There’s wasn’t much hoopla. No whoops, hollers or jumping around excitedly as the ICAST Best of Category awards were announced online Wednesday evening.
There was only piped-in applause as ASA President Glenn Hughes, dressed in black tie, was handed the envelopes to name the winners in 30 categories during a web presentation. ICAST 2020 is a virtual show, done all online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean the awards carry any less weight.
“It’s not just about the trade show,” Hughes addressed viewers. “It’s about the fish and the water they live in. It’s about the anglers and the access to those fish. It’s about the sportfishing industry. It’s about family and the great outdoors. It’s our way of life.”
The New Product Showcase speaks to the innovation of all the workers in the industry. The awards are a source of pride for companies, many of which experience a subsequent windfall. Exhibitors entered new products that were voted on by registered buyers and media.
“For 63 years, ICAST has been the venue for showcasing recreational fishing related products, and we were determined that this year was going to be no different,” said Blake Swango, ASA’s vice president for Trade Show and Membership.
“Kudos and congratulations to all our member exhibitors who stepped up this year, even during these crazy times, to develop and launch all these incredible new products that reflect the passion our industry has for making a day on the water even more exciting for anglers around the globe,” Hughes said.
The ICAST 2020 Online Best of Show award winner was announced Friday morning. Choosing among the 30 winners below, voters selected the Johnston Outdoors Watercraft Old Town Sportsman Autopilot, which won the Boats and Watercraft category.
Following is a list of the winners:
RODS
Freshwater Rod
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Spinning
Saltwater Rod
St. Croix Mojo Inshore
Fly Fishing Rod
Pure Fishing Hardy Zane Pro
Rod & Reel Combo
Pure Fishing Abu Garcia Virtual Casting Combo
REELS
Freshwater Reel
Shimano Vanford 2500 Spinning Reel
Saltwater Reel
Pure Fishing PENN Battle III Reel
Fly Reel
Pure Fishing Hardy Ultradisc Udla Reel
LURES
Freshwater Soft Lure
A Band of Anglers Hyperlastics Dartprop Pro SK
Freshwater Hard Lure
Z-Man Chatterbiat Jackhammer Stealthblade
Saltwater Soft Lure
13 Fishing The Mullet
Saltwater Hard Lure
Shimano SP-Orca 150 Flash Boost -Blue Sardine color
GENERAL TACKLE
Fishing Line
Pure Fishing Berkley Flouroshield
Terminal Tackle
Rapala VMC Crossover Rings
Tackle Management
Plano Synergy EDGE Flex
Kids’ Tackle
Pure Fishing Abu Garcia Gen Ike EZ Cast Baitcast Combo
Electronics
Humminbird Coastmaster Charts
Fishing Accessory
American Tackle Company Tsuka Handle System
Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools
Line Cutterz Dual Hybrid Micro Scissor
Soft and Hard Coolers
YETI Roadie 24
Fly Fishing Accessory
Plano Synergy Frabill Floating Trout Net
FISHING LIFESTYLE
Cold Weather Technical Apparel
AFTCO Reaper Windproof 3-layer Softshell Jacket
Warm Weather Technical Apparel
AFTCO Diffuse Air-O Mesh Fishing Shorts
Lifestyle Apparel for Men
AFTCO Sabe Recycled Seam-free Boardshorts
Lifestyle Apparel for Women
Simm Fishing Products Women’s challenge Jacket and Bib
Footwear
Under Armour UA Micro G Kilchis
Eyewear
Costa Del Mar Ferg
Giftware
Garm Quatix 6X Solar Watch
Boats and Watercraft
Johnston Outdoors Watercraft Old Town Sportsman Autopilot
Boating Accessories
Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor
Ice Fishing
Rapala Strikemaster Lithium 24V
