Orlando, FL– The fishing world converged on Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center between June 15 – 18.
The show was the biggest yet, and despite this writer struggling to get a solid WiFi signal during the show, was also the best yet.
In one room, tackle manufacturers, clothing and eye ware companies, and everything in between displayed their wares and talked the talk with buyers and media members—all in an effort to jostle for position and be noticed.
Let’s get right to business, and have a look at the winners from the new product showcase.
iCast 2014 Best of Show Winners
Here is the run down of those products that garnered the votes to take home a trophy in their respective categories:
- Best of Show: Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Predator XL
- Terminal Tackle: TroKar TK619
- Tackle Management: Engel USA UC30-RH
- Fishing Line: Berkley Iron Silk
- Kid’s Tackle: ZEBCO Splash Combos
- Giftware: Helter Skeleton’s Authentic Skeletal Articulation
- Footware: Columbia Sportsware Megavent PFG
- Fly Fishing Accessory: Plastica Panaro SRL M2300-Fly Caddy
- Fishsmart Tackle: Cuda Fishing Tools Cuda Grip & Scale
- Fishing Accessory: Lit Industries Lit Coolers
- Eyeware: Costa Hamlin 580-P
- Johnson Outdoors: Humminbird ONIX 8SI
- Combo: Lew’s Fishing Tackle American Hero Baitcast Combo
- Boats: Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Predator XL
- Boating Accessories: Johnson Outdoors Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor
- Technical Apparel: STORMR Fusion Bib
- Lifestyle Apparel: Pelagic 4TEK Fishfinder Boardshort
- Soft Lure: Savage Gear 3D PVC Crab
- Hard Lure: SPRO BBZ-1 Rat
- Fly Fishing Reel: 3-Tand TF 70 Sealed Fly Reel
- Saltwater Reel: Penn Battle II Spinning
- Freshwater Reel: Abu-Revo Beast
- Fly Fishing Rod: G-Loomis PRO4-X Short Stix
- Saltwater Rod: Shimano Terez Stand Up
- Freshwater Rod: Duckett Fishing Micro Magic Pro
Congratulations to all the winners this year.
Fly Fishing and Conventional Fishing in one Room, Zero Fist Fights Ensue
Like last year’s iCast, the IFTD show took place in the same room.
The reaction to this was a little mixed, with some of the fly fishing companies feeling a bit like they were stuffed into the back of the room as an after thought.
While I can absolutely understand this feeling, I disagree. In discussing the set up with one fly fishing exhibitor, the perception was much different:
“I’ve been able to talk fly fishing all day with great people, then take a walk and hang out with Jimmy Houston. Fishing is fishing, and even though I make my living with fly fishing, I like to fish—period. So even though there are some rumblings here and there about the combined show, I think it’s great.”
There is another benefit to having both shows in one locale, and that is the cross-pollination of ideas and techniques.
While I was standing in the Clutch Fly Rod booth, speaking with founder Lee Janik, there was a young man between the ages of 9-12. It was his first time with a fly rod, and he was getting some great instruction on the casting pond. At the end of the show, Lee gave him a rod.
So here we have a kid beginning what will probably turn into a lifelong addiction to fly fishing, all because these two shows were combined.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
Lure Trends: Hi-Def Paint Jobs Rule the Day
If iCast 2012 was the year of the Alabama Rig, iCast 2014 was the year of exquisite paint.
Everything from hard baits to soft plastics and swim baits were given the artistic treatment. The detail and definition that companies like Koppers, Savage, and Molix are able to produce on such a tiny canvas is truly remarkable. And this is just the short list.
Heck, even Rat-L-Trap is getting in on it.
This is something sure to continue, as companies will work to differentiate themselves and produce something that both anglers and fish haven’t seen.
Of course, added details will also mean added price. If that translates to added fish in the boat, then sign me up. If not, well, maybe my walls need a collage.
Your Phone, Your Fish Finder
Fishing electronics just got a bit more affordable, and useful.
Within a 50 square foot block of the convention floor, three different companies were showing a product category I’ve taken to calling “personal electronics.”
The concept is essentially the same for each. A small sphere is tied to a line and casted into the water. Sonar is emitted from the sphere, and the data is displayed on your smart phone.
In speaking with each company, each one was working diligently to point out their competitive advantages.
This is a new category, and one that is very exciting, as it brings quality electronics within reach of more anglers (the priciest of the three on display was $219.99).
Maybe Not Revolutionary, But What Is?
Aside from the aforementioned personal electronics, nothing jumped out as revolutionary.
But then, what does that even mean? How many times have you come across something that promised to change the way you fish, only to find it was, at best, a nice addition to your tackle box, and at worst, absolute trash?
These shows don’t exist to reinvent wheels or slaughter sacred cows (if such a thing is even present in fishing). These shows exist to incrementally improve sport fishing, and give us gear heads something new to have fun with.
iCast 2014 delivered on all accounts.
We will be doing some testing of these products in the very near future, so stay tuned.