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

MINN KOTA ULTREX trolling motor wins 'Best of Show' during the world's largest sportfishing tradeshow

July 15, 2016 By WorldFishingNetwork.com Staff

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.

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

A day of saltwater fishing often starts before sunup and can continue until well after dark. Flashlights—whether they be handheld or hands-free models—are vital items for safety and success in the salt. In this episode, we take a close look at several models from Streamlight that are up for the task.

Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Many saltwater species are excellent on the table, but only if you care for and clean them properly. Preparing your catch for a meal starts as soon as you land the fish, and knowing how to properly clean it back at the dock is vital in ensuring the best flavor. In this episode, we detail steps that will help you turn your catch into memorable meals.

Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Fishing

Snook on the Hook

The snook is an ambush predator of the saltwater shallows, often hiding among mangroves and attacking prey as it swims by or is swept past by current. Finding spots where snook like to hide is key to catching them, and in this episode we slide in next to an gnarly edge of mangroves and make precise drifts with our baits to pull fish from the cover.

Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

With a 13-inch length of pull and 18 1/2-inch barrel, the Super Compact version of the Cobra III pump shotgun from TriStar is sized just right for young or small-framed shooters. We spent a few minutes with Eric Renander of TriStar to get a closer look at this new .410 bore and discovered it has many of the features found on full-size shotguns, which hunters of all ages will appreciate.

Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

One of the most high-tech shotgun slugs to hit the market, the Freight Train is a polymer-tipped copper projectile designed for greater penetration and accuracy. We talked to Adam Moser from Federal Ammunition to get details on not only the slug, but also its wad and sabot, and to find out what the new Freight Train has to offer deer hunters.

Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Keep things simple when it comes to tackle for the salt by choosing one general-purpose rod and reel combo that will serve for a variety of gamefish and presentations both inshore and offshore. In this episode, Capt. George Gozdz provides tips on how to make that selection, and we put the combo to the test against sailfish, tarpon, snook and more.

Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Fishing

Jacks to the Max

The jack crevalle often doesn't get the respect it deserves when compared to species like sailfish and snook, but jacks can provide thrilling action on light tackle—especially when fishing topwater baits. In this episode, we go in pursuit of jacks to show you why these ravenous brawlers are well worth your time and attention.

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Rod builders continue to gravitate toward accommodating lighter finesse techniques. Here's a small sampling of the best new fishing rods from this year's show.

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

FFS (forward facing sonar) techniques dominated the new lure offerings at ICAST in Orlando. Here's a sampling of intriguing new fishing products at the annual trade show.

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse, so here's a sampling of some of the latest in freshwater fishing reels.

Fishing

The Fight is On

Fishing

The Fight is On

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and powerful surges that will tire your arms and test your strength. Successfully landing these species requires careful attention to fighting technique, and in this episode we'll highlight tips that will help you win the battle.

Fishing

Tackle Junkie: G. Loomis GLX 894C JWR

Fishing

Tackle Junkie: G. Loomis GLX 894C JWR

In this episode of Tackle Junkie, Game & Fish contributor Shane Beilue conducts an on-the-water evaluation of the newly revamped line of GLX bass rods from legendary rod maker G. Loomis.