What's New?

That's the question I'll be asking repeatedly this week as I walk the floors of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades in Orlando. ICAST, as the three-day show is much better known, is the place where fishing tackle manufacturers reveal all their nifty new offerings for the upcoming tackle year - the place to get first looks at all the newest things. It's where tackle shops and other dealers decide which new items they want to carry. For me, as a writer, it's a place to find story ideas, learn about new products and get to know folks in the industry. The show begins tomorrow evening with a media and buyer's preview of the New Products Showcase - a collection of what manufacturers consider their most innovative new offerings. The main show floor, which includes hundreds of manufacturers' booths, opens Wednesday morning. I'll report back - hopefully tomorrow night - on some of the cool new stuff I find.