On Wednesday, July 15, ICAST’s State of the Industry breakfast kicked off with the presentation of the ASA’s Impact Award, which honors those with a lifetime of service within the fishing industry. Steve Harvey — winner of the inaugural ASA Impact Award for his work teaching somewhere around 25,000 youths to fish through his outreach programs — presented this year’s honor to the 2026 recipient, Bill Dance.
Rest assured, Harvey kept everyone in stitches while he presented the award to one of bass fishing’s elder statesmen. They were joined onstage by their friend Johnny Morris, of Bass Pro Shops fame. As someone who has both watched and learned from Dance my entire life, I concur with the ASA’s selection.
Best In Category Awards
The ASA Best in Category awards recognize the top new products in each major fishing industry category, including rods, reels, lures, electronics, apparel, and accessories. Products are evaluated by industry buyers and media based on innovation, design, functionality, quality, and overall market potential. Each category winner is honored as the best new product in its class; then, it advances to compete for the event’s highest distinction, the Best in Show award — making these honors a respected benchmark for excellence and innovation in recreational fishing.
The winners of this year’s Best in Category awards are:
Rods, Reels, And Combos
- Rods and Reel Combo: Rhino 30 6-foot 6-inch 2-Piece Medium Spinning Combo
- Freshwater Rod: St. Croix of Park Falls Triumph Freshwater
- Freshwater Reel: Shimano Curado DC
- Saltwater Reel: Daiwa 2026 BQ SW Spinning Reels
- Saltwater Rod: Bull Bay Tackle Company BANSHEE-BG
- Kid’s Tackle: Zebco Bottomland Spincast Combo
Electronics
- Motorized Boating Accessory: Garmin USA Spy Pole Mount
- Electronics: Garmin USA LiveScope 2 HD
- Energy: ePropulsion Technology Limited ePropulsion kMax Battery
Lures And Terminal Tackle
- Wired And Skirted Lure: Z-Man Fishing Products Chatterbait Elite EVO HD
- Freshwater Hard Lure: American Baitworks Co. Synch Fishing Artisan Wake & Crank 130
- Freshwater Soft Lure: Rapala CrushCity “The CEO” 21
- Saltwater Soft Lure: Rapala CrushCity IMPOSTER
- Saltwater Hard Lure: Shimano LEDGERUNNER
- Terminal Tackle: G-Ratt Baits Urchin Rig
- Braided Fishing Line: Daiwa J-Braid Grand X8 Ocean Splash
- Non-Braided Fishing Line: Seaguar BRWLR Monofilament
Boats And Watercraft
- Boats And Watercraft: VoyaX MOSSA Series Motorized Kayak
Apparel And Eyewear
- Women’s Lifestyle Apparel: AFTCO Women’s Overcast Sweatshirt
- Men’s Lifestyle Apparel: HUK Performance Fishing Tide Point KC Printed Shirt
- Extreme Weather Technical Apparel: AFTCO Hydronaut Insulated Jacket and Bib
- Women’s Technical Apparel: Fishewear Brookie ¼ Zip Thermal
- Men’s Technical Apparel: Simms Fishing Products Challenger Suit
- Eyewear: Bajio Sunglasses Concho Dark Blue Camo Matte Blue Mirror Glass
- Footwear: Hey Dude HEY20 Flip
Accessories
- Cutlery, Hand Pliers, or Tools: BUBBA Pro Series Gen 2 Electric Filet Knife
- Fishing Accessory: Rapala High Capacity Line Remover
- Custom Tackle Components: BUZBE Magnetic Launch Pad
- Tackle Management: BUZBE Basic Deep Urchin Bait Box
- Non-Motorized Boating Accessory: Turtlebox Audio Turtlebox Cub
- Ice Fishing: Evolution Fishing Ice Rod Locker
- First Time Exhibitor Product: ArcPro Fishing Floating Aerator
- Novelties and Wellness: Rapala Giant Lure Bald Eagle
Fly Fishing
- Fly Fishing Reel: Loopp Classic X Multiplier
- Fly Fishing Rod: St. Croix of Park Falls Imperial Fly Rods
- Fly Fishing Technical Apparel: Simms Men’s G37 Pro Stockingfoot Waders
- Fly Fishing Tools And Materials: Asghar Export Kampus Premium Quality Fly Tying Kit
- Fly Fishing Accessory: Simms Fishing Products Scout SlingBack
More To Come!
Stay tuned to Wired2fish for continued coverage of ICAST, including the results of the coveted Best of Show Award.
