ICAST 2018 (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades), the sportfishing industry’s annual trade show and showcase for innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel has just concluded. Old Salt attends ICAST every year to stay abreast of new products, industry trends and to acquire and manage connections with the people who comprise the hundreds of companies engaged in meeting the needs of anglers everywhere. These folk are both friends and sponsors of the Old Salt.
While this author went, personally, to see all of the angler-centric paddle sports products (and there were a slew of them) we would be remiss if we did not address what has become the highlight of every ICAST show.
The ICAST New Product Showcase
Along with the thousands of products on display throughout the show, ICAST offers manufacturers the opportunity to present their very best, their latest and greatest and vie for “Best Of Category” and “Best of Show”. To say there is a bewlidering array of new product innovation in the industry would be an understatement. Big brands. Small brands. Unknown brands. They were all represented in the New Product Showcase. The products are previewed and voted on by Buyers and Media/Editorial attendees. Here are the results of the voting:
Best of Show
Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope took the overall at ICAST 2018 this year. Described as “live scanning, all-seeing sonar” giving anglers the ability to see all around their boat in real time and in 3 dimensions.
Best of Category(s)
Boating Accessories – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Minn Kota Ultrex with MEGA Down Imaging
Boats and Watercraft – Jackson Kayak
Product: 360 Angler
Eyewear – Costa Sunglasses
Product: Baffin
Footwear – Rivers Edge Products
Product: Fish Sandals
Giftware – Number 6 Brands
Product: Cauldryn Coffee
Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Hexatron Performance Fleece
Technical Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Hydronaut Heavy-Duty Waterproof System
Electronics – Garmin USA
Product: Garmin Panoptix LiveScope
Fishing Accessory – YETI
Product: YETI Panga Backpack 28
Fly Fishing Accessory – YETI
Product: YETI Tundra Haul
Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: PowerPro SuperSlick V2 Brand
Kids’ Tackle – AnythingPossible
Product: Kid Casters DUDE PERFECT Fishing Kit & Casting Game
Tackle Management – Tak Logic Lure Lock
Product: Lure Locker
Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC NEKO Skirt
Freshwater Hard Lure – Westin
Product: Freddy the Frog
Saltwater Hard Lure – 13 Fishing
Product: Octopi
Freshwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: LIVETARGET Hollow Body Crawfish
Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: LIVETARGET Fleeing Shrimp
Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: Seigler MF Fly Reel
Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Curado DC Baitcasting Reel
Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product: Tekota 500 Levelwind Reel
Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing
Product: Team Lew’s® Custom Black LFS Combo
Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Mojo Trout
Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Legend Glass
Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product: Mojo Yak
As in past years, it is comforting to see the forward progress people and companies are making to improve the fishing experience for the rest of us.