National Fishing Survey of the US government (2006):

http://library.fws.gov/nat_survey2006_final.pdf

Here is some other interesting fishing rods and reels data and about the hobby of fishing.

I found some USA statistics that I consider quite interesting to know in order to grasp and understand the magnitude of fishing as a hobby. I think we could double the figures easily when we consider the rest of the world. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey showed that in the USA in 2001:

• more than 34 millions people fished

• about 84% fished in fresh water (28.4 mio people) while about 26% (9.1 mio people) enjoyed salt water fishing.

• Anglers fished 16 days in average and spent $1046 on their sport.
• Overall anglers spent $14.7 billions in fishing trips and $17 billions on fishing rods and reels and other equipment.

SURVEY 2007

This is some collateral information that I found quite interesting to know as well. The survey was in the USA in 2007:

Press Release - Southwick Associates specializes in economic and business statistics related to fish & wildlife. Southwick Associates was founded in 1989 to serve state fish and wildlife agencies as well as the sportfishing & hunting industries. From their north Florida offices, we continue to serve this core group, and now provide economic and business intelligence to many more.

Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products that anglers preferred most in 2007. This list has been compiled from the 16,258 angler surveys returned from AnglerSurvey.com last year. Here the fishing rods and reels data among other gears:

In 2007, the top brands and activities included:

- Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.7% of all purchases)

- Top reel brand: Shimano (18.1% of all purchases)

- Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (20.9% of all purchases)

- Top fly rod brand: Orvis (17.5% of all purchases)

- Top fishing line brand: Berkley (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game and Vanish (38.5% of all purchases)

- Top hardbait brand: Rapala (25.6% of all purchases)

- Top softbait brand: Zoom (15.9% of all purchases)

- Top spinnerbait brand: Strike King (21.3% of all purchases)

- Top hook brand: Gamakatsu (30% of all purchases)

- Top sinker brand: Bullet Weights (20.1% of all purchases)

- Top fly line brand: Scientific Anglers (25.7% of all purchases)

- Top fly brand: Orvis (12.6% of all purchases)

- Top electronics: Lowrance (55.5% of all radio or GPS and 35% of all fish finder purchases)

- Top tackle box brand: Plano (50.3% of all purchases)

- Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (46.4% of all purchases)

TIP!

The fishing rods and reels data above is thanks to AnglerSurvey.com which itself is a source of interest on its own.

Launched in 2006, AnglerSurveyhelps the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The list above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of information that is available from the complete survey results. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all U.S. anglers.

From fishing rods and reels data to the homepage