ICAST 2019 award winners announced

The hardware has been handed out at ICAST 2019.

The “Best of Category” winners of the New Product Showcase were announced during a reception held Wednesday night as part of the world’s largest sportfishing tradeshow, which runs through Friday at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.

The “Best of Show” award was then awarded to Garmin’s first-ever freshwater trolling motor, Force, on Thursday afternoon. Garmin had already taken top honours in the boating accessories category.

Winners were selected in 29 categories by credentialed buyers and media from around the world who vote for the best of the new product entries.

Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine Managing Editor Ray Blades is at the show, which features thousands of products in more than 650,000 square feet of showroom floor.

ICAST (the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades), which began Tuesday, is produced by the American Sportfishing Association – a national, non-profit trade association made up of more than 800 members.

Some 1,004 new products were entered by 303 companies. Four new categories were added this year: Ice Fishing; Technical Apparel – Warm Weather, Technical Apparel – Cold Weather; Coolers and Bait/Storage; and Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools.

“We’re pleased that ICAST once again serves as a showcase for the best in sportfishing and the entire outdoor, on-the-water experience,” ASA Vice President for Trade Show and Membership Blake Swango stated.

Category winners included:

Boating Accessories – Garmin USA
Product: Force Trolling Motor

Boats and Watercraft – Hobie
Product: Mirage ProAngler 14 with 360 Drive Technology

Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: WaterWoman

Footwear – Frogg Toggs
Product: Skipper

Giftware – 13 Fishing
Product: Fillet Table Beverage Management System

Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Yurei Air-O-Mesh Performance Shirt

Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – Simms Fishing Products
Product: M’s G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader

Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Overboard Submersible Shorts

Ice Fishing – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Ice Helix 7 Chirp GPS G3N All-Season

Cooler and Bait/Storage – Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill Magnum Bait Station 30

Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – Bubba
Product: 110V Electric Fillet Knife

Electronics – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: MEGA 360 Imaging

Fly Fishing Accessory – Simms Fishing Products
Product: Dry Creek® Z Sling Pack

Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product: MW20 Finesse Set

Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: Moon Shine Braid

Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: The Bumblebee by ProFISHiency

Tackle Management – Plano Synergy
Product: Plano EDGE

Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short

Freshwater Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product: Phantom Spider

Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Slow-Roll Shiner

Freshwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Erratic Shiner

Saltwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Flutter Sardine

Freshwater Reel – Shimano
Product: SLX DC Baitcasting Reels

Saltwater Reel – Shimano
Product: Stradic FL Spinning Reel

Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: SF (Small Fly)

Freshwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Mojo Bass Glass MGC72HM Rip N’ Chatter Rod

Saltwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Avid Surf VSS80MMF

Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Imperial Salt IS908.4

Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing
Product: Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcast Combo

Get more OOD exclusives and the latest from ICAST 2019 on our Facebook page and Twitter account.

You can also visit our ICAST 2019 YouTube playlist and our Flickr page.