September 07, 2022
By Game & Fish Staff
American anglers have made their choice for their favorite new fishing item for the year. And not surprisingly it's a new bass lure.
In conjunction with the annual the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) Show in Orlando, the fishing public was invited to cast their votes for their favorite item debuted at the show. The first-ever Anglers’ Choice Award competition was begun by ICAST producer American Sportfishing Association, which wanted to give average anglers a role in the closed-to-the-public July show.
Of the 30 Best-of-Category winners, Berkley's new bladed jig, the Slobberknocker, was selected as the anglers' favorite. The Slobberknocker also was ICAST's Best Freshwater Hard Bait.
Voting was conducted Aug. 21-27 at icastfishing.org.
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The Slobberknocker was one of more than 900 new items debuted in ICAST's New Product Showcase in the Orange County Convention Center. Upstart cooler company PacBak won Best of Show with its P88-MK Combo, which allows anglers to fillet and vacuum seal their catch, and put it directly on ice.
"The New Product Showcase is the recreational fishing industry's equivalent of the Oscars," overstated Blake Swango, ASA's vice president for Trade Show and Membership. "Because ICAST is a trade event and not open to the public, with our members' support, we decided this would be the year to launch the Anglers' Choice Award, giving everyone with a passion for fishing a chance to join in the excitement that defines ICAST."
"The team at Berkley Labs has worked so hard at innovating and truly making our baits the best on the market – and that’s what they did here with the Slobberknocker," said Jon Schlosser, Berkley's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "Our team was committed to scientifically fine-tuning this bait so it would deliver the performance we were looking for, so to see it getting the love and respect it deserves is truly remarkable. I could not be prouder of our team and this award."
Why Bass Champ Bobby Lane Loves the New Berkley Slobberknocker
Berkley, which was 2021's Best of Show with the Gilly swimbait, produced the Slobberknocker after countless hours one the water and in the lab. The through-head design is unique in the growing bladed-swimbait market and delivers consistent vibration even through heavy cover. It also features a chip-resistant paint finish, sticky-sharp Fusion19 hooks and 12 colors.
Berkley Slobberknocker Facts
- Innovative Head-to-Blade connection design
- Hand-tied, PowerBait infused silicone skirt
- Talon style trailer keeper keeps bait secure without tearing
- Premium color selection
- Sharp and stout Fusion19 hook
- Chip resistant paint finish
- Sizes: 3/8oz • 1/2oz
- Colors: BL Special • Green Pumpkin Shad • Green Pumpkin • White • Bama Bream • Coleslaw • White Chartreuse • Herring • Golden Shiner • Fire Craw • Bruised • Hot Craw
- MSRP: $13.99
- Available: September 2022
- Info: berkley-fishing.com
