ORLANDO -- Pink fishing rods with strobe lights, a fish finder made especially for kayaks and a reusable soft bait were among the highlights of ICAST -- the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades -- held last week at the Orange County Convention Center.

Here is a look at a few of the new products you can expect to see soon at your local tackle shop or sporting goods store:

•  Pink fishing rods. In an unabashed attempt to lure female anglers, at least seven manufacturers displayed spinning and fly rods in pink. Prices ranged from $30 (South Bend) to $190 (St. Croix). Roddy Lites brought an assortment of pink spinning reels with strobes that flash every time you turn the handle ($30-$50). USA Custom Rods introduced spinning rods in pink camouflage for $140.

``Women want to color coordinate,'' explained Allen Rodriguez of Economy Tackle in Sarasota. ``They want to go fishing, and they want to be girly.''

Not necessarily.

Christie Lester, owner of Nature's Tackle Box in Hiram, Ga., turned up her nose at the pink rods displayed in the new products showcase.

``I don't like it. It's stereotypical,'' Lester said. ``Your serious tournament women do not want pink rods. It turns me off.''

Nevertheless, several retailers at the show said they fly off the shelves.

•  IronClads soft baits. Wisconsin inventor Ben Hobbins calls his new product ``the world's first permanent soft plastics.'' Soft to the touch, IronClads worms, stick baits, tube jigs and jerkbaits are reinforced with polyester mesh that lets them stretch but not tear -- except under onslaught from a toothy predator.

The advantages are obvious: Baits can be used multiple times, saving money and sparing the environment because of less waste. Priced from $4 to $7, they come rigged with heavy-duty premium hooks. IronClads were named one of the top 10 inventions of 2009 by Popular Science magazine.

•  Bio Pulse hard baits. These are the result of a bunch of fish scientists, chemists and engineers getting together to create the ``Perfect Storm'' of an artificial lure.

These topwater and diving lures are designed to attract various species of saltwater and freshwater fish to bite using shape, sound, color, and a chemical stimulant.

``No other company out there covers all fish sensory systems,'' says Mystic Tackleworks' John Caprio, a professor of neurophysiology at LSU.

The product catalog reads like an abstract from the Journal of Marine Science, with phrases like ``morphologically-designed water displacement action for lateral line stimulation'' and ``transmissive ambient light technology''.

What all that means is the lure is supposed to swim like real bait -- flashing, dashing, emitting sound vibrations and releasing a feeding stimulant when a fish latches on to a soft spot in the belly.

Bio Pulse won an award when it was introduced at last year's ICAST show, but its release was delayed for a year while the research team made improvements. It's not cheap: dealer cost is $25 apiece.

•  Humminbird 385 ci combo kayak fishfinder kit. Until now, installing a fishfinder on a kayak was a tricky proposition that involved jury-rigging and spare parts. But Humminbird's new $500 kit contains all components an angler needs for paddle fishing: fishfinder with built-in GPS antenna; transducer installation kit; 12-volt battery; battery charger; battery dry bag; and quick-disconnect protective cap and unit cover.

The SwitchFire sonar has two viewing options, and there are map and navigation options.

The Humminbird is a great accessory for another new product -- the $2,200 Hobie Mirage Pro Angler kayak, which features a pedal-drive system; tackle box and rod storage compartments, rod holders, and optional livewell.

•  Magic Products select frogs. These are not frog-patterned lures like those popularized by Bassmaster Elite Series pro Dean Rojas -- but the real thing. Preserved in anise-scented liquid, these frogs are billed to last up to three years in their jar or pouch -- provided you keep the container sealed.

If you would prefer smaller baits for catching bass and catfish, the company offers preserved leeches, wax worms, shiners, shad, crickets, and grass shrimp.

And if their natural colors don't grab you (or the fish), try the green- or red-dyed versions.

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