Produced by the American Sportfishing Association, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. It takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
For anyone involved in the fishing industry, ICAST is the place to be in July to check out everything new.
On the day before the ICAST show floor opens (left), visitors can attend the ICAST On the Water event (right), where exhibitors demonstrate their gear, tackle, watercraft and accessories. This event sits on five acres of water just outside the Orange County Convention Center (below).
One highlight of the annual trade show is the announcement of the ICAST “Best of Category” winners. During the 2021 show, winners in 30 product categories were selected by credentialed buyers and media who voted for the best of the new product entries (see below). The top prize, “Best of Show,” was selected from the 30 category winners. The Berkley PowerBait Gilly (below) from Pure Fishing Inc. won the “Best of Show” award. It also won the Freshwater Soft Lure category.
The new Berkley PowerBait Gilly, which won the 2021 ICAST "Best of Show," features a lifelike body shape, colors and action. Packed with proven PowerBait flavor, the lure is available in colors like HD Warmouth, HD Bluegill and HD Sunfish.
30 ICAST New Product Showcase Best of Category Award Winners for 2021
- Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Plano Molding; Frabill Ultralight Conservation Net
- Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – BOTE; LONO Aero + APEX Pedal Drive
- Best of Category – Cutlery, Hand Pliers/Tools – Bubba; Pro Series Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
- Best of Category – Electronics – Hummingbird; Hummingbird MEGA Live Imaging
- Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.; Untangled Collection: New Frames Made from Old Nets
- Best of Category –Fishing Accessory – Kahuna Wagons; Sidekick Fishing & Beach Wagon
- Best of Category – Fishing Line – Seaguar; BasiX
- Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – Plano Molding; EDGE Micro Magnetic Fly Box
- Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis; NRX T2S 8810-2
- Best of Category – Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.; Greys Tital Fly Reel
- Best of Category – Footwear – XTRATUF; Ankle Deck Boot Sport
- Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – Rather Outdoors; Strike King Chick Magnet Flat-Sided Crank Bait
- Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation; Zillion SV TW
- Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – Pure Fishing, Inc.; Abu Garcia Zenon Rod
- Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.; Berkley PowerBait Gilly
- Best of Category – Giftware – HitchFire; HitchFire Forge 15
- Best of Category – Ice Fishing – Garmin; LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle LI
- Best of Category – Kid’s Tackle – Anything Possible Brands; ProFISHiency NERF 5FT 6IN Micro Spin Cast Combo
- Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel for Men – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company; AFTCO Rescue Regenerated Fishing Shorts
- Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel for Women – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company; AFTCO Womens Fields Utility Overall
- Best of Category – Rod and Reel Combo – Pure Fishing, Inc.; Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcast Combo
- Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.; Berkley Choppo Saltwater
- Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation; Saltist MQ
- Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – Bull Bay Tackle Company; Banshee Rod - Bull Bay Rod
- Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – Savage Gear USA, Inc.; Duratech Crab
- Best of Category – Soft and Hard Coolers – Plano Molding; Frabill Universal Bait Station
- Best of Category – Tackle Management – Plano Molding; Atlas Tackle Pack
- Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company; Barricade Elite 4L Waterproof System
- Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather - AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company; Adapt Tactical Phase Change Hooded Shirt
- Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Sharkbanz Fishing; The Zeppelin - World's First Shark Deterrent Tackle
