Between the record number of booths and the thousands of products on display, 14,500 buyers, media and exhibitors from the global sportfishing industry brought ICAST 2019 to life from July 8-12, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
“Across the board, this was a record-breaking year for ICAST, proving, once again, that ICAST is the cornerstone for the entire sportfishing industry,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “This was the largest year yet for ICAST in both the number of exhibitors and the number of registrants.”
Hughes further noted, “In fact, the total number of registered buyers was up six percent over last year. We made a commitment to our board of directors and our Trade Show Committee to ensure buyers know that there is nowhere else to be than ICAST this week in July and those efforts are paying off.”
ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). ASA is a national, non-profit trade association made up of more than 800 members who share a stake in promoting sportfishing for the well-being of our businesses and as part of our national heritage.
“There is no place like ICAST where you can see friends you’ve known for 20 years or more as well as meet the new people who are just making their way in the industry,” said Chris Megan, publisher, On The Water, LLC and ASA’s board of directors chairman. “ICAST is the melting pot for both the tried and true blue-chip businesses and the up-and-coming companies who are both working to see that recreational fishing continues to prosper and grow.”
“After all my years in this industry, I’m still gratified to see the incredible amount of excitement and momentum that helps define ICAST,” said Travis Owens, senior director of Sales at Costa, and Trade Show Committee chairman. “Our sport, and our industry, continues to grow not only for our core consumer but also in the growing number of women and young people who are participating in our sport and attending the show.”
ICAST 2020 will be held in the North/South Building at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 14-17, 2020.
New Product Showcase “Best of Category” and “Best of Show” Award Winners
Garmin and its Force Trolling Motor won “Best of Show” in the ICAST 2019 New Product Showcase. Garmin also took top honors in the Boating Accessories category. The award was presented at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11, in the New Product Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center.
Winners were selected by credentialed buyers and media from around the world who vote for the best of the new product entries.
The 29 “Best of Category” awards were presented during the Wednesday night New Product Showcase Awards Reception, sponsored by SiOnyx.
For ICAST 2019, 1,004 new products were entered by 303 companies. Reflecting trends in sportfishing retail, four new categories were added this year: Ice Fishing; Cold and Warm Weather Technical Apparel; Coolers and Bait/Storage; and Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools.
This year’s New Product Showcase was sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer/Decode.
“Our congratulations go to all of this year’s New Product Showcase winners as well as to the 303 companies who submitted more than 1,000 new products,” said Trade Show and Membership Vice President Blake Swango. “They embody the ingenuity and innovative spirit that exists within our industry. Those products are representative of the thousands of other new products that were found across the show floor.”
Super Tuesday On the Water Product Demos and Tournament Results
On the Water, sponsored by Lowrance, was held on five acres of water and open space outside the OCCC’s North Building. Buyers and Media Editorial badge holders had fun and gained hands-on experience while testing the latest tackle, gear, electronics, kayaks, SUPs and even bass boats. Participants in On the Water enjoyed food, fishing and beer (provided by Nissan).
“This was the biggest year ever for On the Water, and the first year we had actual bass boats along with the non-powered watercraft,” said Swango. “Each year, we work to add new elements to On the Water to make it a more expansive experience for exhibitors and attendees.”
Earlier on Super Tuesday, teams competed in the FLW ICAST Cup Bass Fishing Tournament at nearby Lake Toho. Prizes and trophies went to the top teams. The overall winners, John Carman, Peter Thliveros and Matthew Mattingly of the Lew’s Fishing Team, took home the ICAST Cup. The Lew’s team is notable as the first back-to-back winner in ICAST Cup history.
Florida Sportsman’s Bass and Birdies Classic at Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club was also held Tuesday morning. Competing teams mixed golf with fishing in the course’s water hazards, which proved to be full of big largemouth bass. Top finishers were Paul Cross, Laura Darner, Steve Step and Drew Gregory.
Proceeds from both tournaments benefit Keep America Fishing, the sportfishing industry’s grassroots advocacy program for our nation’s 49 million anglers.
Thanks To Our 2019 Sponsors for Their Support
- Gold: Columbia Sportswear, Crocodile Bay Resort, Engel Coolers, Fishing Tackle Retailer/Decode, FLW, Lowrance, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), SiOnyx and Visit Orlando.
- Silver: Bonnier Corporation, FishAnywhere.com, Huk Performance Fishing,LIVETARGET Lures, Mossy Oak and Yakima Products
- Bronze: Classic Fishing Products
ICAST 2019 New Product Showcase “Best of Category” Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.
Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Garmin USA
Product: Force Trolling Motor
Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – Hobie
Product: Mirage ProAngler 14 with 360 Drive Technology
Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: WaterWoman
Best of Category – Footwear – Frogg Toggs
Product: Skipper
Best of Category – Giftware – 13 Fishing
Product: Fillet Table Beverage Management System
Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Yurei Air-O-Mesh Performance Shirt
Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – Simms Fishing Products
Product: M’s G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader
Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Overboard Submersible Shorts
Best of Category – Ice Fishing – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Ice Helix 7 Chirp GPS G3N All-Season
Best of Category – Cooler and Bait/Storage – Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill Magnum Bait Station 30
Best of Category – Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – Bubba
Product: 110V Electric Fillet Knife
Best of Category – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: MEGA 360 Imaging
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – Simms Fishing Products
Product: Dry Creek® Z Sling Pack
Best of Category – Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product: MW20 Finesse Set
Best of Category – Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: Moon Shine Braid
Best of Category – Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: The Bumblebee by ProFISHiency
Best of Category – Tackle Management – Plano Synergy
Product: Plano EDGE
Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short
Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product: Phantom Spider
Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Slow-Roll Shiner
Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Erratic Shiner
Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Flutter Sardine
Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Shimano
Product: SLX DC Baitcasting Reels
Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Shimano
Product: Stradic FL Spinning Reel
Best of Category – Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: SF (Small Fly)
Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Mojo Bass Glass MGC72HM Rip N’ Chatter Rod
Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Avid Surf VSS80MMF
Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Imperial Salt IS908.4
Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing
Product: Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcast Combo
