Each year fishing industry insiders from around the globe descend on ICAST with one thing in mind-to see the next season’s hottest new products. The night before the show opens is like Christmas Eve; but instead of sizing up what’s under the tree, fishing media gather at ICAST’s “New Product Showcase,” the first official look at what’s new. It’s where fiction becomes fact-and all vote on the ‘next big thing.’
It’s like the Grammy Awards, but for the sportfishing biz. It’s where you can expect to see pioneers like Bill Dance, Hank Parker and Al Lindner mix with young guns like Dave Mercer and Mark Zona-and everyone in between from the world of fishing TV, print and web. Imagine the red carpet but without all the high heels and fancy suits – good thing too, because Zona and heels just don’t mix. You’ll find no Hollywood flair or attitudes either, just people who can’t get enough of fishing.
With g
olf pencils and voting ballots in hand, media mill behind the velvet rope, bifocals (and sunglasses) riding low as they scrutinize new soft baits, hard baits, fishing accessories, and a whole lot more. Media take to the responsibility of voting for the “Best of Show” with a fervor you can feel in the air. It’s electric.
It’s this diverse enclave of fishheads who ultimately determine the winners of ICAST’s ‘Best of Show’ awards, revealing the most vital, innovative and problem-solving products introduced. In short, the best of the best in an industry fueled by innovation.
One of the most-watched categories is Best New Electronics-the birthplace for perhaps the most advanced technologies in fishing. Entries were strong across the board but for the third year in a row-Humminbird scored top honors.
“We are so grateful to receive the ‘Best of’ endorsement from all the writers who voted for Bow 360 – and to our dealers who support Humminbird day-in-day-out on the retail floor. It validates the hard work of all our teams-from engineering to our American manufacturing to customer service-and reinforces our mission to create new products and technologies that give anglers an edge on the water,” said Jeff Kolodzinski, Brand Manager, Humminbird.
In 2011 the Humminbird 1158c DI Combo earned the popular vote; in 2012, 360 Imaging followed suit as the biggest thing since the introduction of Side Imaging®; now, in 2013 Bow 360 Imaging was championed by voters for bringing forward-looking underwater imaging to boat bows.
“Bow 360 caters to those anglers who spend the lion’s share of their time on casting decks,” said Kolodzinski. “From the very beginning, Kevin VanDam told us what he really wanted was to get this technology on the front of his boat. We took that to heart by designing a rugged and easy to mount, deploy and stow unit that integrates with bow-mount trolling motors. So, depending on what kind of fishing an angler does, the technology can be utilized from transom or bow.”
In short, Bow 360 now puts the angler at the center of a circle that extends 150 feet underwater in every direction, revealing cover and real-time movements of fish and forage.
Bow 360 is exclusively compatible with current Humminbird Side Imaging-equipped models that are Ethernet-capable: 798, 898, 998 and 1198. The suggested retail price of Humminbird’s Bow 360 Imaging is $1,499. Product will begin shipping this fall.
For more information on Humminbird Bow 360, please visit www.humminbird.com/bow360.
For all other product inquiries, please visit humminbird.com, or contact Humminbird, 678 Humminbird Lane, Eufaula, AL 36027, (800) 633-1468.
About Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird, LakeMaster, Minn Kota and Cannon brands. Humminbird® is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, ice flashers and digital depth gauges. LakeMaster® is the premier brand of high-definition electronic fishing charts. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offers a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.