ICAST Announces “Best of Category” Winners for 2022

ICAST is the largest fishing industry trade show where manufacturers get a chance to show off their product lines and display their latest angling innovations. This year, as always, the show was held last week in Orlando, FL and the results from their “Best of Category” awards are in, showing off the best-of-show products by category. While fly fishing is not the focus of the show, there are several pieces of outerwear and gear that the fly fishing industry is going to love. Check out the awards results, below!

From the American Sportfishing Association:

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 [were] 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

Best of Category — Novelties and Wellness Product:

Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch – Sapphire Edition

Best of Category — Boating Accessories Product:

Frabill ReCharge, Deluxe Aerator |
Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Boats and Watercraft Product:

BOTE Rackham Gatorshall + APEX Pedal Drive | BOTE

Best of Category — Footwear Product:

AFTCO Ankle Deck Boot | AFTCO

Best of Category — Ice Fishing Product:

Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI | Garmin USA

Best of Category — Eyewear Product:

Roca | Baijo Sunglasses

Best of Category — Lifestyle Apparel for Women Product:

Women’s Reaper Softshell | AFTCO

Best of Category — Lifestyle Apparel for Men Product:

CocoBoardies Boardshorts | AFTCO

Best of Category — Warm Weather Technical Apparel Product:

SolarFlex Guide Cooling Hoody | Simms Fishing Products

Best of Category — Cold Weather Technical Apparel Product:

Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway | AFTCO

Best of Category — Soft and Hard Coolers Product:

P88-MK Combo | PacBak

Best of Category — Electronics Product:

MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock | Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics

Best of Category — Cutlery, Hand Pliers, or Tools Product:

BUBBA Saltwater Multi-Flex Fillet Knife | BUBBA

Best of Category — Fishing Accessory Product:

Frabill WITNESS Weigh Net | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Kids’ Tackle Product:

Kid’s Tributary Wader | Simms Fishing Products

Best of Category — Tackle Management Product:

Plano EDGE Frog Box | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Terminal Tackle Product:

DieZel Eye Jigheads | Z-Man Fishing Products

Best of Category — Custom Tackle and Components Product:

RBS Pro G2 Power Wrapper | Mud Hole Custom Tackle

Best of Category — Fishing Line Product:

SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Vis Yellow | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Freshwater Soft Lure Product:

Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Freshwater Hard Lure Product:

Berkley Slobberknocker | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Saltwater Soft Lure Product:

Kicker CrabZ | Z-Man Fishing Products

Best of Category — Saltwater Hard Lure Product:

LIVETARGET Live Shrimp | LIVETARGET Lures

Best of Category — Fly Fishing Rod Product:

Banshee Fly | Bull Bay Tackle Company

Best of Category — Freshwater Rod Product:

Legend Tournament Bass Rod | St. Croix Rods

Best of Category — Saltwater Rod Product:

Ugly Stik Carbon Innshore Rod | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Rod & Reel Combo Product:

Shimano Spheros SW Combo | Shimano

Best of Category — Fly Reel & Fly Fishing Accessories Product:

Hardy Fortuna Regent Saltwater Fly Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Best of Category — Freshwater Reel Product:

Shimano STELLA FK | Shimano

Best of Category — Saltwater Reel Product:

PENN Authority Spinning Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.