Shimano American Corporation and its sister company G. Loomis captured five category awards along with the competition's top honor in the ICAST 2010 New Products Showcase competition, sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer magazine.
G. Loomis earned the event's crowning award, Best of Show, along with a win in the Freshwater Rod category with its G. Loomis NRX bass rod series. The rod line-up indicates G. Loomis' intentions to press its far-reaching reputation for quality rod making across the entire spectrum of bass fishing techniques.
Shimano also took home awards for Saltwater Rod, Saltwater Reel, Freshwater Reel, and Hard Lure. But quality and innovation may have been the biggest stars at the evening's Chairman's Industry Awards Reception, hosted by the American Sportfishing Association.
"Everybody who submitted a product for the competition is a winner because you are helping grow your business," said Jeff Pontius, ASA chairman of the board and president of Zebco Brands. "You are recognizing the importance of new products. You are recognizing the need to invest despite a tough economy."
Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, who presented the awards, noted that new products are the lifeblood of every industry.
"Ours is no exception," said Nussman, saluting the companies who had entered the competition. "And the only things better than new products are exciting new products."
Frabill won the Apparel category with its FXE Stormsuit, "for extreme elements."
A joint effort between Ardent and Lamiglas resulted in a win in the rod and reel "Combo" category. An Ardent C400 baitcast reel with camouflage finish mated with a Lamiglas XC704 rod comprised the Fishouflage Bass Combo.
Sebile Innovative Fishing followed up its Soft Lure win in 2009 with a victory in the Terminal Tackle category for its Soft Weight System in this year's competition. Accepting the award for his company, Patrick Sebile said that the product developed out of a desire to "serve anglers" with a product that allows them to fish soft plastics more effectively.
Grant Koppers accepted the 2010 Soft Lure win for Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation, which gained the award for its Live Target Hollow Body Frog.
"I know there's a lot of attention being given to our products right now," said Koppers, thanking his team for their hard work in developing the product. "I think the award is a testament to the potential this product has in this market."
The new Sufix 832 braid, made with Gore fiber, won the highly competitive Line category.
The Tackle Backpack from Openwater earned a Tackle Management category win for its tackle organizer and carrying pack for the overland angler.
A complete list of winners follows below.
ICAST 2010 New Product Showcase awards
Apparel
Frabill, Inc., FXE Stormsuit
Combo
Ardent C400 and Lamiglas XC704 Fishouflage Bass Combo
Electronics
Lowrance – Navico
Lowrance Elite-5 DSI
Eyewear
Maui Jim Sunglasses
Guy Harvey Collection
Fishing Accessory
Adventure Products, Inc.
EGO S2 Slider Landing Net
Giftware
Boating Expressions, Inc.
Fishfenders
Kids' Tackle
Pure Fishing
Pflueger Spinning Combo – Apprentice
Line
Sufix 832 Advanced Superline
Soft Lure
Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation
Live Target Hollow Body Frog
Hard Lure
Shimano American Corp.
Waxwing Sub-Surface Swimming Jig
Marine
Minn Kota – Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Talon-Shallow Water Anchor
Freshwater Reel
Shimano American Corp.
Stella FE
Saltwater Reel
Shimano American Corp.
Trinidad A
Freshwater Rod
G. Loomis NRX
Saltwater Rod
Shimano American Corp.
Terez
Tackle Management
Openwater
Tackle Backpack
Terminal Tackle
Sebile Innovative Fishing
Soft Weight System
Best of Show
G. Loomis
NRX
