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Sooch’s ICAST in 43 shots

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ICAST 2019, the annual get together of the sports fishing industry, was July 8-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
ICAST 2019, the annual get together of the sports fishing industry, was July 8-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
The American Sportfishing Association runs the event, which brings people from all over the globe. Here, some of the 14,500 buyers, media and exhibitors get their credentials to the industry-only event.
The American Sportfishing Association runs the event, which brings people from all over the globe. Here, some of the 14,500 buyers, media and exhibitors get their credentials to the industry-only event.
There were several events on Super Tuesday before the showroom floor opened. Around 30 or so tents were set up, complete with cooling misters, for On the Water demonstrations sponsored by Lowrance. (This shot is an example of the Florida heat -- the lens fogged after walking out of air conditioning.)
There were several events on Super Tuesday before the showroom floor opened. Around 30 or so tents were set up, complete with cooling misters, for On the Water demonstrations sponsored by Lowrance. (This shot is an example of the Florida heat — the lens fogged after walking out of air conditioning.)
It was a real demonstration day as dealers and media representatives were allowed to check out most every type of product, and someone even brought their kids to the relaxed outing.
It was a real demonstration day as dealers and media representatives were allowed to check out most every type of product, and someone even brought their kids to the relaxed outing.
The site was a series of ponds alongside the North Building of the OCCC, allowing for hands-on experiences with the latest tackle, gear and non-motorized boats.
The site was a series of ponds alongside the North Building of the OCCC, allowing for hands-on experiences with the latest tackle, gear and non-motorized boats.
Costa was on hand with new sunglasses and tons of giveaway eyewear retainers.
Costa was on hand with new sunglasses and tons of giveaway eyewear retainers.
Kayaks were well-represented, as well as those clamoring for a ride. Other events on Tuesday were the ICAST Cup fishing tournament at Lake Toho, and the Bass & Birdies Classic, where teams add fishing to scramble golf.
Kayaks were well-represented, as well as those clamoring for a ride. Other events on Tuesday were the ICAST Cup fishing tournament at Lake Toho, and the Bass & Birdies Classic, where teams add fishing to scramble golf.
Trolling motors, like the Lowrance Ghost being put through its paces here, were checked out. With advances in technology and stiff competition, this year’s ICAST was dubbed 'year of the trolling motor.'
Trolling motors, like the Lowrance Ghost being put through its paces here, were checked out. With advances in technology and stiff competition, this year’s ICAST was dubbed ‘year of the trolling motor.’
The Bradley Smoker garnered attention with the smell of brisket. The booth was busy giving out samples of the smoker’s handiwork since they couldn’t put it to work indoors during the week.
The Bradley Smoker garnered attention with the smell of brisket. The booth was busy giving out samples of the smoker’s handiwork since they couldn’t put it to work indoors during the week.
Inside the convention center concourse, final-minute work is done to make everything sparkle.
Inside the convention center concourse, final-minute work is done to make everything sparkle.
At the New Product Showcase, exhibitors enter their baits to be considered for awards in 29 categories. Companies can fill out information online and bring by their product for display. Media and buyers then consider the entries and vote on Best of Show.
At the New Product Showcase, exhibitors enter their baits to be considered for awards in 29 categories. Companies can fill out information online and bring by their product for display. Media and buyers then consider the entries and vote on Best of Show.
A sneak peak on the showroom floor shows there’s still a lot of work to be done at many booths before the Wednesday morning opening. This guy has the pose down but needs some dressing and gear.
A sneak peak on the showroom floor shows there’s still a lot of work to be done at many booths before the Wednesday morning opening. This guy has the pose down but needs some dressing and gear.
Even before the New Product Showcase opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, companies like LiveTarget hold news conferences to get their product in front of as many media members as possible.
Even before the New Product Showcase opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, companies like LiveTarget hold news conferences to get their product in front of as many media members as possible.
This year, 303 companies entered 1,004 products into the New Product Showcase, which is sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer. Four categories were added this year -- Ice Fishing, Cold and Warm Weather Technical Apparel, Coolers and Bait/Storage, and Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools.
This year, 303 companies entered 1,004 products into the New Product Showcase, which is sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer. Four categories were added this year — Ice Fishing, Cold and Warm Weather Technical Apparel, Coolers and Bait/Storage, and Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools.
An attendee checks out Motorguide’s The Tour trolling motor. If voters don’t get to personally try out gear, they can read each product’s information card and do their best to vote for the most innovative.
An attendee checks out Motorguide’s The Tour trolling motor. If voters don’t get to personally try out gear, they can read each product’s information card and do their best to vote for the most innovative.
And there’s innovation everywhere, like the Smuggler 3.5 from Chasebaits Australia. An entry in freshwater hard lures, the walking bird was advertised to bloop, rattle and have an incredible lifelike swimming bird action. In the past, oddities like bats and ducks have won Best of Show awards. This year, Lunkerhunt’s Phantom Spider topwater black widow won as the top freshwater soft lure.
And there’s innovation everywhere, like the Smuggler 3.5 from Chasebaits Australia. An entry in freshwater hard lures, the walking bird was advertised to bloop, rattle and have an incredible lifelike swimming bird action. In the past, oddities like bats and ducks have won Best of Show awards. This year, Lunkerhunt’s Phantom Spider topwater black widow won as the top freshwater soft lure.
Media and buyers enjoy heavy appetizers as well as cold drinks -- the spread brings in more voters and seems to keep them there longer. The New Product Showcase is also a time to meet up with old friends.
Media and buyers enjoy heavy appetizers as well as cold drinks — the spread brings in more voters and seems to keep them there longer. The New Product Showcase is also a time to meet up with old friends.
Outside the OCCC early Wednesday, this tropical flower still held a puddle of water. The first event of the day was The State of the Industry Breakfast, where keynote speaker Sally Hogshead fired up the crowd.
Outside the OCCC early Wednesday, this tropical flower still held a puddle of water. The first event of the day was The State of the Industry Breakfast, where keynote speaker Sally Hogshead fired up the crowd.
While exhibitors could enter for last-second work on their booth, the majority of ICAST attendees wait for the doors to open.
While exhibitors could enter for last-second work on their booth, the majority of ICAST attendees wait for the doors to open.
The showroom floor, all 650,000 square feet, can provide some surprises as well as sighting of icons of the sport. Here’s Bill Dance up in a boat doing an interview.
The showroom floor, all 650,000 square feet, can provide some surprises as well as sighting of icons of the sport. Here’s Bill Dance up in a boat doing an interview.
The Daily Limit isn’t much for selfies, but a quick chat with acquaintance Capt. Wild Bill Wichrowski from the Deadliest Catch led to one.
The Daily Limit isn’t much for selfies, but a quick chat with acquaintance Capt. Wild Bill Wichrowski from the Deadliest Catch led to one.
Ok, I lied. Dance, who was busy before, is such a good guy he stopped to say 'hi.' (That’s it, I promise.)
Ok, I lied. Dance, who was busy before, is such a good guy he stopped to say ‘hi.’ (That’s it, I promise.)
Here’s the star of the show for most of our readers, a 12-pound tagged largemouth in the tank at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The FWC were reminding anglers to report any fish with yellow tags like this one.
Here’s the star of the show for most of our readers, a 12-pound tagged largemouth in the tank at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The FWC were reminding anglers to report any fish with yellow tags like this one.
Other attention getters include pro anglers, like Chris Zaldain of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Here he helps Jeff Kolodzinski of Minn Kota explain upgrades put on an angler’s boat during ICAST and aired live on Facebook.
Other attention getters include pro anglers, like Chris Zaldain of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Here he helps Jeff Kolodzinski of Minn Kota explain upgrades put on an angler’s boat during ICAST and aired live on Facebook.
Other booths drew interest with live models. A mermaid helps spread the word of Tropical Seas Blue, an ice chest and locker deodorizer and cleaner.
Other booths drew interest with live models. A mermaid helps spread the word of Tropical Seas Blue, an ice chest and locker deodorizer and cleaner.
Lila Oast helped Johnson Outdoors Watercraft draw eyes with a cute shark act.
Lila Oast helped Johnson Outdoors Watercraft draw eyes with a cute shark act.
With plow disc cooking gaining in popularity, Fire Disc came into being and its wafting smells brought in visitors.
With plow disc cooking gaining in popularity, Fire Disc came into being and its wafting smells brought in visitors.
A walk past Mustad finds Harry “The Hook Guru” Simmons conducting a meeting. Some companies do major planning at ICAST.
A walk past Mustad finds Harry “The Hook Guru” Simmons conducting a meeting. Some companies do major planning at ICAST.
Show hosts like Mark Zona act as spokesmen and are popular interviews for information on items like Daiwa reels.
Show hosts like Mark Zona act as spokesmen and are popular interviews for information on items like Daiwa reels.
Davy Hite, Zona’s Bassmaster TV co-host, helped VMC introduce its Bladed Hybrid Treble hook that earned Best of Show in Terminal Tackle.
Davy Hite, Zona’s Bassmaster TV co-host, helped VMC introduce its Bladed Hybrid Treble hook that earned Best of Show in Terminal Tackle.
Some companies invite media to a lunch in a private room. LL Bean was hoping to draw attention to its new line of clothing.
Some companies invite media to a lunch in a private room. LL Bean was hoping to draw attention to its new line of clothing.
A trip to T-H Marine shows they’ve improved the clip system on its G-Force Conservation Culling System. The Gen. 2 clips hold on gently but securely.
A trip to T-H Marine shows they’ve improved the clip system on its G-Force Conservation Culling System. The Gen. 2 clips hold on gently but securely.
Previous Carhartt College Classic qualifier John Garrett of Bethel University chats with hopeful college anglers, Logan Park and Lucas Lindsay of Auburn.
Previous Carhartt College Classic qualifier John Garrett of Bethel University chats with hopeful college anglers, Logan Park and Lucas Lindsay of Auburn.
These three young men waited a bit for Bill Dance to end a business meeting so they could get a shot with their favorite TV angler.
These three young men waited a bit for Bill Dance to end a business meeting so they could get a shot with their favorite TV angler.
The ambiance of some displays, like Lowrance introducing its Ghost trolling motor, were inspiring.
The ambiance of some displays, like Lowrance introducing its Ghost trolling motor, were inspiring.
Neil Young of Tackleworld Australia reads over an information card in the New Product Showcase. The buyer is looking for products for the chain of tackle stores Down Under. (His story is in the works).
Neil Young of Tackleworld Australia reads over an information card in the New Product Showcase. The buyer is looking for products for the chain of tackle stores Down Under. (His story is in the works).
With the show day winding down, the party winds up.
With the show day winding down, the party winds up.
A number of companies hold Happy Hours with drinks and snacks. Of course, free stuff gathers crowds.
A number of companies hold Happy Hours with drinks and snacks. Of course, free stuff gathers crowds.
A musician plays at Costa’s Happy Hour, where there was a definitive buzz.
A musician plays at Costa’s Happy Hour, where there was a definitive buzz.
Soon, throngs of attendees exit the show, heading back to hotels to get ready for an evening meal at one of the dozens of restaurants within walking distance of the OCCC.
Soon, throngs of attendees exit the show, heading back to hotels to get ready for an evening meal at one of the dozens of restaurants within walking distance of the OCCC.
Pounding the floor all day left many needing to find a way to relax.
Pounding the floor all day left many needing to find a way to relax.
Others found a soft place to nap.
Others found a soft place to nap.
Before going out to eat, many went to the top floor of the OCCC for the Best of Show awards ceremony. The well-attended event doled out 29 Best of Show awards. Here Shimano workers accept one of their two reel awards.
Before going out to eat, many went to the top floor of the OCCC for the Best of Show awards ceremony. The well-attended event doled out 29 Best of Show awards. Here Shimano workers accept one of their two reel awards.

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