Recreational fishing has $82 billion impact
Nearly 25 million U.S. recreational anglers spent just over 127 million days saltwater fishing in 2006, reports USOBE (Ultimate Source of Boating Excursions), a national network of charterboat captains.

"Their expenditures on everything from ice to having their catch mounted resulted in direct spending of $31.4 billion." according to Don Campagna, spokesman for the company. "The industry itself creates 534,000 jobs but, the economic ripple effect is much greater--everyone from the bait shop owner, to the hotel operators, to the waitress in the restaurant benefit from fishermen. We estimate that their total economic impact is just over $82 billion. "

The top five states in terms of total expenditures (in billions) were Florida ($16.7), Texas ($3.2), California ($3), Louisiana ($2.9) and North Carolina ($2). As an additional benefit, saltwater charter activity generated approximately $6 billion in federal taxes and about $4 billion in state and local taxes.

Top Fishing Tackle Brands for 2008

Southwick Associates' AnglerSurvey.com announced the brands and products that anglers preferred most in 2008. This list has been compiled from the 22,486 angler surveys received by AnglerSurvey.com last year.

Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik

Top reel brand: Shimano

Top rod-and-reel combo brand: Shakespeare

Top flyrod brand: Sage

Top fishing-line brand: Berkley (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game, Vanish)

Top hardbait brand: Rapala

Top softbait brand: Zoom

Top spinnerbait brand: Strike King

Top sinker brand: Bullet Weights

Top flyline brand: Scientific Angler

Top fly brand: Orvis

Top GPS or radio brand: Lowrance

Top tackle box brand: Plano

Top fishing knife brand: Rapala