Sportfishing Industry Presents the ICAST 2018 New Product Showcase Awards
Sportfishing Industry Presents the ICAST 2018 New Product Showcase Awards
Buyers and Media choose 25 Best of Category winners
by: Mary Jane Williamson, Dir Communications,
(Jul 18, 2018 - Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL)
July 12, 2018 – Last night, the 25 New Product Showcase Best of Category awards were presented during the New Product Showcase Awards reception held during ICAST, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades.
ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, is now in full swing (July 10 – 13), at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST – in its 61th year as the association’s trade show – is the annual destination for representatives from the global recreational fishing industry to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear, accessories and apparel.
One of the most prominent features 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 New Product Showcase awards competition.
This year, 974 products, accessories and apparel were entered by 331 companies into 25 categories, all vying for the overall ICAST 2018 Best of Show award.
“My congratulations go to all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “Remember, there are also 949 products that also deserve recognition. This year, for the first time, all the New Product Showcase entries are available for viewing on ICASTfishing.org and on the ICAST app under the Exhibitor listings. I urge you to check them out.”
“This year we are living up to our reputation as the world’s largest sportfishing trade show,” said Trade Show Director Blake Swango. “We the most attendance and the largest number of exhibitors, ever.”
Swango also noted, “I also want to congratulate our New Product Showcase award winners and thank all our member companies who submitted products for judging. I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.”
2018 ICAST New Product Showcase Best of Category Award Winners For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.
Best of Category – Boating Accessories– Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. Product: Minn Kota Ultrex Contact: Kathy Dutton kdutton@johnsonoutdoors.com
Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – Jackson Kayak Product: 360 Angler Contact: Sonia Cronin sonia@jacksonkayak.com
Best of Category – Eyewear– Costa Sunglasses Product: Baffin Contact: Shauna Metz smetz@costadelmar.com
Best of Category – Footwear– Rivers Edge Products Product: Fish Sandals Contact: Michael McFadden Michael.mcfadden@riversedgeproducts.com
Best of Category – Giftware– Number 6 Brands Product: Cauldryn Coffee Contact: Jason Shinn jason@number6brands.com
Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company Product: Hexatron Performance Fleece Contact: Matt Florentine matt@aftco.com
Best of Category – Technical Apparel– AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company Product: Hydronaut Heavy-Duty Waterproof System Contact: Matt Florentine matt@aftco.com
Best of Category – Electronics – Garmin USA Product: Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Contact: Carly Hysell carly.hysell@garmin.com
Best of Category – Fishing Accessory– YETI Product: YETI Tundra Haul Contact: Ravanne Harris rharris@yeti.com
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – YETI Product: YETI Panga Backpack 28 Contact: Ravanne Harris rharris@yeti.com
Best of Category – Fishing Line – PowerPro Product: PowerPro SuperSlick V2 Brand Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Kids’ Tackle – AnythingPossible Product: Kid Casters DUDE PERFECT Fishing Kit & Casting Game Contact: Jason Bauer jbauer@lilanglers.com
Best of Category – Tackle Management– Tak Logic Lure Lock Product: Lure Locker Contact: John Skrabo jskrabo@taklogic.com
Best of Category – Terminal Tackle– Rapala Product: VMC NEKO Skirt Contact: Bob Bussey bbussey@rapalausa.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure– Westin Product: Freddy the Frog Contact: Thomas Sanotra tsa@fairpoint.dk
Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure– 13 Fishing Product: Octopi Contact: Jose Chavez jose@13Fishing.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure– LIVETARGET Product: LIVETARGET Hollow Body Crawfish Contact: Susan Koppers skoppers@livetargetlures.com
Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET Product: LIVETARGET Fleeing Shrimp Contact: Susan Koppers skoppers@livetargetlures.com
Best of Category – Fly Reel– SEiGLER Reels Product: Seigler MF Fly Reel Contact: Russell Seymour russell@seigler.fish
Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation Product: Curado DC Baitcasting Reel Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Saltwater Reel– Shimano American Corporation Product: Tekota 500 Levelwind Reel Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo– Lew’s Fishing Product: Team Lew’s® Custom Black LFS Combo Contact: Tony Mehri tmehri@hunterspec.com
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod– St. Croix Rods Product: Mojo Trout Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
Best of Category – Freshwater Rod– St. Croix Rods Product: Legend Glass Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
Best of Category – Saltwater Rod– St. Croix Rods Product: Mojo Yak Contact: Rich Belanger richb@stcroixrods.com
ICAST 2019 will be held in the North/South Building at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 9 - 12, 2019.