This info came from the recent ICAST show, which is the annual sport fishing industry trade show. Watch for these companies and products in your favorite tackle shop or sporting goods store.

At the ICAST show, 190 companies entered 695 of the industry's newest innovations in gear and accessories in the New Product Showcase, ICAST's flagship feature. The products in the New Product Showcase were entered into the "Best of Show" competition where buyers and members of the media judged each product based on its level of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select "Best of Show" honors in 17 categories, as well as the overall "Best of Show" winner.

The Curado E Series, a freshwater reel from Shimano American Corp., was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in both the Freshwater Rod category and in the overall "Best of Show" category. Shimano also won "Best of Show" honors in the Freshwater Rod, Saltwater Rod and Saltwater Reel categories.

Other winners in the 2008 New Product Showcase were:

Bert's Custom Tackle, Boating Accessory
E21 Fishing, Clothing
Humminbird, Electronics
Old Harbor Outfitters, Eyewear
CTI Industries Corp., Fishing Accessory
Anglers Book Supply, Giftware
Mystic Tackleworks, Hard Lure
Shakespeare; Kid's Tackle
Pure Fishing; Line and Soft Lure
FisherGirl, Inc., Reel/Rod Combo
Plano Molding Company, Tackle Management
Pallatrax, Terminal Tackle.

If you want to see some of the award-winning products, do a Google search for the company name and you can usually find their new product line.