ICAST GEAR REVIEW: The Best Rods, Reels, And Baits of 2025!

Here are the "best of the best" from ICAST 2025! These rods, reels, and baits, stole the show! From high end rods to budget reels, micro craw baits to big glide baits, there was a ton of exciting new gear to check out! Let's take a look!

It's easy to be overwhelmed by all the new gear at ICAST. It's hard to tell what will help your fishing, and what will just empty your wallet. Instead of risking your hard earned money on mystery gear, let us cut through the hype and show you the real stand outs! Expect a 2nd review video in the coming months to cover additional baits and gear as they become available for purchase and testing.

Below, You'll find links to all the baits and equipment in today's video, listed in the order they appeared. We've even included our favorite sizes and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.

TATULA RODS...

•Daiwa Tatula Cork Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/45setg4

•Daiwa Tatula Cork Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/4f8RRV2

ST. CROIX RODS...

•St. Croix Legend X2 Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/3IOSXcJ

•St. Croix Legend X2 Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/4farXAh

SPINNING REELS...

•Shimano Exsence Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/3UHL2jP

Favorite Size: 2500

•Daiwa Luvias ST Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/459jXLv

Favorite Size: 2000

CASTING REELS...

•Daiwa Tatula X: https://bit.ly/3IPdYDV

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

•Shimano Curado 150 M: https://bit.ly/4odTDs7

Favorite Speed: 7.4:1

•Seviin GX: https://bit.ly/4octPMZ

Favorite Speed: 7.3:1

CHATTERBAIT...

•Zman Micro Max Chatterbait: https://bit.ly/4odPVyC

Favorite Colors: Black Blue, Bluegill, Spot Remover

DUO REALIS HARDBAIT...

•Duo Realis Mido Pico: https://bit.ly/45ao366

Favorite Colors: Ghost Pearl, Ivory Halo, Morning Dawn

Great Lakes Finesse Micro Baits...

•Micro Snack Craw: https://bit.ly/4lOsTgf

Colors: Brown Pumpkin Special, Green Pumpkin Float

•Micro Juvy Craw Tube: https://bit.ly/4fdTgKd

Colors: Brown Pumpkin Special, Motor Oil

•Mini Pro Tube Head: https://bit.ly/41C1W6g

Hook Size: 1

KARASHI COLORS...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Ghost Color: See–Through Shad

Solid Color: Glitz Shad

Bluegill Color: Juvy Gill

GIANT DOG X COLORS...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Chrome Color: Spot Light Shad

Bone Color: Bone Python

Bluegill Color: Juvy Gill

MEGABASS SOFT BAIT...

•Megabass Haze ST: https://bit.ly/4l1S2Tq

Colors: Moroko, Live Wakasagi, Tennessee Shad

GLIDE BAIT...

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad 11.5": https://bit.ly/3U1em4P

Colors: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Hatchery Trout, Gizzard Shad

DIRTY JIGS...

•Weekender Swim Jig: https://bit.ly/3HbHUtx

Colors: Alabama Bream, Tactical Shad

•Weekender Casting Jig: https://bit.ly/40GfPRE

Colors: Supermatt Brown, The Go To

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

BUYER'S GUIDE: $300 ROD AND REEL COMBOS!

It's amazing how nice the rods and reels are at this price! The $300 mark represents a huge jump up in quality and sensitivity. We're branching out across rod and reel brands in search of the best deals on quality gear! There are some awesome new additions, as well as some time tested favorites... let's go!

For the guy who wants to experience next–level sensitivity, you can grab a durable budget reel and pair it to a high end rod and still fit the budget. For the guy who wants to cast a mile, you can invest in a higher end reel and pair it to a durable rod. Also, if $300 is outside your budget, we've already published $100 and $200 guides (see below). If you prefer high end gear, stick with us every day as we continue climbing the ladder of high end tackle.

Below you'll find links to the exact rod and reel combos in the video. We've included our favorite models from each product line and our favorite reel sizes and speeds for each combo. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

Buyer's Guide: Best Jigs And Jig Trailers– https://youtu.be/OQwFNTORnN4

Buyer's Guide: Best Chatterbaits And Trailers– https://youtu.be/14NqxFIWGgo

Buyer's Guide: $100 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/2eCEb3G3VE0

Buyer's Guide: $200 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/AcrTDhtaSQg

SPINNING COMBO #1...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Bass Trigon: https://bit.ly/3UFPcaO

Models: 6'10" Med Light, 7'1" Med, 7'3" Med Light

Reel– Shimano Miravel: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Size: 2500HG, 3000HG

SPINNING COMBO #2...

Rod– Halo KS II Elite: https://bit.ly/32Rp9nh

Models: 6'10" Medium, 7' Medium Heavy

Reel– Daiwa Procyon MQ LT: https://bit.ly/46x4Ytp

Size: 2500–XH

SPINNING COMBO #3...

Rod– Shimano Intenza: https://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Models: 7' Medium Light, 7' Medium, 7'4" Medium Light

Reel– Shimano Ultegra: https://bit.ly/2nfApml

Size: 2500 HG

SPINNING COMBO #4...

Rod– Shimano Curado: https://bit.ly/3FhEn6d

Models: 6'8" Medium, 7' Light, 7'6" Med Light+

Reel– Shimano Stradic FM: https://bit.ly/4hkHxdn

Size: 2500 HG

CASTING COMBO #1...

Rod– Cashion Core: https://bit.ly/3GkcyNs

Models: 7' Med, 7' Heavy, 7'3" Med Heavy

Reel– Shimano SLX MGL 70: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Speed: 7.2:1

CASTING COMBO #2...

Rod– Shimano Intenza: https://bit.ly/3QjR9Kw

Models: 7'6" MH Glass, 7'1" Med Heavy, 7'4" Heavy

Reel– Shimano SLX MGL 70: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Speed: 7.2:1

CASTING COMBO #3...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula: https://bit.ly/2Q4NgKA

Models: 7' Medium, 7'3" Med Heavy, 7'4" Heavy

Reel– Tatula CT: https://bit.ly/41yAh5W

Speed: 7.3:1

CASTING COMBO #4...

Rod– Fenwick HMG: https://bit.ly/3AyrAiW

Models: 7'1" Medium Heavy, 7'5" Heavy Fast

Reel– Abu Garcia Revo SX LP: https://bit.ly/40nsz0i

Speed: 7.3:1

CASTING COMBO #5...

Rod– Megabass Levante: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Models: Braillist, Flat Side Special, EMTF

Reel– Daiwa Tatula 150: https://bit.ly/33X5Zfr

Speed: 7.3:1

CASTING COMBO #6...

Rod– St. Croix Victory: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Models: 6'8" Medium, 7'1" Med Hvy, 7'4" Heavy

Reel– Seviin GSC: https://bit.ly/3WptV6W

Speed: 7.3:1

CASTING COMBO #7...

Rod– Shimano Zodias: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Models: 7'5" Heavy, 7'5" Med Heavy, 6'10" Med Heavy

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL: https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Speed: 7.4:1

BAIT FINESSE COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Models: 7' Light Ex Fast, 6'9" Light Fast

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Speed: 8.2:1

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz