Who Were the Category Winners at ICAST 2022?

Mathematically, fishing-industry giant Pure Fishing has nearly a 1-in-3 chance to win the Best of Show award at ICAST 2022 in Orlando.

That's because nine of the 30 Best of Category awards at the annual show were won by Pure Fishing, the parent company of such brands as Berkley, Plano, Ugly Stik and Frabill. The winners announced at Wednesday's Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center will all be considered contenders for ICAST's prestigious Best of Show award, to be determined Thursday afternoon.

Pure Fishing won last year’s Best of Show with the Berkley Gilly swimbait and seems favored to go back-to-back.

The company’s nine category winners included: Berkley (Freshwater Soft Lure, Freshwater Hardbait); Frabill (Boating Accessory, Fishing Accessory); SpiderWire (Fishing Line); Plano (Tackle Management); Ugly Stik (Saltwater Rod); Hardy (Fly Reel/Accessory), and PENN (Saltwater Reel).

Pure Fishing wasn't the lone multiple winner Wednesday. AFTCO won four, and Garmin, Simms, Z-Man and Shimano each won two. See the complete winner's list below. On Thursday, one of the 30 category winners will be named Best of Show, as media and other ICAST attendees will vote again, with the final results being announced around 2 p.m.

ICAST 2022 Category Winners

• Novelties and Wellness: Garmin, Quatix 7 Smartwatch.
• Boating Accessories: Pure Fishing, Frabill ReCharge Deluxe Aerator.
• Boats and Watercraft: BOTE, Rackham Gatorshell + APEX Pedal Drive.
• Footwear: AFTCO, Ankle Deck Boot.
• Ice Fishing: Garmin, LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI.
• Eyewear: Bajio, Roca Sunglasses.
• Lifestyle Apparel for Women: AFTCO, Reaper Softshell.
• Lifestyle Apparel for Men: AFTCO, CocoBoardies Boardshorts.
• Cold Weather Technical Apparel: AFTCO, Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway.
• Warm Weather Technical Apparel: Simms, SolarFlex Guide Cooling Hoody.
• Soft and Hard Coolers: PacBak, P88-MK Combo.
• Electronics: Johnson Outdoors, MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock.
• Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools: Bubba, Multi-Plex Interchangeable knife set.
• Fishing Accessory: Pure Fishing, Frabill Witness Weigh Net.
• Fishing Line: Pure Fishing, SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Vis Yellow.
• Kid’s Tackle: Simms, Kid’s Tributary Wader.
• Tackle Management: Pure Fishing, Plano EDGE Frog Box.
• Custom Tackle and Components: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, RBS Pro G2 Power Wrapper.
• Terminal Tackle: Z-Man Fishing, DieZel Eye Jigheads.
• Freshwater Soft Lure: Pure Fishing, Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger.
• Freshwater Hard Lure: Pure Fishing, Berkley Slobberknocker.
• Saltwater Soft Lure: Z-Man Fishing, Kicker CrabZ.
• Saltwater Hard Lure: LiveTarget, Live Shrimp.
• Fly Fishing Rod: Bull Bay, Banshee Fly.
• Freshwater Rod: St. Croix, Legend Grasp.
• Rod/Reel Combo: Shimano, Spheros Combo.
• Saltwater Rod: Pure Fishing, Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore Rod.
• Fly Reel and Accessories: Pure Fishing, Hardy Fortuna Regent Fly Reel.
• Freshwater Reel: Shimano, Stella FK.
• Saltwater Reel: Pure Fishing, PENN Authority Spinning Reel.

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