ORLANDO, Fla. – Last night, the ICAST 2021 “Best of Category” winners were announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by St. Croix Rod. The winners in 30 product categories were selected by credentialed buyers and media who voted for the best of the new product entries.
One of the most popular featured events at ICAST, the New Product Showcase, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, is a once-a-year opportunity to see the latest and greatest innovations all in one place. This year, 686 new products were entered by 218 companies in 30 categories.
“I want to congratulate the ICAST 2021 Best of Category winners whose creative ideas and hard work contribute to the innovative spirit that keeps our industry growing,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “I also say thank you to all our member companies who submitted products for judging and are donating their products to Keep America Fishing.”
Hundreds of New Product Showcase entries have been donated to the upcoming online auction to support Keep America Fishing, ASA’s angler advocacy effort to help ensure the right to fish.
After launching on July 20, with Super Tuesday, ICAST, the premier annual event for the global recreational fishing industry, is now in full swing through Friday, July 23. ICAST is presented by Take Me Fishing™, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s consumer-facing brand.
ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). ASA is a national, non-profit trade association whose member companies share a stake in promoting sportfishing for the well-being of their businesses and to grow recreational fishing.
Today, at 2:00 p.m. in the New Product Showcase, the ICAST 2021 overall “Best of Show” award will be presented. All badged show attendees are invited to attend.
All New Product Showcase entries are available for viewing on the ICAST website and on the ICAST app for Apple and Android devices.
ICAST 2021 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 – Plano Molding
Product: Frabill Ultralight Conservation Net
Contact: Angelica Vazquez
Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – BOTE
Product: LONO Aero + APEX Pedal Drive
Contact: Leigh Daniels
Best of Category – Giftware – HitchFire
Product: HitchFire Forge 15
Contact: Robby Burleson
Best of Category – Footwear – XTRATUF
Product: Ankle Deck Boot Sport
Contact: Lisa Eddy
Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: Untangled Collection: New Frames Made from Old Nets
Contact: Hannah Trotter
Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel for Women – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: AFTCO Womens Fields Utility Overall
Contact: Seth Meyer
Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel for Men – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: AFTCO Rescue Regenerated Fishing Shorts
Contact: Seth Meyer
Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt
Contact: Seth Meyer
Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Barricade Elite 4L Waterproof System
Contact: Seth Meyer
Best of Category – Soft and Hard Coolers – Plano Molding
Product: Frabill Universal Bait Station
Contact: Angelica Vazquez
Best of Category – Electronics – Hummingbird
Product: Hummingbird MEGA Live Imaging
Contact: Tim Price
Best of Category – Cutlery, Hand Pliers/Tools – Bubba
Product: Pro Series Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
Contact: Jessica Howery
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – Plano Molding
Product: EDGE Micro Magnetic Fly Box
Contact: Angelica Vazquez
Best of Category –Fishing Accessory – Kahuna Wagons
Product: Sidekick Fishing & Beach Wagon
Contact: Jennifer Knoebel
Best of Category – Kid’s Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: ProFISHiency NERF 5FT 6IN Micro Spin Cast Combo
Contact: Jeremy Stubblefield
Best of Category – Tackle Management – Plano Molding
Product: Atlas Tackle Pack
Contact: Angelica Vazquez
Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Sharkbanz Fishing
Product: The Zeppelin – World’s First Shark Deterrent Tackle
Contact: Nathan Garrison
Best of Category – Ice Fishing – Garmin
Product: LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle LI
Contact: Carly Hysell
Best of Category – Fishing Line – Seaguar
Product: BasiX
Contact: Chuck Reynolds
Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Berkley PowerBait Gilly
Contact: Josh Ward
Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – Rather Outdoors
Product: Strike King Chick Magnet Flat-Sided Crank Bait
Contact: Mark Copley
Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – Savage Gear USA, Inc.
Product: Duratech Crab
Contact: Magnus Gunnarsson
Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Berkley Choppo Saltwater
Contact: Josh Ward
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis
Product: NRX T2S 8810-2
Contact: Amy Lee Martin
Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Abu Garcia Zenon Rod
Contact: Josh Ward
Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – Bull Bay Tackle Company
Product: Banshee Rod – Bull Bay Rod
Contact: Dustin Phillips
Best of Category – Rod and Reel Combo – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcast Combo
Contact: Josh Ward
Best of Category – Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Greys Tital Fly Reel
Contact: Josh Ward
Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation
Product: Zillion SV TW
Contact: Curt Arakawa
Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation
Product: Saltist MQ
Contact: Curt Arakawa
