ICAST 2025, the world’s largest fishing industry trade show, is in the books. The New Product Showcase did not disappoint. Each year in the New Product Showcase, the biggest brands and some newcomers preview their latest and greatest products for media and buyers, many times before those items are released on the market.
This year, as always, there was enough fishing accoutrement to make your head spin on the cavernous floor of the Orlando Orange County Convention Center. Over the week, fishing media voted for the top entries in 41 different categories. The overall Best in Show was then voted for among the category winners.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the category winners that caught our eye:
Best in Show
FluxJet Electric Fishing Kayak
The FluxJet electric jet-powered kayak was awarded the coveted Best in Show distinction at ICAST 2025. The FluxJet is 11 feet long, weighs in at 88 pounds, has a top speed over 5 mph and a run time of 16 hours. The jet drive is flush mounted, so there are no props or shafts to snag vegetation or increase your draft. It’s also quiet, nearly silent to help you move stealthily on the flats.
Best Fishing Eyewear
Bajio Greenland
Bajio Greenlands were voted best new sunglasses at the show. These frames lock onto your face with goggle-like coverage to protect your eyes in extreme fishing conditions. These are cool shades with a list of technical features that appeal to anglers. Bajio offers them in a range of lens colors to help you spot fish, whether you’re on a mountain stream or far offshore. They even have prescription lenses and an option for bifocal readers if you’re someone who has trouble seeing knots you’re tying.
Best Motorized Boating Accessory
Garmin’s Force Current Kayak Trolling Motor
Garmin’s new Force Current kayak trolling motor turns your little plastic boat into a fully motorized fishing machine. With wireless throttle and steering integrated into the pedal system, your kayak is completely hands free. It’s almost infinitely maneuverable and integrates with a chartplotter so you can set a course and fish while the kayak drives itself. Obviously, it also has anchor-lock technology.
Best Saltwater Reel
Quantum Cabo
Quantum brought heavy hitters to the show this year with two new lines of saltwater spinning reels and a top-notch line of rods, the Zeal. The classic Cabo reel—beloved by generations of saltwater anglers, particularly in the Northeast—has been completely redesigned and is now Quantum’s flagship reel. The new Cabo is IPX8 rated, which means there is no water intrusion even when the reel is completely submerged. I’ve fished this reel and can vouch for its smooth drag and operation under real-world conditions with hard-pulling pelagic species.
Best Combo Rod and Reel
Quantum Merit Combo
The new Merit combo is Quantum’s workhorse. It’s the least expensive totally sealed reel on the market, and it delivers not only in durability but in functionality. If you run a charter boat, or you’re someone who puts a beating on gear, this is a combo you should look at. I’ve fished it for snook and jack crevalle and it’s a nice set-up, regardless of the price point.
Best Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools
Bubba Smart Fish Scale Lite
Bubba reeled in a Best in Category award for its new Bubba Smart Fish Scale Lite. This addition to the Smart Scale line has many of the features of Bubba’s larger digital scales in a smaller, easier-to-stow version. It has an impressive 60-pound capacity and accuracy. Paired with the free Bubba App, it automatically stores your catches’ weights, weather, time, date and GPS location. Bubba is going to make your logbook easy.
Best Saltwater Hard Lure
Rapala Magnum Countdown Elite
Want a wahoo slayer? Pick up Rapala’s new Magnum Countdown Elite. With a body made of dense African Abachi wood and salt water-grade metal components, this lure is built to handle abuse from pelagic predators. It’s tuned to run true trolled up to 10 knots, and it also can be casted to catch anything from bluefish to tuna, tarpon and wahoo. It comes in lengths from 4 to 9 inches.
Best Saltwater Soft Lure
Z-Man Prawnstar Z LB
The Z-Man Prawnstar Z was already a proven fish catcher anywhere fish eat shrimp, which is everywhere. With the introduction of the Prawnstar Z LB (Loose Body), anglers now have a more versatile version of the fully-rigged original. The LB features the same realistic looks and movement as the original, and it can be rigged however you prefer to fish your shrimp imitation.
Best Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men
Aftco Pinnacle Shorts
Aftco went in whole hog with pockets on its new Pinnacle Shorts. Hand pockets, thigh pockets, back pockets are just the beginning. They also threw in a 300D plier pocket, and the invisible zippered cell phone pocket is a game changer. Beyond pockets, these are solid performance fishing shorts made from a durable polyester blend with stain resistance against blood and slime. A beer opener on the belt loop is a nice touch.
