News: ICAST / IFTD Show – Best of Show

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, and the International Fly Tackle Dealer organizations combined their annual trade shows in 2013. They created a trade show that encompasses the entire fishing experience. It has become the Holly Grail of what’s new in fishing from ladies waders to motorized kayaks to DVD’s to fly rods and anything you can think of. To drink it all in would take a dedicated angler all three days attendance.

ICAST more interestingly adjudges products across the board, fly fishing and conventional fishing. The mix completely different than the IFTD which is fly fishing only with somewhat predictable outcomes.

Fly Life Magazine was in attendance. Skip Clement, publisher of FLM.com and co-author of Fly Fishing the Florida Keys was there as was Steve Kantner, FLM.com contributor and better known regionally in South Florida as The Land Captain. Skip and Steve made their rounds and Steve promoted his new book at the Stackpole booth – signing and selling every copy that was on hand in just under 30 minutes. His book is titled Ultimate Guide to Fishing South Florida on Foot.

BEST OF SHOW and THINGS WE LOVED:

 

A little bragging goes a long way. 3-TAND reels, got BEST FLY FISHING REEL with it’s light tackle fly reel, the TF-70. The 3-TAND booth was in high demand as lots of fly shop guys and gals queried Ron Poehailos. You had to wait if you wanted to get to speak to co-owner Ron Poehailos about 3-TAND’s technology. He handled every query straightforwardly and  was never at a loss when technical aspects of the different design features where questioned. You would have been hard pressed to learn more about reel design and drag systems in an hour at any other reel company at the show, and there where some pretty big hitters in town. Be sure to check out 3-TAND’s full line of reels, pliers, and accessories at the first chance you get. Check out their site for a growing list of dealers closest to you.

TrueFlies,  is just over the halfway mark on it’s season-long move to cool new colors, always steering clear of just khaki. Their clothes are reasonably priced, fish well – comfortable and rugged with useful pockets, dry quickly and do the cocktail circuit in great style. Here’s a look at one of our favorite shirts that TF introduced this year. Fished by captains, designed by captains and manufactured with quality and care, TrueFlies clothing is functional, durable and beautifully styled. They make everything from trucker hats, to seersucker angling shorts, to bathing suits and belts with a heavy stylistic influence from our friend, the  beloved tarpon. We love their gear and think you will as well.

Then there’s the smallest item that we ran across at the show. It’s a fly tying gizmo called Bug Collars (www.bugcollars.com). The “collars” are doughnut shaped brass beads that allow the tyer to quickly and easily add a “hot spot” to their fly.  They can be used in conjunction with most bead heads and bullet heads and allow the tyer to add cool ares of accent to many, many different types of flies. They are available in five sizes and 30 colors of plated, painted, fluorescent, and metallic finishes. They are easily applied on hooks and are even stackable. Can’t wait to mod out some of my favorite patterns with Bug Collars. Sometimes it’s all in the nuances…

 

 

Minnkota’s new trolling motor, Ulterra, won BEST BOATING ACCESSORY. It comes with a choice of an i-Pilot or an i-Pillo link, all new foot pedal and Universal Sonar 2. With cool new features like fully automated stow and deploy. In addition, Ulterra includes power trim, which raises and lowers the depth of the motor with the push of a button setting a new standard for ease of use. The stripped down entry level Ulterra model’s  MSRP is $1,990. The full monty with all the bells and whistles has an MSRP of $2,550.

If there was something I truly coveted at the show it was the Johnson Outdoors’ Predator XL,  a Minkota electric powered kayak / canoe. With a base price $1,600 (without motor) and $2,700 powered with the Minnkota electric, it is a pretty amazing little fishing craft. I immediately started thinking about all of the great applications that this hybrid kayak would give me in my local area, let alone the spots I could take it within driving distance on my roof rack. If you are in the market and want to consider jump-starting your kayaking career, educate yourself on the Predator XL. Between Johnson and Minnkota, they have created one very cool watercraft.

HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF ICAST BEST OF SHOW:

ICAST 2014 Overall Best of Show – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft
Product – Predator XL
Media Contact: Jim Edlund jim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1019

Best of Show – Freshwater Rod – Duckett Fishing
Product – Micro Magic Pro
Media Contact: Sean Schuyler sean@duckettfishing.com
Booth: 2625

Best of Show – Saltwater Rod – Shimano American Corporation
Product – Terez Stand Up
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Booth: 1077

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product PRO4x Short Stix
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz jpmazurk@ameritech.net
Booth: 1277

Best of Show – Freshwater Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product- Abu-Revo Beast
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977

Best of Show – Saltwater Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product – PENN Battle II Spinning
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Reel – 3TAND, LLC
Product – TF-70 Sealed Fly Reel
Media Contact: Ron Poehailos ron@3tand.com
Booth: 1020

Best of Show – Hard Lure – SPRO Corporation
Product – BBZ-1 Rat
Media Contact: Syd Rives syd@spro.com
Booth: 2157

Best of Show – Soft Lure – Okuma Fishing Tackle Corporation
Product – Savage Gear 3D PVC Crab
Media Contact: Brandon Cotton brandon.cotton@okumfishing.com
Booth: 1100

Best of Show – Lifestyle Apparel – Pelagic, Inc.
Product – 4TEK Fish Finder Boardshort
Media Contact: Colin Sarfeh colin@pelagicgear.com
Booth: 1710

Best of Show – Technical Apparel – STORMR
Product – Fusion Bib
Media Contact: Nick Lassor nick@stormrusa.com
Booth: 2231

Best of Show – Boating Accessory – Johnson Outdoors
Product – Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor
Media Contact: Jim Edlund jim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1041

Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft
Product – Predator XL
Media Contact: Jim Edlund jim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1019

Best of Show – Combo – Lew’s Fishing Tackle
Product – American Hero Baitcast Combo
Media Contact: Gary Dollahon gary@dollahonpr.com
Booth: 1132

Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors
Product – Humminbird ONIX 8SI
Media Contact:  Jim Edlund jim@traditionsmedia.com
Booth: 1041

Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa
Product – Hamlin – 580P Mirror Lenses
Media Contact: Liza Jones liza@fullcirclepr.com
Booth: 1257

Best of Show – Fishing Accessory – Lit-Industries, LLC
Product – Lit Coolers
Media Contact: Lucas Hayes lhayes@litcoolers.com
Booth: 1605

Best of Show – FishSmart Tackle – Cuda Fishing Tools
Product – Cuda Grip & Scale
Media Contact: Geri Adler gadler@acmeunited.com
Booth: 2585

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Plastica Panaro  SRL
Product – M2300 – Fly Caddy
Media Contact: Lucio Sirotti lsirotti@plasticapanaro.it
Booth: 2336

Best of Show – Footwear – Columbia Sportswear
Product – Megavent PFG
Media Contact: Krysti Tonkin ktonkin@columbia.com
Booth: 1437

Best of Show – Giftware – Helter Skeletons, Ltd.
Product – Authentic Skeletal Articulation
Media Contact: Frick Ault sales@helterskeletons.com
Booth: 2510

Best of Show – Kids’ Tackle – ZEBCO Brands
Product – ZEBCO Splash Combos
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1477

Best of Show – Line – Pure Fishing, Inc
Product – Berkley IronSilk
Media Contact: Ron Giudice ron@blueheroncomm.com
Booth: 1977

Best of Show – Tackle Management – ENGEL U.S.A.
Product – UC30-RH
Media Contact: Rick Hauser rchauser@gmail.com
Booth: 1828

Best of Show Terminal Tackle – Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle
Product – TroKar TK619
Media Contact: Nickie Kiefer nkiefer@eagleclaw.com
Booth: 3285

ICAST 2015 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, July 14 – 17, 2015.