GuideLines -

ICAST 2012 Report
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIENDS!
By Jerry White
I'd like to take a moment to talk about conservation and resource management. What you see in the picture below are the big three of Florida inshore fishing. The Snook (with the stripe), the Redfish (below the fake jellyfish), and the spotted sea-trout (back behind them). Catch all 3 in the same day and that's our inshore "slam". These fish are not "endangered". But for 3 days earlier this month, they became a "protected" species …

They were protected from these predators:

From exhibitors to buyers to outdoor media, 9,000 representatives from the global sportfishing community converged on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., July 11-13, for the world's largest sportfishing trade show. The 55th International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), represents the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, driving sportfishing companies' product sales year round and is the showcase for the latest innovations in gear and accessories.
For me, going to this show was akin to following the yellow brick road, coming up to the wizard, throwing the curtain back, and then seeing how it all works. From an idea that you can't get out of your head, to a sketch on a bar napkin, through computer design, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing, wholesale, retail, sponsorship, print, television, radio, websites, and countless points along the way … this is quite a process. And it doesn't matter if you're talking about the latest design in split-shots or a Hell's Bay skiff, the processes are similar.
So, here we are. Let's head out to the exhibition hall floor. Pardon me while I channel a little Toby Keith and offer *my* rendition of "I Love This Bar":
You got buyers
You got sellers
Quiet types and yellers
You got choices, on your ballot
I even saw Flip Pallot
But when the voting's done no one wants to come in last
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm-mmm-mmm, I love ICAST
The New Product Showcase "Best of Show" Awards
Making up a special section of ICAST's 375,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides unique visibility for the latest innovations in sportfishing gear and accessories. The submitted products compete in the "Best of Show" competition where buyers and media members judge each new product.
This year, the Showcase included 21 categories, as well as the overall "Best of Show" award. ASA also added a new category - FishSmart Tackle - to recognize gear and tackle that helps improve the survivability of fish.
So, since we have lots to cover … let's go. Here are the new product showcase winners

Category: Best of Show - Apparel
Winner: Airgill Chill Zero Long Sleeve Shirt by Columbia Sportswear
Contact: Andrea Pallavicini
apallavicini@columbia.com
website: www.columbia.com

This shirt was unbelievably light. And of course, it looks pretty sharp too.

Category: Best of Show - Boating Accessory
Winner: Power-Pole Drift Paddle by JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Contact: Robert Shamblin
robert@powerpole.com
website: www.power-pole.com
So, if you want to drift, but not so fast, this is indeed the answer. The Power-Pole serves the same purpose as our stake out poles. But this is a slick trick, and I'm trying to figure out now how to make something similar with PVC.

Category: Best of Show - Combo
Winner: Penn Battle Combo by Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com

Category: Best of Show - Electronics
Winner: Humminbird 360 Imaging by Johnson Outdoors
Contact: Steve Roth
steveroth@swansonrussell.com

This handy gadget allows you to see 360 degrees around your boat. I'm sure it'd be quite a trick with a side mount for a kayak too.

Category: Best of Show - Eyewear
Winner: Costa 580 P Sunsrise Lenses by Costa
Contact: Liza Jones
liza@fullcirclepr.com

Category: Best of Show - Fishing Accessory
Winner: The Ultimate Line Winding System by American Premier Corporation
Contact: Mike Roe
mroe@americanpremiercorp.com

*NEW CATEGORY* Best of Show - FishSmart Tackle
Winner: The SeaQuilizer
Contact: Allison Liederman
info@theseaqualizer.com
The SeaQuilizer offers an alternative to fizzing (venting) a fish that you intend to immediately release. After you haul it up, simply attach the clip to the fish's lower jaw then lower the rig with fish back to the desired depth. The SeaQuilizer can be set to release the fish at 50, 100 or 150 feet deep.

Category: Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory
Winner: Master Guide Fly Rod "Cush It" by Luna Sea, LLC
Contact: Mick Saundons
lunaseamick@hotmail.com

Category: Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel
Winner: Wright & McGill Sabalos Saltwater Fly Reel by Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle
Contact: Chris Russell
crussell@eagleclaw.com
website: www.eagleclaw.com

Category: Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod
Winner: NRX Fly Rod by G. Loomis
Contact: John Mazurkiewicz
jpmazurk@ameritech.net

Category: Best of Show - Freshwater Reel
Winner: Abu Garcia Revo by Pure Fishing, Inc. Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com

Category: Best of Show - Freshwater Rod
Winner: Legend Xtreme by St. Croix Rods
Contact: Noel Vick
noel@traditionsmedia.com

Category: Best of Show - Giftware
Winner: 3D "Jigsaw" Picture by 3D Picture Store, Inc.
Contact: Jason Garstecki
jay@3dpicturestore.com
website: www.3dpicturestore.com

Category: Best of Show - Kids' Tackle
Winner: Shakespeare Hide-A-Hook Bobber Kit by Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com

Category: Best of Show - Line
Winner: Berkley Trilene XL/XT by Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com
website: www.berkley-fishing.com

Category: Best of Show - Hard Lure
Winner: Live Target Frog Popper by Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation
Contact: Tom Choplin
tom@koppersfishing.com
website: www.koppersfishing.com

Category: Best of Show - Soft Lure
Winner: Bento Baits by Lunkerhunt LP
Contact: David Macdonald
david@lunkerhunt.com
website: www.lunkerhunt.com

Category: Best of Show - Saltwater Reel
Winner: Penn Spinfisher V by Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com

Category: Best of Show - Saltwater Rod
Winner: Legend Inshore by St. Croix Rods
Contact: Noel Vick
noel@traditionsmedia.com
website: www.stcroixrods.com

Category: Best of Show - Tackle Management
Winner: Gear Grabbar Lure Hangar Kit by Magnetic Marine Products, Inc.
Contact: Jennifer Gesik
Jennifer@Magneticmarineproducts.com
website: www.magneticmarineproducts.com
I have the larger Grabbar on a milk crate … and the uses are limitless

Category: Best of Show - Terminal Tackle
Winner: Berkley Gulp! Jig Heads by Pure Fishing, Inc.
Contact: Ron Giudice
ron@blueheroncomm.com

Yes my friends, we, the paddle anglers are the champions.
Out of all the new products listed above, and hundreds of other new products at the show, the buyers and media voted and top honors were again given to a kayak. What does this tell you? It tells you that paddle fishing truly is the mouse that continues to roar.
Category: Best of Show - Boat *and* ICAST 2012 Overall Best of Show
Winner: Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 by Hobie Cat
Contact: Ingrid Niehaus
iniehaus@hobiecat.com
You cannot imagine all the features and functions that can be added to a 12 foot kayak. Rather than burying you with stats, please follow THIS LINK and it will take you to Hobie, where you can watch videos, and check it all out. Ingrid tried to show me this boat several times, but buyers kept coming up and asking questions - that's a good thing!

Next year ICAST will be back in Las Vegas, where once again Sin-City will be turned in to Fin-City for 3 days.
Congratulations again to all of the showcase winners. However, there were some other great products at the show that either speak to the paddle angler, or were just interesting. So, refresh your beverage (maybe a "Red Solo Cup" would be appropriate since we started in a Toby Keith mode).

Follow THIS LINK to get to the rest of the article.

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau