ICAST Announces 30 New Product Showcase Best of Category Winners for 2020
Awards were presented during the first-ever virtual sportfishing trade show
The ICAST 2020 Online New Product Showcase Best of Category award winners were announced during the first-ever, virtual sportfishing industry trade show. One of those 30 category winners will be awarded the coveted Best of Show trophy to be announced Friday morning, July 17, at 9:00 a.m. at ICASTfishing.org.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic ICAST, the world’s largest recreational fishing trade show, transitioned from an Orlando-based, in-person show to a virtual event with ICAST 2020 Online. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the show’s producer, committed to delivering attendees and exhibitors alike an engaging, interactive virtual trade show experience, presented by TakeMeFishing.org.
“For 63 years, ICAST has been the venue for showcasing recreational fishing related products and we were determined that this year was going to be no different,” said Blake Swango, ASA’s vice president for Trade Show and Membership.
One of the most popular featured events at ICAST, the New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer/Decode, is a once-a-year opportunity to see the latest and greatest innovations all in one place.
“Despite a change in venue, the New Product Showcase featured the latest innovations in gear, accessories, apparel and other products to ensure anglers will have a great day on the water,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “For the first time, retail buyers and media from around the world were able to vote electronically for the Best of Category and Best of Show awards.”
Hughes further said, “Kudos and congratulations to all our member exhibitors who stepped up this year, even during these crazy times, to develop and launch all these incredible new products that reflect the passion our industry has for making a day on the water even more exciting for anglers around the globe.”
For ICAST 2020 Online, 434 new products were entered by more than 180 companies.
“We congratulate tonight’s winners for contributing their ideas and hard work to the innovative spirit that keeps our industry growing,” said Swango. “We’re pleased that ICAST once again serves as a showcase for the best in sportfishing and the entire outdoor, on-the-water experience.”
Swango noted, “I want to thank our ICAST 2020 Online sponsors for their generous support and commitment to the show.”
All New Product Showcase entries and Best of Category winners are available for viewing through the ICAST website and on the ICAST app.
ICAST 2020 Online New Product Showcase Best of Category Award Winners
- Best Boating Accessory – Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor
- Best Boats and Watercraft – Old Town Sportsman Autopilot
- Best Giftware – Garmin Quatix 6X Solar Watch
- Best Footwear – Under Armour UA Micro G Kilchis
- Best Eyewear – Costa Del Mar Ferg
- Best Lifestyle Apparel for Women – Simms Fishing Products Women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib
- Best Lifestyle Apparel for Men – AFTCO Saba Recycled Seam Free Boardshorts
- Best Warm Weather Technical Apparel – AFTCO Diffuse Air-O Mesh Fishing Shorts
- Best Cold Weather Technical Apparel – AFTCO Reaper Windproof 3-Layer Softshell Jacket
- Best Soft & Hard Cooler -YETI Roadie 24
- Best Electronics – Humminbird Coastmaster Charts
- Best Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – Line Cutters Dual Hybrid Micro Scissor
- Best Fly Fishing Accessory – Frabill Floating Trout Net
- Best Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company Tsuka Handle System
- Best Kid’s Tackle – Abu Garcia Gen Ike EZ Cast Baitcast Combo
- Best Terminal Tackle – VMC Crossover Rings
- Best Tackle Management – Plano Synergy EDGE Flex
- Best Ice Fishing – Rapala Strike Master Lithium 24V
- Best Fishing Line – Berkley Fluoroshield
- Best Freshwater Soft Lure – A Band of Anglers Hyperlastics Dartprop Pro SK
- Best Freshwater Hard Lure – Z-Man Chatterbait Jackhammer Stealthblade
- Best Saltwater Soft Lure – 13 Fishing The Mullet
- Best Saltwater Hard Lure – Shimano SP-Orca 150 Flash Boost Blue Sardine
- Best Fly Fishing Rod – Hardy Zane Pro
- Best Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods Legend Xtreme Spinning
- Best Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods Mojo Inshore
- Best Rod and Reel Combo – Abu Garcia Virtual Casting Combo
- Best Fly Reel – Hardy Ultra Disc UDLA Reel
- Best Freshwater Reel – Shimano Vanford 2500 Spinning Reel
- Best Saltwater Reel – PENN Battle III
