Shimano North America Fishing is proud to announce that two recently released products have been recognized with top honors in the 2026 ICAST New Product Showcase. The Curado DC 150A earned Best Freshwater Reel, while the Ledge Runner claimed Best Saltwater Hard Lure, underscoring Shimano's continued commitment to delivering innovative, performance-driven products for anglers across every fishery.
The ICAST New Product Showcase is the industry's premier product competition, recognizing the best in cutting-edge gear introduced each year.
The new Curado DC 150A builds upon one of the most trusted baitcasting reel platforms by integrating Shimano's renowned Digital Control (DC) braking technology into a compact, versatile package designed for anglers targeting everything from bass to inshore species. By automatically monitoring spool speed and applying the optimal amount of braking throughout the cast, the Curado DC 150A delivers longer casts, reduced backlash, and exceptional performance across a wide range of techniques and conditions.
On the saltwater side, Shimano's Ledge Runner earned Best Saltwater Hard Lure after impressing voters with its innovative performance features. This breakthrough lure was created for offshore anglers who seek durability, adaptability, and reliability in their trolling spreads. Developed for targeting tuna, wahoo, kingfish, and other hard-charging species, the Ledge Runner combines premium construction with Shimano's proven attention to detail to help anglers cover water efficiently and trigger aggressive strikes.
"We're incredibly honored to have both the Curado DC 150A and the Ledge Runner recognized by the industry at ICAST," said Kade Gewanter, Product Marketing Manager for Shimano North America Fishing. "These awards reflect the passion and dedication our product teams put into developing innovative gear that helps anglers become more successful on the water. Whether it's the precision and confidence anglers get from the Curado DC 150A or the proven fish-catching performance of the Ledge Runner, it's rewarding to see those efforts recognized by our peers."
These dual awards highlight Shimano's ongoing commitment to innovation across both freshwater and saltwater categories, providing anglers with products engineered to perform at the highest level.
For more information about the Curado DC 150A and Ledge Runner and Shimano's complete range of innovative fishing tackle, visit fishshop.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano's dealer locator at https://fishshop.shimano.com/pages/dealer-locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Gordon Brown at gordon@darbycommunications.com.
About Shimano North America Fishing
Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fishshop.shimano.com/ or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.