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: ULTRA HIGH END RODS AND REELS!! (NO LIMITS ON PRICE!!)

The Ultimate Rod and Reel buyer’s guide is here! Let's look at the most expensive fishing gear you can get! G Loomis, Megabass, St. Croix, Shimano, Dobyns, Daiwa, we've got it all! Whether you're a tackle enthusiast, a fisherman investing in a high-end combo, or a newer angler that's curious, this video is packed with information to educate you about the nicest gear on the market!

High-end gear is amazing! The benefits on your fishing are remarkable! We’re taking all the guess work out of this gear, and showing you our personal favorite models. Matt and Tim were both tasked with choosing 10 of their favorite high-end rod and reel combos that impacted their fishing this year. It's really interesting to see their unique fishing styles come out in the gear!

Below you’ll find links to every combo discussed. We’ve listed them in the order they were shown by each angler to help you find the exact combos you’re searching for. 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

Buyer's Guide: $300 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/aFhefLwNHGQ

Buyer's Guide: $500 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/WAgpVnuE800

MATT’S CASTING COMBOS…

COMBO #1…

Rod– St. Croix Legend Xtreme: https://bit.ly/2wlJQLu

Model: 7’4” Heavy Fast

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

COMBO #2…

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 844C MBR: https://bit.ly/2SuZG15

Model: 7’ Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

COMBO #3…

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7’1” Medium Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC A 70: https://bit.ly/49al91d

COMBO #4…

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima: https://bit.ly/3OfNBGe

Model: 6’10” Medium

Reel– Shimano Antares A 70: https://bit.ly/2Vz0TRx

COMBO #5…

Rod– Fenwick World Class: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Model: 7’5” Extra Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

COMBO #6…

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Pop X Stick: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 6’3” Ultralight

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX BFS: https://bit.ly/4aSBckW

MATT’S SPINNING COMBOS…

COMBO #1…

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Model: 7’6” Medium Light

Reel– Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

COMBO #2…

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Model: 6’10” Medium+ Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Stella 2500 FK: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

COMBO #3…

Rod– G Loomis GLX 892S JWR: https://bit.ly/2A6HH3O

Model: 7’5” Medium Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

COMBO #4…

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Flyssa: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN

Model: 7’6” Light+

Reel– Shimano Stella 2500 FK: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

TIM’S SPINNING COMBOS…

COMBO #1…

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR: https://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Model: 7’1” Medium Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

COMBO #2…

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima: https://bit.ly/3uDBhcY

Model: 7’0” Medium

Reel– Shimano Stella 2500 FK: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

COMBO #3…

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/3XrALtj

Model: 6’10” Medium+

Reel– Daiwa Exist 2500–XH: https://bit.ly/453vyds

TIM’S CASTING COMBOS…

COMBO #1…

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 754: https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Model: 7’5” Heavy Fast

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150A: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

COMBO #2…

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena: https://bit.ly/4cVIwOI

Model: 7’3” Medium Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC A 70: https://bit.ly/49al91d

COMBO #3…

Rod– G Loomis GLX 822 JBR: https://bit.ly/3MWhET3

Model: 6’10” Medium Moderate Fast

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC A 70: https://bit.ly/49al91d

COMBO #4…

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite: https://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

Model: 6’10” Medium Extra Fast

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX: https://bit.ly/40ltb6s

COMBO #5…

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 853C JWR: https://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Model: 7’1” Medium Heavy Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL: https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

COMBO #6…

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 6’10” Medium Light Regular

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran BFS: https://bit.ly/3ryXKpR

COMBO #7…

Rod– Megabass P5 Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7’ Medium Regular

Reel– Daiwa Steez CT SV TW: https://bit.ly/3esUZjg

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