The world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST wrapped up this past Friday, July 15 at the Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST – in its 59th year as the industry’s trade show – is the annual destination for the global recreational fishing industry. Nearly 15,000 industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry are in Orlando to see the latest innovations in gear, accessories and apparel.
Perhaps the single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, embodies the sportfishing industry’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that ingenuity through the "Best of Show" new product awards competition.
This year, more than 1,000 tackle products and accessories were entered by more than 240 companies into 24 “Best of Show” categories in the New Product Showcase, all vying for the overall ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” award.
Making up a special section of the 650,000 gross square foot show floor, the ICAST New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.
BEST OF SHOW AWARDS
Johnson Outdoors, Inc. and its MINN KOTA ULTREX were voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boat Accessories category and the overall “Best of Show.”
This year, first time exhibitors Cobra Garage Door Storage won “Best of Show” in Tackle Management; Squidnation won “Best of Show” for Soft Lure; and Trapper Tackle won “Best of Show” in Terminal Tackle.
“I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase. The creativity and ingenuity that exists within our member companies adds excitement and discovery to the adventure of fishing,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.”
“This year we saw a ground swell of new products being entered into the New Product Showcase which bodes well for the 2016 and 2017 fishing seasons,” said Trade Show Director Kenneth Andres.
The ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” awards, sponsored by Costa, were presented on Wednesday, July 13, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center.
ICAST 2016 Overall Best of Show – Johnson Outdoors – MINN KOTA
Product: MINN KOTA UTLREX
www.minnkotamotors.com
Best of Show – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Legend Glass Rod
www.stcroixrods.com
Best of Show – Saltwater Rod – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Lew’s Mach Speed Stick/Inshore Rod
www.lews.com
Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: SOLE
www.stcroixrods.com
Best of Show – Freshwater Reel – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Team Lew’s Custom Pro SLP
www.lews.com
Best of Show – Saltwater Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: PENN SLAMMER III
www.pennfishing.com
Best of Show – Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Pflueger President Fly Reel
www.pfluegerfishing.com
Best of Show – Hard Lure – Savage Gear USA
Product: 3D Suicide Duck
www.savage-gear.com
Best of Show – Soft Lure – Squidnation
Product: Longtail Flippy Floppy
www.squidnation.com
Best of Show – Lifestyle Apparel – Under Armour, Inc.
Product: Men’s UA Fish Stalker SS
www.underarmour.com
Best of Show – Technical Apparel – Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill I-Float Suit
www.frabill.com
Best of Show – Boating Accessories – Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Product: MINN KOTA ULTREX
www.minnkotamotors.com
Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product: Old Town Predator PDL
www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks
Best of Show – Combo – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Mach II Speed Spool Combo
www.lews.com
Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors – Humminbird
Product: HELIX 10 SI
www.humminbird.com
Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa
Product: Rafael
www.costadelmar.com
Best of Show – Fishing Accessory – YETI Coolers
Product: Hopper Flip 12
www.yeticoolers.com
Best of Show – FishSmart – Adventure Products
Product: EGO Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net
www.adventureproducts.com
Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Boomerang
Product: Retractable Fly Box
www.boomerangtool.com
Best of Show – Footwear – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Flats Wading Boots
fish.shimano.com
Best of Show – Giftware – Weego
Product: Weego Jump Starter 44
www.myweego.com
Best of Show – Kids’ Tackle – Steinhauser, LLC
Product: 48” Starter Rod Combos
www.lilanglers.com
Best of Show – Line – G. Pucci & Sons, Inc.
Product: P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon
www.p-line.com
Best of Show – Tackle Management – Cobra Garage Door Storage
Product: Cobra Garage Door Storage Rack
www.cobrastorage.com
Best of Show – Terminal Tackle – Trapper Tackle
Product: DropShot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook
www.trappertackle.com
ICAST 2017 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 11 – 14, 2017.