Best of Show Competition Goes to Berkley

LAS VEGAS, NV- July 20, 2006 Industry veteran Pure Fishing with its Berkley Fireline Crystal was voted by buyers and media as having the most innovative product in the ICAST 2006 New Product Showcase in both the Line category and the overall Best of Show.

   Two first-time exhibitors won in the 2006 New Product Showcase. C.A.G.I. Outdoor Products, Cheyenne, Wyoming, with their Fish Call, won Best of Category in Terminal Tackle; and Outdoor Adventure Kids, St. Thomas, Ontario, won Best of Category in Kids Tackle with their Jr. Fisherman Rod Combo.

   Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, nearly 200 companies entered more than 600 tackle products and accessories into the Showcase. The showcase is the flagship feature of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the sportfishing industry's premier trade event produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). The 49th annual show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 19-21, sold out the show floor months before the event.

   "The New Product Showcase is a remarkable display of innovation in sportfishing gear and accessories unlike any other," said Mike Nussman, ASA's president and CEO. "I congratulate all of the winners and thank those who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who displayed their products to the buyers and media who served as judges."

   Making up a special section of ICAST's 250,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase gives the industry's latest innovations special visibility during the show, with nearly 7,000 representatives of the sportfishing community attending, more than 1,500 of them buyers.

   Buyers and media representatives judged the products based on their levels of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select "Best of Show" honors in 16 categories, as well as the Overall Best of Show winner.

2006 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners

Category        Company                Product   

    Overall Best of Show    Pure Fishing            Berkley Fireline Crystal Saltwater Rod        Shimano                Tiralejo Surf Rod    Saltwater Reel        Penn Fishing Tackle        International Torque 300    Freshwater Rod        Airrus                 Pulsar GL    Freshwater Reel        Shimano                Calais     200DC - 4x8 Digital Control    Terminal Tackle        C.A.G.I. Outdoor Products    CAGI Fish Call    Line            Pure Fishing            Berkley Fireline Crystal    Hard Lure        MegaStrike, Inc.         Evolution Jig    Soft Lure        AA/Optimum Bait Co.        Furbit Series    Tackle Management    Plano Molding Company        FlipSider Hybrid Satchel    Kid's Tackle         Outdoor Adventure Kids        Jr. Fisherman Rod Combo    Boating Accessory    Minn Kota             Terrova Electric Steer Trolling Motor    Fishing Accessory    Swifty Manufacturing, Inc.    No-Skin Reel Armor    Reel/Rod Combo        Okuma Fishing Tackle Corp.    Avenger Combo Rod/Reel    Clothing        Shimano                Evair Boots    Electronics        Humminbird            797c2 SI Combo    Eyewear    Costa del Mar    Costa 580             Mirrored Lens   

 For the next two years, ICAST will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. ICAST 2007 will be held July 11 - 13, 2007, and ICAST 2008 will be held July 16 - 18, 2008.