2024 Annual Review

Message from the ASA President, Glenn Hughes

Since 1933, ASA has remained committed to look out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Read Full Letter

Message from the ASA President, Glenn Hughes

For 90 years, ASA has remained committed to look out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Read Full Letter

Overview

ASA launched its current Strategic plan in 2022 which focuses on seven directives critical to advancing the interests of the sportfishing industry. The following report is a snapshot of our major achievements in 2024 based on these priorities and is organized into our three strategic pillars: COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, and ADVOCACY.

Strategic Directives:

  • 1
    Building the sportfishing community
  • 2

    Enhancing content and communications

  • 3

    New revenue generation

  • 4

    Enhancing trade show and events

  • 5

    Growing and expanding retailer engagement

  • 6

    Expanding regional events

  • 7
    Advancing our advocacy efforts

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

ASA’s mission is to look out for the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

ASA’s mission is to protect the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. We are are more committed than ever to broadening our reach and growing engagement with both our partners and members.

Building the Sportfishing Community

Every day, we stand together with over 800 organizations that have a vested interest in the health, growth, and expansion of the sportfishing industry.

  • ASA Membership hit record numbers in 2024, increasing by 7.5% to almost 900 members.

  • In the last year, ASA built and expanded tool kit resources for members on industry priorities such as excise tax requirements, sustainable business operations, and several government affairs issues.

  • ASA’s social media pages experienced a more than 100% increase in followers over last year.

  • New association management software was implemented, allowing for better integration and communication with members and partners.

  • Launched the 3rd annual Fishing Share the Fun campaign and filmed ASA’s first commercial, titled “The Gift of Fishing.” It received 134 commercial placements on multiple TV networks and was viewed 875,000 times. On social media, the Fishing Share the Fun video clips have been viewed organically more than 70,000 times.

  • ASA staff attended and participated in over 50 shows, events, and conferences this year, including Marine Retailers Association of America’s Dealer Week, RBFF State Marketing Workshop, Pitman Creek, Folsom and Big Rock Sports Wholesaler Shows, Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, National Professional Anglers Assn. event, Miami Boat Show, Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show, Major League Fishing’s Redcrest, Bassmaster Classic, Wildlife Management Institute’s North American, NMMA’s American Boating Congress, ORR Executive Forum, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agency annual meeting, the AGLOW National Conference, Kenai River Classic and Women’s Classic and so many more. Also, we have renewed relationships with outdoor writer groups including POMA, AGLOW, OWAA and BWI, as well as the MRAA and the Marine Marketers Association.

Enhance the Value of Show and Events

ICAST

As the premier showcase for the latest innovations in gear, tackle, accessories and apparel, ICAST is the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, helping to drive recreational fishing product sales year-round.

  • ICAST Exhibitors: 635

  • ICAST Registration: 13,500 – exceeding the previous year’s total.

  • Record-setting 60 booths on display during the On The Water Demo Day.

  • More than 250 companies entered almost 1,000 products in the New Product Showcase.

  • 74 countries were represented, and more than 1,100 international attendees joined us at ICAST.

  • The fly fishing area brought new manufacturers, retailers, and media to the show. In total, 27 companies occupied 6,500 net sq. ft. of exhibit space in the Fly Fishing Pavilion. The NEW Fly Shop was also a great addition, with more than 100 fly fishing products entered by 49 companies.

Sportfishing Summit

An exclusive, members-only event held in San Deigo, CA in October.

  • Over 40 new members attended, expanding their knowledge and network.
  • Unveiled Retailer Sportfishing Trends and Participation Reports exclusively to attendees.
  • The annual “Women in Industry” networking event was the largest to date. We also awarded the first Inspire Award at this year’s event, recognizing a leading lady in the sportfishing industry.

Grow New Revenue Streams

  • The Lunkers and Bunkers golf tournament returned to ICAST and was an overwhelming success. With more than 110 golfers and anglers, the event raised over $13,000 for Keep America Fishing, ASA’s advocacy program, setting records for participation and fundraising.

  • Hired a Manager of New Business Development and enhanced our ability to raise additional non-dues-related revenue through sponsorships and advertisements.

  • Sportfishing Summit sponsorships nearly doubled.

  • ICAST sponsorships have also increased YOY since 2023 and so have our goals. The Trade and Membership team hopes to see a continued rise in revenue through ICAST Sponsorships and community engagement in 2025 and beyond.

  • Implemented investment policy to invest cash reserves. Earned over 12% in interest and market growth in 2024.

Enhance Content and Communications

ASA continued the process of updating and optimizing our online presence, applied innovative marketing strategies to our emails, and doubled down on our social media presence.

  • Views on the KAF advocacy pages increased from 5,000 in 2023 to 25,000 in 2024.
  • ICAST website visitation has continued to climb from 150,000 unique visitors in 2022 to 175,000 in 2024.
  • On social media, ASA’s following has increased by over 100% in the last year, and has generated over 24.2 M video views total.
  • ASA sent out 1.2 million emails across 185 communications with a 33% open rate.
  • Keep America Fishing also sent out 3.5 million emails in support of our advocacy issues.
  • ASA launched its monthly newsletter, The ASA Leader, in early 2024 with an average open rate of 39%, well surpassing the industry average.

ADVOCACY

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade-related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational fishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

ADVOCACY

Advocating on behalf of our members and the recreational fishing community is a core function of ASA. We take care of the politics so you can focus on your business and anglers can get the most out of their time on the water.

Our Washington, D.C. and regional government affairs staff work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry, science-based conservation and public access.

Advocating on behalf of our members concerning sportfishing, conservation, and trade related issues is a core function of ASA.

Our Washington, DC, and regional government affairs staff, work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our industry and recreational sportfishing.

group in business attire on steps at nation's capitol
group in business attire on steps at nation's capitol

Sustain and Grow Advocacy Efforts

Highlights of the Year

ASA Priority Legislation Signed into Law:

Movement for ASA Legislation:

The Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2024

(H.R. 8705) was introduced in the House by Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) and received a hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. ASA’s Southeast Fisheries Policy Director, Martha Guyas, testified at the hearing.

MAPOceans and MAPWaters Acts

The MAPOceans Act (H.R. 7925) was introduced in the House by Reps. D’Esposito (R-NY) and Levin (D-CA). The MAPWaters Act (H.R. 6127) passed out of House and Senate Committees. These bills would standardize mapping on federal lands and waters, improving access and removing barriers to entry for anglers.

RISEE Act

The RISEE Act passed out of the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee in November.

Vessel Speed Restrictions

Reps. Carter and Peltola introduced legislation that would establish a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species.

The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act

The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act received a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Regional Accomplishments

  • New half-mile buffer for menhaden fishing off the coast of Louisiana.
  • Recreational fishing is acknowledged as a compatible activity within the new Lake Ontario and Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuaries.
  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission granted authority to establish and collect fees for fishing licenses and permits through FY 2035.
  • Advocated for creative management of quillback rockfish in California to keep fisheries open while also supporting rebuilding plans.
  • Last November, Florida voters took to the polls and overwhelmingly voted in favor of protecting the right to fish and hunt forever. Amendment 2, which passed by more than 3 million votes, enshrines the right for anglers to make memories on the water in the state’s constitution.

Preventing Harmful Legislation & Regulations

  • Held off disputes to alternative management approach for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass that would have restricted angling opportunities.

  • Defeated effort to move the Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources under the Department of Agriculture.

  • Stopped Georgia from creating ambiguity and threatening public access for anglers.

  • Held off efforts from the Vermont legislature to add non-consumptive users to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Board.

  • Defeated efforts to further reduce access and opportunities for recreational striped bass fishing in the Atlantic.

  • Stopped a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would ban lead fishing tackle in state waters.

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

The American Sportfishing Association offers education and community-building events to help our members improve their bottom line while keeping our industry thriving.

The American Sportfishing Association offers education and community-building events to help our members improve their bottom line while keeping our industry thriving.

New Education Hub

By partnering with the Marine Retailer Association of the Americas (MRAA) to develop an online Education Hub, ASA is continuing to prioritize our commitment to being a resource for education. MRAA is widely recognized as a leader in the field of providing top-notch sales, marketing, and leadership content. Their wealth of content, combined with ASA’s advocacy and research content, have formed a fantastic resource.

After several months of development, the Hub was officially launched at the ICAST Industry Breakfast as an ASA Members-Only benefit. Currently, it has over 100 educational videos as well as supplemental materials that are available to all ASA members

MRAA is also in the process of updating its software and hosting platform which will make the hub more user friendly and valuable. It will improve the overall look and feel of the platform and make navigation easier and more intuitive.

group in business attire on steps at nation's capitol

Grow Retailer Engagement

One of this year’s strategic initiatives was to grow retailer engagement within ASA. By hosting and attending retailer events around the country and executing a specialized marketing campaign to attract more retailers to ICAST, we increased retailer engagement via email, achieving a 34% open rate – well above industry standards.

Data and Analytics

  • Eight major reports were posted to the website this year.
  • Data highlights were consistently shared on the website and in emails via our Policy Watch and ASA Leader newsletters.
  • New economic impact data by Congressional district will be available in early 2025.

Increase Regional Engagement

  • Attended/exhibited at 6 regional shows hosted by other organizations.
  • Attended several boating and fishing consumer shows across the country.
  • Participated at Big Rock Sports, Folsom, and Pitman Creek Wholesaler Shows.

Investing in the Community

The FishAmerica Foundation, ASA’s 501(c)3 non-profit organization, empowers ASA to unite the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government natural resource agencies, corporations, and foundations and make a significant impact on sportfish habitat conservation, participation, and research.

Since 1983, the FishAmerica Foundation has awarded $12.1 million to 1,007 projects in all fifty states and Canada to enhance fish populations, restore fishery habitats, improve water quality and advance fishery research to improve sportfishing opportunities and help ensure recreational fishing’s future.

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Total FishAmerica investment
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Matching Funds From Projects
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Total Project Budgets

Exciting things are happening with the FishAmerica Foundation (FAF) and more is to come.

This month Hobie® Eyewear launched a new line of upcycled sunglasses called the Hull Float and is partnering with ASA to donate a portion of the proceeds from these sunglass sales to the FishAmerica Foundation.

These sunglasses made of upcycled kayak plastic align perfectly with the foundation’s conservation-focused mission and the proceeds from their sale will allow the association to tackle more projects that improve our recreational fishing environment.

Growing Support

ASA recently approved funding to support three community-based projects that will enhance sport fisheries and habitats across the U.S. FAF leveraged contributions from the Brunswick Foundation and the Walleye Federation in this joint effort to continue supporting local groups in taking action to improve the waterways of their communities. View Projects

What Lies Ahead

Looking ahead, ASA is working closely with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to develop a new grant program focused on fishing participation scheduled to launch this summer.

2024 Project Awardees

(1/1/24-12/31/24)

Understanding Causes of “Spinning” Fish and Mortality in the Florida Keys

Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
Miami, FL
FAF-24-01

Brevoort Lake Walleye Stocking Program

Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club
Moran, MI
FAF-24-02

Fish Barrier Repair, Left Prong of Hampton Creek, Hurricane Helene Response

Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Johnson City, TN
FAF-24-02

Community-Led Conservation: Enhancing Fisheries in Destin-Ft. Walton Beach FL

Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners
Shalimar, FL
FAF-24-08