ORLANDO, FL – On July 18th, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) announced the award for Best in Show at ICAST 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Of the 41 category winners voted on by members of the media and retail buyers at the New Product Showcase sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, the PENN Fathom Electric Reel from Pure Fishing, Inc. took home the prized Best in Show Award.
“The New Product Showcase is one of the most important elements in the fishing industry” said Glenn Hughes, President of ASA. “The category winners and the best of show announcements are the culmination of years of research and development and truly shape the future of our industry. Congratulations to Pure Fishing on winning this year’s Best of Show Award and thank you to the great folks at Fishing Tackle Retailer for sponsoring again this year.”
“It means a lot after the several years we put into this and for the members of our team to be recognized” said Ben Joyce, PENN Senior Product Manager at Pure Fishing. “You can continue to expect improved innovation from us this year and beyond.”
The PENN Fathom Electric is the world’s first reel with an integrated battery, providing anglers with incredible torque and power. With an easy-to-use LED display screen showing a true line counter, auto-stop functionality, and angler-friendly customizable settings, the PENN Fathom Electric is available in three sizes (30, 50, 80), with an array of accessories.
Almost 1,000 products were submitted to the New Product Showcase in 2024, including rods, reels, accessories, electronics, and apparel. This year’s showcase also included expanded fly fishing categories and boasted submissions from more than 260 companies.
“ICAST is the most important week in the business of fishing and Fishing Tackle Retailer’s platforms are all about the business of fishing” said Angie Thompson, Publisher at Fishing Tackle Retailer. “To be able to sponsor the New Product Showcase, the biggest event in ICAST, is an incredible honor. Our Mission is to make sure all retailers know about new products, and how to use and sell them.”
ICAST is the largest fishing trade show in the world, bringing over 14,000 people from 75 countries to Orlando this summer to see the newest products and brands in the sportfishing industry. Hosted by ASA, this year’s show included more than 635 exhibitors and more than 950 brands in the fishing industry.
By the time the fanfare of ICAST’s opening day began to wind down, a legion of exhibitors began steadily flowing into the ICAST Best of Category Awards Reception. Arguably the highlight of the show, the revamped awards reception featured an all-new stage and a grand room packed with manufacturers vying for a coveted “Best of Category” trophy and a ticket to compete for overall Best of Show in the New Product Showcase sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer.
In a concert-like atmosphere, winners made their way to a stage helmed by ASA President, Glenn Hughes, and Vice President of Communications Mary Beth Long. Together, the duo handed out 41 trophies and 41 coveted tickets to the Best of Show competition.
Click HERE to read the full list of this year’s winners.
About
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice 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 economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 800,000 people.
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