Sportfishing Industry Awards 2008 "Best of Show" Honors
14 companies take top honors during world's largest sportfishing trade show

July 18, 2008 - Las Vegas, Nev. ??? The Curado E Series, from Shimano American, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2008 New Product Showcase in both the Freshwater Reel category and the overall "Best of Show."

In 2008, ICAST's 51st year, the New Product Showcase was more competitive than ever. Sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer, 190 companies entered 695 tackle products and accessories into the New Product Showcase. The showcase is the flagship feature of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the sportfishing industry's premier trade event produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). The 51st annual show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 16-18, 2008.

This year's New Product Showcase winner's included three first-time ICAST exhibitors. The Stonze System from Pallatrax won best terminal tackle, the Bio Pulse Lure from Mystic Tackleworks, Inc., won best hard lure and the Zip Vac Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags from CTI Industries Corp., won best fishing accessory.

"It's a real privilege to be named a winner after all the hard work we put into our product. To receive a Best of Show honor during our first year of exhibiting at ICAST is an honor," said Ric Ice, president, Mystic Tackleworks, Inc.

Making up a special section of ICAST's 350,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase gives the industry's latest innovations in gear and accessories special visibility during the show. There are more than 7,000 representatives of the global sportfishing community in attendance with nearly 2,000 buyers and over 400 media representatives in Las Vegas for the world's largest sportfishing trade show.

Bert's Custom Tackle, E21 Fishing, Old Harbor Outfitters, Pure Fishing, Shakespeare and Shimano American are all repeat winners.

"Each year, the competition for top honors in the New Product Showcase gets more intense and the products get more innovative," said Mike Nussman, ASA's president and CEO. "My congratulations go to all of the winners for being judged as best of show by the buyers and media attending ICAST. I also want to thank everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase who worked hard to develop these new innovations in gear and accessories."

Buyers and media representatives judged the products based on their levels of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select "Best of Show" honors in 17 categories, as well as the overall "Best of Show" winner.

2008 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
Category	Company	Product	Booth #
Overall Best of Show	Shimano American	Curado E Series	1252
Boating Accessory	Bert's Custom Tackle	Drop Down Rocket Launcher	1905
Clothing	E21 Fishing	Wind, Rain, Ice Rain Gear	2035
Eyewear	Old Harbor Outfitters	Mako	1829
Fishing Accessory	CTI Industries Corp.	Zip Vac Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags	1061
Freshwater Reel	Shimano American	Curado E Series	1252
Freshwater Rod	Shimano American	Stella SW Series	1252
Giftware	Anglers Book Supply	Welcome Mat	909
Hard Lure	Mystic Tackleworks	Bio Pulse Lure	1824
Kid's Tackle	Shakespeare	Ugly Stick Junior Rod	2106
Line	Pure Fishing	Berkley Fireline Tracer Braid	2132
Reel/Rod Combo	FisherGirl, Inc	The Jewel	306
Saltwater Reel	Shimano American	Stella SW Series	1252
Saltwater Rod	Shimano American	Tescatta	1252
Soft Lure	Pure Fishing	Crazy Legs Jerk Shad	2132
Tackle Management	Plano Molding Company	KVD Signature Series Bag	1126
Terminal Tackle	Pallatrax	The Stonze System	2049

In 2009, ICAST will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., from July 15-17, 2009. ICAST 2010 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 21-23, 2010.

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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association, committed to looking out for 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. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America's 40 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over one million people.