The fishing world reeled in millions of new anglers in 2020, and one mission of ICAST 2021 is to help assure they do not go away, said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association that puts on the show.
ICAST, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, brings industry representatives together each July for the world’s largest recreational fishing convention in Orlando, Fla. There are manufacturers, retailers, buyers and media, all working to bring the latest innovations to consumers.
Due to COVID, last year’s show was virtual, and Hughes was excited to get the gang back together this week. Although down a small percentage, there will be 10,000 attendees, 450 exhibitors, more than 2,200 retailers and 500 media members.
“We were thrilled to get together at the Bassmaster Classic — loved seeing the crowds,” Hughes said. “So this is the first trade show in two years to get together, and everybody is very excited. There’s huge opportunity for growth in all segments.”
ICAST’s presenting sponsor is Takemefishing.org, and the major mission this year is to keep people fishing. During the pandemic, throngs discovered boating and fishing as a perfect social distancing activity. License sales boomed and shelves emptied. As awful as the pandemic was, it was actually a boon for the fishing industry.
“We surveyed our retailers, and 80% said fishing business was up 40% in 2020,” said Hughes, noting it would have been better if some states hadn’t shut down stores and fishing longer than others. “The federal excise tax collected from all the sport fishing manufacturers in fiscal 2020, ending Sept. 30, increased 54% over 2019. The revenue collected by the federal government for the Sport Fish Restoration fund was $209 million, a huge increase. That gives you an idea of how much more fishing tackle was sold in the U.S. in 2020.”
Excise taxes of 3% to 10% are placed on most all fishing items, and that money is targeted to improve fishery projects and boating access. There were some 55 million who fished in 2020, Hughes said, including more children, women and multicultural families. And they needed to gear up. They bought tackle. Lots of it. Demand outstripped supply and/or the supply chain.
“They’re catching up, finally,” Hughes said. “Manufacturers are doing well. The business is still doing well. Business was so good that what they are doing might not be 2020 good, but it’s still better than 2019.”
Hughes is of the strong belief that the boat needs to stay at cruising speed, and the industry needs to keep casting while they’re biting. He said the excise tax collection and what retailers are saying are great indicators. Hughes said official numbers won’t be in until the winter of 2022, but the Recreation Boat and Fishing Foundation did a hand count of all 50 states showing license sales are up 3.2 million, about a 10% to 14% increase.
“Ultimately, the conversation I do have is we’ve grown it to 55 million anglers, the main goal is keeping these folks and not losing them, because we do lose some each year,” he said. “We’ve got to show them a positive experience. It has to happen at the retail level. It has to happen online. It has to happen with the states on public water. Everybody is responsible. No one gets a pass of allowing anglers go away because they didn’t have a positive experience.”
There wasn’t as much research and development during the pandemic, Hughes said, but 200 companies will have 680 items in the popular New Product Showcase, which are voted on for Best of Show Awards in various categories.
“That’s a lot, and that’s exciting,” Hughes said. “It’s exciting to see this many coming out from different companies. There’s always innovation in reels and in rods. I’m excited to see them, to touch them, feel the turn of that handle in my hand.
“Hank Cherry wins the Classic two years into a row. He’s talking about his new (Berkley) Stunna bait, and I want that bait. I want to hold it right here at the show. And technical clothing, there’s a lot of things coming out in that world. I get excited about that stuff.”
Adding aspects of last year’s virtual ICAST, the ASA will have profiles of the new items online, including 87 videos. They can be reviewed by downloading the ICAST 2021 app.
“The whole world can take a look and enjoy these things taking place at the show,” he said.
Just like B.A.S.S., Hughes said the ASA mission is to improve the fishing experience. Besides its huge show, the association lobbies for its members’ interests in Washington, D.C. Although boating and fishing are the two biggest elements in the outdoor genre, there is much more. Those industries work with 33 other outdoor recreation associations, forming the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and increasing the pull.
“We come in as a group representing 5.2 million jobs and a $688 billion economic impact, and D.C. listens,” Hughes said. “We’ve been able to open doors and have good conversations about how important it is that people are outdoors recreating, and that includes fishing and boating.”
Hughes said there’s room on the boat, and having more on board helps keep it moving forward. While Hughes and the ASA knew some companies, especially international ones, couldn’t make this year’s ICAST, he believes it’s a huge missed opportunity. There are 153 new exhibitors ready to talk shop and elbow their way in.
“This business is made up of a lot of different characters, a lot of different companies. It’s not just the same old, same old,” he said. “I think the business will come back down to earth and the relationships these retailers make with the manufacturers will help them set their business for the next 12 to 18 months. Things are changing, and they’ll change pretty quickly. Let’s take advantage here in 2021.
“It’s a shame that there’s a lot of people who aren’t here. They should be. They’re going to miss out on the relationships, the conversation, on seeing the new technology and the future of fishing. I want to emphasize to those who aren’t here — Don’t let it happen again. Make sure you’re back in 2022. You can start signing up for your booth next week. The rest of you, enjoy reading through Bassmaster.com and other sources.”
