Last night, the ICAST 2022 “Best of Category” winners were announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by St. Croix Rod. The recreational fishing industry’s brightest stars gathered beneath the stage lights to see which products would carry home one of the coveted ICAST awards selected by credentialed buyers and media at the industry’s largest trade show.
“The nice thing about these awards is that they are accolades from your peers,” said the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Chairman Jesse Simpkins, VP of Marketing for St. Croix Rod. “They recognize the hard work, effort and ingenuity that goes into the product.”
This year, more than 900 new products were entered in 30 categories. On Thursday, those winners will go head-to-head in voting to determine the overall “Best of Show” winner—an honor reserved for the pinnacle of new products with the greatest chance to impact sportfishing’s future.
After launching on July 19 with Super Tuesday, ICAST, the premier annual event for the global recreational fishing tackle industry, is now in full swing through Friday, July 22. ASA, the show’s producer, 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., the ICAST 2022 overall “Best of Show” award will be presented inside the New Product Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center.
“One of the winners told me he spent 365 days on this,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “Then, he told me that he is starting on next year’s tomorrow. That’s how much this means to some manufacturers.”
All New Product Showcase entries are available for viewing on the ICAST app for Apple and Android devices.
On Wednesday, the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception was preceded by a full day of festivities, including the State of the Industry Breakfast featuring keynote speaker and shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder. De Gelder warmed up the packed ballroom with tales of personal perseverance and survival amidst an irreverent backdrop that sent attendees into the show on a high note.
By mid-day, the Keep America Fishing Dunk Tank was causing a stir across the show floor thanks to Bassmaster Elite Series professional anglers Matt Robertson and Brandon Palaniuk, who taunted fellow pros and fans gathered to take their shot at splashing them in the tank for a cause.
It all served as a prelude to the highlight of the day, the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception where Hughes presented 30 lucky winners with hard-earned recognition and the chance to take home Thursday’s overall “Best of Show” award, the sportfishing trade’s top prize.
ICAST 2022 New Product Showcase Best of Category Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.
Best of Category — Novelties and Wellness
Product: Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch – Sapphire Edition | Garmin USA
Contact: Carly Hysell
Best of Category — Boating Accessories
Product: Frabill ReCharge, Deluxe Aerator | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Boats and Watercraft
Product: BOTE Rackham Gatorshall + APEX Pedal Drive | BOTE
Contact: Suzy Nicholson-Hunt
Best of Category — Footwear
Product: AFTCO Ankle Deck Boot | AFTCO
Contact: Matt Florentino
Best of Category — Ice Fishing
Product: Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI | Garmin USA
Contact: Carly Hysell
Best of Category — Eyewear
Product: Roca | Baijo Sunglasses
Contact: Shauna Metz
Best of Category — Lifestyle Apparel for Women
Product: Women’s Reaper Softshell | AFTCO
Contact: Matt Florentino
Best of Category — Lifestyle Apparel for Men
Product: CocoBoardies Boardshorts | AFTCO
Contact: Matt Florentino
Best of Category — Warm Weather Technical Apparel
Product: SolarFlex Guide Cooling Hoody | Simms Fishing Products
Contact: Charlie Fowler
Best of Category — Cold Weather Technical Apparel
Product: Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway | AFTCO
Contact: Matt Florentino
Best of Category — Soft and Hard Coolers
Product: P88-MK Combo | PacBak
Contact: Brian McKinnon
Best of Category — Electronics
Product: MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock | Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics
Contact: Bailey Eigbrett
Best of Category — Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools
Product: BUBBA Saltwater Multi-Flex Fillet Knife | BUBBA
Contact: Logan Waddell
Best of Category — Fishing Accessory
Product: Frabill WITNESS Weigh Net | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Kids’ Tackle
Product: Kid’s Tributary Wader | Simms Fishing Products
Contact: Charlie Fowler
Best of Category — Tackle Management
Product: Plano EDGE Frog Box | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Terminal Tackle
Product: DieZel Eye Jigheads | Z-Man Fishing Products
Contact: Cory Schmidt
Best of Category — Custom Tackle and Components
Product: RBS Pro G2 Power Wrapper | Mud Hole Custom Tackle
Contact: Stuart Crawford
Best of Category — Fishing Line
Product: SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Vis Yellow | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Freshwater Soft Lure
Product: Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Freshwater Hard Lure
Product: Berkley Slobberknocker | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Saltwater Soft Lure
Product: Kicker CrabZ | Z-Man Fishing Products
Contact: Cory Schmidt
Best of Category — Saltwater Hard Lure
Product: LIVETARGET Live Shrimp | LIVETARGET Lures
Contact: Victor Cook
Best of Category — Fly Fishing Rod
Product: Banshee Fly | Bull Bay Tackle Company
Contact: Dustin Phillips
Best of Category — Freshwater Rod
Product: Legend Tournament Bass Rod | St. Croix Rod
Contact: Savannah Stenlund
Best of Category — Saltwater Rod
Product: Ugly Stik Carbon Innshore Rod | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Rod & Reel Combo
Product: Shimano Spheros SW Combo | Shimano
Contact: Amy Lee
Best of Category — Fly Reel & Fly Fishing Accessories
Product: Hardy Fortuna Regent Saltwater Fly Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
Best of Category — Freshwater Reel
Product: Shimano STELLA FK | Shimano
Contact: Amy Lee
Best of Category — Saltwater Reel
Product: PENN Authority Spinning Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman
