Anglers everywhere were invited to vote for this new award competition
Last month, anglers everywhere were invited to vote for their favorite new fishing product in the first-ever Anglers’ Choice Award competition. Of the 30 New Product Showcase winning products that debuted at ICAST 2022, Pure Fishing, Inc.’s freshwater hard lure – the Berkley Slobberknocker – is the winner.
Produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), ICAST – the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades – draws thousands of tackle buyers and media members each July to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. for the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. It’s where hundreds of manufacturers debut tackle, gear, accessories and apparel in the highly anticipated New Product Showcase.
The dedicated display area on the show floor showcases hundreds of the best of the best in new fishing product innovation; all competing against each other to take home one of 30 “Best of Category” trophies and the overall “Best of Show” award. The Berkley Slobberknocker was this year’s winner in the Best Freshwater Hard Lure category.
“The New Product Showcase is the recreational fishing industry’s equivalent of the Oscars,” said Blake Swango, ASA’s vice president for Trade Show and Membership. “Because ICAST is a trade event and not open to the public, with our members’ support, we decided this would be the year to launch the Anglers’ Choice Award giving everyone with a passion for fishing a chance to join in the excitement that defines ICAST.”
“It’s my pleasure to congratulate Pure Fishing’s Berkley Slobberknocker for winning the first-ever Anglers’ Choice Award.”
“On behalf of Pure Fishing and the Berkley team, we are thrilled that the Berkley Slobberknocker has been recognized by the industry, and now the anglers, with the first ever ICAST Anglers’ Choice award,” said Harlan Kent, CEO of Pure Fishing. “This is truly an honor and reinforces the dedication the team at Berkley Labs has to developing baits that are scientifically proven to help anglers catch more fish.”
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate more than $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 825,000 people.
