Sportfishing Industry Presents the ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” Awards

Sportfishing Industry Presents the ICAST 2016 “Best of Show” Awards

Johnson Outdoors – Minn Kota wins “Best of Show” during the world’s largest sportfishing trade show

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL – July 14, 2016

The world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, is now in full swing (July 12 – 15), at the Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Fla. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST – in its 59^th year as the industry’s trade show – is the annual destination for the global recreational fishing industry. Nearly 15,000 industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry are in Orlando to see the latest innovations in gear, accessories and apparel.

The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, embodies the sportfishing industry’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that 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 gross 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.

“I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase. The creativity and ingenuity that exists within our member companies adds excitement and discovery to the adventure of fishing,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.”

“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, sponsored by Costa, were presented on Wednesday, July 13, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception at the Orange County Convention Center.

2016 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners

ICAST 2016 Overall Best of Show – Johnson Outdoors – MINN KOTA
Product: MINN KOTA UTLREX

Best of Show – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Legend Glass Rod

Best of Show – Saltwater Rod – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Lew’s Mach Speed Stick/Inshore Rod

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: SOLE

Best of Show – Freshwater Reel – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Team Lew’s Custom Pro SLP

Best of Show – Saltwater Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: PENN SLAMMER III

Best of Show – Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Pflueger President Fly Reel

Best of Show – Hard Lure – Savage Gear USA
Product: 3D Suicide Duck

Best of Show – Soft Lure – Squidnation
Product: Longtail Flippy Floppy

Best of Show – Lifestyle Apparel – Under Armour, Inc.
Product: Men’s UA Fish Stalker SS

Best of Show – Technical Apparel – Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill I-Float Suit

Best of Show – Boating Accessories – Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Product: MINN KOTA ULTREX

Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product: Old Town Predator PDL

Best of Show – Combo – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product: Mach II Speed Spool Combo

Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors – Humminbird
Product: HELIX 10 SI

Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa
Product: Rafael

Best of Show – Fishing Accessory – YETI Coolers
Product: Hopper Flip 12

Best of Show – FishSmart – Adventure Products
Product: EGO Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Boomerang
Product: Retractable Fly Box

Best of Show – Footwear – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Flats Wading Boots

Best of Show – Giftware – Weego
Product: Weego Jump Starter 44

Best of Show – Kids’ Tackle – Steinhauser, LLC
Product: 48” Starter Rod Combos

Best of Show – Line – G. Pucci & Sons, Inc.
Product: P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon

Best of Show – Tackle Management – Cobra Garage Door Storage
Product: Cobra Garage Door Storage Rack

Best of Show – Terminal Tackle – Trapper Tackle
Product: DropShot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook

For complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org