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.
- Log in or register to post comments