Recent News
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ICAST Hotel Scams!
ASA has received reports of unauthorized companies contacting attendees to help with hotel reservations. These companies are not affiliated with ICAST or the official event hotels and are not authorized to book rooms on our behalf.
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Last week, 188 sportfishing businesses from across the country submitted a joint letter to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) urging decisionmakers to maintain the half-mile buffer for commercial menhaden fishing off the state’s coast. Despite the overwhelming support from anglers and the recreational fishing industry, Commissioners passed the Notice of Intent on a 4-3 vote. However, this rule making is not final, and LWFC will accept additional comments from December 19 to January 23 ahead of their next meeting.
Stay tuned for more ways you can make your voice heard.
Today, Florida requested an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from the Secretary of Commerce that would empower the state to manage red snapper off its Atlantic Coast. The announcement comes after years of hardship for anglers and the recreational fishing industry in the South Atlantic where NOAA has implemented short seasons despite lacking justification from fisheries survey data.
The EFP calls for a 39-day season in 2026 off Florida’s coast with expectations to expand following better data collection by the state. Full release 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘
Whether you’re chasing sailfish or salmon, Washington, D.C. has a hand in your experience and success on the water.
Meet your legislators, hear from key Administration officials, get informed about critical sportfishing policies, and make a difference. Plus, participate in behind-the-scenes tours of the White House and U.S. Capital as well as advocacy training for first-timers.Stay tuned for more information!
#ASAFishing #SportfishingCommunity #KeepAmericaFishing
The dangers posed by the industrial menhaden fishery to Gulf species is well documented. This summer, one study noted nearly 150 million fish unintentionally caught and killed as bycatch in 2024, including redfish, speckled trout, black drum, tarpon, and other forage fish species. Allowing industrial menhaden boats to move closer to shore will only make it worse.
Stand up for the 1/2-mile buffer. Tell the LDFW Commission to reject expansion. 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐈𝐎
🎥 @bonefishtarpontrust : Tarpon anglers fishing in the waters of Louisiana and Mississippi on August 28, 2025, watched commercial menhaden vessels set nets despite warnings from the anglers that a large school of tarpon was present in the area. The pogy vessels set their nets multiple times, and after hauling them in, the bycatch included tarpon.
BIG NEWS! ASA’s FishAmerica Foundation is now accepting proposals to support the sportfishing community’s Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate (R3) initiatives.
Grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 are available to ASA members, working alongside retailers, to help build the recreational fishing community, strengthen retailer engagement, and create new opportunities for growth — with a focus on angler retention.
Visit our 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐈𝐎 to learn more.
🗓️ Applications due by January 6, 2026
Fish unintentionally caught and killed in the Gulf as bycatch by industrial menhaden operations.
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Efforts are underway to prevent the use of lead tackle for fishing despite scant evidence that using lead has a harmful impact on wildlife populations.
Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
Striped bass are one of the most important fisheries on the Atlantic coast. In fact, striped bass are the most caught saltwater fish in terms of pounds by recreational anglers.
Feds want to close bottom fishing in the South Atlantic.
Since taking office, the Trump Administration is taking many actions on tariffs that impact the sportfishing industry, ASA is monitoring, weighing in with the Administration & Congress.
