First-time exhibitor wins “Best of Show”

A brand-new idea born from a 10x10 booth became the signature story of this year’s show as PacBak lifted the Best of Show crown at ICAST.

The 565 exhibitors at this year’s ICAST entered more than 900 new products into the show’s popular New Product Showcase for a chance to be recognised with a “Best of Category” and ultimately the “Best of Show” honour.

And while 30 category winners took home a prestigious prize as the top product in their class, newcomer PacBak stole the show by taking home its top honour.

In a field of competition featuring some of the most recognizable brands in fishing, the ICAST 2022 “Best of Show” winner came from an Alaskan start-up with a story for the ages.
After persevering through personal trauma and homelessness, PacBak founder Brian McKinnon focused his energy on creating a one-of-a-kind cooler and sealer system to help anglers keep their catch fresh in the backcountry.

“We are brand new,” said McKinnon. “We are still on Kickstarter, right. One of the retailers we talked to told us we needed to come down to check out ICAST. Now, we are getting so much press and interest. We couldn’t have done that without ICAST.”

ICAST 2022 New Product Showcase Roll of Honour

Best of Show

P88-MK Combo cooler and sealer| PacBak

Best of Category

Novelties and Wellness

Garmin Quatix 7 Smartwatch - Sapphire Edition | Garmin USA


Boating Accessories

Frabill ReCharge, Deluxe Aerator | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Boats and Watercraft

BOTE Rackham Gatorshall + APEX Pedal Drive | BOTE

Footwear

AFTCO Ankle Deck Boot | AFTCO


Ice Fishing

Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI | Garmin USA


Eyewear

Roca | Baijo Sunglasses

 

Lifestyle Apparel for Women

Women’s Reaper Softshell | AFTCO

 

Lifestyle Apparel for Men

CocoBoardies Boardshorts | AFTCO

Warm Weather Technical Apparel

SolarFlex Guide Cooling Hoody | Simms Fishing Products

Cold Weather Technical Apparel

Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway | AFTCO

Soft and Hard Coolers

P88-MK Combo | PacBak

Electronics

MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock | Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics


Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools

BUBBA Saltwater Multi-Flex Fillet Knife | BUBBA

Fishing Accessory

Frabill WITNESS Weigh Net | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Kids’ Tackle

Kid’s Tributary Wader | Simms Fishing Products

Tackle Management

Plano EDGE Frog Box | Pure Fishing, Inc.
 

Terminal Tackle

DieZel Eye Jigheads | Z-Man Fishing Products

Custom Tackle and Components

RBS Pro G2 Power Wrapper | Mud Hole Custom Tackle

Fishing Line

SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Vis Yellow | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Freshwater Soft Lure

Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Freshwater Hard Lure

Berkley Slobberknocker | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Saltwater Soft Lure

Kicker CrabZ | Z-Man Fishing Products


Saltwater Hard Lure

LIVETARGET Live Shrimp | LIVETARGET Lures
 

Fly Fishing Rod

Product: Banshee Fly | Bull Bay Tackle Company

Freshwater Rod

Legend Tournament Bass Rod | St. Croix Rod

Saltwater Rod

Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore Rod | Pure Fishing, Inc.

Rod & Reel Combo

Shimano Spheros SW Combo | Shimano

Fly Reel & Fly Fishing Accessories

Hardy Fortuna Regent Saltwater Fly Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.


Freshwater Reel

Shimano STELLA FK | Shimano

Saltwater Reel

PENN Authority Spinning Reel | Pure Fishing, Inc.

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