Alexandria, VA – Following a record turnout, the Rhino 30 6’6” Medium Spinning Combo was crowned Anglers’ Choice at ICAST 2026. This award comes on the heels of the Rather Outdoors product winning Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo and Best of Show honors at the ICAST 2026 New Product Showcase sponsored by Fishing Tackle Retailer.
“Winning Best of Category and Best of Show showed us that the industry believed in what the Zebco team built,” said Paul Bourcq, senior director of marketing at Rather Outdoors. “Winning Anglers’ Choice means the anglers believe in it too. That’s who we built this product for, and that’s incredibly validating for everyone on the team.”
“Congratulations to the team at Zebco and Rather Outdoors on taking home both ICAST 2026 Best of Show and Anglers’ Choice honors,” said Kendra Allman, vice president of member services and business development at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). “Being recognized by both industry peers and the angling public represents a meaningful endorsement from the people who use these products on the water every single day.”
The Rhino combos pair an ultra-durable rod and an exceptionally engineered reel that’s ready for battle. Asyx Drive™ gears increase tooth contact for maximum torque. Five ball bearings, instant anti-reverse, oversized bail wire deliver smooth power. HydroShield™ seals protect gears, drag, and handle from water and debris. TriAx Core™ blank provides 360° strength and balanced power with a solid tip. ArmorOne™ PVD one-piece guides resist failure. RhinoGrip™ EVA handle with custom seat for control.
This is the first time a product has won both Best of Show and Anglers’ Choice honors since the award was created in 2022.
“To win all three awards is an incredible honor and a powerful statement about what Rhino means to this category,” added Bourcq. “We didn’t bring Rhino back simply for nostalgia. We brought it back to earn its place with today’s anglers. They have made it clear, Rhino is back.”
“For nearly 40 years, Rhino has earned anglers’ trust by delivering the toughness and value they depend on,” said Chris Littau, vice president of Zebco. “Today, we’re building on that legacy with stronger, lighter, and tougher rods and reels that prove durability and performance can go hand in hand.”
At ICAST 2026, more than 860 products were submitted to the New Product Showcase. Voting on 39 Best of Category and the Best of Show awards is limited to outdoor media and fishing tackle buyers. The Anglers’ Choice Award was conceived to let fishermen and women around the world participate in the Showcase and help shape the future of innovation in the sportfishing industry.
Powered by ASA, ICAST brought just under 12,000 sportfishing manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and members of the outdoor media to Orlando, FL this past July. ICAST is the largest sportfishing trade show in the world and remains the most important networking and business opportunity in the recreational fishing industry each year. The 70th annual ICAST will be held from July 13-16, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information, please visit www.icastfishing.org.
About The American Sportfishing Association
The American Sportfishing Association ((ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 57 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate more than $50 billion in retail sales with a $230.5 billion impact on the nation’s economy, creating employment for 1.1 million people.
