Who Won ICAST 2018 Best of Show?

Garmin won the top award over nearly 1,000 entries in ICAST 2018's Best of Show competition.

Garmin USA won its first ICAST award this week in Orlando, and it was a big deal for the fishing-electronics maker.

Garmin's Panoptix LiveScope, which the company calls "the first and only live-scanning sonar for recreational fishing," received the Best of Show award at ICAST 2018, announced Thursday afternoon at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

The product, which was one of 25 Best of Category winners at the prestigious sportfishing trade show, was awarded the top prize at an American Sportfishing Association press conference at the show.

"Overwhelmed," is how Garmin's marine division director of sales David Dunn put it after the announcement. "Last night [at the Best of Category Awards] was our first ICAST victory. Then to follow it up with Best in Show is just unbelievable. We're super-excited by the LiveScope technology. It's a real game-changer."

• Click here to see ICAST 2018 Best of Category winners

Later, he added, "Garmin is fighting for a place in the freshwater market. We are here to stay."

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The award was the result of Thursday-morning voting by media and buyers at the show who were asked to pick one of the 25 finalists for Best of Show. Those 25 category winners were announced Wednesday night.

ICAST 2018 Best of Show: Garmin's Panoptix LiveScope

According to the product description from Garmin:

"[The Panoptix LiveScope --> gives anglers higher resolution and easier-to-interpret images of the structure, bait and fish swimming below and around the boat than ever before, even when the boat is stationary. The transducer can be easily adjusted to fit the angler's fishing techniques; point forward to see around the boat, or point down to see directly below the boat."

The unit retails for $1,499.99.

ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) â€“ in its 61^thyear as the industry's trade show – is the annual destination for representatives from the recreational fishing industry to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear, accessories and apparel.

ASA president Glenn Hughes said more than 9,000 votes were cast in the annual competition, which attracted 976 entries.

More on ICAST 2018

• IFTD, ICAST Prep for Final Trade Show Together
• Facts About  ICAST 2018