Fishing Tackle Retailer

BOZEMAN, Mont. - Revelyst Inc., a collective of world-class maker brands that design and manufacture sports technology and outdoor gear, today announced the appointment of Dave Mellon as President of Simms Fishing Products and Revelyst Outdoor Performance, the company’s Bozeman-based platform that includes Simms and several other iconic outdoor brands within the Revelyst portfolio.

In addition to leading Simms Fishing Products, Mellon will oversee Revelyst Outdoor Performance with responsibility for driving growth, strengthening operational performance and advancing long-term value creation across the platform’s portfolio of brands.

Mellon officially began on May 18 and is relocating to Bozeman, where he will be based at the Revelyst Bozeman Innovation Center, the headquarters for Outdoor Performance.

Revelyst Appoints Dave Mellon as President, Simms Fishing Products and Revelyst Outdoor Performance - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry The former Grundéns CEO will take the reins of Simms and the company’s platform of iconic outdoor brands.

Holding to a tradition of building reels for exceptional performance in the most challenging fishing conditions, Lew’s® is pleased to announce the release of the Custom TLX 150 baitcast reel.

While it is an outstanding choice for many applications on the water, the Custom TLX 150 is constructed to handle harsh coastal environments while remaining equally at home on your favorite lake, making it a great all-water reel.

Built on a rigid aluminum frame with lightweight C45 carbon side plates, the reel provides the durability needed for battling hard-fighting inshore species while maintaining a compact, comfortable profile for all-day fishing. The reel features Lew’s ParaMag® RX magnetic cast control system for micro-precise braking adjustments, smoother casts, and reduced backlash, while machined aluminum Speed Gears® with a P2 Super Pinion® deliver long-lasting durability and consistently smooth retrieves.

Lew's Custom TLX Reel - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Lew’s Introduces the Custom TLX 150 Baitcast Reel built for Coastal and Freshwater Anglers.

Created for Big Rock week in Morehead City, North Carolina, the exclusive skirted trolling lure brings together Zacatak’s offshore lure craftsmanship with the tradition, excitement and community spirit of one of the most iconic billfish tournaments in the world.

Part high performance trolling lure, part tournament keepsake, the Big Rock edition has been designed for anglers, crews, captains, collectors and fans who want to take home more than memories from tournament week. Built on Zacatak’s bestselling Thunderstruck lure, this limited edition release is as display-worthy as it is fishable, and just might find itself in the spread behind a tournament-winning blue marlin.

The exclusive lure will be available for purchase at EJW Outdoors in the week leading into the event and throughout tournament week.

Zacatak Lures Unveils Limited Edition Big Rock Tournament Lure - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Zacatak Lures is proud to announce a special collaboration with the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament to create an exclusive, limited edition 2026 Big Rock Tournament lure.

Ontario, Calif. – Okuma Fishing Tackle, a manufacturer driven by angler feedback and purpose-built innovation, announces the launch of the new Makaira LBS Custom Rod Series, engineered in collaboration with land-based shark fishing (LBSF) professionals to take on the most demanding battles in sportfishing.

Land-based shark fishing represents one of the most extreme and specialized disciplines in angling, where success is measured in endurance and uncompromising gear performance. Built to complement the Makaira LBS reel platform, the new rod series was developed alongside dedicated LBSF anglers who spend countless hours targeting the ocean’s largest predators from shore. Their input shaped every detail, resulting in a rod designed to perform under relentless pressure.

At its core, the Makaira LBS Rod Series is constructed using a 24-ton carbon and E-glass blank, delivering maximum lifting power and structural strength for extended fights.

Okuma Introduces Makaira LBS Custom Rods Built for Land-Based Shark Anglers - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Made for extreme durability and long shark-fishing battles.

From independent tackle shops to global manufacturers, ICAST brings every corner of the industry under one roof. It’s where new products are introduced, new partnerships begin, and conversations help shape the season ahead.

Retailers, manufacturers, media, and innovators travel from across the country and around the world to be part of it because there’s no substitute for seeing the industry together in person. The connections made at ICAST don’t end when the show floor closes—they fuel the business long after the week is over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kkEoTTZFqI

If you want to stay connected to where the industry is headed, you need to be where the industry gathers.

Join us at ICAST 2026.

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Don't miss ICAST - Meet the Market

Launching Tuesday, July 14, Meet the Market brings exhibitors and qualified retail buyers together for a series of pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings before the show floor even opens.

ICAST 2026 - Where the Industry Comes Together - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry The fishing industry runs on relationships—and once a year, those relationships come together at ICAST.

ONTARIO, Calif. - Few inshore species demand more from both anglers and equipment than tarpon. Known for explosive runs, violent headshakes, and huge jumps, tarpon require a rod that delivers lifting power and responsiveness when it matters most. Okuma announces the new Silver Slayer “A” Series Tarpon Rods, a lineup specifically designed to meet the demands of tarpon anglers.

The Okuma Silver Slayer A Series Rod is a powerful and responsive 24-ton carbon rod blank, engineered to provide the strength needed to control large fish while maintaining the responsiveness required for accurate presentations and solid hooksets. Okuma’s Ultimate Flex Reinforced (UFR-II) rod tip technology extends strength into the upper section of the blank, increasing lifting power and durability while maintaining a natural flex profile essential for fighting hard-running fish.

Each model in the series is equipped with premium components designed to perform in demanding saltwater environments.

Okuma Introduces Silver Slayer “A” Series Tarpon Rod Series - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Purpose-built rods designed to handle the power and demands of tarpon fishing.

Our hikers reached the end of the Camino de Santiago. Anne and Vicky joined Brian and Kerry and the last week looked like this.

May 18: 9 miles from Palas de Rei to Melide. Good weather, gorgeous trail. Lunch, laundry, rest.

May 19: 9 soggy miles from Melide to Arzúa. Heads down, keep moving.

May 20: 12.5 miles in sunshine from Arzúa to Pedrouzo. One walk left.

May 21: They finished.

12 miles from Pedrouzo into Santiago de Compostela on a clear morning. The cathedral was waiting, same as it has been for hundreds of years. Mass followed — and with it, the Botafumeiro, a massive incense burner that swings from the ceiling on a long rope. The tradition goes back to the Middle Ages, when they used it to clear the air after thousands of pilgrims packed into the same space.

Brian's Garmin Quatix 8 Pro was still on his wrist.

500 miles. 40 days. The Pyrenees, the Meseta, the rain outside Arzúa. The watch logged all of it.

A few weeks ago we handed a fishing watch to a retired Marine and told him to take it across Spain. He did.

Field test complete.

Deakin, a partner in the Serious Angler Podcast Network, has built a reputation as a dedicated competitor and storyteller within the fishing industry. Known for his passion for highlighting western fisheries and tournament anglers, Deakin brings a unique blend of competitive experience and media presence to the Okuma team.

“I’m passionate about competing at a high level, growing the sport, and helping bring more attention to western fisheries and the stories behind the fishing industry,” said Deakin.

Deakin’s journey in fishing began at a young age, learning from his grandfather and father while catching bluegill at a local pond. That early introduction quickly turned into a lifelong pursuit, evolving into competitive bass fishing, leadership roles, and content creation.

Okuma Fishing Tackle Welcomes Adam Deakin To Pro Staff - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Okuma Fishing Tackle is proud to announce a new partnership with western tournament angler, podcast host, and content creator Adam Deakin, further strengthening Okuma’s commitment to performance-driven innovation and growth within the bass fishing community.

From inshore anglers and bass fishermen to kayak enthusiasts and offshore teams, today’s anglers want gear that can adapt to the way they fish. That’s exactly why the Freestyle glove from Fish Monkey continues to stand out as one of the most versatile warm-weather fishing gloves on the market, and why it deserves prime placement at retail.

Built with an ultra-comfortable second-skin fit, the Freestyle combines lightweight protection with all-day fishability. The UPF 50-plus sun protection helps shield anglers from harmful UV exposure during long days on the water, while the non-slip Monkey Grip palm delivers enhanced control when handling rods, reels, paddles, push poles and fish. Touchscreen-compatible fingertips also allow fishermen to operate electronics and phones without removing their gloves.

The Freestyle’s versatility opens the door to multiple fishing categories and customer types.

Find Fishing Freedom with Fish Monkey’s Freestyle Glove - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry From inshore anglers and bass fishermen to kayak enthusiasts and offshore teams, today’s anglers want gear that can adapt to the way they fish. That’s exactly

Minnetonka, Minnesota – Rapala’s Jigging Rap is undoubtedly one of the most beloved, incomparable baits to ever exist. Anglers who swear by this lure deserve a rod of equal caliber to maximize the action of the Jigging Rap.

That’s exactly what the team at 13 Fishing thought when they developed the new Jigging Rap Rod, designed specifically to accompany Rapala’s famous Jigging Rap lure. To develop the perfect rod, 13 Fishing partnered with Duane Hjelm, Jigging Rap guru and four-time national walleye tour champion.

“One of the biggest mistakes people make fishing with Jigging Raps is their rod,” said Hjelm. “Everything we did with this rod was for a specific reason, to make it the best Jigging Rap rod available. I finally feel like we have the perfect rod specifically for jig fishing.”

Fans of Hjelm know that, if he tells you a rod is the right one, it’s the right rod. The Jigging Rap Rod is available in both the Myth and Oath series.

13 Fishing Introduces the Technique-Specific Jigging Rap Rod - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry The new Jigging Rap Rod is designed specifically to accompany Rapala’s famous Jigging Rap lure.

OLATHE, Kan. – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s largest marine electronics manufacturer1, today announced the Garmin Signal™ VHF 400 and VHF 220 all-in-one marine radios designed to help boaters stay connected and aware of their surroundings on the water. Boasting a revolutionary sleek design, the Garmin Signal VHF radios take up minimal space at the helm and feature an industry-first 3.5-inch color touchscreen with edge-to-edge glass. The premium Garmin Signal VHF 400 enhances situational awareness by offering an integrated Class B AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder2, which transmits vessel name, position, course and speed to nearby AIS-equipped vessels.

“When performance and reliability are of utmost importance, the new Garmin Signal VHF radios provide mariners with peace of mind on the water.

Garmin Signal VHF Marine Radios - Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry Modern compact VHF radios bring built-in AIS, advanced noise cancellation and cutting-edge 3.5-inch color touchscreens.