Editor’s Log: ICAST 22 Best Of Category - The Fisherman

Editor’s Log: ICAST 22 Best Of Category

Over here at The Fisherman Magazine we always look forward to the once a year event that takes place in Orlando Florida, known as ICAST. The acronym stands for International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades. It’s the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. As well as the premier showcase for the latest innovations in gear, tackle, accessories and apparel. ICAST is the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, helping to drive recreational fishing product sales year round.

Our presence at the event is a necessity. From meetings to looking for the latest and greatest, we’re on the ground and running for all four days of the event. And let me tell you, by the way my feet felt by the end of day four, we did a lot of running during this year’s event.

Our trip started at the outdoor product showcase event where many companies set up around the small pond in front of the venue. I wasn’t able to attend the event but the rest of the team was able to see new lures in action, cast the newest rods, see the latest watercrafts and try out some of the best sunglasses in the game. We all came together and agreed this part of ICAST definitely helped us all get a better look at certain products compared to seeing them in a showroom setting.

That same evening was the new product showcase—an event where media and editorial would vote on the “Best of Category” for the awards ceremony the following day.

Best Soft and Hard Coolers (Best of Show)
P88-MK Combo | PacBak
pacbak.com

Best Saltwater Reel
PENN Authority Spinning Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.
pennfishing.com

Best Freshwater Reel
Shimano STELLA FK | Shimano
fish.shimano.com

Best Saltwater Rod
Ugly Stik Carbon Innshore Rod | Pure Fishing, Inc.
uglystik.com

Best Freshwater Rod
Legend Tournament Bass Rod | St. Croix Rod
stcroixrods.com

Best Rod & Reel Combo
Shimano Spheros SW Combo | Shimano
fish.shimano.com

Best Fly Fishing Rod
Banshee Fly | Bull Bay Tackle Company
bullbayrods.com

Best Fly Reel & Fly Fishing Accessories
Hardy Fortuna Regent Saltwater Fly Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.
hardyfishing.com

Best Fishing Accessory
Frabill WITNESS Weigh Net | Pure Fishing, Inc.
frabill.com

Best Tackle Management
Plano EDGE Frog Box | Pure Fishing, Inc.
planomolding.com

Best Terminal Tackle
DieZel Eye Jigheads | Z-Man Fishing Products
zmanfishing.com

Best Custom Tackle and Components
RBS Pro G2 Power Wrapper | Mud Hole Custom Tackle
mudhole.com

Best Fishing Line
SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Vis Yellow | Pure Fishing, Inc.
purefishing.com/pages/spiderwire

Best Saltwater Soft Lure
Kicker CrabZ | Z-Man Fishing Products
zmanfishing.com

Best Saltwater Hard Lure
LIVETARGET Live Shrimp | LIVETARGET Lures
livetargetlures.com

Best Freshwater Soft Lure
Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger | Pure Fishing, Inc.
berkley-fishing.com/collections/powerbait

Best Freshwater Hard Lure
Berkley Slobberknocker | Pure Fishing, Inc.
berkley-fishing.com/collections/hard-bait

Best Eyewear
Roca | Baijo Sunglasses
bajiosunglasses.com

Best Footwear
AFTCO Ankle Deck Boot | AFTCO
aftco.com

Best Lifestyle Apparel for Women
Women’s Reaper Softshell | AFTCO
aftco.com/collections/womens-fishing-clothing

Best Lifestyle Apparel for Men
CocoBoardies Boardshorts | AFTCO
aftco.com/collections/fishing-clothing

Best Cold Weather Technical Apparel
Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway | AFTCO
aftco.com/collections/outerwear-rain-gear

Best Warm Weather Technical Apparel
SolarFlex Guide Cooling Hoody | Simms Fishing Products
simmsfishing.com

Best Electronics
MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock | Humminbird, Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics
humminbird.com/learn/imaging/targetlock

Best Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools
BUBBA Saltwater Multi-Flex Fillet Knife | BUBBA
bubba.com

Best Boating Accessory
Frabill ReCharge, Deluxe Aerator | Pure Fishing, Inc.
frabill.com

Best Boats and Watercraft
BOTE Rackham Gatorshall + APEX Pedal Drive | BOTE
boteboard.com

Best Ice Fishing
Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI | Garmin USA
garmin.com

Best Kids’ Tackle
Kid’s Tributary Wader | Simms Fishing Products
simmsfishing.com

Best Novelties and Wellness
Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch – Sapphire Edition | Garmin USA
garmin.com

You’ll get to learn more about a lot of the new products unveiled at ICAST 2022 in our weekly New Product Spotlight videos posted every week at TheFisherman.com; be sure to sign up for our free email alerts from The Fisherman Magazine to grab an up close and personal look at the many new rods, reels, lures, lines, apparel and technical gear coming out of ICAST 2022.

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