Catching a double-digit bass isn't easy to begin with, but there are new lures, like Strike King's Hog Father Jr., that can give you a boost at the right time. (Photo courtesy of Strike King)
July 25, 2025
By David A. Brown
The elusive 10-pounder club’s not easily reached for many bass-fishing enthusiasts, but ICAST 2025 in Orlando saw several brands introduce items clearly aimed at those top-tier arm-stretchers. The annual fishing trade show at the Orange County Convention Center sets the stage every year to give anglers their first glimpses of new fishing gear from baits and tackle to electronics and motors.
You still gotta make a 10-pounder bite, and wrangling that beast all the way to the boat is easier said than done. But big-bass dreams start with the right gear. Here’s a look at the top big-bass options from ICAST.
HARD BAITS American Baitworks Synch Fishing Artisan Glide 180 American Baitworks Synch Fishing Artisan Glide 180 Hand carved by world champion lure maker Andrew Gardner, the Synch Fishing Artisan Glide 180 features lifelike glass eyes backlit with UV and BKK treble hooks on swiveled hangers. MSRP: $99.99 | Learn More
Bucca Brand 8-inch Trick Shad Bucca Brand 8-inch Trick Shad Upsizing the popular 6-inch glidebait, Bucca uses ABS construction, which allows for greater color diversity than resin baits. Available in eight color options, the 8-inch Trick Shad features a replaceable tail. MSRP: $38.99-$44.99 | Learn More
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Limitless Fishing Brands Austin Felix Big Dream Stroller Limitless Fishing Brands Austin Felix Big Dream Stroller Bassmaster Elite pro Austin Felix designed with a welded ring that maximizes mobility to create a free-rolling side-to-side motion. This year, Limitless Fishing introduced a beefier Big Dream Stroller with a 5/0 RYUGI Japan O’Shaughnessy hook for the larger minnow baits that tempt giant bass. MSRP: $7.49 | Learn More
Rapala Claptail 110 Rapala Claptail 110 This innovative Claptail 110 features a back blade that smacks a metal prop for a two-tone sound unlike anything big bass are used to hearing. A durable body is weight balanced for optimal casting distance. MSRP: $18.99 | Learn More
Shimano Gravitator 220SS Shimano Gravitator 220SS Featuring Shimano’s proprietary ARMABOOST for optimal castability, the Gravitator 220SS features a removable Action Modifying Insert. Remove this piece and the bait has a tight, choppy action. Add the insert and you get a broader gliding presentation. MSRP: $44.99 | Learn More
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SPRO KGB K-Rig SPRO KGB K-Rig An ambitiously aggressive presentation, the K-Rig links three KGB Swimbaits for a giant-tempting mouthful. Imitating a cluster of baitfish, this rig’s likely to tempt the one you’re looking for. MSRP: $129 | Learn More
Strike King Hog Father Jr. Strike King Hog Father Jr. A collaboration with the revered Tater Hog brand, the 7-inch Strike King Hog Father Jr. glidebait replicates the original Hog Father design with enticing action at a budget-friendly price. Swivel hook hangers ensure fish retention. MSRP: $44.99 | Learn More
Yo-Zuri Pro Series Glide Bait Yo-Zuri Pro Series Glide Bait A Japanese design chopping-style single-jointed glidebait, the 7-inch Pro Series Glide Bait features Yo-Zuri triple coat—a realistic hologram finish that amplifies the seven color patterns. MSRP: $24.99 | Learn More
SOFT BAITS Big Bite Baits Fuzzy Stick Big Bite Baits Fuzzy Stick The new Fuzzy Stick features silicone strands to the standard stick worm shape brings additional appeal to wacky, Neko, Texas rig, or shaky head presentations. Key point: Dead sticking takes on a new level of appeal as those filaments do their thing even with zero rod action. MSRP: $8.99 | Learn More
SPRO Hideup Coike FullCast SPRO Hideup Coike FullCast soft-plastic lure Well before the “fuzzy dice” craze reached the U.S. market, the Coike Full Cast played a major role in Japan’s highly pressured, clear-water fisheries. SPRO now distributes this 23mm, one-piece Elastomer bait. Fished in topwater, dropshot, Neko, or free rid presentations, the Coike Fullcast presents constant motion with minimal rod work. MSRP: $18.49 | Learn More
Missile Baits Freedom Flyer Missile Baits Freedom Flyers Designed with a thicker front body for easy rigging, detailed head and gills, Missile Baits Freedom Flyer features up-pitch elevators to create the rolling motion needed for mid-strolling and other variations of the jighead minnow technique. Offered in 4.25- and 6-inch sizes, the Freedom Flyer also works as an unweighted jerkbait and a Chatterbait or spinnerbait trailer. (Missile Baits also introduced the Eye Roll jig head with a welded stainless steel ring.) MSRP: $6.99 | Learn More
Okuma FishLab Tackle Rattle Frog Pro Series FishLab Tackle Rattle Frog Pro For years, anglers have shoved various rattles into hollow body frogs, but Okuma simplifies the sonic strategy by mounting an external rattle chamber between this frog’s floating PVC legs. The FishLab Tackle Rattle Frog Pro in two sizes with seven colors. MSRP: $11.99 | Learn More
Z-Man Swag LT Swimbait Z-Man Swag LT Swimbait Made with Z-Man’s proprietary 10X Tough ElaZtech, the Swag LT features a hybrid tail — part wedge tail, part T-tail — for consistent swinging action at any speed, and an Over/Under Line-Through harness, which gives anglers the freedom to choose between a dorsal single hook (sickle-shaped black nickel) or a custom double belly hook. Offered in 5- and 6-inch sizes with eight color options. MSRP: $15.99-$17.99 | Learn More
TACKLE Rapala 13 Fishing TACT Spinning Combo Rapala 13 Fishing TACT Spinning Combo When the big ones need finessing, you’ll appreciate a combo that ensures the right presentation and the strength to put the brakes on your P.B. A 6-6 medium-fast rod features Japanese PVG30T blank construction and tangle-free stainless steel guides with zirconia inserts, while the reel includes 9 high performance ball bearings, zinc gear drive 6 disc drag system and CNC handle with cork knob. MSRP: $129.99 | Learn More
SPRO KGB 300 Elite MG Baitcasting Reel SPRO KGB 300 Elite MG Baitcasting Reel Built to handle big baits and big bites, the KGB 300 packs sturdy gearing within a lightweight magnesium frame. Offered in 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios. MSRP: $319 | Learn More
St. Croix Legend X2 Series St. Croix Legend X2 Series fishing rod Don’t let the light weight fool you, these rods mean business. Crafted from a new SCVII high modulus carbon fiber material, the Legend X2 rods include machined premium cork TRIGON handles, titanium guides, and carbon fiber reel seat with skeletonized nut. Toad hunters will want to look at the 73HMF or 74HF models. MSRP: $610 | Learn More
Sun Line Big Bait FC Sun Line Big Bait FC fishing line Made particularly for hefty glidebaits and swimbaits, this 100-percent fluorocarbon line is made with high tensile strength, abrasion resistance and dynamic shock to prevent break offs when casting heavy baits. MSRP: $26.50 | Learn More
ELECTRONICS & TOOLS Humminbird XPlore Humminbird XPlore You gotta find ‘em to catch ‘em and Humminbird has engineered a user-friendly platform that offers seamless touchscreen performance with 9-, 10- and 12-inch models. The XPlore is made for incredible clarity, units include Hummingbird’s MEGA Live 2 and nationwide Lakemaster mapping. MSRP: $1,299.99-$2,699.99 | Learn More
BUBBA Smart Fish Scale Lite BUBBA Smart Fish Scale Lite When you catch the fish of a lifetime, you gotta verify the weight before a safe release. This sturdy device features a comfortable grip design, +/- 0.3% accuracy and Bluetooth compatibility that pairs the scale with the free BUBBA app. MSRP: $78.99 | Learn More
