I haven't held a G7 yet?  Everyone is quick to bash shimano but I will make my own opinion and it could go either way.  I'm the first to tell you a D model is better suited as a plug knocker than a reel 

I still want to get inside a new Chronarch, that's where the "reel bluff" will be. What is Shimano hiding there?  Has anyone been inside one yet?

[-Shawn-]

Sorry, I put it in another thread. 

•The new 200's are smaller than 100's with the capacity of a 200
•Aluminum Frame
•Lightweight Graphite Sideplates (Aluminum Handle Side on 300 sizes)
•Recessed Reel Foot
•High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)
•Super Free Bearing Supported Pinion Gear System (SF)
•A7075 Aluminum Magnumlite Spool
•Dartainium Drag
•7 Bearings • 1 S A-RB BB • 5 Shielded Stainless Steel BB • 1 A-RB Roller Clutch Bearing
•Variable Brake System (VBS) with Reduced Mass Hub
•Super Stopper II
•Assist Stopper
•Drilled Handle Shank
•Septon PV Power Grips (SV on 300 sizes)
•Cold Forged AL Drag Star with Clicking Adjustment
•Titanium IP Line Guide
•1/8 Turn Easy Access Attached Sideplate
•Metal Cast Control Knob
•Double Anodized Spool and Handle
•Disengaging Levelwind System
•QuickFire II Clutch Bar
•Made in Japan

I guess it is all just how you look at it,  I see a big drop in quality for a small drop in price. 

[Mike Cork]

There is some serious mis match in that list? Not surprising all reel companies do this 

But here's what the schematic shows.

Two 0194's, this is the same bearing they've used for years on the ends of the spool shaft.
1 3927 which is a new number but probably similar to the older SF bearing, this is the pinion gear bearing.
1 0034 which is the same bearing they've used for years on the drive shaft.
Handle just shows as an assembly, normally if there are bearings in the handle they will show it on the schematic but I have see where they won't and make you order a whole new handle instead of a replacement bearing.

With the exception of the 3927 (only because I don't know) the other three are shielded. So if the 3927 is not shielded then there could be two shielded bearings in the handle giving the 5 shielded? Leaving the S A-RB to = the 3927 pinion gear bearing.  And we know what the ARB roller bearing is.

Always so confusing