Sooch’s ICAST in 40 shots

For many people working in the fishing industry, all roads led to Orlando, Fla., for the 60th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades at the Orange County Convention Center last week.
For many people working in the fishing industry, all roads led to Orlando, Fla., for the 60th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades at the Orange County Convention Center last week.
From July 11-14, ICAST had 582 exhibitors in 1,982 booths covering nearly 200,000 square feet of the monstrous convention center. The American Sportsfishing Association, which puts on the show, reported there were almost 15,000 people registered for the show, including 1,156 from 73 countries.
From July 11-14, ICAST had 582 exhibitors in 1,982 booths covering nearly 200,000 square feet of the monstrous convention center. The American Sportsfishing Association, which puts on the show, reported there were almost 15,000 people registered for the show, including 1,156 from 73 countries.
David Walker was among those, and here he shows off one of LiveTarget’s newest offerings, the Hollow Body Mullet that won a Best of Show in the Soft Lure category.
David Walker was among those, and here he shows off one of LiveTarget’s newest offerings, the Hollow Body Mullet that won a Best of Show in the Soft Lure category.
That lure was among the thousands manufacturer’s worked tirelessly over the past year, and sometimes longer, to put in the New Product Showcase. Media and Buyers then took a day to look them over and vote their Best of Show in 24 categories.
That lure was among the thousands manufacturer’s worked tirelessly over the past year, and sometimes longer, to put in the New Product Showcase. Media and Buyers then took a day to look them over and vote their Best of Show in 24 categories.
Fishing companies go to extremes to capture the interest of voters, like Savage Gear with this 3D Topwater Bat. The company entered a duck that won last year’s Best of Show in Freshwater Hard Lure, and it followed up with another winner in the bat.
Fishing companies go to extremes to capture the interest of voters, like Savage Gear with this 3D Topwater Bat. The company entered a duck that won last year’s Best of Show in Freshwater Hard Lure, and it followed up with another winner in the bat.
Luminaries like Bill Dance (right) was present at the New Product Showcase, and almost everyone wanted to take their picture with him.
Luminaries like Bill Dance (right) was present at the New Product Showcase, and almost everyone wanted to take their picture with him.
On Wednesday morning, the show opened to the manufacturers and their reps. This is an industry only show; the general public was not allowed admission, but will see many of the products on the shelves of their local retailer soon.
On Wednesday morning, the show opened to the manufacturers and their reps. This is an industry only show; the general public was not allowed admission, but will see many of the products on the shelves of their local retailer soon.
An impressive site was this tall and long wall bordering the 13 Fishing booth. The montage was composed entirely of angler photos.
An impressive site was this tall and long wall bordering the 13 Fishing booth. The montage was composed entirely of angler photos.
Dave Lefebre was impressed that the 13 Fishing Concept Z reel had zero ball bearings, yet he could cast “it a mile. It’s what all the hype’s been about. It’s unlike any reel I’ve ever thrown.”
Dave Lefebre was impressed that the 13 Fishing Concept Z reel had zero ball bearings, yet he could cast “it a mile. It’s what all the hype’s been about. It’s unlike any reel I’ve ever thrown.”
Johnathon VanDam and Keith Combs were informing folks about the new Shimano offerings and drawing quite the crowd.
Johnathon VanDam and Keith Combs were informing folks about the new Shimano offerings and drawing quite the crowd.
Nick Pujic at Huk shows off his company’s fishing apparel in the new Mossy Oak Elements. Moments later that day, it was announced that Elements would be the official pattern of B.A.S.S., with a Kevin VanDam connection to boot.
Nick Pujic at Huk shows off his company’s fishing apparel in the new Mossy Oak Elements. Moments later that day, it was announced that Elements would be the official pattern of B.A.S.S., with a Kevin VanDam connection to boot.
Walking around the showroom floor, something as simple as the Edgemaker can catch one’s eye. It’s a three-stage sharpening system, with sharpening, honing and polishing steels that can restore knives in about two minutes.
Walking around the showroom floor, something as simple as the Edgemaker can catch one’s eye. It’s a three-stage sharpening system, with sharpening, honing and polishing steels that can restore knives in about two minutes.
Chauncey Niziol interviews Classic champ Jordan Lee for his Chauncey’s Great Outdoors show.
Chauncey Niziol interviews Classic champ Jordan Lee for his Chauncey’s Great Outdoors show.
The thing I’d like to have immediately is this Yeti MagSlider so I don’t slosh any more coffee, ice water or whatever else. Hint, hint.
The thing I’d like to have immediately is this Yeti MagSlider so I don’t slosh any more coffee, ice water or whatever else. Hint, hint.
After a morning of interviews, and tons of walking, time to take a load off and assess the notebook from the media room, which was moved up to this perch.
After a morning of interviews, and tons of walking, time to take a load off and assess the notebook from the media room, which was moved up to this perch.
Trapper Tackle expanded its line of square-bottom hooks, and introduced these wicked looking treble hooks to the world. Wonder how these will go over with voters?
Trapper Tackle expanded its line of square-bottom hooks, and introduced these wicked looking treble hooks to the world. Wonder how these will go over with voters?
Power-Pole expanded its product line big-time with Vision, a touch-screen pad that gives boaters a one-stop shop to control their electronics. The company also introduced the Charge Marine Power Station, which charges and manages all the batteries.
Power-Pole expanded its product line big-time with Vision, a touch-screen pad that gives boaters a one-stop shop to control their electronics. The company also introduced the Charge Marine Power Station, which charges and manages all the batteries.
Sometimes there just some nice visiting, like Keith Combs and Denny Brauer just sharing their thoughts at the Strike King booth.
Sometimes there just some nice visiting, like Keith Combs and Denny Brauer just sharing their thoughts at the Strike King booth.
Over at Daiwa, it looks like there’s some serious business being conducted among the rod selections.
Over at Daiwa, it looks like there’s some serious business being conducted among the rod selections.
Brandon Palaniuk shows off what he called two critical tools, his Buck Knives EdgeTek Fishing FlipStik hook sharpener and its multi-function Splizzors.
Brandon Palaniuk shows off what he called two critical tools, his Buck Knives EdgeTek Fishing FlipStik hook sharpener and its multi-function Splizzors.
At the Lew’s booth, the nearby Osceola Angler’s high school fishing team was brought in and recognized by the company as it held a press briefing on its new Mach Crush. The company again won Best of Show in the Rod/Reel combo category.
At the Lew’s booth, the nearby Osceola Angler’s high school fishing team was brought in and recognized by the company as it held a press briefing on its new Mach Crush. The company again won Best of Show in the Rod/Reel combo category.
Jerry McKinnis, Angie Thompson and Teresa Wilson Lux share a smile with a Mossy Oak worker after it was announced that Elements became the official pattern of B.A.S.S.
Jerry McKinnis, Angie Thompson and Teresa Wilson Lux share a smile with a Mossy Oak worker after it was announced that Elements became the official pattern of B.A.S.S.
At the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception on Wednesday night, Larry Davidson, who designed the square-bottomed Trapper Tackle hooks, was exuberant after repeating as winner of the Best of Show in Terminal Tackle.
At the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception on Wednesday night, Larry Davidson, who designed the square-bottomed Trapper Tackle hooks, was exuberant after repeating as winner of the Best of Show in Terminal Tackle.
The team at LiveTarget gives out a cheer upon winning another Best of Show, this time the Soft Lure category with its Hollow Body Mullet.
The team at LiveTarget gives out a cheer upon winning another Best of Show, this time the Soft Lure category with its Hollow Body Mullet.
13 Fishing shows it had more than just a fancy wall, as Ricky Teschendorf walked away from the reception with bookends for Best of Show award in the Freshwater Rod with 13’s Fate Black and Kid’s Tackle title for the Ambition Combo.
13 Fishing shows it had more than just a fancy wall, as Ricky Teschendorf walked away from the reception with bookends for Best of Show award in the Freshwater Rod with 13’s Fate Black and Kid’s Tackle title for the Ambition Combo.
Hank Parker takes some time from his hectic schedule at ICAST to record a video for the 50th anniversary of B.A.S.S. Parker, who he knew he wanted to be a bass pro early in life, lived his dream with two Classic championships.
Hank Parker takes some time from his hectic schedule at ICAST to record a video for the 50th anniversary of B.A.S.S. Parker, who he knew he wanted to be a bass pro early in life, lived his dream with two Classic championships.
Another Classic champ, Mike Iaconelli is ready for his next at-bat. The New Jersey pro has quite the batting eye as he awaits a pitch in the Abu Garcia area of Pure Fishing’s massive booth.
Another Classic champ, Mike Iaconelli is ready for his next at-bat. The New Jersey pro has quite the batting eye as he awaits a pitch in the Abu Garcia area of Pure Fishing’s massive booth.
Yeah, everyone wants a photo with Bill Dance. Here Bobby Lane hands Justin Lucas his phone back after Lane photographed the legend with the young pro.
Yeah, everyone wants a photo with Bill Dance. Here Bobby Lane hands Justin Lucas his phone back after Lane photographed the legend with the young pro.
Booths try to draw interest any way they can. Here fish artist Anastasia Musick paints to bring people into a saltwater display.
Booths try to draw interest any way they can. Here fish artist Anastasia Musick paints to bring people into a saltwater display.
Some booths try to pull in attendees with a trophy. Here Dustin Connell poses with his Elite trophy.
Some booths try to pull in attendees with a trophy. Here Dustin Connell poses with his Elite trophy.
Stephen Browning holds the Hitch and the Sunfish, the latest LiveTarget offerings in its swimbait series.
Stephen Browning holds the Hitch and the Sunfish, the latest LiveTarget offerings in its swimbait series.
Kitty Au, a marketing manager, snaps a selfie with Dave Mercer, Bassmaster emcee and host of “Facts of Fishing.”
Kitty Au, a marketing manager, snaps a selfie with Dave Mercer, Bassmaster emcee and host of “Facts of Fishing.”
Josh Bertrand has teamed up with Netfish, an app that takes in tons of data and provides anglers with info on where and how to catch fish on any given body of water. After crunching conditions, Bertrand offers his recommendations.
Josh Bertrand has teamed up with Netfish, an app that takes in tons of data and provides anglers with info on where and how to catch fish on any given body of water. After crunching conditions, Bertrand offers his recommendations.
Kristien Astaphan poses for a photo in front of Michaelangelo, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who has traded his nunchuks for a Kids Caster rod.
Kristien Astaphan poses for a photo in front of Michaelangelo, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who has traded his nunchuks for a Kids Caster rod.
The designs and matching items continue to grow at Buff, which helps anglers fight the sun in style.
The designs and matching items continue to grow at Buff, which helps anglers fight the sun in style.
Mark Zona announced his partnership with Daiwa at ICAST, as well as his return to the studio for Bassmaster LIVE this week.
Mark Zona announced his partnership with Daiwa at ICAST, as well as his return to the studio for Bassmaster LIVE this week.
Bo Johnson of Tenacity Guide Service holds sleepy 7-month-old son, Gage, as wife, Deidra, talks fishing at the Huk booth. She’s been missing regular fishing outings and said she plans to get back out onto the water more very soon.
Bo Johnson of Tenacity Guide Service holds sleepy 7-month-old son, Gage, as wife, Deidra, talks fishing at the Huk booth. She’s been missing regular fishing outings and said she plans to get back out onto the water more very soon.
Leaving the Huk booth, Elite pro Chad Pipkens shows off his Attack shoes that won Best of Show in Footwear. The Michigan pro is glad the Series is heading north for the remainder of the season, but he’ll have to post another late-season climb if he hopes to return to the Classic.
Leaving the Huk booth, Elite pro Chad Pipkens shows off his Attack shoes that won Best of Show in Footwear. The Michigan pro is glad the Series is heading north for the remainder of the season, but he’ll have to post another late-season climb if he hopes to return to the Classic.
The floor was scanned far and wide, and once again the American Tackle Company won the Best of Show in the Team Beard category (wink, wink) by a whisker. Brad Parker (from left), Don Morse, Matt Alter and Nathan Stills take time out from a huge giveaway to pose.
The floor was scanned far and wide, and once again the American Tackle Company won the Best of Show in the Team Beard category (wink, wink) by a whisker. Brad Parker (from left), Don Morse, Matt Alter and Nathan Stills take time out from a huge giveaway to pose.
ICAST dropped almost everyone’s jaw in the Sunshine State. The ASA is already working on its plans for ICAST 2018, July 10-13, with a move across the street to the OCCC’s North/South Building.
ICAST dropped almost everyone’s jaw in the Sunshine State. The ASA is already working on its plans for ICAST 2018, July 10-13, with a move across the street to the OCCC’s North/South Building.