Alexandria, VA – April 29, 2026 – Today, the American Sportfishing Association’s FishAmerica Foundation announced the awardees of the inaugural Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Grant program. In this initial grantmaking round, 15 companies and non-profit organizations received a total of $100,000 to partner with local fishing tackle retailers in activities to engage anglers and community members in the sport of fishing.
The R3 Grant program was born out of ASA’s R3 Committee, comprising of representatives from across the sportfishing and conservation community. Projects were selected based on their capacity to build and strengthen the sportfishing community, grow retailer engagement and customer loyalty, and create new revenue opportunities for ASA members through participation-driven programs.
“Increasing participation in fishing is integral to the future of recreational fishing and the sportfishing industry,” said Mary Beth Long, VP of Communications and Strategy at the ASA. “It is incumbent on fishing equipment manufacturers, fishing tackle retailers, conservation organizations and ASA to take a leading role in recruiting, retaining and reactivating recreational anglers.”
“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to ASA members so that they can grow meaningful recruitment, retention and reactivation programs in communities across the country,” added Dave Washburn, Vice President of Operations for Major League Fishing and ASA’s R3 Committee Chair. “When it comes to increasing fishing participation, there are countless innovative ideas that have the potential to move the needle, and we hope this program helps identify best practices that can be replicated and scaled to the benefit of the entire industry. ASA’s leadership in R3, through the FishAmerica Foundation, is more important than ever.”
In partnership with the R3 Committee, the FishAmerica Foundation is pleased to fund the following programs in 2026:
- South Carolina DNR – Saltwater Fishing Classes and Applied Skills at Bass Pro Shops
Throughout 2026, SC DNR and Bass Pro Shops will host classes to introduce new anglers, especially women, beginners and youth anglers, to fishing in the state. Classes will include Inshore Fishing 101, Artificials and Lures, Women’s Saltwater Fishing 101, Pier Fishing 101, Flounder Fishing 101, Surf Fishing 101, Kid’s Saltwater Fishing 101, Advanced Surf Fishing, Advanced Pier Fishing, Advanced Inshore Fishing, Red Drum Fishing 101 and Kayak Fishing 101. - Dana Wharf Sportfishing – Youth Fishing Clinics
Dana Wharf Sportfishing, a charter and retail business in Dana Point, California, was awarded a grant to support fishing clinics targeting youth anglers. Their weekly events will reach approximately 180 participants each month and each clinic teaches children hands-on fishing techniques, after which participants can join a half-day fishing trip for a reduced fee. - Reel Guppy Outdoors Inc. – Reel Guppy Outdoors Coastal Fishing Clinics
Reel Guppy Outdoors will host a Coastal Fishing Clinic series designed to retain existing participants, recruit new anglers, and reactivate lapsed anglers through structured, family-centered engagement and a direct retailer partnership. The program will be held monthly from June through August 2026 at accessible coastal and inland fishing locations in Ventura County and surrounding Southern California communities. - Z-Man Fishing Products – R3 through SCWF Fishing Programs
Z-Man Fishing Products, Barron’s Outfitters and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation were awarded a grant to support four fishing education programs throughout South Carolina. These programs include introductory fly fishing, kayak fishing, and fish cleaning classes at the Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat (POWR) weekend; POWR+ advanced fly fishing and in-shore saltwater classes; Families Exploring Nature Day; the Plishing Challenge; and the Calhoun County 4th-grade fishing education program. At least 245 youth and 590 adults will be engaged through these fishing programs throughout 2026. - International Game Fish Association – Reel Into Fishing!
The International Game Fish Association of Dania Beach, Florida, in partnership with Bass Pro Shops, was awarded funding to support the expansion of the Reel Into Fishing! educational program to two new locations. These programs are immersive, multiday youth fishing camps incorporating follow-up community engagement to move participants beyond a one-time fishing experience and into long-term, self-sustaining involvement in recreational angling. - Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing – Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Women & Family Angler R3 Program
Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing, a Florida-based program that has spent nearly three decades empowering women and families to become confident anglers, was awarded a grant to support two collaborative workshops with local Bass Pro Shops retail stores. The workshops will provide educational classes and hands-on skill practice, networking, on-the-water education, conservation modules, retention pathways, and follow-up outings that create regular fishing participation among women and families. - Fishing’s Future – Fishing’s Future Ambassador Program
Fishing’s Future, in conjunction with Academy Sports retail outlets, was awarded funding to support their Fishing’s Future Ambassador Program. Three workshops will be conducted following the elements of the Angler Education Development program, which provides training for adults, certifying them to teach youth and adults how to be safe and ethical anglers. - Santa Barbara Landing, LLC – Santa Barbara Youth & Community Angler Development
Santa Barbara Landing, partnering with the Coastal Conservation Association of California, will offer a series of hands-on fishing clinics and youth-focused charter fishing experiences in the Santa Barbara area. Through accessible, skills-based education and positive on-the-water experiences, this collaboration will introduce new participants to fishing, strengthen engagement among occasional anglers, and encourage long-term involvement that leads to increased participation in the sportfishing industry. - Bert’s Jigs and Things. LLC – Rigging it Right with Capt. Bert.
Bert’s Jigs and Things. LLC, in partnership with Satilla Feed and Outdoors in Georgia, was awarded funding to implement Rigging it Right With Capt. Bert, a series of workshops to reach anglers with information showing them hands-on ways to rig different baits and how to get the most out of their fishing equipment. - Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers – TBKA Kayak & Shore Fishing Clinics
Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers will partner with The Kayak Hub retail store to host a series of fishing clinics to introduce individuals and families to fishing, and to intentionally retain existing anglers by providing progressive learning opportunities, mentorship, and continued engagement on the water. All clinics incorporate bilingual (English–Spanish) instruction, materials, and staff support, ensuring that language is not a barrier to participation or retention. - Marathon Man Fishing – The Marathon Man – Go Fish America Challenge
Marathon Man Fishing, working in conjunction with Bass Pro Shops in Peoria, Illinois, was awarded funding to support their 2026 Go Fish America Challenge. This is a national, family-centered fishing engagement initiative launching in summer 2026 that includes a collaboration with Camp Dallas in Peoria, Illinois, which will introduce more than 1,000 at-risk youth to fishing. Additionally, more than 2,000 youth and 5,000 adults are expected to participate nationwide. - Pure Fishing – Iowa Youth Competitive Athlete to Angler Journey / Take the Tackle Along! Marketing Campaign
Pure Fishing will support the Take the Tackle Along! Program in conjunction with the Iowa DNR and Fleet Farm. This is an innovative, behavior-based pilot outreach and marketing campaign to encourage Des Moines Metro middle and high school competitive sport athletes to integrate fishing into their array of youth sports activities and explore competitive youth fishing opportunities. - Haddrell’s Point Tackle – Tackle Women’s Outreach-Women’s Wednesdays and Angling Women of the Lowcountry
Haddrell’s Point Tackle in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, teamed with the South Carolina DNR and Z-Man Fishing Products to host monthly fishing education workshops combined with hands-on, on-the-water fishing experience targeted to women who are new, novice, intermediate, or returning anglers. These educational sessions allow women to connect, practice and learn techniques together in a casual and comfortable setting with expert female anglers. - Trout Unlimited – Keeping Alaskan Women Anglers on the Water
Trout Unlimited, working in conjunction with Lakeview Outfitters in Cooper Landing, Alaska, was awarded funding to support 16 walk-in/wade-in fishing events targeted to recruiting and retaining women anglers in Anchorage, Willow, and Cooper Landing, Alaska. TU’s Keeping Alaskan Women Anglers on the Water program will serve as a hub to connect community partners with interested women anglers, and in turn, increase the participation of women in angling in Southcentral Alaska. - Anglers Sport Center – Combos for Kids
Anglers Sports Center in Annapolis, Maryland, teaming with Combos for Kids, a local nonprofit organization designed to introduce children and families to fishing, was awarded funding to provide basic fishing skills instruction, teach conservation principles, and water safety in a welcoming, low-pressure environment that emphasizes fun, confidence building, and family involvement. Each Combos for Kids event removes common barriers to participation by providing all necessary fishing gear, bait, instruction and hands-on guidance from experienced volunteers.
The FishAmerica Foundation empowers ASA to unite the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government natural resource agencies, corporations and foundations to make a significant impact on sportfish habitat conservation, fishing participation and fisheries research. Since 1983, the Foundation has awarded $12.1 million to 1,050 projects in all fifty states and Canada to improve sportfishing opportunities and help ensure recreational fishing’s future.
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