Best, Award-winning Fishing Products and Gear from 2016 ICAST

The world’s largest sportfishing tradeshow, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, known as ICAST, is the annual destination for the global recreational fishing industry. Nearly 15,000 industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry attend the annual event to see the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel.

The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase embodies the sportfishing industry's innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards 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-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.

“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, were presented on Wednesday, July 13, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center.

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ICAST 2016 Overall Best of Show: Johnson Outdoors – MINN KOTA
Product: MINN KOTA UTLREX

MINN KOTA UTLREX (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show - Freshwater Rod: St. Croix Rods
Product: Legend Glass Rod

St. Croix Legend Glass Rod (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show - Saltwater Rod: Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Lew’s Mach Speed Stick/Inshore Rod

Lew’s Mach Speed Stick/Inshore Rod (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod: St. Croix Rods
Product: SOLE

Best of Show - Freshwater Reel: Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Team Lew’s Custom Pro SLP

Team Lew’s Custom Pro SLP (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show - Saltwater Reel: Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: PENN SLAMMER III

Best of Show - Fly Reel: Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Pflueger President Fly Reel

Best of Show - Hard Lure: Savage Gear USA
Product: 3D Suicide Duck

Best of Show - Soft Lure: Squidnation
Product: Longtail Flippy Floppy

Best of Show – Lifestyle Apparel: Under Armour, Inc.
Product: Men’s UA Fish Stalker SS

Best of Show – Technical Apparel: Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill I-Float Suit

Frabill I-Float Suit (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show - Boating Accessories: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Product: MINN KOTA ULTREX

Best of Show – Boats: Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product: Old Town Predator PDL

Best of Show – Combo: Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Mach II Speed Spool Combo

Best of Show – Electronics: Johnson Outdoors – Humminbird
Product: HELIX 10 SI

Humminbird HELIX 10 SI (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show – Eyewear: Costa
Product: Rafael

Best of Show - Fishing Accessory: YETI Coolers
Product: Hopper Flip 12

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Cooler (Jeff Phillips photo)

Best of Show – FishSmart: Adventure Products
Product: EGO Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory: Boomerang
Product: Retractable Fly Box

Best of Show – Footwear: Shimano American Corporation
Product: Flats Wading Boots

Best of Show – Giftware: Weego
Product: Weego Jump Starter 44

Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle: Steinhauser, LLC
Product: 48-inch Starter Rod Combos

Best of Show – Line: G. Pucci & Sons, Inc.
Product: P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon

Best of Show - Tackle Management: Cobra Garage Door Storage
Product: Cobra Garage Door Storage Rack

Best of Show - Terminal Tackle: Trapper Tackle
Product: DropShot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook

ICAST 2017 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 11 – 14, 2017.