Industrial Designer II

2026 new fishing gear: ICAST 2026 round- up. Each year, ICAST, our largest fishing industry tackle show, serves as a reminder of just how innovative and creative the fishing tackle industry really is. I'm always intrigued to see what's in store each year. Imagine a few football fields filled wall-to-wall with fishing tackle booths, and you'll have a pretty good picture of what it's like walking into the annual show. In fact it was recently announced that nearly 600 brands and 10,000+ attendees representing 75 countries made up the 2026 show. With only one day on the show floor, I was able to preview the new product showcase. Below are only a handful of products that will soon be coming to a tackle store near you. One final product at the bottom of the page is worth a look simply because it shows a unique item in the freshwater market. I call it the "Sea Urchin" lure. Apparently, this style of bait helped win a recent bass tournament, and now everyone seems to be introducing their own version. Hands down this was the most popular new bait style in the new product showcase. It definitely made me wonder whether this concept might find its way into saltwater fishing as well. You never know! Shimano Stella SW D 25000. Shimano expands its flagship Stella lineup with the new 25000 SW D, a spinning reel built for anglers targeting the largest tuna, giant trevally and other powerful pelagic species. New technologies including INFINITYXROSS gearing, INFINITYDRIVE and SILENTDRIVE improve cranking power while maintaining Stella's trademark smooth feel under heavy loads. Shimano also upgraded the drag system with HEATSINK Drag and XXTOUGH Drag to better manage heat during long battles. With increased line capacity, more drag pressure and outstanding corrosion protection, the Stella 25000 SW D is designed for anglers who routinely push their tackle to the limit and demand absolute reliability offshore. Shop Shimano Fathom Offshore HYDRO Dredge Frame. Tournament anglers know a dredge is only as dependable as the frame pulling it. Fathom Offshore's new HYDRO Dredge Frame features a hydrodynamic teardrop center hub that tracks straighter while shedding grass and debris more efficiently than traditional designs. Constructed from heavy-duty marine-grade stainless steel, every arm is welded directly into the reinforced center hub to eliminate common failure points. The frame includes 18 drop swivel sleeves and is equally suited for pulling natural baits or large artificial dredges. For crews looking to upgrade one of the hardest-working pieces of gear in the spread, the HYDRO offers impressive durability and thoughtful engineering. Shop Fathom Bajío Cocho sunglasses. Designed for anglers who prefer larger frames, the new Cocho from Bajío delivers maximum coverage with a comfortable fit for long days on the water. Removable side shields help block glare from every angle while flexible hinges improve comfort whether you're running offshore or sight fishing the flats. Available with Bajío's polarized glass lenses, including the Dark Blue Camo Matte Blue Mirror option, the Cocho is built to reduce eye fatigue while enhancing visibility in bright offshore conditions. It's a serious fishing frame that blends performance with everyday wearability. Shop Bajio Turtlebox Cub. Turtlebox shrinks the size but not the sound with its new Cub portable speaker. Compact enough to fit almost anywhere aboard, the Cub still delivers the loud, clear audio Turtlebox has become known for. Waterproof construction and rugged durability make it ideal for boats, beaches, sandbars and travel where electronics regularly take a beating. Whether you're heading offshore for the day or relaxing at the dock afterward, the Cub offers premium sound without sacrificing portability. Shop Turtlebox YETI LoadOut GoBox & Kore inserts. YETI expanded its popular gear storage lineup with several new LoadOut GoBox sizes, including wheeled versions for hauling heavier equipment. The biggest innovation may be the new Kore Protective Inserts, inflatable padded inserts that mold around reels, electronics, cameras and other valuable gear to provide a custom fit and additional protection during transport. YETI also introduced new Strike footwear designed for life on and around the water. Together, the new products continue YETI's focus on organizing and protecting expensive fishing equipment. Shop Yeti HEYDUDE HEY2O Collection. Known for casual comfort, HEYDUDE enters the fishing market with its new HEY2O Collection, built specifically for life around the water. The award-winning HEY2O Flip features excellent drainage and grip for wet boat decks, while the Wally HEY2O Fishing shoe offers lightweight comfort, quick-drying materials and plenty of ventilation. Both models are designed to transition easily from the boat to the dock without sacrificing comfort, making them attractive options for anglers looking for versatile everyday footwear. Shop HEYDUDE Bluewing Line Lock Pro. Bluewing's Line Lock Pro brings a fresh approach to one of the most overlooked pieces of rigging hardware. Manufactured from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel, the unit is fully self-serviceable, allowing anglers to replace rollers, screws and halyard cord without replacing the entire assembly. Available in single, double and triple configurations, it offers flexibility for a variety of outriggers and rigging setups. For crews who fish often in harsh saltwater conditions, the ability to service the hardware rather than replace it could save both time and money over the long haul. Shop Bluewing Huk Tide Point Shirt. Huk's new Tide Point Shirt blends technical fishing performance with a clean look that works just as well away from the boat. Lightweight woven fabric provides UPF 30 sun protection, moisture management, quick-drying performance and stretch for unrestricted movement. A perforated back panel improves airflow while practical features such as snap chest pockets and a built-in sunglass wipe add convenience on the water. Finished with exclusive KC Scott artwork, the Tide Point is designed for anglers who want one shirt that performs from sunrise on the boat to dinner at the marina. Shop HUK The Mully retractable sports towel. Sometimes the simplest products solve everyday problems. The Mully is a premium cotton fishing towel mounted on a retractable cord that clips securely to your belt or waistband, keeping it close at hand without getting in the way. Whether you're cleaning fish slime, wiping sunscreen off your hands or drying off after leadering a fish, the towel stays attached instead of blowing across the deck or disappearing overboard. It's a simple idea that many anglers will wonder how they lived without. Shop Mully Pole-Mounted Line Cutter with Fish Tagger. Leadering and releasing large fish becomes safer with this Pole-Mounted Line Cutter and Fish Tagger. Designed to fit Shurhold-style extension poles, the tool allows crews to safely cut leaders or apply research tags without leaning over the covering board or bringing fish dangerously close to the boat. Built from corrosion-resistant stainless steel with replaceable utility blades, it offers an inexpensive solution that could improve both crew safety and fish handling during offshore releases. For tournament teams and conservation-minded anglers alike, it's a practical addition to the boat. Shop Lightinup CrushCity "The CEO" 2.1. Rapala's CrushCity lineup continues to push soft-plastic lure design with the introduction of The CEO 2.1, a finesse bait built for one of today's fastest-growing techniques. Constructed from CrushCity's durable Super TPE material, the bait features a weighted glass-powder core that helps create a controlled, natural fall. Multiple tapered legs produce subtle movement and lifelike twitching with very little rod action, making it an excellent choice when fish are pressured or feeding selectively. Designed with input from Rapala's professional tournament anglers and product development team, The CEO 2.1 is intended to deliver the realistic presentation and durability competitive anglers demand. Whether you're fishing tournaments or simply looking to add a productive finesse bait to your tackle box, this is one of the standout new lure introductions from ICAST 2026. Shop Rapala Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on our site. This helps us continue to bring you valuable content. Thank you for your support! You've just experienced a taste of the exceptional content featured in the pages of InTheBite Sportfishing Magazine. If you found this engaging, you're in for a treat with our full publication. Whether you prefer the tactile experience of print or the convenience of digital, we have the publication for you. Visit our subscription page now to join the InTheBite family and elevate your sportfishing experience with every issue.

YETI responds to rumors of Mystery Ranch phase-out. Jul 17, 2026 6:24 PM Less than 24 hours after reports by the Rock Fight podcast that YETI planned to sunset the Mystery Ranch brand, the Austin cooler giant told GearJunkie, going into 2025, zzdsport plan to have key products for Outdoor, Everyday and Hunt under the MYSTERY RANCH brand. YETI did not directly refute the rumors. Instead, it noted that the brand will continue to evolve under its leadership. The complete statement from Layne Rigney, head of soft goods and bags at YETI, is as follows: zzdsport continue to be excited about integrating MYSTERY RANCH's talent and designs into its business and future YETI expansion, building upon their legacy as a premier maker of incredible packs. Going into 2025, zzdsport plan to have key products for Outdoor, Everyday and Hunt under the MYSTERY RANCH brand. zzdsport has also been hard at work on a pipeline of new bags zzdsport is excited to introduce next year. Its team in Bozeman remains committed to MYSTERY RANCHs mission to support those who serve in the Military and Wildland Fire, and the Mission products will remain under the MYSTERY RANCH name going forward. GearJunkie editors had heard rumors for weeks that YETI had plans to end the Mystery Ranch branding just 10 months after it purchased the Bozeman-Montana company. The speculation gained traction when the Rock Fight podcast broke the news on Wednesday morning. A Rock Fight representative told GearJunkie that several retailers and sales representatives for Mystery Ranch had contacted the podcast about YETIs plans. YETI purchased Mystery Ranch in spring 2024 for $36 million. Though YETI refrained from further comment, the company has a history of buying - and rebranding - its acquisitions. Some residents of Bozeman, Mont., the headquarters of Mystery Ranch, have put up signs to show their displeasure with YETIs management; (photos/Reddit) YETI Launches Bags Inspired By Mystery Ranch Todays comes just days after YETI announced a new line of bags inspired by Mystery Ranch, Outdoor Retailer reported last week. In a company meeting on November 7, YETI President Matt Reintjes said Mystery Ranch products had met sales expectations. The companys net sales increased 10% in this years third quarter, and YETIs new bags would leverage Mystery Ranchs premium design, Reintjes said. "We're incredibly excited about what's in front of us in bags," Reintjes said in the meeting. "We think that is a massive global market that is right for YETI." In other words, Mystery Ranchs packs, long popular among backpackers and hunters, will likely continue to be produced - just with YETI branding instead. This would be identical YETIs playbook with the brand Butter Pat. YETI acquired the cast iron cookware company in January 2024, shortly before the purchase of Mystery Ranch. You can still purchase products nearly identical to the original Butter Pat - only today they carry YETI branding. Moreover, YETIs strategy of buying boutique brands will likely continue, according to a recent analysis by Simply Wall Street. Given YETIs strong growth trajectory this year, with net income reaching over $56 million, the company is actively pursuing strategic acquisitions and share repurchases, leveraging its solid cash position to fuel further expansion, Simply Wall Street reported. Mystery Ranch has launched several new lines of lifestyle bags over the last year;(photo/Mystery Ranch) Whats Next For Mystery Ranch Founder? After its founding in 2000, Mystery Ranch gradually earned a loyal following of backpack lovers. But it was only the latest outdoor brand from founder Dana Gleason. Gleason hasnt yet responded to GearJunkie for comment, but his LinkedIn page still lists him as the owner and principal designer of Mystery Ranch. Originally from Boston, Gleason moved to Bozeman, Montana, in 1975, where he began his career in the outdoor gear industry. Since then, Gleason has founded four outdoor companies, including Mystery Ranch. He first began making durable backpacks with his brand, Kletterwerks. After selling his shares to partners in 1978, he foundedMojo Systems, a pack company aimed at camera and computer bags. Incorporating plastics, synthetics, and fiberglass into the production of different bags, Dana pioneered aspects of pack development that have now become the industry standard, Outside Bozeman wrote in 2010. Dana and his design team began creating highly specialized products for their customersand began to shape an important principle that would come to heavily influence the philosophies of Mystery Ranch. Dana Gleason; (photo/Mystery Ranch) In 1985, Gleason sold Mojo Systems (it was called Quest Systems by that time) and launched Dana Designs out of his house. For 10 years, Gleasons innovative backpacks were the envy of outdoors lovers, GearJunkie wrote in 2015. Or it was, until Gleason once again sold his company in 1995, this time to K2 Corporation. At that point, Gleason took a couple of years off to travel. When he returned to the industry five years later, he created Mystery Ranch. In the early years, Gleasons highly technical packs were a big hit for the U.S. military and firefighters. It wasnt until 2016 that the brand made a big push in the recreation segment, launching backpacks for hikers and climbers. That proved successful enough to make the brand desirable to YETI, which announced the purchase of Mystery Ranch in January 2024. After 45 years, its anyones guess if Gleason will want to create yet another outdoor brand.