Fish Harder Companies, the owners of Picasso, Tru-Tungsten and Captain Mikes, is introducing several new products prior to ICAST this year. "We felt like we are always behind the eight ball when you introduce a bait at ICAST and then have to wait until spring to get them" noted Tom Branch Jr, Pro staff manager. "We decided this year that we had too much from our designers to wait and are ready to introduce several new products before ICAST". "The consumers will really benefit from this we feel" noted Branch.
In the new line-up are a new weighted hook very different from anything on the market designed by Mike Iaconelli called the Flea Flicker.(picture below)
This product is great for straight wacky style worms, has a super sharp Youvella hook and the weight position gives the bait a very erratic action in the water. It can also be used for shaky worm applications as well.
They are also introducing a new Picasso Spinnerbait and a new Picasso Frog called "Mad Max", both designed by Marty Stone, with a built in rattle chamber. "The spinnerbait works great in heavy cover and the minnow shaped head design is unique for that type of bait" said Stone. "The key on the spinnerbait is that it is counterbalanced where all the weight is in the base of the head allowing to deflect better. It runs true like a minnow head should be deflects off cover like a bullet head style. I designed it with a short shank hook for two reasons, to come to cover better and for better hook-ups. I do not lose fish on this bait."
The frog will come in 9 colors and has two cool characteristics, the rattle chamber mentioned above and a port hole where water can be sqeezed out of the bait if necessary. "The rattle chamber is huge and it allows the frog to maintain its balance when a rattle is added. This has never been done before" said Stone. "The way the port is designed is much of the water will be lost on the cast."
Ish Monroe and Matt Newman are introducing a new 5" Swimbait. (See below)
"We wanted a midsized swimbait, one step up from our hot selling 4 incher, capable of catching larger bass and filling out the arsenal" said Ish Monroe. "We now have a swimbait for everybody" said Newman. "Small, Medium and Large and all each designed for tungsten balls to allow them to be fished in all levels of the water column" added Monroe.
"Also, don't forget the Youvella Hook line-up" said Peter T. "We are very proud of the tests with these hooks and how well they hook up. Most of the bass I have caught with them have been right inside the side of the mouth where you want them to" said Peter T. A full line-up including worm, swimbait and flipping hooks are in the Youvella line-up.
Look for all of these products to begin landing in the big box stores in the next month or two!
