ICAST crowds continue to grow as industry benefits from increased number of anglers
The future of recreational fishing continues to shine bright at the largest trade show in the sport fishing industry. After a week full of activities such as fishing tournaments, workshops and product demonstrations, the 13,346 attendees of ICAST 2023 they head home.
While some ICAST visitors will make the short trip home within the Sunshine State; others will depart for far-flung domestic destinations in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest and the desert Southwest. Even more will board flights to places like Australia, Denmark, Peru and Japan.
ICAST is produced by the American Sport Fishing Association (ASA), a national non-profit trade association comprised of more than 800 member businesses and organizations that share an interest in promoting sport fishing for the community and commerce. This year, the 13,346 attendees at the fair came from all 50 US states and Puerto Rico, as well as 80 countries. This year, 633 exhibitors set up booths inside the Orange County Convention Center and showcased a staggering array of merchandise, from full-size bass and bay boats to campervans, live trolling motor demos, salons and, of course. , the show’s legendary social hours.
“This is one of the most impressive shows we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Blake Swango, ASA’s vice president of memberships and trade shows. “The booth spaces get bigger, better and more impressive every year and I think this is probably the most beautiful show I’ve ever worked on.”
American Tackle Company wins “Best of Show”
based in Florida American rigging company took home ICAST’s most prestigious honor, the coveted “Best of Show” award with a full carbon fishing rod handle, the G2 Tsuka 2 Complete Carbon Handle. The innovative custom rod component beat out more than 1,000 entrants at the ICAST New Product Showcase Awards, beating out 37 other category winners to give the rod building industry bragging rights.
“Winning Best of Show against all these other products is pretty unrealistic,” said Kevin Landers, marketing manager for American Tackle Company. “It’s great to represent the rest of the custom bar manufacturers and bar component companies in the industry,” added Vice President Darrin Heim, noting that the product itself was over a decade in the making.
Take off the popular fly fishing section
This year, the ASA built a promoted ICAST fly shop to increase their focus on the fly fishing segment of the trade. Long known as the definitive source for conventional fishing tackle, ICAST has increased its focus on fly fishing by adding six new product categories and a dedicated home to showcase products from fly fishing exhibitors that replicate one supplier. world class fly fishing.
There, attendees could watch fly casting demonstrations in the adjacent FLYCASTing pond, take fly casting lessons or browse a selection of products from a variety of manufacturers before deciding which booths to visit.
“Fly fishing manufacturers responded in a big way,” Swango added. “New fly fishing media outlets also attended the show. The ICAST Fly Shop was busy all week, and we look forward to welcoming more exhibitors to the world of fly fishing next year. We may even have to build a bigger Fly Shop.”
Young fishermen welcomed with open arms
On Friday, junior anglers from the Major League Fishing and BASS affiliated high school fishing clubs were herded onto the show floor for the ICAST Junior Angler Development Day. Surrounded by a sea of thousands of new fishing products, these enthusiastic young anglers were able to hear first-hand testimonials from industry professionals ranging from top-tier anglers to other fields often providing behind-the-scenes jobs.
“Youth are very important to our industry,” said Mary Beth Long, ASA vice president of communications. “They have a lot of enthusiasm and passion for fishing, and this is a great opportunity for them to come and meet some of our suppliers to see other ways they can potentially have a career in fishing. It’s not just as a professional, but also as a marketer or writer.”
ICAST 2023 Best of Category Winners
The best of the fishing lifestyle
News and Wellness
Product: The GoMist Drinking and Misting Bottle | ExtremeMist Personal Cooling Systems
Contact: Devin Holmgren [email protected]
Motor navigation accessories
Product: PowerPole Move ZR | Power-Pole®
Contact: Curt Hill [email protected]
Non-motorized navigation accessory
Product: WATER HAMMOCK BOAT | BOAT
Contact: Suzy Hunt [email protected]
Boats and Vessels
Product: Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+132 | Johnson Outdoor Watercraft, Inc.
Contact: Alex Sherbino [email protected]
Footwear
Product: Nautical Ankle Boots – Black | AFTCO
Contact: Denny Le [email protected]
ice fishing
Product: LiveScope™ Plus LI Ice Fishing Package with ECHOMAP™ UHD2 93sv | United States
Contact: Carly Hysell [email protected]
Glasses
Product: King Tide 8, Black 580G Blue Mirror | Costa sunglasses
Contact: Hannah Trotter [email protected]
Lifestyle clothing for women
Product:Women’s Cover Up Dress | Huk Performance Fishing
Contact: Bobby Lader [email protected]
lifestyle clothing for men
Product:Ocean Bound Performance Hoodie | AFTCO
Contact: Denny Le [email protected]
Women’s Warm Weather Technical Clothing
Product: Mojeaux 1/4 Zip Performance Shirt | AFTCO
Contact: Denny Le [email protected]
Technical clothing for warm weather for men
Product: Channel Performance T-shirt with hood | AFTCO
Contact: Denny Le [email protected]
Women’s Cold Weather Technical Clothing
Product: Women’s Barricade Rain Suit | AFTCO
Contact: Denny Le [email protected]
Men’s Cold Weather Technical Clothing
Product: Gale Jumper | black fish gear
Contact: Addy Hansen [email protected]
Best of General Tackle
soft and hard coolers
Product: Flop Box 10 | failed industries
Contact: Kyle Dougherty [email protected]
electronics
Product: Westin EscapeCam | western fishing
Contact: Michael Trost [email protected]
Cutlery, Hand Layers or Tools
Product: BUBBA Pro Series Smart Fish Scale | BUBBA
Contact: Matt Kinamore [email protected]
fishing accessory
Product: ENGEL USB Rechargeable Lithium Ion XL Live Bait Aerator Pump | ENGEL refrigerators
Contact: Chris Holloway [email protected]
children’s ticket
Product: ProFISHiency Next Gen Crazy Combo | Anything Possible Brands
Contact: Amanda Rispoli [email protected]
tackle management
Product: Pontoon Boat Tackle Center | boat suppliers
Contact: Jared Walton [email protected]
terminal input
Product: VMC Swingin’ Ned Rig Jig | rapala
Contact: Matt Jensen mate.[email protected]
Custom rigs and components
Product: G2 Tsuka 2 Full Carbon Shaft | American rigging company
Contact: Kevin Landers [email protected]
Fishing line
Product: Fluorocarbon Mastiff | Shimano
Contact: Cory Van Auken [email protected]
The best of fly fishing
Fly Fishing Waders & Waders
Product: G4Z Stockingfoot Wader | Simms Fishing Products
Contact: John Frazier John.[email protected]
Fly lines, leaders, tippet and line accessories
Product: BUZBE Colony 8T (FINE) | BUZBE
Contact: Caleb Sutton [email protected]
Fly Fishing Packs, Bags & Luggage
Product: Flyweight Vest Pack | Simms Fishing Products
Contact: John Frazier [email protected]
Technical Clothing and Accessories for Fly Fishing
Product: Master Edition M6014 | Renzetti, Inc.
Contact: Lilly Renzetti [email protected]
fly fishing reel
Product: Cheeky Spray Fly Reel | cheeky fishing
Contact: Peter Vandergrift [email protected]
fly fishing rod
Product: Heavy Duty Z Pull | pure fishing, inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman [email protected]
The best of lures
freshwater soft lure
Product: Berkley PowerBait Nessie | pure fishing, inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman [email protected]
Saltwater Soft Lure
Product: Mulletron LT (Line Through) Swimbait | Z-Man Fishing Products
Contact: Cory Schmidt [email protected]
freshwater hard lure
Product: ChatterBait Elite EVO | Z-Man Fishing Products
Contact: Cory Schmidt [email protected]
saltwater hard lure
Product: MIrrOlure The Dog Duke | L&S Bait Company
Contact: Michael Tennian [email protected]
The best of reeds
freshwater reed
Product: St. Croix Mojo Bass TRIGON | Santa Cruz Rods
Contact: Josh Lantz [email protected]
saltwater rod
Product: Inshore NRX+ | Shimano
Contact: Cory Van Auken [email protected]
Rod and reel combo
Product: Abu Garcia ZATA Baitcast Combo | pure fishing, inc.
Contact: Kimberly Hoffman [email protected]
The best of the reels
freshwater reel
Product: Stradic FM | Shimano
Contact: Cory Van Auken [email protected]
saltwater reel
Product: Seapower 1200 | Daiwa Corporation
Contact: Chip Cone [email protected]
Keep up with ICAST
ICAST can be found on social media at: Facebook – @icastfishing – Instagram – @icastshow and Twitter – @ICASTshow. When posting, use hashtags: #ICAST2023 #ICASTshow #ICAST.
Thanks to the sponsors of ICAST 2023!
ASA extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to our members for their generous support of ICAST 2023.
Platinum:Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, under armor and Wired2Fish
Gold:, Coastal Conservation Association, crocodile bay, Engel Refrigerators, Fishing tackle retailer, garmin, Major League Fishing, KastKing, Shimano, Santa Cruz rod, VisitOrlando and way point tv
Silver:AFTCO, ANYTHING Brands possible, Bonnier Corporation, Get Folks Fishing Foundation and swamp wear.
Bronze:beer stopper, Hook + Bullet and hook and tackle