Rapala’s CrushCity leads ICAST award winners

Rapala’s best-selling CrushCity enjoyed a winning start to ICAST this week with two prizes in the New Product Showcase.

The Finnish brand’s hugely successful bait took awards in the fresh and saltwater soft lure categories for the CEO 21 and IMPOSTER (main picture) as Rapala visited the podium on four occasions.

Other tackle giants among the awards were Shimano which took accolades for the LEDGERUNNER (Saltwater Hard Lure) and Curado DC (Freshwater Reel), Daiwa which was succcessful in the Braided Fishing Line (JBraid Grand X8 Ocean Splash) and Saltwater reel categories (Daiwa 2026 BQ SW Spinning Reels) and Rather Outdoors in the Rod & Reel Combo (Rhino 30 Medium Spinning) and Kids’ Tackle (Zebco Bottomland Spincast Combo) sectors.

The full list of winners were:

Rods, reels and combos

• Rod and Reel Combo: Rhino 30 Two-piece Spinning Combo;
• Freshwater Rod: St. Croix of Park Falls Triumph Freshwater;
• Freshwater Reel: Shimano Curado DC;
• Saltwater Reel: Daiwa 2026 BQ SW Spinning Reels (above);
• Saltwater Rod: Bull Bay Tackle Company BANSHEE-BG;
• Kid’s Tackle: Zebco Bottomland Spincast Combo.

Electronics

• Motorised Boating Accessory: Garmin USA Spy Pole Mount;
• Electronics: Garmin USA LiveScope 2 HD;
• Energy: ePropulsion Technology Limited ePropulsion kMax Battery.

Lures and terminal tackle 

• Wired And Skirted Lure: Z-Man Fishing Products Chatterbait Elite EVO HD (above);
• Freshwater Hard Lure: American Baitworks Co. Synch Fishing Artisan Wake & Crank 130;
• Freshwater Soft Lure: Rapala CrushCity “The CEO” 21;
• Saltwater Soft Lure: Rapala CrushCity IMPOSTER;
• Saltwater Hard Lure: Shimano LEDGERUNNER;
• Terminal Tackle: G-Ratt Baits Urchin Rig;
• Braided Fishing Line: Daiwa J-Braid Grand X8 Ocean Splash;
• Non-Braided Fishing Line: Seaguar BRWLR Monofilament.

Boats and watercraft

• Boats And Watercraft: VoyaX MOSSA Series Motorized Kayak

Apparel and eyewear

• Women’s Lifestyle Apparel: AFTCO Women’s Overcast Sweatshirt;
• Men’s Lifestyle Apparel: HUK Performance Fishing Tide Point KC Printed Shirt;
• Extreme Weather Technical Apparel: AFTCO Hydronaut Insulated Jacket and Bib;
• Women’s Technical Apparel: Fishewear Brookie ¼ Zip Thermal;
• Men’s Technical Apparel: Simms Fishing Products Challenger Suit (above)
• Eyewear: Bajio Sunglasses Concho Dark Blue Camo Matte Blue Mirror Glass;
• Footwear: Hey Dude HEY20 Flip.

Accessories

• Cutlery, Hand Pliers, or Tools: BUBBA Pro Series Gen 2 Electric Filet Knife;
• Fishing Accessory: Rapala High Capacity Line Remover;
• Custom Tackle Components: BUZBE Magnetic Launch Pad;
• Tackle Management: BUZBE Basic Deep Urchin Bait Box;
• Non-Motorised Boating Accessory: Turtlebox Audio Turtlebox Cub;
• Ice Fishing: Evolution Fishing Ice Rod Locker (above);
• First Time Exhibitor Product: ArcPro Fishing Floating Aerator;
• Novelties and Wellness: Rapala Giant Lure Bald Eagle.

Fly Fishing

• Fly Fishing Reel: Looop Classic X Multiplier;
• Fly Fishing Rod: St. Croix of Park Falls Imperial Fly Rods (below);
• Fly Fishing Technical Apparel: Simms Men’s G37 Pro Stockingfoot Waders;
• Fly Fishing Tools And Materials: Asghar Export Kampus Premium Quality Fly Tying Kit;
• Fly Fishing Accessory: Simms Fishing Products Scout SlingBack.