There were quite a few hot new products on display at this year's ICAST fishing trade show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Below are the winners in each category of the New Products Showcase competition.
Berkley's new Fireline Ultra 8 design won the Fishing Line category. With pound tests ranging from 4 to 30 pounds, the thermally fised line has four times more abrasion resistance than the original Fireline.
Costa's new Sunrise Silver Mirror Lenses, the top vote-receiver in the Eyewear category, features high polarized lens efficiency good for early hours or late-day fishing with the sun setting. The silver mirror provides an extra layer of protection in challenging hazy, indirect or low-light conditions.
The Daiwa Tactical Backpack won the Tackle Management category. It features the versatility needed for both anglers on the go or a hike down to a stream. The tackle-management system is centered on a three-box stack system easily accessible from the side. It's constructed with a ridged, non-collapsible frame and tough corrosion-resistant zippers. It's configured with a sunglass-case holder, plier holder, booger box and velcro attachment area.
The Eagle Claw Flounder Sample Pack won the Conservation category for its message of catching and releasing summer flounder.
Frogg Toggs' Sierran Transition Wader won the Technical Apparel category. The zippered flip-out security chest pocket and oversized multi-function pocket with a zip/fly tray are just some of the features. Attached gravel guards with no-slip elastic openings and an adjustable x-back suspenders with locking buckle and D rings are more. Sizes range from small to XXL and colors are in slate/gray.
Huk's new Attack Shoe design won the Footwear category. It features Kryptek camouflage design, GripX non-marking outsole and performance lacing.
The Humminbird Solix 15 Chirp Mega SI GPS won the Electronics category. It takes fish-finding sonar to the megahertz range for clear underwater views. Chirp Digital Sonar shows improved fish detail and target separation, and the Cross Touch Interface allows anglers to operate the unit via touchscreen or keypad, while customizing the screen with up to four viewing panels.
LiveTarget's new Hollow Body Mullet won the Saltwater Soft Lure category. It features a realistic profile and life-like color patterns to go with its versatile swimming action. The hollow-body, snag-proof design allows anglers to fish through mangrove cover, floating grass or slop, or under docks. Its extra-strong forged hook provides it powerful penetration and durability.
The new Pure Fishing Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel won the Fly Fishing Reel category thanks to its interchangeable large arbor cassette spool with a unique identification system. The cassettes are secured in the spool carrier by an advanced locking system enclosed by a full stainless steel and alloy construction. Each reel comes with two large and medium arbor cassette cartridges so each model can accommodate up to four different line weights.
Winner of the Saltwater Hard Lure category, the Rapala XRap Magnum has the ability to run at 40 feet and is the biggest and deepest-running bait from Rapala. You can troll the hard lures as fast as 13 knots for big game fish. The plastic body with a translucent design and internal-scale pattern add to the allure. It's seven inches long and weighs 3 and 3/8 ounces, and the lure is available in 20 color patterns.
The Sustain Reels C4000/5000 are the new series of fishing reels from Shimano — and won the Saltwater Reel category at this year's ICAST. Shimano's Hagane gear technology and body design and six 2-to-1 gear ratios are just a few of the features. You can target stripers, bonefish, redfish and small billfish or tuna with this powerful reel, which pulls in 39 inches in the 4000XG design, and the C5000 — the same body size as the C4000 — takes in 41 inches per crank.
St. Croix earned two category wins, the second being the St. Croix Legend Tournament in the Saltwater Rod division. The new rod is great for serious tournament anglers or hardcore weekend enthusiasts. Available in 10 models, seven spinning and three casting, the Legend Tournament features a TVS (spinning) or PTS (casting) reel seat and Kigan titanium hook-keeper. It's made of SCIV graphite material.
The winner of the Terminal Tackle category, the Trapper Tackle Trapper Round Bend Treble hook penetrates quick and lock in tight with the Trapper design and piercing point. It's a quality replacement to standard treble hooks.
The new LoadOut Bucket from YETI won the Boating Accessory category for its all-purpose features and design. No matter if you're cleaning or carrying, this is a good pick for all anglers.
The winner of the Fishing Accessory category, the Yeti Panga Duffel Bag is designed for long fishing trips, back-country adventures, fly-fishing excursions or hunts into the wild. The air-tight closure makes it waterproof and keeps moisture and many other outdoor intruders on the outside of your gear and other important items. The durable exterior fabric helps it last and the straps ease the task of hauling or dragging to the dock — or even chucking on or off your boat.
