Whitewater Fishing, a Michigan-based company, recently introduced the new Riparian Rain Suit. This 100% waterproof, yet breathable suit is perfect for spring, summer, and early fall fishing adventures.
Every year, the fishing industry hosts a sport fishing conference in Orlando, Florida, known as the ICAST show. Manufacturers from around the world converge at this trade show (not open to the public) to introduce new products to dealers, sales personnel, and the media for the coming year.
Industry types get a sneak peek at these products in July, but the same products aren’t typically available for sale at retailers until fall or Christmas. So, if you haven’t paid a visit to your favorite fishing tackle retailer recently, now is the perfect time to check out what’s new and improved in rods, reels, lures, fishing lines, hooks, electronics, and all things fishing. Bring your Santa cap because everyone on your gift list would enjoy gifts from their favorite fishing tackle manufacturers!
Rods/Reels
Eagle Claw’s new Meal Ticket crappie rods are designed to be presentation-specific models for all the common ways crappies are targeted. Available in 6’-6”, 7’-0”, 8’-0”, 10’-0”, 11’-0”, 12’-0”, 14’-0”, and 16’-0” lengths, there is an action perfect for shooting docks, pitching corks, long-line trolling, spider rigging, or dipping the pads.
The composite construction, skeletonized handles, and cork grips make for a light, sensitive, affordable, and durable stick, perfect for crappie and other panfish. Matching spinning and in-line reels complete the package. Sold as combos or individually, it’s hard to imagine a more functional or affordable option for the avid crappie and panfish angler.
Electric Motors
Garmin’s new Current Force Kayak is an autopilot-style electric motor made especially for kayak fishermen. This unique product won the coveted “Best of Show” award at the ICAST convention, recognizing the most innovative and functional new products.
Features include 12- or 24-volt electric steering, 50-pound thrust, built-in heading sensor, wireless remote, compatible foot control, route-following, anchor lock, anchor lock jog, heading hold, and cruise control.
In short, all the features available on the full-sized Force electric motors are offered in this version designed especially for kayaks.
Crankbaits
The Bill Lewis DR24 is a deep-diving crankbait designed to target suspended bass that commonly feed on schools of shad. The body design features tracks on either side that extend from the diving lip, helping this bait to dive quicker and deeper than other crankbaits. Equipped with an internal weight-transfer system to aid long casts and Mustad Triple-Grip hooks, the DR24 is available in a host of popular color options.
Yo-Zuri’s new Pro Shad series offers 1/4- and 3/8-ounce baits, perfect for both casting and trolling applications. Like all Yo-Zuri crankbaits, these new shad baits are works of art and function. Available in eight natural color patterns, ideal for targeting walleye and bass.
Soft Plastics
Big Bite Baits has captured the “Fuzzy” craze with the new Scentsation Fuzzy Stick. This four-inch bait is creepy, crawly, and killer on bass. The thin “fuzzy” appendages provide action even when the bait is motionless. Ideal for drop shot rigging, the Scentsation Fuzzy Stick comes factory scented in packages of five. Currently available in six color options, the Fuzzy Stick takes the “Fuzzy” craze to new heights.
Northland Tackle recently introduced the Eye Candy line of soft plastics. For 2026, Northland is expanding this lineup to include the new Panfish Candy soft plastic baits. The Pan-Candy Kit includes a 78-piece assortment of Pan Candy Grubs, Larvae Bug, Crawler, Leech, and Minnow profiles, along with a new Tungsten Panfish Jig. Ideal for targeting crappie, bluegill, sunfish, perch, and other panfish, these new plastics are ultra-soft yet durable, making them one of the best values in soft plastic lures.
Walleye, Bass, Panfish Jigs
A host of new jigs are headed to retailers this fall, including a number of different offerings in the tungsten category. Eagle Claw is offering the new Lazer Sharp Pro V Bend Tungsten Jig in 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce sizes. This ball head design features an oversized glass eye and Eagle Claw’s Twin Talon Keeper, which ensures soft plastics stay firmly in place on the hook shank. The hook is the wildly popular Lazer Sharp Pro V Bend thin wire hook that sticks fish like no other. These new tungsten jigs offer a faster fall rate, greater sensitivity, and the option of fishing with a host of soft plastics and live baits. Available in eight color choices.
Northland Tackle is a major player in the tungsten jig category with the Tungsten Round Ball Wide Gap, Tungsten Round Ball, Tungsten Nester, Tungsten Panfish Jig, Tungsten Bobber Jig, Tungsten Smeltinator and Tungsten Crappie Queen. No other manufacturer offers more tungsten jig options than Northland Tackle, perfect for walleye, bass, and crappie.
In the under-spin category, Eagle Claw expanded the popular Eagle Eye Jig series to include a 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce under-spin model, also featuring the 3/0 size ProV Bend hook and Twin Talon Keeper. The willow style blade spins freely thanks to a ball bearing swivel. This unique jig can be fished with soft plastics or live bait, making it one of the most versatile jigs for fishing walleye, bass, and panfish. These new under-spin jigs are available in eight color patterns.
Eagle Claw also introduced the new Ladder Jigs aimed at crappie fishermen who commonly rig two jigs while long-line trolling and live bait rigging. Available in 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8-ounce sizes, a barrel swivel molded into the bottom of the jig makes it easy to double- or triple-rig jigs. These new jigs also feature a wire bait keeper that does an excellent job of keeping soft plastics and live bait firmly positioned on the hook shank.
Hardware
In the hardware category, Eagle Claw also introduced the new Dual Lock Crankbait Snap in the 0, 1, and 2 sizes. This wide bend style snap is perfect for casting or trolling crankbaits, providing these lures with the maximum freedom of movement.
Hooks
In the hook department, Eagle Claw is offering up a couple new categories including the Cat Claw line up of circle hooks and kahle hooks in both snelled and loose hook versions. Offered in ideal sizes for targeting channel, blue, and flathead catfish, this line-up includes a hook perfect for every casting, still-fishing, and trolling application.
Eagle Claw is also adding a new Quick Cinch Stinger Hook design aimed at those who vertical jig for walleye or lake trout using soft plastics. A plastic cinch makes it easy to open and close a loop that can be slipped over the hook point. This unique design allows you to remove the stinger hook, switch out soft plastics, and replace it in seconds. Available in two and three-inch lengths with a round bend red Laser Sharp No. 8 and No. 10 treble hooks, these new stingers are going to rule the roost among serious vertical jiggers.
Fishing Line
For those who enjoy fishing with forward facing sonar, Berkley recently introduced Forward, a new longitudinal construction line that casts further than traditional braids and has a faster sink rate due to the exceptionally thin diameters. Available in 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17-pound test sizes and three colors, this line is currently only available in 150-yard filler spools.
Summing It Up
The items outlined here are just the tip of the iceberg for the new fishing tackle products introduced for 2026. The beauty of buying fishing tackle for Christmas gifts is that there is something for everyone and every budget. Merry Christmas from the Romanack family and everyone at Fishing 411 TV.
