Who Won ICAST 2023's Best of Category Awards?

AFTCO, Shimano and Pure Fishing were the biggest winners in expanded awards ceremony.

July 12, 2023 By Game & Fish Staff

Big-name gear manufacturers AFTCO, Shimano and Pure Fishing were the biggest winners Wednesday night in the ICAST 2023 Best of Category awards in Orlando.

Apparel maker AFTCO won five best-in-category awards, while Shimano and Pure Fishing won three each. Overall, awards were given in 37 categories, up from 30 last year. ICAST added six fly-fishing categories this year. Nearly 1,100 gear items were entered in the annual contest.

Wednesday’s winner advance to the Best of Show competition, which will be voted on Thursday morning. Best of Show will be announced at 2 p.m. Thursday.

ICAST 2023 Best of Category Winners

Novelties and Wellness: GoMist Drink and Misting Bottle, ExtremeMist Personal Cooling Systems
Motorized Boating Accessories: Power-Pole Move ZR, Power-Pole
Non-Motorized Boating Accessories: BOTE Water Hammock, BOTE
Boats and Watercraft: Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 kayak, Johnson Outdoors
Footwear: Ankle Deck Boot - Black, AFTCO
Ice Fishing: LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI with ECHOMAP, Garmin
Eyewear: King Tide 8, Black, 580G Blue Mirror, Costa Sunglasses
Lifestyle Apparel for Women: Women’s Coverup Dress, HUK Performance Fishing
Lifestyle Apparel for Men: Ocean Bound Hooded Performance Shirt, AFTCO
Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Women: Women’s Mojeaux ¼ Zip Performance Suit, AFTCO
Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Channel Hooded Performance Shirt, AFTCO
Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Women: Women’s Barricade Rain Suit, AFTCO
Cold Weather Technical Apparel For Men: Gale Pullover, Blackfish Gear
Soft and Hard Coolers: Flop Box 10, Flop Industries
Electronics: Westin EscapeCam, Westin Fishing
Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools: BUBBA Pro Series Smart Fish Scale, BUBBA
Fishing Accessory: ENGEL USB Rechargeable Lithium-Ion XL Live Bait, ENGEL Coolers
Kid’s Tackle: ProFISHiency Next Gen Krazy Combo, Anything Possible Brands
Tackle Management: Pontoon Boat Tackle Center, Boat Outfitters | Teak Isle
Terminal Tackle: VMC Swingin’ Ned Rig Jig, Rapala
Custom Tackle & Components: Tsuka 2 Complete Carbon Handle, American Tackle Company
Fishing Line: Mastiff Fluorocarbon, Shimano
Fly Fishing Technical Apparel and Accessories: Master M6014 Edition, Renzetti Inc.
Fly Fishing Waders and Wading Boots: G4Z Stockingfoot Wader, Simms Fishing Products
Fly Fishing Pack, Bag & Luggage: Flyweight Vest Pack, Simms Fishing Products
Fly Fishing Rod: Hardy Marksman Z, Pure Fishing
Fly Fishing Line, Leader, Tippet and Line Accessories: Colony 8T (Thin) Modular Tackle Box, BUZBE
Fly Fishing Reel: Cheeky Spray Fly Reel, Cheeky Fishing
Saltwater Soft Lure: Mulletron LT (Line-Through) Swimbait, Z-Man Fishing Products
Saltwater Hard Lure: MIrrOlure The Duke Dog, L&S Bait Company
Saltwater Reel: Seapower FM, Daiwa
Saltwater Rod: NRX+ Inshore, Shimano
Freshwater Hard Lure: Chatterbait Elite EVO, Z-Man Fishing Products
Freshwater Rod: St. Croix Mojo Bass TRIGON, St. Croix Rod
Freshwater Soft Lure: Berkley PowerBait Nessie, Pure Fishing
Rod and Reel Combo: Abu Garcia ZATA Baitcast Combo, Pure Fishing

Check back for updates to this story.

gaf-icastcatwinners2 — Shimano won Best of Categiory awards for Saltwater Rod, Freshwater Reel and Fishing Line. (Photo by Scott Bernarde)

Recent Videos

Fishing

Let There Be Light … For Anglers

Fishing

Let There Be Light … For Anglers

Days on the water often start or end in the dark. Be prepared for low-light situations, and stay safe on the water, by carrying a quality flashlight or headlamp. We get the details on seven models from Streamlight perfect for a variety of fishing situations.

Hunting

Scout & Adjust: Keys to Successful Hunting on Public Land

Hunting

Scout & Adjust: Keys to Successful Hunting on Public Land

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods with you. That's why it takes diligence to harvest a public buck. Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller points out that to be successful on public land, a hunter must scout thoroughly, and have backup plans in the field to account for hunting pressure from others.

Hunting

Tips to Improve Deer Habitat on Your Hunting Land

Hunting

Tips to Improve Deer Habitat on Your Hunting Land

Improving deer habitat on private hunting land comes down to three basic needs: 1. Cover (for bedding and places to find safety); 2. Food sources (food plots, mast trees); and 3. Water sources. Addressing these three things in your land maintenance plan will not only improve habitat for whitetails, but also for wildlife in general. In the video above, Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller shares some tips to keep in mind when working the land.

Fishing

Treat Your Boat Well on Dry Land for More Splash on the Water

Fishing

Treat Your Boat Well on Dry Land for More Splash on the Water

Anglers who view boat ownership as a long-term investment will have long-term success chasing fish. The less you have to worry about your boat's performance, the more you can focus on the fish. Game & Fish Magazine Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller talks about maintaining your boat for success on the water.

Fishing

How to Max Your Fishing Success on Foot

Fishing

How to Max Your Fishing Success on Foot

Most anglers began fishing with spinning gear, light line, and worms or crickets. And most of those anglers had their feet planted on the ground when they caught lots of panfish. But bank fishing isn't just for beginners. In this video, Game & Fish Magazine Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller shares how to catch lots of fish from the bank with simple tactics.

Fishing

Going to the Bank

Fishing

Going to the Bank

No boat, no problem. While many bass fishing techniques center on presentations made from a boat, savvy anglers can have success while fishing from the bank, too. In this episode, we explore tactics and tackle to help bank anglers get more hookups.

Gear

Advantage: Kayak

Gear

Advantage: Kayak

Learn about the benefits of fishing from a kayak, including transport, storage, cost savings and, above all, stealth. These advantages can get you on more bass and help you catch them efficiently.

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Skip a Lure

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Skip a Lure

Getting your bait to bass under a dock or overhanging brush is easier than you might realize.

Fishing

Take a Swim - For Real

Fishing

Take a Swim - For Real

Soft-plastic swimbaits catch bass for two main reasons: They cover water, and they imitate baitfish well enough that bass want to eat them. But if you want to take your swimbait presentations to the next level, consider some of the ultra-realistic versions now available to anglers.

Fishing

Mega Worms

Fishing

Mega Worms

Most plastic worms used for bass fall in the 6- to 8-inch range. But in some cases, bigger is better. And by bigger, we're talking worms that are a full 12 inches or even longer. These are mega-size worms, and fishing them can result in mega-size bass.

Fishing

Give Me No Lip

Fishing

Give Me No Lip

When most anglers think of a crankbait, they picture a hard lure with a plastic lip at the front that enables the bait to dive to a certain depth in the water. But some crankbaits don't need a lip to get down into the water column and draw strikes from bass. These lipless crankbaits offer key advantages in some situations, making them more versatile than their conventional counterparts.

Fishing

Sling a Blade

Fishing

Sling a Blade

When bass move offshore after the spawn and as the water temperature rises, they go deep or suspend along humps or other bottom contours. They often target schools of baitfish such as shad. In this situation, one lure that excels at both matching the forage and reaching the bass is the blade bait.

See All Videos

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Handguns

Rifleshooter

Shooting Times

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

Buy A Copy

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

Buy A Copy

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe & Save.

Who Won ICAST 2023's Best of Category Awards?

AFTCO, Shimano and Pure Fishing were the biggest winners in expanded awards ceremony.

ICAST 2023 Best of Category Winners

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Handguns

Handguns

Rifleshooter

Rifleshooter

Shooting Times

Shooting Times

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Hound

2023 Hound

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

More You May Be Interested In

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get Digital Access.

Not a Subscriber?

Get a Full Yearof Guns & Ammo& Digital Access.

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.