The new Garmin Force trolling motor. (Photo by Scott Bernarde)
July 10, 2019
By G&F Online Staff
The Garmin Force won the battle of new trolling motors at ICAST 2019 Wednesday night.
The Force was the most notable winner in the fishing trade show’s Best of Category Awards held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Garmin’s Best Boating Accessory win was significant as it won over Lowrance’s Ghost — as the two fishing-electronics makers released their first-ever entries into the trolling-motor market at the popular show.
Also, it sets up the possibility Garmin may win the Best of Show Award — designating the show’s top new product—for the second straight year. Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope live-scan sonar won the top prize last year.
Other top winners included LIVETARGET lures and St. Croix rods, which each won three category awards Wednesday. Humminbird, Shimano reels, Simms and AFTCO won two categories each (see list below).
The awards, determined by votes from attending media members, included 1,003 new products in 29 categories. The 29 winners will be voted on again Thursday morning to determine the overall winner.
ICAST 2019 Best of Category winners
Best Boating Accessory – Garmin Force Trolling Motor
Best Kayak Accessory – Hobie Mirage 360 Angler
Best Eyewear — Costa Water Woman
Best Footwear – Frogg Toggs Skipper
Best Giftwear – 13 Fishing Fillet Table Beverage Management System
Best Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO Yurei Air-O-Mesh Performance Shirt
Best Technical Apparel Cold Weather — SIMMS M’s G4Z Stockingfoot Wader
Best Technical Apparel Warm Weather — AFTCO Overboard Submersible Shorts
Best Ice Fishing – Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N
Best Cooler and Bait Storage — Frabill Magnum Bait Station 30
Best Cutlery Hand Pliers & Tools – BUBBA 110V Electric Fillet Knife
Best Electronics – Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging
Best Fly Fishing Accessory – SIMMS Dry Creek Z Sling Pack
Best Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company MW20 Finesse Set
Best Fishing Line – PowerPro Moonshine Braid
Best Kids Tackle — Anything Possible Brands The Bumblebee by ProFISHiency
Best Tackle Management – Plano Edge
Best Terminal Tackle – VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short
Best Freshwater Soft Lure – Lukerhunt Phantom Spider
Best Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET Slow-Roll Shiner
Best Freshwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner
Best Saltwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET Flutter Sardine
Best Freshwater Reel – Shimano SLX DC Baitcasting Reel
Best Saltwater Reel – Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Reel
Best Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels SF
Best Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods Mojo Bass Glass Rip N’ Chatter Rod
Best Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods Avid Surf
Best Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods Imperial Salt
Best Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcast Combo