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Winter 2024
was the Mojeaux 1/4 Zip Performance Shirt with UPF50 moisture-wicking material and great ventilation to keep you warm and comfortable, even in the hot sun.
The final award was for footwear with the Ankle Deck Boots in black. These boots are incredibly comfortable and quick drying. They have a neoprene liner and are flexible for great movement while fishing.
OTHER NEW ITEMS
While the following didn’t win any awards, they are new and notable. Like all of AFTCO’s designs, they were built with anglers in mind with excellent features and things that will make your life easier.
The Forge insulated jacket is all about warmth and works as a great standalone or layering piece under your rain gear. It has 60g of insulation and unlike some similar “puffy jackets,” it’s water-resistant and allows for great movement. The cuffs are stretchy for more
comfort and the jacket also has zippered chest and hand pockets for all your stuff.
The Women’s Stout Shacket is part shirt, part jacket. It looks like a typical flannel shirt but is a heavyweight material with fleece for superb warmth. It’s a 50/50 mix of recycled polyester and cotton and has warm hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket for more storage.
AFTCO is known for clothing, but they also make great fishing accessories. They’ve expanded that, even more this year with a new tackle bag and a bag designed to store your reels.
Their Tackle Backpack will fit five 3600-sized tackle boxes and one 3700 box. It has plenty of pockets for all your gear and includes a felt-lined pocket to store your sunglasses securely. There are also water-resistant pockets for things like your phone, keys, and wallet. It also has a rainfly that can be pulled over the bag to keep it dry. Plus, it’s a backpack, so it’s very easy to transport when getting to the boat or waiting for your partner to arrive for a day of fishing.
Fishing reels are getting increasingly expensive and while they are built to withstand the elements, they can still be pretty fragile when stored incorrectly. They also need to be kept away from dirt and dust. This is part of the reason why AFTCO designed the heavy- duty Reel Bags. They are made from recycled polyester and have premium YKK zippers and plenty of padding. There is also a zippered mesh pocket for spare spools, line, and tools. They come in two sizes, depending on your needs and how many reels you own.
It was another great ICAST for AFTCO, who cleaned up with five of the awards. It’s a testament to their designs and their respect in the fishing industry. All the items have some recycled material in them; this is another way that they are giving back, doing what they can to help the earth while making great products.
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