ICAST 2010 Opportunitities Abound
by Don Allphin
Many people ask me why I try to attend the ICAST show each year. Since I sold Bass West Magazine almost eight years ago, folks wonder what would keep me in the loop? First and foremost, nothing in my overall personal or business game plan changed when I sold Bass West. I still write, I still consult for both fishing and manufacturing companies, and I handle a number of smaller projects on a local and regional level. And, of course, I still fish … a lot.
ICAST is a great place to get charged up over the future of our sport and industry. It is impossible witness the innovations, the new designs or even the new attitudes that dominate the floor of the convention, and not get excited. It is refreshing to see companies making great strides towards their goals despite the economy, despite the banking challenges, and despite the environmental pressures on fishing in general. This is why I am so bullish on the United States of America. We don’t just slip quietly into the night. Regardless of the challenges, we reach down deep, pull ourselves up by the boot straps and soldier on. It’s in our genes, we can’t help it. Thank Goodness!
I helped design a new lure this year, a Giant Gitzit in the 8- and 10- inch size for Canyon Plastics. This ICAST show was the first opportunity to show off the new bait. In the tank, the bait performed extremely well, and since we’ve been testing it in the field on huge lake trout for a few months now, we know the bait works and works well. I think Jay Pennington was happy with his show sales for the new bait.
Allow me to make a couple of observations about this year’s ICAST event. First, there are still a lot of new baits, tackle, and equipment coming to market. Many companies from around the world are improving baits, inventing new ones, and are still trying to penetrate the U.S. market. To me, That is like catching a 4-pound smallmouth, a 2-pounder, a few 1-pound fish, and a few 8-inch fish on the same trip. This shows is a healthy environment. The established companies are surviving and doing well; the start ups are getting funded (to an extent), and we the consumers will be the ultimate beneficiaries, as more and better products show up on retail shelves.
Next, younger and older companies alike went to Las Vegas looking for answers from those to whom they sell. Questions were everywhere about globalization, going green, and producing short and long-term business models that work. Many companies including Kistler Rods. for example, are moving their production back to the U.S. after years in China. This could be a trend in the near future. I am thrilled to see this come to fruition because we need jobs for residents of the U.S. and Trey Kistler is realizing that loyalty CAN be built on-shore quicker and more efficiently than any off-shore business. the cool thing too is that when companies actually ask their customers what they think, and then build a product as a reflection of those thoughts and comments, half the selling problem is solved. Customers know what they want, but at times have a hard time expressing those desires to companies so ensconced in their business plans that they don’t seem to notice their market share is dropping until it’s too late. ICAST is a great event to prove my point. Many established companies spent their time at ICAST asking questions. They had their crystal balls out and were trying to see through the fog of the current market for answers. That is very healthy as well.
Opportunities in the fishing industry abound. I see a future including small companies who will begin to rival larger ones. I see dealer networks expanding in ways only imagined right now. And, I see more people spending serious time on the water. Opportunities are out there literally everywhere and I’m thrilled to still be a significant part of the equation.
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