For Immediate Release

Mary Jane Williamson, Communications Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 703-519-9691, x227
www.asafishing.org

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV – July 10, 2013 - The world’s largest sportfishing trade show, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, is being held July 9 – 12, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry’s trade association, ICAST - in its 56th year as the industry’s trade show - is the catalyst that drives the global recreational fishing industry year-round. More than 9,000 thousand industry representatives from the global sportfishing industry are in Las Vegas to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear, accessories and apparel.

The single most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees alike is the New Product Showcase. The New Product Showcase embodies the sportfishing industry's innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and rewards that ingenuity through the "Best of Show" new product awards competition.

This year, the New Product Showcase, the tradeshow’s flagship event, was as competitive as ever. Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, nearly 200 companies entered more than 700 tackle products, accessories and apprel into the New Product Showcase.

Making up a special section of ICAST’s 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry’s latest innovations in gear, apparel and accessories.

Best of Show Awards 
This year the JL Marine Systems' Power-Pole Micro Anchor was voted by buyers and media as the best product in both the Boating Accessory category and the overall “Best of Show.”

"The quality and ingenuity of the new products that are unveiled at the New Product Showcase continue to amaze me,” said Mike Nussman, ASA’s president and CEO. “I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who worked hard to develop these innovations to the buyers and media who served as judges. I also thank Fishing Tackle Retailer for their sponsorship of this important event.” 

The ICAST 2013 “Best of Show” awards were presented on Wednesday, July 10, during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception, sponsored by Rapala, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As a special treat, National Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench, this year's State of the Industry Breakfast keynote speaker, presented the awards.

2013 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners’ contacts listed below.

ICAST 2013 Overall Best of Show – JL Marine Systems, Inc. 
Product - Power-Pole Micro Anchor 
Media Contact: Rober Shamblin  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show – Apparel – Shimano American Corportion 
Product - Dryfender Insulated Raingear 
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Boating Accessory – JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Product - Power-Pole Mirco Anchor
Media Contact: Rober Shamblin  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show – Boats – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Product - Predator 13
Media Contact: Mike May  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show – Combo – 13 Fishing
Product - White Out
Media Contact: Matt Baldwin  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors
Product - Humminbird Bow Mount 360 Imaging
Media Contact: Jim Edlund  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa
Product - Tuna Alley
Media Contact: Liza Jones  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product - Tidal Wave-Micro Wave System
Media Contact: Scott Gimberst  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Fishsmart Tackle – Foreverlast, Inc.
Product - G2 Floating Wading Net
Media Contact: Amy Gerke  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory – Columbia Sportswear
Product - Henry's Fork V Vest
Media Contact: Andrea Pallavicini  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel – Beam Outdoors
Product - Elite 21 Reel
Media Contact: Eric Wolfe  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product - PRO4x
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product - CHRONARCH C14+ 
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Freshwater Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product - NRX Umbrella Rig
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show – Giftware – Rapala
Product - Original Floating Bottle Opener
Media Contact: Kelly Brockpahler  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Kids’ Tackle – Pure Fishing, Inc. 
Product - Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Youth Combo
Media Contact: Ron Guidice  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show – Line – PowerPro
Product - PowerPro Zero-Impact 
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Hard Lure – Koppers Fishing & Tackle Corporation
Product - LIVETARGET Baitball
Media Contact: Tom Chopin // This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it // This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /">

Best of Show - Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product - Lunker Frog 
Media Contact: David MacDonald  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Best of Show - Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corporation
Product - Stella SW 30000
Media Contact: John Mazurkiewicz  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods
Product - Legend Xtreme Inshore
Media Contact: Noel Vick  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best of Show - Tackle Management – Plano Molding Company 
Product - 3700 Guide Series Tackle Bag
Media Contact: Noel Vick  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Best of Show - Terminal Tackle – Mustad 
Product - Grip-Pin Swim
Media Contact: Steve Tagami  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ICAST 2014 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., July 15 – 18, 2014.

For complete ICAST information, visit ICASTfishing.org.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways throughKeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.