And the ICAST 2020 Best in Category Awards Go To?
July 20, 2020Are you ready for the ICAST 2020 Best in Category winners? The Fishing tackle trade show was to be held in Orlando this year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held virtually. Over 200 exhibitors used a portal created by the American Sportfishing Association which thankfully allowed the show to go on.
Every year, a new product showcase is displayed and out of the new products, 30 of them are given the honor of Best of Category for their respective category. The winners are determined by votes from media and dealers. An overall winner is also selected from the 30 category winners, and this year the grand title went to the Old Town Sportsman Autopilot motorized kayak from Johnson Outdoors Watercraft.
Here are the winners by category for this year’s event.
Best Boat and Watercraft: Johnson Outdoors Watercraft — Old Town Sportsman Autopilot
The Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot motorized kayak leverages Minn Kota’s GPS Spot-Lock technology to deliver the most advanced kayak fishing craft on the market. Motor to your spot faster and hold your position on your spot no matter the conditions. Controlled with a touch of a finger using the i-Pilot remote, your hands remain free to fish. The Autopilot features a seamlessly integrated, saltwater-ready 45 lb. thrust 12V Minn Kota motor is compatible with lead acid or lithium ion batteries.
Best Boating Accessory: Minn Kota — Raptor Shallow Water Anchor
Minn Kota Raptor is designed to hold you more reliably than any other anchor. Raptor debuts two industry first anchoring technologies: Active Anchoring which monitors anchoring force and adjusts to keep you pinned to the bottom; and Auto-Bottom Mode which automatically detects bottom hardness to determine the right amount of anchoring force. Raptor boasts an industry leading, comprehensive 5 year warranty and will be available in 8 and 10-foot lengths. Available in black, white, red and silver.
Best Giftware: Garmin — quatix 6X Solar Smartwatch
Do what you love longer with the quatix 6X Solar marine GPS smartwatch with solar charging. Its unique power-replenishing feature uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life up to 24 days. Designed for life on the water, the Quatix 6X Solar is preloaded with specialized boating, fishing, cruising and sailing capabilities. With comprehensive connectivity and built-in activity profiles for SUP, kayaking, skiing, golf & more, it’s ready to go the distance for every adventure on and off the water.
Best Footwear: Under Armour — UA Micro G Kilchis
The Micro G Kilchis highly breathable, quick-dry textile upper. Welded synthetic overlays for abrasion protection Full-length Micro G® foam midsole for the ultimate in long lasting, responsive cushioning. Rapid water drainage from ports built into lateral and medial sides of the midsole. Non-marking rubber outsole maximizing surface area contact for best in class grip on wet surfaces. Versatile collapsible-heel construction for easy slip-on capability Comfortable stretch collar construction for barefoot-capable wear.
Best Eyewear: Costa Del Mar — Ferg
Ray Ferguson founded Costa Sunglasses with high standards and the frame bearing his name continues his legacy. Ferg offers a refined focus on top-of-the-line performance details. Equipped with the tech necessary for elite anglers or captains, the frame features top and side shields, integrated textured Hydrolite rubber and vented adjustable nose pads. Ferg’s OmniFit frame and 360-degree nose pad adjustability allows for a more comfortable and secure fit on a variety of face shapes and sizes.
Best Lifestyle Apparel for Women: Simms — Women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib
Finally, a rain suit designed for female anglers. Simms all-new Women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib are built with a waterproof and breathable 2-layer Toray fabric and boast a women’s specific fit. The jacket features an adjustable hood, a center-front zipper with a waterproof storm flap, a chest pocket with a built-in sunglass chamois, and handwarmer pockets. The bib comes equipped with a pass-through handwarmer pocket, plier port, and knee-high zips for easy on/off. Jacket and bib sold separately.
Best Lifestyle Apparel for Men: AFTCO — Saba Recycled Seam-Free Boardshorts
Best Technical Apparel – Warm Weather: AFTCO — Diffuse Air-O Mesh Fishing Shorts
Best Technical Apparel – Cold Weather: AFTCO — Reaper Windproof 3-Layer Softshell Jacket
Best Cooler: Yeti — Roadie 24
Best Electronics: Humminbird — CoastMaster Charts
Best Ice Fishing: Rapala — Strikemaster Lithium 24V
Best Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools: Line Cutterz — Dual Hybrid Micro Scissor
Best Fly Fishing Accessory: Plano — Frabill Floating Trout Nets
Whether wading, kayaking or fly-fishing Frabill’s new Floating Trout Nets put success in the hands of anglers who always stay close to their targets. Safely catch and release with the net frame directly on the water surface. Comfortable rubber handle includes lanyard with carabiner, Fish-friendly dipped micromesh netting and five classic hoop shapes with flat bottom netting.
Best Fishing Accessory: American Tackle Company — Tsuka Handle System
Best Kids’ Tackle: Pure Fishing — Abu Garcia Gen Ike EZ Cast Baitcast Combo
Best Freshwater Rod: St. Croix — Legend Xtreme
Best Saltwater Rod: St. Croix — Mojo Inshore
St. Croix’s popular Mojo Inshore Series is all-new for 2021. Mojo Inshore’s transformation begins with lighter, upgraded one-piece SCIII carbon blanks, further enhanced via Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel technology. Featuring full cork handles on light, medium-light, and medium power models. Medium-heavy, heavy and extra-heavy power rods have been upgraded with full-length cork and EVA combination handles.Â
Best Fly Fishing Rod: Pure Fishing — Hardy Zane Pro
Best Freshwater Reel: Shimano — Vanford 2500 Spinning Reel
Best Saltwater Reel: Pure Fishing — PENN Battle III
The PENN Battle III is now equipped with our proprietary CNC Gear Technology, HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag System, and a Full Metal Body to give it the guts and drag to handle serious abuse. Stronger, smoother, and more durable than ever before, the PENN Battle III series has a model for every angler at an incredible value with sizes ranging from 1000 to 10000 and select sizes available in high speed ratios. Let the Battle begin.
Best Fly Reel: Pure Fishing — Hardy Ultradisc UDLA Reel
Best Rod & Reel Combo: Pure Fishing — Abu Garcia Virtual Casting Combo
Best Fishing Line: Pure Fishing — Berkley FluoroShield
Best Freshwater Hard Lure: Z-Man — ChatterBait JackHammer StealthBlade
Best Freshwater Soft Lure: A Band of Anglers — Hyperlastics Dartprop Pro SK
Best Saltwater Hard Lure: Shimano — SP-Orca 150 Flash Boost
Best Saltwater Soft Lure: 13 Fishing — The Mullet
Best Tackle Management: Plano — EDGE Flex
Best Terminal Tackle: Rapala — VMC Crossover Rings
I grew up in Canada, but unfortunately, I did not take advantage of shooting or hunting when I lived there. I just didn’t grow up with it, but I did fish a lot. It’s only after I joined a firearm company that I could reap the benefits of having great mentors teach me the ropes. Now I’m hooked and want to experience everything I can! So much so, I was compelled to co-found this site. I hope you enjoy it, and all feedback is welcome.