Daily Limit: ICAST Best of Category

ASA President Glenn Hughes announced the virtual ICAST 2020 Best of Category winners Wednesday.

There’s wasn’t much hoopla. No whoops, hollers or jumping around excitedly as the ICAST Best of Category awards were announced online Wednesday evening.

There was only piped-in applause as ASA President Glenn Hughes, dressed in black tie, was handed the envelopes to name the winners in 30 categories during a web presentation. ICAST 2020 is a virtual show, done all online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean the awards carry any less weight.

“It’s not just about the trade show,” Hughes addressed viewers. “It’s about the fish and the water they live in. It’s about the anglers and the access to those fish. It’s about the sportfishing industry. It’s about family and the great outdoors. It’s our way of life.”

The New Product Showcase speaks to the innovation of all the workers in the industry. The awards are a source of pride for companies, many of which experience a subsequent windfall. Exhibitors entered new products that were voted on by registered buyers and media.

“For 63 years, ICAST has been the venue for showcasing recreational fishing related products, and we were determined that this year was going to be no different,” said Blake Swango, ASA’s vice president for Trade Show and Membership.

“Kudos and congratulations to all our member exhibitors who stepped up this year, even during these crazy times, to develop and launch all these incredible new products that reflect the passion our industry has for making a day on the water even more exciting for anglers around the globe,” Hughes said.

The ICAST 2020 Online Best of Show award winner was announced Friday morning. Choosing among the 30 winners below, voters selected the Johnston Outdoors Watercraft Old Town Sportsman Autopilot, which won the Boats and Watercraft category.

Abu Garcia was among several companies that won multiple Best of Category awards.

Following is a list of the winners:

RODS

Freshwater Rod

St. Croix Legend Xtreme Spinning

Saltwater Rod

St. Croix Mojo Inshore

Fly Fishing Rod

Pure Fishing Hardy Zane Pro

Rod & Reel Combo

Pure Fishing Abu Garcia Virtual Casting Combo

REELS

Freshwater Reel

Shimano Vanford 2500 Spinning Reel

Saltwater Reel

Pure Fishing PENN Battle III Reel

Fly Reel

Pure Fishing Hardy Ultradisc Udla Reel

LURES

Freshwater Soft Lure

A Band of Anglers Hyperlastics Dartprop Pro SK

Freshwater Hard Lure

Z-Man Chatterbiat Jackhammer Stealthblade

Saltwater Soft Lure

13 Fishing The Mullet

Saltwater Hard Lure

Shimano SP-Orca 150 Flash Boost -Blue Sardine color

GENERAL TACKLE

Fishing Line

Pure Fishing Berkley Flouroshield

Terminal Tackle

Rapala VMC Crossover Rings

Tackle Management

Plano Synergy EDGE Flex

Kids’ Tackle

Pure Fishing Abu Garcia Gen Ike EZ Cast Baitcast Combo

Electronics

Humminbird Coastmaster Charts

Fishing Accessory

American Tackle Company Tsuka Handle System

Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools

Line Cutterz Dual Hybrid Micro Scissor

Soft and Hard Coolers

YETI Roadie 24

Fly Fishing Accessory

Plano Synergy Frabill Floating Trout Net

FISHING LIFESTYLE

Cold Weather Technical Apparel

AFTCO Reaper Windproof 3-layer Softshell Jacket

Warm Weather Technical Apparel

AFTCO Diffuse Air-O Mesh Fishing Shorts

Lifestyle Apparel for Men

AFTCO Sabe Recycled Seam-free Boardshorts

Lifestyle Apparel for Women

Simm Fishing Products Women’s challenge Jacket and Bib

Footwear

Under Armour UA Micro G Kilchis

Eyewear

Costa Del Mar Ferg

Giftware

Garm Quatix 6X Solar Watch

Boats and Watercraft

Johnston Outdoors Watercraft Old Town Sportsman Autopilot

Boating Accessories

Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor

Ice Fishing

Rapala Strikemaster Lithium 24V