Is iCAST Good For The Fishing Industry? Here’s Our Take On It

Sara and I just got back from ICAST. Here’s our opinion on it.
Get access to my monthly livestream and additional videos by becoming a member of the channel here: / @mattstefanfishing
Check out my lake breakdowns here - fishthemoment....
Use the Coupon Code MSF20 when checking out at www.bridgfordf... to receive 20% of your full order of Bridgford Meat Snacks! 20%! AND it show Bridgford you support the Matt Stefan Fishing KZbin Channel!
LINKS TO BAITS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO:
1) Berkley Powerbait Drip Minnow Black Shad - www.tackleware...
2) Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon 6 lb. - www.tackleware...
3) Berkley X9- Braid 10 lb. - www.tackleware...
4) Core Tackle Hover Rig size 1/0 hook 3/64 oz - www.tackleware...
How to Support this Channel:
1) Purchase tackle through this link from Tackle Warehouse. Don't forget to bookmark the link:
www.tacklewareh...
2) Share my videos on your social media platforms!
3) Purchase Merchandise from my Store mattstefanfish...
4) If you enjoy the content and want to see more of it. Consider donating to the channel to show your support for future video creation. Very much appreciated!
Paypal - paypal.me/Matt...
Venmo - account.venmo....
New KZbin videos uploaded EVERY day!
Click here to SUBSCRIBE to my channel:
/ @mattstefanfishing
Follow Matt Stefan Fishing on Instagram / mattstefanfishing
Follow Matt Stefan Fishing on Facebook / mattstefanfishing
Do you live in Wisconsin or plan on visiting anytime soon. Contact me for a guide trip!
MY SPONSORS:
Bridgford Foods www.bridgford....
Berkley www.berkley-fi...
Abu Garcia www.abugarcia....
Striker Brands
DuraSafe durasafelocks....
Battle Born Batteries battlebornbatte...?afmc=3p
ugo ugowear.com/
Lowrance www.lowrance.com/
Skeeter Boats www.skeeterboa...
The Boat Center www.theboatcen...
Power-Pole www.power-pole...
PROcise Outdoors prociseoutdoor...
Mud Hole Rod Building www.mudhole.com/
MHX Rod Blanks www.fishmhx.com/
CRB supplies crbproducts.com/
Costa Del Mar Sunglasses www.costadelma...
Picasso Lures - www.tackleware...
My Profile:
www.mattstefanf...
I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@anklespanker]

You're winning at life, Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’m a happy camper

[@basslesschap346]

Very nice to see the Mrs. Matt, she is a keeper ! always nice to see the real side of the influencers that we watch !

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Awesome update video!!! It was awesome to hear you & Sara just babbling away. It just brought out the good times you had together. I like how Sara supports her man!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!! 🤠👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Me too!

[@Terry-Kleetus-Kleeblatt]

Thanks for the iCast info. I'd love to go some day maybe. Great job bringing Sarah into the video. Family is good! God Bless....

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@BrownBaitCo]

Was a pleasure meeting yall down there!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good seeing you again!

[@Jason_Emry_Fishing]

I wished I could have met you down there. Maybe we can get together someday!

[@lylebrandes64]

I enjoyed your convo😊got a 6lb. on the Ozark rig at casitas a couple days ago. Pulled up on a point fired at an isolated bush, first cast bam!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Giant!!!

[@jimholliman2822]

Nice to see & hear you Sara. Very disappointed to hear about the Hover Rig knockoffs. I sincerely hope Core Tackle does well and grows despite this. I know I like my Core Tackle products very much.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You and me both!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Love the videos with the two of you. Your dynamic is awesome

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@larrystolzman9337]

Thank you both for a very fun video. Please continue doing them together when you both see fit. You do realize this is somewhat unique for KZbin fishing videos. Fans don’t see the family side of fishing very often, but want too. We never want to invade your privacy, but your fishing life has to be done by you both. We appreciate your dedication and partnership. Have fun, enjoy being together, smile lots and never go go carting again. God Bless.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the feedback and i enjoy making family videos. I’ll watch them when I’m old and kids are all grown up

[@michaellaturno2723]

So enjoyable listening to you two. Fun thoughts on iCAST. Thanks for doing it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@willperryman4559]

You never know what people will enjoy until you put it out there, and this was pretty cool 😎 and I’m wondering what Miles said that cracked everyone up at dinner🤷🏻‍♂️😜😂 it’s great for me as a fan of your channel and Matt Becker and Drew Gill and Miles to know you guys got together for dinner and fun during iCast. It’s also cool 😎 to see and hear what a supporter of your’s Sarah is ❤️‍🔥👏👏

[@MattStefanFishing]

“Does anyone need a refresher on the Heimlich maneuver “ you had to be there

[@willperryman4559]

@@MattStefanFishing 😜😂😂

[@BeckhamHomeLoans]

Love all your videos. Especially those with Sarah and / or the boys!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@garymueller6488]

Thanks for the info, sounds like you guys had some fun.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It was!

[@ESOX2]

Nice video. It was great to hear your thoughts on Vegas. I thought I might be the only person who finds the best part of going to Vegas is renting a car and driving to the Grand Canyon 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@donyarborough4114]

Good video Matt, and the Mrs. Is definitly a keeper

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@itllkeal]

I love her energy. She's very smart to boot. You seem like a great couple

[@MattStefanFishing]

I love her too!

[@williamknight5142]

Sounds like y'all had fun. Got my jerky on the way with the 20% off.👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thank you for the support!

[@jefferyholland]

Sounds like you guys had a good time at ICAST. Nice to get away for a few days and have some fun. Best of luck at the St. Lawrence.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@rickchapman4132]

You can tell Sara is getting more comfortable with you on a You Tube video. She much more open and talking more freely. It looks and sound you two have a great repertoire with one another.

[@MattStefanFishing]

We do!

[@joelbabin4365]

Another good video Matt... Wife and I are thinking of relocating from the Houston area to Wisconsin. Just a little north of Madison seems like a good location being central to most of the fisheries. Any recommendations?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Stevens point! That’s where we are and love it

[@astrophysicistguy]

What you should have done is put on your Core Tackle company shirt and then go to each booth that ripped off your Hover Rig design (with a GoPro clearly filming) and simply ask "So where did you guys get the idea for this 'Hover Rig thing' and watch them squirm ...

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@TheSinistral]

I like to see these candid reels, funny watching Matt get lightly irritated at the wife like we all do.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@kayplainsdrifter136]

A couple of quick thoughts on the Hover Rigs after using them that would maybe help keep an edge over your new competition? I think the design could really benefit from using tungsten as it would make rigging easier due to the smaller physical size for the same weight. Obviously tungsten isn't as easy to work with so it would be something not easily duplicated by DIY molds. Possible that the increased density of tungsten may help it show up better on FFS as well? Working with a hook brand that can make a coated hook to your specs. Plenty of Jackhammers get sold due to the little differences like that from their less premium models. You're making a great product that is extremely innovative so this was bound to happen.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the advice

[@martyaustin6545]

I love your videos buddy, that was great to explain the cost of how much it costs, that is so crazy

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you liked it!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks you two🤠.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you for watching!

[@kirkreusch5704]

Sounds like another go cart challenge will be coming up sometime in the future! lol. Great video.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Challenge accepted

[@rvfishingyet]

Sara is back!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@joeyhelton7114]

That was awesome guys!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@GaryLyson]

Enjoy you guys!!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@johndynneson662]

I’ve. Got an idea for. Core tackle hooks. Dip the lead in. Glow paint and use transparent. Plastics. 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep we are already offering a few colors

[@Jason_Emry_Fishing]

So the elephant in the room is why did Do-It Molds make the exact mold of Core Tackle's Hover Rig? They called it the exact same thing as Core Tackle. I would rather support you and Johnny on the Core Tackle items then make them myself.

[@MattStefanFishing]

🤷🏻‍♂️because it’s a killer jighead!

[@jimmckenzie5453]

Nice video. Gorgeous cat!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you very much!

[@depalebe]

From what I observed in all the Icast videos there is a definite decline in innovation. I'm guessing that as smaller companies are taken over by large conglomerates innovation takes a hit. I follow the Japan bass fishing industry pretty closely. What I see coming out of the Osaka and Yokohama shows is loaded with such a wide range of baits. I think it may have to do with the number of smaller company's producing baits. Here a large conglomerate owns what were 5 or 6 smaller companies. They don't want those companies competing with each other. What you get are the same old baits with some new colors. I could start naming companies but I don't want to start any arguments. That my two cents. Thank for your continued stream of great videos.

[@wolverinex4243]

Was saying no innovation this year

[@MattStefanFishing]

Just hard for small companies to afford ICAST

[@calvinrantz2341]

Nice to this side of you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@keithgyulveszi163]

Please tell me you put the cover pic on because of Naked Gun?😅😂 I have Leslie Neilson and Pricilla Presley’s voice stuck in my head now because of you 2!😅

[@MattStefanFishing]

Hahaha i love those movies

[@davidstottlemyer]

what is your thought on Do-it molds Hover rig mold ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not happy

[@TheRecon1a]

Matt I heard you and Johnny were ripped off for Best in Class for the Hoover Rig. Some else created one just like yours with a slight difference and they took your thunder. I'm upset about that for ya. Keep doing what your doing My Dude.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Appreciate the support

[@joffrechampagne7908]

I really wanted to be a fly on the wall for those meetings about Core. Waiting for them to realize that you weren't "Bubba" as the Corp. background camee out. Wasn't happy, nor surprised to see the knock offs. Included the jig mold 😢

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha got to enjoy a few moments of corporate world again

[@SpookyRedz]

Very good video , loved it .

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sergiocerdabeltran5338]

While certainly a business nuisance (and frankly a norm in the fishing industry), having knockoffs of the Hover rig comes to show just how efective your contraption is. Keep innovating and you will remain one step ahead of the competition.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s the plan!

[@sbaner5]

So can the general public get in? I’ve always wanted to go.

[@astrophysicistguy]

No it's not open to the public. You need to be connected to some company within the fishing industry to attend

[@MattStefanFishing]

not open to the public

[@richshackelford5793]

I can’t believe that I cast allows knockoffs. LOL, sorry about core tackle getting ripped off. Now you know how the Japanese bait makers feel when Crush City and Berkeley ripped them off

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s no fun

[@mikeeller557]

So She wants your clubs out , But the THREE boats are GOOD ??? Love it . Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Hahahaha

[@colinwylie808]

I wonder what the uptake would be for a "trade show" for smaller independent companies? Watching the videos post icast its seemed ffs heavy with very little new innovation. Its up to us as anglers to support the smaller guys where we can.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Fact!

[@johnhanley8708]

Thanks, you guys' good babble

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@garydalrymple855]

Great video😁

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 😁

[@bryandavismoviefan]

I cant believe how short of a window core tackle had for the hover rig. Do-It molds now has a mold and a ton of independent producers and gambler lures. The commercial level is next to copycat you unfortunately.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s not fun

[@bassdojo]

I welcome competition, capitalism.

[@joestrummer9507]

​@@MattStefanFishingSo the Hover Rig and other Core Tackle products are not design and utility patent protected? If not than that is/was a HUGE mistake.

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@joestrummer9507not really a mistake. getting a patent usually costs upwards of $10,000 and all another company has to do is a slight modification and your patent is worthless. There is no way its worth spending $10,000 which is $10,000 of profit you give up. I have a company that currently produces a 'one-of-a-kind' product but it wouldn't be hard for another company to produce copies with slight molds so we didn't patent it. It's a business decision

[@joffrechampagne7908]

My clubs have been in the closet since 2008 😅

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@leannesmith3660]

I enjoy seeing your wife! Show up more often, Sarah!

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll get her more involved

[@AzAngler77]

Kinda pointless to have an expo that isn’t open to the public.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nothing is being sold to public. its all about taking retail orders

[@jesseregister2435]

Loved it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@lightningmusky5286]

$100000 for a booth is small change. I know companies that have spent millions on their booth. Now there are less now than in the past. It sucks that there are so many companies knocking off others products.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Core can’t afford that

[@lightningmusky5286]

@@MattStefanFishing Core needs to share a booth with 4-5 small companies. Thats the way to get some presence. There are so many good small companies that don’t do it because they can’t afford it. I have partnered on shows with other companies and we all benefited.

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@MattStefanFishingexactly!

[@wolverinex4243]

1st, I think your wife is cool. My ex-wife always reads while fishing but she hated fishing. Lol. I do think it is a sad thing smaller companies cannot display at ICAST. That explains why St. Croix always win. It's more a racket than a showcase. Been telling people there are better rods. This year seems like it's the battle of swimbaits and minnow baits. Not many innovations this year. I am disappointed. The Fluoros like Spro and thin braids are very cool. Also, kinda sad you need industry connection to enter.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not a ton of new stuff this year

[@johnrayner5599]

You guys are just to cute together!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha thanks

[@samuelschult985]

👍 👍 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@yankeebass1]

To be honest I think you wouldn't get the return on investment if you had a booth at ICAST. Sucks that in this business when you come up with something innovative that you have maybe a year on the market before everyone jumps on the design. I have had to much success with your products to even want to try others. As long as your selling them I will be using them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the support! We’ll keep making them!

[@fadethenoise9704]

ATTN = Johnny What could have been more important than pushing your product at the biggest fishing showcase of the year?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@fadethenoise9704]

Unless it is medically related in anyway. Besides that. 💩

[@MattBeckerFishing]

I heard you were talking smack

[@MattStefanFishing]

Must be on them if you’re not on the water right now!

[@randomkitchenspodcast]

😂

[@ericahlstrom9506]

Sounds like lots of networking opportunities

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@ortonsneckbeard8058]

I love your videos but I think my wife might ban me from the comment section.....

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@DshaunBirch]

yes we enjoy this lol

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@neiljohnsen276]

It seems like people can do more business online, without the expense of the trade show... I personally would have a hard time , not getting into it with all the copycats ! Ripoffs!

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s no fun

[@davidhawkins6776]

To give a direct knock off " best in show" is completely laughable. I will always buy the original hover rig

[@MattStefanFishing]

it was a shock to us

[@DavidSmith-Samluke36]

Yeah we pretty much watch because "she's back". We know it's going to be a completely different kind of video.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@MarkHough-lw6kb]

THAT KNOCK OFF IS WRONG !!!!!! I WILL ALWAYS USE CORE TACKEL PEROID

[@MattStefanFishing]

THANK YOU!

[@stevesteve4350]

Stupid question. What's your cat name? I'm a cat guy with no shame.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Candy but it’s actually the neighbors cat that loves hanging with us

[@stevesteve4350]

@@MattStefanFishing Ahhh good kitty 😻

[@swamp_rat_fla1126]

It’s a dog and pony show…..the best of show awards are a joke! They should open the show to the public a few days.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That would be cool

[@ballzybaits4414]

Last few icast were downers...for sure. 😢

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s not the same as in the past

[@edwardwicht5271]

It’s really an insult that at least one guy on your tour is copying your stuff. B.E. Dick move.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Never said anything to me either about it in crossing

[@randomkitchenspodcast]

LOLLL Excuses is what I hear about your go cart speed! Babe, are you seeing this!!!!?? 😂😂 @mattbeckerfishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

how you didnt finish first being the first car out onto the track is mind blowing to me

[@randomkitchenspodcast]

@@MattStefanFishing only Matt passed me!! And I still beat YOU!! 🤣🤣