With ICAST in the rearview, industry professionals look toward the second half of the year with an expanded network, strengthened relationships, and most of all, optimism for the sport we all so passionately love. The show also gives us an early look into new, innovative products via its ICAST New Product Showcase, which recognizes the top product in several categories, from rods and reels all the way down to ice fishing gear. Here are your winners for 2024.
BEST OF SHOW: PENN FATHOM ELECTRIC
PENN, a brand known for making exceptional gear for saltwater anglers, has taken home the Best in Show award for the Fathom Electric reel, the first and only electric reel with an integrated battery. This marks the sixth award for Pure Fishing, the parent company to some of the top fishing brands in the industry.
“When I think about what a truly game-changing product looks like, I think of a product that alters the way we approach the sport by adding a new value or technique,” says Jon Schlosser, chief product and brand officer for Pure Fishing. “The PENN Fathom Electric is not only the first of its kind, cordless electric reel, but it makes deep dropping more accessible. I am extremely proud of the PENN team for the time they put in designing such a groundbreaking achievement.”
The PENN Fathom Electric reel is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery with a 5aH capacity, offering long-lasting performance with an optional plug-in backup. With options giving anglers a wide variety of programmable modes, each drop can be custom-set to meet the needs of the day. With key features like auto-stop for hands-free retrieves, override for manual jogging, a line counter providing true line-out measurement in feet or meters, this reel allows anglers the power and performance they need for modern fishing techniques. It has an excellent maximum winding power of 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms) and can achieve speeds of up to 750 feet per minute (varying by reel size). Engineered for versatility, the reel is optimized for deep-dropping activities, reaching depths of up to 1,000 feet, and performs exceptionally well in kite fishing and light trolling scenarios.
2024 BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS
RODS & REels
- Freshwater Reel: Shimano Vanford FA
- Freshwater Rod: Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
- Saltwater Reel: Penn Fathom Electric
- Saltwater Rod: Dominion E-Rod Jigging & Bottom Rod w/ Integrated Power Supply
- Fly Fishing Reels: Hardy Averon Fly Reel
- Fly Fishing Rods: Temple Fork Elevare
- Rod & Reel Combo: St. Croix GXR Bass Systems
- Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Combo: Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Fly Combo
BAITS
- Freshwater Soft Lure: Z-Man Shadtron LT (Line-Through) Swimbait
- Freshwater Hard Lure: Berkley Krej
- Saltwater Soft Lure: Z-Man PrawnstarZ
- Saltwater Hard Lure: FishLab BBZ Hard Mullet Swimbait
LINE & TERMINAL TACKLE
- Fishing Line: Sufix Resolve – Ultra Thin Finesse Braid
- Terminal Tackle: VMC Redline Series Tungsten Swimbait Jig
- Custom Tackle and Components: Do-it Molds Hover Jig Mold
- Fly Lines, Leaders, Tippets, and Line Accessories: Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Tarpon Full Clear
APPAREL
- Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Simms Pro Dry Suit
- Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Women: AFTCO Armorloft Zip Hood
- Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Women: Simms W’s Latitude Hoody
- Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Grudรฉns Tough Sun Masked Hoodie
- Lifestyle Apparel for Men: AFTCO Coastal Layer Hood
- Lifestyle Apparel for Women: Under Armour Fish Pro Hybrid Woven
- Footwear: Under Armour Charged Shoreman Deck Boot
- Eyewear: Costa 580G Gold Mirror Lens in Grand Catalina
- Fly Fishing Waders and Wading Boots: Grudรฉns Vector Zip Stockingfoot Wader
- Fly Fishing Technical & General Apparel: Grudรฉns Portal GORE-TEX Wading Jacket
STORAGE
- Tackle Management: BKK OCD Tackle Storage System
- Fly Fishing Backpacks, Bags, & Luggage: Simms Tailwind Rod & Reel Vault
- Fly Fishing Chest Pack, Sling, Waist Pack & Vest: Simms Headwaters Sling Pack
- Soft and Hard Coolers: Rugged Road 115
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
- Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools: Benchmade Water Collection
- Fishing Accessory: KastKing Brutus Landing Net with Boat Hook
- Electronics: XPECE ONE Waterproof Fishing Drone
- Fly Fishing Tools & Accessories: AFN Xtreme Pliers 140mm
- Fly Tying Vises, Tools & Materials: Renzetti C2303-MR
- Ice Fishing: Garmin Panoptix PS22-IF Ice Fishing Bundle
BOATING
- Boats and Watercraft: Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128
- Motorized Boating Accessories: Power-Pole Dual Blades Powered by ONE Pump
- Non-Motorized Boating Accessories: Connect-Ease YAK-EASE Power Pak Pro
MISCELLANEOUS
- Kids’ Tackle: Create-A-Lure Shark Edition
- Novelties and Wellness: Rapala USA Giant Lure
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