For nearly seven decades, ICAST has stood as the largest annual event in the sportfishing industry. Last year, nearly 13,000 attendees from 75 nations gathered in Orlando. This July, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is delivering what organisers call a "reimagined ICAST" – one placing more emphasis on retailers than any other in the modern era.
The Industry Behind the Show
The numbers explain why ICAST matters. More than 58 million recreational fishermen support 1.1 million jobs and generate $230 billion in economic activity nationwide. Anglers provide a primary funding source for fisheries conservation through excise taxes and license revenues – a user‑pay, public‑benefit model unique to the United States. The industry's economic footprint extends to nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy, creating employment for 800,000 people.
What's New in 2026
This year's ICAST introduces several firsts. Meet the Market, a structured matchmaking program, brings manufacturers directly to retailers through pre‑scheduled one‑on‑one meetings before the show floor opens. The event leads directly into the New Product Showcase Preview Reception, where voting for the coveted Best of Category awards takes place.
ICASTLive! transforms the traditional Lunch & Learn concept into a high‑energy stage featuring celebrity appearances, business education, emerging technology discussions, product demos, and partner spotlights. Programming tracks include Industry Insights, Futurecast, Product Demos, ASA Spotlight, and "Live From ICAST".
Other new additions include a Retailer Leadership Breakfast featuring industry executives discussing consumer trends and economic pressures, and a dedicated Retailer Lounge – a centralised on‑floor area with phone charging stations, comfortable seating and refreshments, located beside the New Product Showcase.
The New Product Showcase: 850+ Products Across 39 Categories
The redesigned New Product Showcase features more than 850 products across 39 categories. Exhibitors submit their new products of the year and compete for "Best of Show" awards. Winners from each category then compete for the prestigious "Best of Show" award.
New Categories for 2026
Several new categories reflect emerging trends in the industry:
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Wired and Skirted Lures – Lures whose primary component includes wire or a skirt. Display stands are permitted but must not exceed 30% of the lure's length and width.
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Braided Fishing Line and Non‑Braided Fishing Line – Now split into separate categories, recognising the distinct technologies and applications of each.
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Extreme Weather Technical Apparel – Outdoor or fishing apparel with technical fabrics that wick, insulate, and protect from the elements, including gloves, jackets, coats, waders, bibs, masks, hats, and rain gear.
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First Time Exhibitor Product – Limited to one NPS product submission per first‑time 2026 ICAST exhibiting company.
Category Structure
The 2026 NPS is organised into five sectors:
Fishing Rods covers Freshwater Rods, Saltwater Rods, and Rod & Reel Combos. Fishing Reel includes Freshwater and Saltwater Reels. Fishing Lures encompasses Freshwater Soft Lures, Saltwater Soft Lures, Freshwater Hard Lures, Saltwater Hard Lures, and the new Wired and Skirted Lure category. In each lure category, up to five products may be entered – either variations (colours or sizes) on a single ID card or five distinct lures with separate ID cards.
Fly Fishing includes Fly Fishing Accessories, Technical Apparel, Fly Tying Tools and Materials, Fly Fishing Rods, and Fly Fishing Reels.
General Fishing Tackle covers Braided and Non‑Braided Fishing Line (both new for 2026), Terminal Tackle (hooks, sinkers, swivels, snaps, beads), Tackle Management (boxes, bags, rod racks), Kids' Tackle, Fishing Accessories, Cutlery and Hand Tools, Coolers, and Custom Tackle & Components.
Fishing Lifestyle encompasses Men's and Women's Technical Apparel, the new Extreme Weather Technical Apparel, Men's and Women's Lifestyle Apparel, Footwear, Eyewear, Novelties & Wellness, Boats & Watercraft, Motorized and Non‑Motorized Boating Accessories, Ice Fishing, Electronics, Energy products, and the new First Time Exhibitor Product category.
Innovation on Display
Product launches at ICAST 2026 showcase the breadth of industry innovation. St. Croix, for example, has modernised and expanded its best‑selling TRIUMPH freshwater family, now featuring 29 spinning and eight casting models with SCII carbon fibre blanks, FRS technology, and a five‑year warranty. Two‑piece models incorporate ART and proprietary Slim Ferrule Design for multi‑piece convenience with one‑piece performance. Available August 2026 with retail prices from $115 to $145.
GSM Outdoors appears focused on bringing "legitimate innovation to multiple categories – from high‑density finesse plastics and cover‑specific crankbaits to reimagined classic concepts and entirely new designs". Italian line manufacturer Gruppo will showcase three new fishing line developments – two fluorocarbon lines and a premium hybrid sinking model – as it looks to strengthen its presence in the United States.
The Bigger Picture
ICAST is more than a trade show – it's where the sportfishing industry comes together to make connections, discover what's next, and move business forward. The ASA gives the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself.
As ASA President Glenn Hughes noted in response to a January 2026 Secretarial Order expanding fishing access: "Anglers are more likely to participate when rules are clear, consistent, and based on sound science". The order, which directs Interior bureaus to review regulations and identify opportunities to expand fishing access, reinforces that expanding access and reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers "helps sustain that conservation model and strengthens the connection between anglers and public waters".
From the Lunkers & Bunkers charity golf tournament to ICAST On The Water demo day to the ICAST Cup bass tournament, the week is packed with events before the show floor even opens. Add in the New Product Showcase, State of the Industry Breakfast, networking events, and thousands of industry professionals from around the world, and it's clear why ICAST remains the place where the industry comes together.
