Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV – July 10, 2013 - The world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, is being held July 9 – 12, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST - in its 56th year as the industry’s trade show - is the catalyst that drives the global recreational fishing industry year-round. More than 9,000 thousand industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry are in Las Vegas to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear, accessories and apparel.
The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase embodies the sportfishing industry's innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that ingenuity through the "Best of Show" new product awards competition.
This year, the New Product Showcase, the tradeshow’s flagship event, was as competitive as ever. Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, nearly 200 companies entered more than 700 tackle products, accessories and apprel into the New Product Showcase.
Making up a special section of ICAST’s 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.
Best of Show Awards
This year the JL Marine Systems' Power-Pole Micro Anchor was voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boating Accessory category and the overall “Best of Show.”
"The quality and ingenuity of the new products that are unveiled at the New Product Showcase continue to amaze me,” said Mike Nussman, ASA’s president and CEO. “I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who worked hard to develop these innovations to the buyers and media who served as judges. I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.”
The ICAST 2013 “Best of Show” awards were presented on Wednesday, July 10, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by Rapala, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As a special treat, National Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench, this year's State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker, presented the awards.
ICAST 2013 Overall Best of Show – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product - Power-Pole Micro Anchor
Best of Show – Apparel – Shimano American Corportion
Product - Dryfender Insulated Raingear
Best of Show - Boating Accessory – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product - Power-Pole Mirco Anchor
Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product - Predator 13
Best of Show – Combo – 13 Fishing
Product - White Out
Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors
Product - Humminbird Bow Mount 360 Imaging
Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa
Product - Tuna Alley
Best of Show - Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product - Tidal Wave-Micro Wave System
Best of Show - Fishsmart Tackle – Foreverlast, Inc.
Product - G2 Floating Wading Net
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory – Columbia Sportswear
Product - Henry's Fork V Vest
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel – Beam Outdoors
Product - Elite 21 Reel
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product - PRO4x
Best of Show - Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product - CHRONARCH C14+
Best of Show - Freshwater Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product - NRX Umbrella Rig
Best of Show – Giftware – Rapala
Product - Original Floating Bottle Opener
Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product - Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo
Best of Show – Line – PowerPro
Product - PowerPro Zero-Impact
Best of Show - Hard Lure – Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation
Product - LIVETARGET Baitball
Best of Show - Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product - Lunker Frog
Best of Show - Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product - Stella SW 30000
Best of Show - Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product - Legend Xtreme Inshore
Best of Show - Tackle Management – Plano Molding Company
Product - 3700 Guide Series Tackle Bag
Best of Show - Terminal Tackle – Mustad
Product - Grip-Pin Swim