Sportfishing Retailers, Media, and Influencers Converge in Oviedo to Demo Latest Releases
Through a growing partnership, Foundation Outdoor Group was proud to host Shimano North America Fishing and a select group of industry partners at Mud Hole Custom Tackle for the Shimano Launch Event on Tuesday, July 14th. Leading into a week of bustling industry activity at ICAST 2026, the invitation-only event offered sixty-five retailers, media members, and influencers an intimate, hands-on experience with Shimano’s latest product releases. Located less than 30 miles northeast of the Orange County Convention Center, Mud Hole Custom Tackle occupies a 76,000 square foot facility in Oviedo, Florida, with their 5,000 square foot Education Center offering an ideal setting for Shimano to display their product line in a private space, conducive to meaningful conversations with industry members.
“We are honored to support Shimano and host this launch event at Mud Hole. As one would expect, the Shimano team created a first-class experience for industry guests,” said Brook Oliva, Foundation Outdoor Group President and COO. “From each individual product display space to the impactful décor and the catered sashimi and barbeque, Shimano’s new product presentation was top notch.”
Shimano introduced guests to several innovative products, highlighted by the Ledge Runner adjustable-depth offshore trolling lure and the redesigned Curado DC 150 low-profile baitcasting reel—both of which earned Best of Category honors the following day in the ICAST 2026 New Product Showcase. Also featured at the Shimano Launch Event were the Poison Glorious bass rods, Insurgence inshore rods, Nexave combo, Stella SW spinning reel, Zumverno 95SP MR jerkbait, Aero 8 braided fishing line, and the G. Loomis Asquith fly rod.
“The Shimano Launch Event was a complete success, not only showcasing our impressive product lineup and commitment to the sportfishing industry, but also the tremendous facilities at Mud Hole,” Shimano North America Fishing President Jason Livermore said. “We’re very thankful to Brook and the entire Foundation Outdoor Group team for helping us plan and execute such an impressive event, leading to two Best of Category accolades at this year’s ICAST showcase.”
Part of Foundation Outdoor Group’s family of sportfishing and rod building brands, Mud Hole Custom Tackle is the primary sales destination for anglers and rod builders across the globe at MudHole.com. The Oviedo headquarters hosts regular events and seminars, and includes Mud Hole’s
10,000 square foot, full-service tackle center, the 5,000 square foot education center, 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art fulfillment center, and even an in-house, cutting-edge video production studio.
