Elites out and about at ICAST 2019

John Crews, founder of Missile Bait Company, was among the few Elites to brave the heat for one of the first official events at ICAST 2019 — Tuesday’s On the Water. Crews was promoting several of his new offerings, namely Ike’s Micro Football Jig and accompanying soft plastics.
John Crews, founder of Missile Bait Company, was among the few Elites to brave the heat for one of the first official events at ICAST 2019 — Tuesday’s On the Water. Crews was promoting several of his new offerings, namely Ike’s Micro Football Jig and accompanying soft plastics.
Ed Loughran was outside in the midday Florida heat helping Shimano. Media was welcomed to come check out and use products in ponds near the Orange County Convention Center, where attendees were registering.
Ed Loughran was outside in the midday Florida heat helping Shimano. Media was welcomed to come check out and use products in ponds near the Orange County Convention Center, where attendees were registering.
LiveTarget Lures has been holding well-attended news conferences right before the New Product Showcase opens, and Todd Auten was among the pros there to answer questions from media.
LiveTarget Lures has been holding well-attended news conferences right before the New Product Showcase opens, and Todd Auten was among the pros there to answer questions from media.
Harvey Horne is on point as he awaits a news conference at Humminbird.
Harvey Horne is on point as he awaits a news conference at Humminbird.
Seth Feider, Carl Jocumsen and Chris Zaldain were also on hand with Horne and involved in a unique story. Humminbird and Minn Kota rewarded an angler by “stealing his boat” and secretly installing around $20,000 of new products. The Elite anglers went live on Facebook to help explain the process and new equipment.
Seth Feider, Carl Jocumsen and Chris Zaldain were also on hand with Horne and involved in a unique story. Humminbird and Minn Kota rewarded an angler by “stealing his boat” and secretly installing around $20,000 of new products. The Elite anglers went live on Facebook to help explain the process and new equipment.
Bill Weidler and his son, Joshua, tour the showroom floor.
Bill Weidler and his son, Joshua, tour the showroom floor.
Back at Humminbird, Chris Zaldain helps explain the boat building project live on Facebook with Jeff Kolodzinski. The company put the upgrades on a boat of a veteran who gives back to the fishing community.
Back at Humminbird, Chris Zaldain helps explain the boat building project live on Facebook with Jeff Kolodzinski. The company put the upgrades on a boat of a veteran who gives back to the fishing community.
Clark Wendlandt and Mark Copley discuss things at the Strike King booth.
Clark Wendlandt and Mark Copley discuss things at the Strike King booth.
Shane Lineberger brings his own good time.
Shane Lineberger brings his own good time.
Scott Canterbury is among the Elites who trust Bob’s Machine with work on their jack plates.
Scott Canterbury is among the Elites who trust Bob’s Machine with work on their jack plates.
Matt Herren and Bassmaster TV producer Mike McKinnis talk at the B.A.S.S. booth.
Matt Herren and Bassmaster TV producer Mike McKinnis talk at the B.A.S.S. booth.
Patrick Walters, who led the Toyota Angler of the Year until the last event, was stationed at the T-H Marine booth. He’s trying to figure out a way to take back the lead in the AOY and the Rookie of the Year races when the Elites head north next month.
Patrick Walters, who led the Toyota Angler of the Year until the last event, was stationed at the T-H Marine booth. He’s trying to figure out a way to take back the lead in the AOY and the Rookie of the Year races when the Elites head north next month.
Matt Arey is on the Lunkerhunt team that introduced the first arachnid bait, the Phantom Spider, a hollow body topwater that wiggles and “will flat scare big ones into biting.”
Matt Arey is on the Lunkerhunt team that introduced the first arachnid bait, the Phantom Spider, a hollow body topwater that wiggles and “will flat scare big ones into biting.”
Clent Davis flashes a big smile while showing the line of products from his title sponsor, Yo-Zuri.
Clent Davis flashes a big smile while showing the line of products from his title sponsor, Yo-Zuri.
Falcons were flying high, low and just about everywhere at the rod company’s booth that Dale Hightower manned.
Falcons were flying high, low and just about everywhere at the rod company’s booth that Dale Hightower manned.
Hunter Shryock was front and center among the Elites at the busy Abu Garcia booth. Say, who’s behind you?
Hunter Shryock was front and center among the Elites at the busy Abu Garcia booth. Say, who’s behind you?
It’s Shane LeHew, deep into his phone. Hope he’s not playing a video game.
It’s Shane LeHew, deep into his phone. Hope he’s not playing a video game.
No, he’s checking on texts, and giving folks the lowdown on the reels with a smile.
No, he’s checking on texts, and giving folks the lowdown on the reels with a smile.
Micah Frazier was also at Abu Garcia, providing anyone who asked information on the Veracity rods.
Micah Frazier was also at Abu Garcia, providing anyone who asked information on the Veracity rods.
That’s a lot of red, white and blue as Brandon Card shows a sample strip of Gator Guards, which are installed on the length of the hull for added protection.
That’s a lot of red, white and blue as Brandon Card shows a sample strip of Gator Guards, which are installed on the length of the hull for added protection.
Some anglers get together and talk Bassmaster Classic. Toledo Bend guide Darold Gleason has qualified for next March’s 50th Classic on Lake Guntersville, while Elite Caleb Sumrall stands 30th in the AOY points and knows he wants to at least maintain to stay well inside the cut.
Some anglers get together and talk Bassmaster Classic. Toledo Bend guide Darold Gleason has qualified for next March’s 50th Classic on Lake Guntersville, while Elite Caleb Sumrall stands 30th in the AOY points and knows he wants to at least maintain to stay well inside the cut.
Diawa enjoyed having pro Seth Feider talk about all the new Tatula reels.
Diawa enjoyed having pro Seth Feider talk about all the new Tatula reels.
Brett Preuett shows off a couple of his favorite Bill Lewis lures.
Brett Preuett shows off a couple of his favorite Bill Lewis lures.
There’s a Frank Talley sighting at Strike King, a popular place for Elites.
There’s a Frank Talley sighting at Strike King, a popular place for Elites.
Talley greets Quentin Cappo …
Talley greets Quentin Cappo …
… while Bill Lowen chats with Denny Brauer …
… while Bill Lowen chats with Denny Brauer …
… and Keith Combs gets ready for a video shoot.
… and Keith Combs gets ready for a video shoot.
The congregation drew several other Elites, namely Kyle Monti and Tyler Rivet.
The congregation drew several other Elites, namely Kyle Monti and Tyler Rivet.
Garrett Paquette visits with David Sir of Mako eyewear.
Garrett Paquette visits with David Sir of Mako eyewear.
A walk by shot captures Koby Kreiger flashing a smile.
A walk by shot captures Koby Kreiger flashing a smile.
Gary Clouse shows off T-H Marine’s improved G-Force Conservation Culling System Gen. 2, which features an improved clip.
Gary Clouse shows off T-H Marine’s improved G-Force Conservation Culling System Gen. 2, which features an improved clip.
Clouse and old running mate Andy Morgan meet up at T-H Marine, where both produced “genuine smiles” at seeing a longtime friend.
Clouse and old running mate Andy Morgan meet up at T-H Marine, where both produced “genuine smiles” at seeing a longtime friend.
Drew Benton likes handling the hand-crafted goodness of Nichols Lures.
Drew Benton likes handling the hand-crafted goodness of Nichols Lures.
Bernie Schultz takes a shot of work done by a craftsman artistically wrapping a rod.
Bernie Schultz takes a shot of work done by a craftsman artistically wrapping a rod.
At the end of the day, Brad Whatley leaves the showroom floor to head out for dinner with sponsor Dustin Reneau of Plenum Medical. ICAST helps anglers build relationships with sponsors.
At the end of the day, Brad Whatley leaves the showroom floor to head out for dinner with sponsor Dustin Reneau of Plenum Medical. ICAST helps anglers build relationships with sponsors.
At the Best of Show awards ceremony, Keith Combs hangs out with the Shimano team, specifically marketing manager Kurt Mazurek.
At the Best of Show awards ceremony, Keith Combs hangs out with the Shimano team, specifically marketing manager Kurt Mazurek.