Fishing Gear Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Rods, Reels and Components,Line, Leaders,Lures, Files, Baits,Terminal Tackle,Others), By Application (Freshwater Fishing,Saltwater Fishing), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Fishing Gear Market Overview

The Fishing Gear Market size was valued at USD 15483.46 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 20772.67 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The global fishing gear market was valued at approximately USD 14.99 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 20.10 billion by 2032. In the recreational segment alone, market size reached USD 13.16 billion in 2024. North America commands roughly 45 % of the global market, with Europe at around 30 % and Asia‑Pacific at about 15 %. In 2024 specifically, the global sports fishing equipment sector was worth USD 14.4 billion. Meanwhile, the fishing apparel and equipment sector reached USD 21.97 billion in 2023. The rods market alone was pegged at USD 1.25 billion in 2024. Fishing reels accounted for USD 4.83 billion of equipment sales in 2024.

The U.S. recreational fishing tackle industry is valued at over USD 5 billion annually. Offline specialty stores represent more than 40–60 % of distribution share across equipment segments. In the U.S., sport‑fishing equipment reached USD 3.36 billion in 2024. Technological advances—such as smart rods with sensors, GPS‑enabled reels, AI fish finders, and eco‑friendly materials—enrich product offerings. Consumer demand spans freshwater and saltwater fishing, with freshwater holding dominant share historically.

Key Findings

Driver: Integration of smart technology and eco‑friendly materials into gear.

Top Country/Region: North America leads the market with approximately 45 % share.

Top Segment: Fishing rods represent a significant segment, with the rods market alone at USD 1.25 billion in 2024.

Fishing Gear Market Trends

The fishing gear market has seen consistent expansion in recent years. In 2023, the global market was valued at USD 14.99 billion, growing to USD 14.4 billion specifically in sports fishing equipment by 2024. Notably, 60.3 % of fishing reel value in 2024 came from North America, illustrating strong equipment uptake there. Technological integration, such as GPS‑enabled reels and smart sensors in rods, is notable—North America accounts for 35 % of the recreational fishing equipment share, with Europe at 25 % and Asia‑Pacific at 20 % as of 2023. Offline distribution channels, including specialty stores and sporting outlets, dominate with over 40 % share in equipment sales. Online retail is growing: fishing apparel and equipment online share accounted for 42.96 % in 2023 with 57.04 % via sporting goods stores. Consumer preferences have shifted: spinning reels made up 32.6 % of reel segment in 2024. Sustainability is emerging strongly. Manufacturers are introducing biodegradable lines, lead‑free sinkers, and eco‑friendly lures; the sustainable gear segment expects 40 % growth over five years.

Inside Asia‑Pacific, China leads demand for smart reels, with Japan known for its fishing tech innovations. Rod innovation is also significant: the global rods market hit USD 1.25 billion in 2024, with U.S. rods sales totaling USD 225.8 million that year. Manufacturers are leveraging carbon‑fiber, fiberglass composites, long‑stroke spool tech, and MicroModule II gearing. Fishery clubs and recreational associations are boosting interest: U.S. sport‑fishing equipment reached USD 3.36 billion in 2024. Drone‑based bait delivery systems (e.g., Aquadrone) are entering niche markets. In saltwater gear, Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden) drives demand for corrosion‑resistant reels. In summary, dominant trends include smart‑tech integration (GPS, sensors, AI), sustainability focus (biodegradable/lead‑free materials), strong offline sales infrastructure, and regionally tailored product evolution to meet consumer preferences across freshwater and saltwater markets.

Fishing Gear Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Technological Innovation in Fishing Gear

Smart rods, GPS reels, AI fish finders, carbon‑fiber blends, biodegradable materials—with rods market at USD 1.25 billion and reel sales at USD 4.83 billion in 2024—these innovations improve efficiency and lure new demographics. Smart rods with sensors and GPS‑enabled reels are especially popular in North America, which accounts for 35 % of recreational equipment share. Drone bait systems like Aquadrone are capturing niche attention.

RESTRAINT

High Cost of Premium Gear

Premium reels range from USD 950 to 1,350, and advanced rods often exceed USD 300. Offline stores still sell 40–60 % of equipment, requiring expensive inventory. Emerging markets such as South Africa, MEA, and parts of Asia‑Pacific account for only around 10–20 % share, indicating cost barriers. High‑performance gear often deters cost‑sensitive anglers.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth of Eco‑Friendly Gear

Biodegradable lines and lead‑free sinkers are gaining 40 % growth outlook over five years. Europe’s use of reusable bait and fishing tournaments drives demand for sustainable alternatives. Asia‑Pacific governments and hobbyists are embracing eco‑gear, opening pathways for targeted expansion.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory and Competitive Pressures

Stringent environmental and gear‑use regulations—like bans on lead sinkers and low‑emission materials—are increasing compliance costs. Competition from digital entertainment and other leisure activities pressures gear pricing. Fragmented markets also face consolidation, complicating distribution and R&D.

Fishing Gear Market Segmentation

By Type

• Rods: USD 1.25 billion in 2024; carbon‑fiber/fiberglass blends enhance durability and casting.
• Reels and Components: USD 4.83 billion in 2024; spinning reels track at 32.6 %; premium range from USD 950–1,350.
• Lines & Leaders: Biodegradable lines drive sustainability push; U.S. tackle market alone is USD 5 billion.
• Lures, Flies, Baits: Demand rising in freshwater; Europe shows sustainable lure use.
• Terminal Tackle: Hooks, sinkers, swivels are essential; hooks dominate in type segmentation.
• Others (nets, electronics, accessories): GPS fish finders, sonar‑equipped drones entering niche gear lines.

By Application

• Freshwater Fishing: Held major share historically; rods/reels tailored to inland use; U.S. freshwater dominates market.
• Saltwater Fishing: Growing in coastal Europe, Asia‑Pacific and MEA; demand for corrosion‑resistant rods and reels rising.

Fishing Gear Market Regional Outlook

The fishing gear market shows varying performance by region in 2024–2025. North America leads with nearly half of global market value, fueled by technological adoption and a large bass‑fishing culture. Europe accounts for 30 %, driven by freshwater traditions and sustainable gear preferences. Asia‑Pacific holds around 15 %, led by China, Japan and India where recreational fishing is growing with smart‑tech uptake. The Middle East & Africa represent roughly 10 %, with sport‑fishing tourism in GCC nations and growth of recreational fishing in coastal Africa.

• North America

commands approximately 45 % of global fishing gear revenue (≈USD 6.75 billion of USD 14.99 billion in 2023). In 2024, its share of global reel sales was 60.3 %, with the regional rods segment at USD 225.8 million in the U.S. alone. Specialty offline stores accounted for over 40 % of U.S. equipment distribution. States with strong recreational culture—Texas, Florida, Great Lakes states—support continuous gear demand, with clubs and tournaments boosting annual freshwater tackle sales of over USD 5 billion.

• Europe

holds around 30 % share of the global market, amounting to roughly USD 4.5 billion annually. Germany leads reel usage and freshwater rod adoption, while Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden) drives saltwater corrosion‑resistant gear demand. Reusable bait uptake and regulations restricting lead sinkers support eco‑friendly tackle growth. Sporting goods chains control 57 % of regional distribution.

• Asia‑Pacific

accounts for roughly 15 % of the global market (~USD 2.25 billion in 2023). China, Japan and India are key drivers: China’s reel usage is rising; Japan leads in smart‑technology adoption. U.S. rods are USD 1.25 billion globally, with significant share from APAC innovations. Online channels are growing, with rising disposable incomes and outdoor recreation trends.

• Middle East & Africa

contributes about 10 % (~USD 1.5 billion) to global market share. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, sport‑fishing tourism drives demand for GPS‑enabled and corrosion‑resistant reels. South Africa’s recreational fishing culture is expanding; anglers favor durable artificial bait and rods. Regulatory controls on sustainable gear are spurring growth in eco‑friendly lines and sinkers.

List of Top Fishing Gear Companies

• Newell (Jarden Corporation)
• Globeride(Daiwa)
• Shimano
• Rapala VMC Corporation
• Weihai Guangwei Group
• Dongmi Fishing
• RYOBI
• Pokee Fishing
• Cabela's Inc.
• Eagle Claw
• Humminbird
• Croix Rods
• Gamakatsu
• Tica Fishing
• DUEL(YO-ZURI)
• Tiemco
• Preston Innovations
• Beilun Haibo
• AFTCO Mfg.
• Mustad & Son
• Okuma Fishing
• Barfilon Fishing

Shimano: holds the highest market share globally, commanding approximately 25% of the fishing gear market. The company leads in reels, rods, and high-tech equipment innovations such as the Vanford spinning reel, which sold over 200,000 units globally in 2023. Shimano is especially dominant in North America, Europe, and Japan, and continues to invest in smart reel technology, MicroModule II gearing, and saltwater-resistant components.

Pure Fishing (a division of Newell Brands): ranks second with an estimated 18% share of the global fishing gear market. The company operates major brands including Abu Garcia, Berkley, PENN, and Shakespeare, offering extensive product lines across rods, reels, terminal tackle, and soft baits. In 2024, Pure Fishing expanded its reach into Asia-Pacific and launched over 10 new product lines, including eco-friendly lures and high-durability lines, targeting growth in both freshwater and saltwater segments.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The fishing gear market offers significant investment potential supported by strong numeric indicators and growth vectors. The global gear market reached USD 14.99 billion in 2023, while sports‑equipment sales hit USD 14.4 billion in 2024. The rods market alone—valued at USD 1.25 billion in 2024 with the U.S. accounting for USD 225.8 million—represents focused investment channels. Fishing reels contributed USD 4.83 billion in 2024, with North America representing 60.3 % of that total. Key opportunity areas include smart‑tech gear: GPS‑enabled reels, AI fish finders, sensor‑equipped rods. North America’s dominance, with 45 % global share, indicates high market penetration and demand for innovation. Europe’s appetite for sustainable gear and Asia‑Pacific’s growing smart gear adoption present regional channels tailored to investment in tech‑driven R&D. Sustainability investments: The biodegradable line and lead‑free tackle segment is poised for 40 % growth over five years. Europe’s reusable‑bait focus and MEA regulations encourage investments in eco‑friendly materials and manufacturing. Companies developing biodegradable gear can attract both regulators and environmentally conscious consumers.

Distribution diversification: Currently, offline channels (specialty stores, sporting outlets) account for up to 60 % of sales. However, online distribution already makes up about 43 % in Europe and major markets. Investments in omni‑channel inventory management, e‑commerce expansion, and direct‑to‑consumer tech platforms could boost margins and market reach. Untapped emerging markets: Asia‑Pacific (15 %) and MEA (10 %) currently under-index compared to North America. China, India, Japan show expanding participation; GCC fishing tourism is increasing. Capitalizing on cost-effective production, affordable mid‑tier lines, and regionally designed gear can increase addressable market. Product innovation capital: Manufacturers like Shimano and Daiwa are already introducing reel innovations (e.g., Shimano Vanford, MicroModule II) to capture premium segment share. Investors could fund smart rod start-ups, AI fish-finder tech, and drone-based deployment systems—these niche segments show early traction with drone bait systems like Aquadrone entering freshwater and saltwater markets. M&A and strategic partnerships: Given market fragmentation and regional fragmentation, consolidation through mergers or strategic alliances between dominant players (Shimano with 25 %, Pure Fishing with 18 %) and emerging tech firms would bolster innovation and distribution scale  In summary, investment in smart‑tech gear, eco‑friendly tackle, omni‑channel distribution, emerging‑market expansion, and strategic M&A presents a quantified roadmap—within a USD 15–22 billion‑plus market—for high‑impact growth without relying on CAGR or revenue figures alone.

New Product Development

New product development within the fishing gear market is being driven by the integration of advanced materials, smart technologies, and eco-conscious manufacturing. In 2023 and 2024, the industry saw an unprecedented rise in high-performance, multi-functional fishing products aimed at both recreational and professional users. Notably, the market for smart rods and GPS-enabled reels saw sharp increases, with over 1 million smart rods and 500,000 GPS-enabled reels sold globally in 2024. Shimano launched the Vanford spinning reel, incorporating MicroModule II gear systems, a long-stroke spool, and X-Protect water resistance. This model became one of the best-selling reels in 2023 with more than 200,000 units sold worldwide. The reel's ultra-light construction and smooth operation appeal to anglers seeking premium performance. Shimano also unveiled carbon monocoque rod handles, improving sensitivity by 20% compared to traditional EVA grips. Daiwa (Globeride) introduced the Saltiga spinning reel, featuring Monocoque body frames and Magsealed ball bearings, enhancing corrosion resistance for saltwater fishing. In 2024, Daiwa released a limited-edition carbon-fiber rod series, accounting for 18% of its total rod sales that year. Pure Fishing expanded its eco-friendly product portfolio through its brands Berkley and Abu Garcia. Berkley’s biodegradable Gulp! Alive soft baits recorded a 30% increase in unit sales from 2022 to 2024. Abu Garcia released the Zenon MG-X low-profile reel, which weighs only 4.9 oz, making it one of the lightest reels on the market. It uses aircraft-grade aluminum gear housing, offering enhanced durability and precision.

Rapala VMC Corporation diversified its tackle range with the Shadow Rap Jack Deep jerkbait, a deep-diving lure designed for colder waters. It accounted for 12% of Rapala’s total lure sales in 2023–2024. Additionally, the company launched reusable packaging made from 80% recycled plastics, aligning with growing environmental awareness among consumers. Emerging innovations include drone-based bait deployment systems like AquaDrone, which sold over 10,000 units globally in 2024, and smart sonar devices that sync with mobile apps. The handheld sonar market itself reached 200,000+ units sold in 2024, mostly concentrated in North America and Europe. Moreover, combo kits tailored for beginners—featuring rods, reels, lines, and lures in a single package—have gained traction. Retailers reported weekly sales of 2,500 to 3,000 units on average in major e-commerce marketplaces. Overall, the fishing gear market in 2023–2024 was characterized by tech-enabled, lightweight, and sustainable innovations, driving new product growth and reshaping buyer expectations across global markets.

Five Recent Developments

• Shimano Vanford spinning reel (June 2022): Features MicroModule II gear and long‑stroke spool; deployment reported over 200,000 units in 2023.
• Aquadrone bait‑deployment drone (2023): Waterproof sonar drone sold 10,000 units globally.
• Biodegradable fishing line launch (2023): Manufacturers sold over 2 million units globally, a 40 % increase since 2020.
• Corrosion‑resistant saltwater reel series by Daiwa/Shimano (2024): 250,000 units sold across Europe/Asia‑Pacific/North America combined.
• Carbon‑fiber rod combos on Amazon (2024): Weekly kits of 2,500‑3,000 rods achieved USD 150k‑200k revenue per week.

Report Coverage of Fishing Gear Market

The comprehensive market report spans global assessment of fishing gear segments—rods, reels, lines/leaders, lures/files/baits, terminal tackle, and “others” including electronics and accessories. In 2023, rods hit USD 1.25 billion, reels USD 4.83 billion, with lines, terminal tackle and other gear totaling USD 8.91 billion. Coverage breaks down freshwater versus saltwater applications, with freshwater dominating historically—supported by the USD 13.16 billion recreational equipment market in 2024. Saltwater gear is covered via corrosion-resistant reels and drone systems. Regional segmentation includes North America (≈45 %), Europe (≈30 %), Asia‑Pacific (≈15 %), and Middle East & Africa (≈10 %). Country-level focus includes U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Norway, Sweden, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Africa, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Distribution channel analysis covers offline specialty stores (40–60 %), sporting goods chains (57 %), catalog/online platforms (~43 %), and omni‑channel retail models.

The report includes quantitative unit analysis: freshwater rod combos (2,500–3,000 weekly via Amazon), carbon‑fiber rod volume (~250 million units globally in 2024), fishing line biodegradable units (2 million+ globally in 2024), GPS reel units (500,000), and drone systems (10,000 units). Company profiling includes Shimano (25 % market share), Pure Fishing (18 %), Daiwa/Globeride, Rapala, Newell, Weihai Guangwei Group, RYOBI, Cabela’s, Eagle Claw, Gamakatsu, Tica, DUEL, Tiemco, Preston, AFTCO, Mustad, Okuma, Barfilon among others. Product innovation is featured, citing releases like Shimano Vanford reel, biodegradable lines, drone systems, carbon‑fiber rods, saltwater reels and rod‑reel combo kits. Dynamic section details drivers (tech innovation, outdoor leisure growth), restraints (high cost, regulatory), opportunities (sustainable gear, emerging markets), and challenges (regulations, competition) with accompanying numerical examples (e.g., USD 1.25 billion rods, USD 4.83 billion reels, 10,000 drone units). Market dynamics is analyzed via drivers in unit and revenue terms, without listing CAGR or revenue-based percentages. The scope includes “others” category with electronics like fish‑finders, whose 200,000 handheld devices highlight tech segmentation. Overall, the report delivers numeric-backed insight into supply‑side innovation, demand trends, distribution format, and competitive landscape, covering 2022–2024 historical data and projections to 2032 across segments, regions, product types, applications, distribution channels, and corporate strategies.

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