Gear

ICAST 2016 — Best of Show Winners

See which new products won the prestigious Best of Show awards at the world's largest sportfishing trade show.

By Devin Golden

Updated: July 14, 2016

Best Saltwater Reel

Penn Slammer III

The Penn Slammer II has a full metal body, side plate and rotor, plus the new IPX6 Sealed System to keep water out of its gear box and drag system. Max drag is between 30 and 60 pounds. MSRP: $249.95-349.95 Devin Golden

Best Soft Lure

Squidnation, Long Tail Flippy Floppy

The innovative Long Tail Flippy Floppy from Squidnation teases marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi. It depicts a fish attacking a small school of bait and causing the baitfish to shower away in a desperate move to escape. This action intends to trigger an aggressive response from pelagic fish. MSRP: $99.99 Devin Golden

Best Terminal Tackle

Trapper Tackle, Dropshot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook

Trapper Tackle’s Dropshot/Live Bait/Finesse Hook won the Best Terminal Tackle award with its right-angle box, restricting the fishing hook’s ability to rotate out and difficult for fish to overcome. The box also improves bait retention to allow more casting. MSRP: $3.14/6 pack, $12.72/25 pack Devin Golden

Best Boat

Old Town Predator

The Old Town Predator fishing kayak won the Best Boat award by continuing Old Town’s lineup of high-performance fishing kayaks. MSRP: n/a Devin Golden

Best Footwear

Shimano Flats Wading Boots

Shimano’s Flats Wading Boots are a combination of expertise in cycling shoes with decades of fishing knowledge. Shimano expanded its footwear lineup with this Best Footwear winner, which features Vulcanized rubber and 5-millimeter neoprene. Each boot features a corrosion-resistant nylon front zipper with a wide opening for easily putting-on and taking-off. MSRP: $79.99 Devin Golden

Best Electronic Product

Humminbird HELIX 10 SI

The Humminbird HELIX 10 SI includes full networking options for Minn Kota’s i-Pilot Link, radar, NMEA 2000 and AIS. Auto Chart Live to make detailed digital maps live on the screen comes standard. MSRP: $1,499 Devin Golden

Best Fishing Accessory

Yeti Hopper Flip 12

The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 has a wide-mouth opening and leakproof zipper made for easy loading and access to your food and drinks throughout the fishing experience. Plus, it is compact and provides portability, never holding you back from getting the most of your fishing or kayaking time. MSRP: $279.99 Devin Golden

Best Fishing Line

G Pucci & Sons Inc. P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon

The G Pucci & Sons Inc. P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon fishing line ushers in new advancements for casting, invisibility, softness and the pinnacle of sensitivity combined with strength and durability. MSRP: $19.99-29.99 Devin Golden

Best Eyeware

Costa Sunglasses Rafael

Costa’s Rafael Sunglasses combine efficiency and style, with the venting system and Hydrolite temple tips and nose pads. The weight is reduced and the frame holds shape in extreme temperatures. As for the fashion side, frame colors include Bkackout, Matte Retro Tortoise, Matte Olive Teak and Matte Black Teak. It is offered in multiple color-enhancing polarized 580 lenses. MSRP: $249 Devin Golden

Best Fly Fishing Accessory

Boomerang Tool Company, Retractable Fly Box

The Retractable Fly Box from Boomerang Tool Company is a double-sided box that holds 170 flies and is waterproof, perfect for fly-fishing enthusiasts. MSRP: $24.95 Devin Golden

Best Saltwater Rod

Lew’s Mach Speed Stick Inshore

Lew’s Mach Speed Stick inshore saltwater fishing rod has exclusive Carbon Nano Tube construction that gives an additional layer of structural support. MSRP: $79.99 Devin Golden

Best FishSmart Product

Adventure Products Inc., Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net

The new Kryptek S1 Genesis Medium Clear Landing Net won Best FishSmart Product for its lightweight clear rubber mesh, detachable handle and the ability to float. MSRP: $69.99 Devin Golden

Best Rod and Reel Combo

Lew’s Mach II Speed Spool Combo

Lew’s took back-to-back awards with the Best Rod and Reel Combo, given to its Mach II Speed Spool rod-and-reel combo. The reel features a new Super-Low-Profile design with matching graphite frame and sideplates. The 10-bearing reel has a machined double-anodized aluminum spool, externally adjustable Magnetic Cast Control and 95-millimeter power handle. MSRP: $179.99 Devin Golden

Best Fly Rods

St. Croix Rod Sole

St. Croix Rod Sole won Best Fly Fishing Rod with its cutting-edge path to one-piece performance. All nine Sole models are 9 feet long and include two 28-inch tip sections. MSRP: $340-360 Devin Golden

Best Tackle Management

Cobra Garage Door Storage Rack

The Cobra Garage Door Storage Rack utilizes your garage door to store your rods and equipment, keeping them from being stacked in a corner and occupying precious space and risking damage. MSRP: $35 Devin Golden

Best Giftware

Weego Jump Starter 44

The Weego Jump Starter 44 took the Best Giftware award with its innovative product, which eliminates the need for jumper cables, bulky jumper packs or calling for a tow. The Weego Jump Starter 44 can — living by its name — jump start any vehicle with a gas engine up to 6.4 liters and a diesel up to 3.2 liters. It also charges phones and other USB devices and lights the way with a 500-lumen flashlight. MSRP: $149.99 Devin Golden

Best Technical Apparel

Plano Synergy Frabill I-Float Suit

The newest addition to Plano Synergy’s I-Series apparel is the Frabill I-Float Suit, a flotation-assisting ice fishing jacket recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as a USCG Certified Personal Flotation Device. The suit includes mesh self-drainage openings and ice picks with holsters to assist in emergency water evacuation. MSRP: $299.99 Devin Golden