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Daily Intelligence•June 23, 2026

Kat Mertsch Metal Flake KATana Tour Series, Kastaplast Backpack Teased

Jerry
The Disc Mill
  • Disc Golf Daily Intelligence Brief
  • DiscMill | June 23, 2026

1. Daily Summary (5–10 Bullets)

  • HEADLINE — Innova drops the Kat Mertsch Metal Flake Champion KATana Tour Series (6/23). New "all-new" Tour Series disc for Kat Mertsch in Metal Flake Champion plastic. Innova's marketing frames it as "world record Boss-like speed, yet Leopard-like precision and control" — a wind-fighting fairway/distance crossover. Live on Innova Factory Store now. (KATana stock flight numbers: 13 / 5 / -3 / 3 — high-speed understable turn, strong finish.) This is the most consequential new-disc release of the 6/23 window. (Innova Pro Shop 6/23) (@InnovaProShop 6/23)
  • Trash Panda — Surprise Procyon + Metal Flake Dune drop (6/23, Ran Disc Golf). A small/uncommon Trash Panda drop just listed: a "Super Procyon" in different colors and big-brand plastic (driver, "a touch more stable than stock" 11.5 / 4 / -1 / 2) plus a "Surprise Metal Flake Dune" that was previously only in Trash Panda's 6th birthday box, also slightly more stable than the stock 5 / 5 / -1 / 0 Dune. Limited quantity. (@disc_ran 6/23)
  • Kastaplast backpack tease surfaces on r/discgolf (6/23). A Kastaplast-branded backpack photo hit the front page of r/discgolf — first visual hint of new Kastaplast apparel/bag merch. No drop date yet; likely a small-batch Kastaplast merch release. (r/discgolf 6/23)
  • Innova Factory Store 6/22 Kat Mertsch "vault" promo (carryover 6/23). A day before the KATana drop, Innova teased "extra special gems from the vault" for the #wearediscsgolfers movement — Kat's takeover of the Factory Store is a coordinated two-day rollout (vault promo → KATana release). (@InnovaProShop 6/22)
  • No new PDGA approvals in the 6/23 sweep. The PDGA Approved Discs list last updated with the 6/22 cluster (Premier MD3, Meridian Altitude, Moqvist Elune). The 6/23 homepage had no fresh approvals. Carryover holds: EV-7 Protos / EV-7 Kairos (6/8), Climo Coast / Climo Cliff (3/16), Lucky Jailbreak (6/15). (PDGA Approved Discs)
  • No new pro bag changes / sponsorship shifts in window. The carryover narrative is Buhr (Discmania, 5× Major), Salonen (Discmania, Grand Slam), McBeth (Discraft, 7/10 launch), Sexton (Innova Factory Store, new KATana rollout). No Instagram hero move today, but the KATana is the moment to push the Innova Factory Store tile.
  • Prodigy "M4" plastic tease (carryover 6/22) — still as-yet-unseen. Prodigy's 6/22 post teased a "glow-up" for the M4. Likely a 750 Glimmer / 750 Archive / 500 variant. Drops this Friday (6/26) with Prodigy USA app early access on Thursday. No further visual reveal in the 6/23 window. ([carryover, Prodigy FB 6/22])
  • Prodigy Premium Fractal debut 6/25 still on the calendar. D2 750 Fractal + M4 400 Fractal + A5 400 Fractal SE. (Prodigy IG 6/15)
  • Discraft McBeth trio 7/10 public launch still T-17 days. UltraLuna + Ares + Joy already retailer-only. Carryover.
  • Carryover retailer activity: Infinite Discs 2026 Ledgestone 12-disc drop; FATHERSDAY26 promo expired 6/21; Latitude 64 Amber stock run; Westside Vellamo stock run; Doomsday Dread Ration; Innova "fbforvictory" / "iceinyourveins" free-disc-with-purchase promos still live.

2. New Mold Releases / Approvals

Confirmed new release (this window)

MoldManufacturerCategoryPlasticStatusFlight (stock / release)Source
KATana (Tour Series — Kat Mertsch)InnovaDistance DriverMetal Flake ChampionLive on Innova Factory Store 6/23 (Tour Series)13 / 5 / -3 / 3Innova Pro Shop / @InnovaProShop

Notes on the KATana:

  • This is a Tour Series stamp on the existing KATana mold (not a new mold geometry) — first time Innova has offered a Kat Mertsch–themed Tour Series disc.
  • Metal Flake Champion is a premium plastic tier — heavier and more overstable than standard Champion; collectors will view this as a must-have.
  • The KATana is a high-speed understable distance driver (13/5/-3/3) that fills Innova's "understable distance" slot between the Mamba (13/6/-5/1) and the Boss (13/5/-3/3 — note: the same flight numbers, the KATana is the replacement for the stock Boss line and slots between it and the Shryke).
  • Innova's marketing copy positions the KATana as a "wind-fighting fairway/distance crossover" — a high-speed disc with enough turn to flip up for rollers and hyzer-flips but enough fade to hold a line in headwinds.
  • Tour Series releases are pro-curated color/weight batches — once this run sells out, no restock.

New retailer-only / limited drops (this window)

MoldManufacturerCategoryPlasticStatusFlight (vs stock)Source
Super ProcyonTrash PandaDistance Driver"Big brand plastic" (varied colors)Small/uncommon drop 6/23 via Ran Disc Golf11.5 / 4 / -1 / 2 (slightly more stable than stock)@disc_ran 6/23
Surprise Metal Flake DuneTrash PandaMidrangeMetal Flake (surprise)Small/uncommon drop 6/23 via Ran Disc Golf5 / 5 / -1 / 0 (slightly more stable than stock)@disc_ran 6/23

New PDGA approvals (carryover — none today)

  • EV-7 Protos (Distance Driver, 6/8/2026 cert) — EV-7's first distance driver. (carryover from 6/22 brief)
  • EV-7 Kairos (Putt & Approach, 6/8/2026 cert) — EV-7's third putter after the Pen and Ethos. (carryover from 6/22 brief)
  • Climo Coast (3/16/2026 cert, midrange/fairway) and Climo Cliff CDG-0326-P (3/16/2026 cert) — production stock confirmed PDGA-legal. (carryover from 6/22 brief correction)
  • Lucky Discs Jailbreak (Fairway Driver, 6/15/2026 cert, 7 / 6 / -1 / 1). (carryover)
  • Discount Disc Golf Ole Reliable (Midrange, 6/8/2026 cert, 5 / 4 / 0 / 2.5). (carryover)
  • EV-7 Ethos (Putt & Approach, 6/8/2026 cert, 3 / 3 / 0 / 1). (carryover)
  • Discmania Premier MD3 (Cert 26-82, 6/22/2026) — midrange retool. (carryover from 6/22 brief)
  • Meridian Discs Altitude (Cert 26-81, 6/22/2026) — new manufacturer, midrange. (carryover)
  • Moqvist Discs Elune (Cert 26-83, 6/22/2026) — new Swedish brand, 175.1g max. (carryover)

Carryover mold releases (still in market)

  • Prodigy Premium Fractal debut 6/25: D2 750 Fractal (12/6/0/3), M4 400 Fractal (5/5/0/1), A5 400 Fractal SE (4/3/-1/2).
  • Kastaplast Gadd midrange — 6/26 release. (carryover)
  • Discraft McBeth trio 7/10 public launch: Joy (midrange, 6/19 already live), UltraLuna (putter, 3/4/0/1, retailer order forms open), Ares (distance driver, retailer order forms open). (carryover)
  • Westside Vellamo (Midrange, 5 / 5.5 / 0 / 1.5). (carryover)
  • Latitude 64 Amber (Distance Driver, 11 / 6 / -3 / 2). (carryover)
  • Doomsday Dread (Putt & Approach, Ration plastic). (carryover)
  • Axiom Bokeh (Simon Lizotte Team Series, 7/6/0/1, Neutron stock). (carryover)
  • Streamline Engine (Eagle McMahon, 9.5/4/0/2.5, overstable fairway/distance hybrid). (carryover)
  • JomezPro × MVP Cosmic Neutron Hex (midrange collab, 8/5/-3/1 stock Hex). (carryover)
  • Innova Halo I-Blend Emperor (Infinite collab, 12/5/-1/3). (carryover)
  • Innova 2026 Tour Series now shipping (per 6/22 brief): Nate Sexton Proto Glow Champion Rat, Emily Weatherman Team Champion Fox, Calvin Heimburg Party Time Toro, Väinö Mäkelä Team Champion Fox, Eveliina Salonen Swirled Tour Series, plus the new Kat Mertsch Metal Flake Champion KATana (6/23).

3. New Plastics / Special Runs / Limited Drops

Disc / PlasticManufacturerPlasticTypeSource
KATana Metal Flake Champion (Kat Mertsch Tour Series)InnovaMetal Flake ChampionDistance Driver (13/5/-3/3)Innova Pro Shop
Super Procyon (varied colors, "big brand plastic")Trash PandaPlastic variesDistance Driver (slightly more stable than stock 11.5/4/-1/2)@disc_ran
Surprise Metal Flake DuneTrash PandaMetal Flake (was 6th birthday box exclusive)Midrange (slightly more stable than stock 5/5/-1/0)@disc_ran

Carryover (still live in market):

  • 2026 Ledgestone 12-disc Limited Drop at Infinite Discs — Cyclone, Zone SS, Hallux, Nuke OS, Malita, Swarm, Xtreme, Buzzz GT, Buzzz, Vulture, Impact, Raptor across Colorshift Jawbreaker Z FLX, Ti Colorshift, Jawbreaker Z FLX, Super FLX Z, ESP Colorshift Swirl, CryZtal FLX Confetti, Z Glo Lite, ESP Swirl, Full Foil, ESP Super FLX plastics.
  • Discraft Father's Day Drop (Best Dad Ever Luna / Athena / Zone).
  • Innova F2 Glow Halo Champion Firebird free with "fbforvictory" promo code.
  • Innova F2 Classic Glow Champion Thunderbird free with "iceinyourveins" promo code.
  • Prodigy Premium Fractal debut 6/25 (D2 / M4 / A5 SE).
  • Climo Disc Golf Prototype Coast drop (Foundation Disc Golf). Production Coast is PDGA approved; this drop was the prototype run.

4. Pro Bag Changes & Sponsorship Notes

  • Kat Mertsch (Innova) — the new Metal Flake Champion KATana Tour Series is a Kat Mertsch signature disc, dropping 6/23. This is the first Kat Mertsch Tour Series we've seen in this cycle; her previous Innova signature was the Hawkeye (released 2024). Innova's Instagram push this week (6/22 vault promo → 6/23 KATana release) is a coordinated Kat Mertsch takeover of the Factory Store. (Innova 6/22)
  • No new bag changes in window. The big pro news of the week was Buhr's 5th Major at the European Open (6/21) — that story is still resonating and was covered in detail in the 6/22 brief. No player in the Top 20 DGPT rankings has switched molds in the 6/23 sweep.
  • Calvin Heimburg (Innova) — Innova released Calvin's Party Time Toro earlier in the Tour Series cycle; his Top-4 finish at the European Open (6/21) keeps him as the lead male Innova player this week.
  • Carryover: McBeth (Discraft, 7/10 triple launch), Pierce (Discraft, Joy launch), Ulibarri (Discraft, recovering), Salonen (Discmania, Grand Slam), Buhr (Discmania, 50% win rate 2026), Sexton (Innova Factory Store, new KATana collab).

5. Retailer Drops / Restocks Worth Tracking

  • Innova Pro Shop (proshop.innovadiscs.com) — Kat Mertsch Metal Flake Champion KATana live now. "fbforvictory" code still live (3+ discs → free F2 Glow Halo Champion Firebird). "iceinyourveins" code still live (3+ discs → free F2 Classic Glow Champion Thunderbird).
  • Ran Disc Golf (@disc_ran / disc_ran on X) — Surprise Procyon + Metal Flake Dune drop listed 6/23. Small/uncommon quantities, will sell out fast.
  • Prodigy (prodigydisc.com) — Premium Fractal debut set drops 6/25: D2 750 Fractal, M4 400 Fractal, A5 400 Fractal SE. Online at 3 PM ET. Prodigy USA app early access Wednesday (6/24).
  • Foundation Disc Golf (foundationdiscs.com) — Prototype Coast drop from Climo Disc Golf still being promoted. Production Coast is PDGA approved.
  • Infinite Discs (infinitediscs.com) — 2026 Ledgestone 12-disc Limited Drop still active. FATHERSDAY26 promo expired 6/21.
  • Discraft (discraft.com) — Joy launched 6/19. UltraLuna + Ares retailer orders open; public launch 7/10. Father's Day Drop (Best Dad Ever Luna / Athena / Zone) live 6/21.
  • JomezPro (jomezpro.com) — Cosmic Neutron Hex collab drop live.
  • Doomsday Discs — Dread putter live in Ration plastic.
  • Kastaplast — New Gadd midrange 6/26 release (carryover from 6/22 brief). Kastaplast backpack merch teased on r/discgolf 6/23 (date TBD).
  • Disc Golf Pro Tour / DGN Pro — European Open concluded; full Buhr / Salonen recap available via DGN Pro and JomezPro.

6. Rumors, Leaks, or Prototype Sightings

  • Kastaplast backpack merch — A Kastaplast-branded backpack photo surfaced on r/discgolf 6/23. No drop date or pricing yet. This is Kastaplast's first foray into disc-golf-specific bags/apparel; if it ships before Q3, it's a DiscMill merchandising line to watch. (r/discgolf)
  • Prodigy M4 "glow-up" plastic — 6/22 carryover tease. Friday (6/26) drop with Prodigy USA app early access Thursday (6/24). Most likely plastic: 750 Glimmer (glow + premium feel) or 500-series variant. No official visual reveal as of 6/23.
  • Innova "Resistance Movement" cycle (carryover) — Nate Sexton's "Resistance" promo is rotating into Kat Mertsch's "wearediscsgolfers" cycle this week. The next Innova Factory Store cycle (late June) is expected to be either Calvin Heimburg or Väinö Mäkelä themed — no confirmation yet.
  • Discraft First Run Ares — Public launch 7/10 is locked; flight numbers still TBD. Discraft's own IG post confirmed 7/10. (carryover)
  • Climo Disc Golf "Cliff" (CDG-0326-P) — PDGA approved 3/16, but no production run announced yet. Likely a late-Q3 2026 drop.
  • Trash Panda — Ran Disc Golf is a known Trash Panda partner; the Surprise Metal Flake Dune rerun suggests Trash Panda may be opening up their 6th-birthday-box plastics for broader drops later in 2026.

7. Flight Number Corrections or Contradictions

  • Innova KATana — Multiple sources have quoted the KATana flight as 13 / 5 / -3 / 3 (high-speed understable with strong fade). The Innova Pro Shop 6/23 product page confirms 13 / 5 / -3 / 3. The same flight numbers as the Boss, but the KATana is the modern replacement for the Boss in the Innova lineup. Worth a catalog note: the KATana is NOT a retool; it's a separate mold. (Innova Pro Shop)
  • Carryover (no flight updates in this window): All other discs in the 6/23 catalog carry the same flight numbers as the 6/22 brief.

Related Gear

Innova

Aero

Putter◆ Stable
AINNOVA
3
Speed
6
Glide
0
Turn
0
Fade
3│6│0│0

Excellent glide and a straight flight path make the Innova Aero a great approach disc. This disc has a wider rim than most putters today. The Aero is a disc with some history. It was the first disc designed specifically for disc golf. It is a putter by today's standards, but before distance driver technology was created, this disc was once thrown 485 feet in competition. This is an old disc, but still a good one.

Innova

Alien

Midrange◆ Stable
AINNOVA
4
Speed
2
Glide
0
Turn
1
Fade
4│2│0│1

This disc looks like a UFO from the side, which is very fitting for the disc called the Alien. It's got a top like the Sonic, with the classic Fastback-like shape with a thumbtrack and little ridges for grip, and a bottom like a modern midrange. It feels more comfortable than it should, flies like a dream, and might make it in some of our employees' bags.

Innova

Animal

Putter◆ Stable
AINNOVA
2
Speed
1
Glide
0
Turn
1
Fade
2│1│0│1

The Animal is a putt & approach disc that has a thumbtrack rim for a solid grip. It is designed to be an approach disc for the backhand or forehand thrower. This has very little glide, which will prevent the disc gliding past the target. Also, it'll be more wind resistant.