Momentum is building for the biggest buying event in sportfishing. In a few short months, thousands of tackle dealers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and media members will gather in Orlando, Florida, for ICAST 2026.
For 68 years, the annual gathering has drawn the collective sportfishing community from across the globe to a single location to see new products, make new business connections, and gain new knowledge. Over the years, the show has grown into an incredible destination for business owners. ICAST now occupies an area about the size of six soccer fields inside the Orange County Convention Center. It’s a sprawling, pop-up village that houses nearly the entire sportfishing world—including conservation organizations, angling-focused tourism boards, and lifestyle brands.
Last year, nearly 13,000 attendees from 75 countries met at ICAST 2025. And this year, show officials are gearing up to introduce new retailer-specific destinations on the show floor, like an all-new Retailer Lounge, an all-new Meet the Market event, and the debut of ICAST Live.
A modern ICAST brims with colorful stage lights, executive-level business seminars, and more product debuts than ever before. But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed much in almost 70 years of trade shows—it’s still about the deals. This month, the American Sportfishing Association released the first of a series of new short-form videos that speak directly to tackle buyers from tackle buyers. And the first episode’s focus? Deals.
Each year, dozens of manufacturers and wholesalers offer special discounts and promotions only available on the show floor at ICAST. From bulk discounts to complimentary shipping, complimentary marketing materials, cash prizes, and even once-in-a-lifetime fishing trips to international destinations, ICAST is packed with deals to give retailers maximum value in Orlando.
At ICAST, new products might be in the brightest spotlight, but tackle buyers are the true stars. Spotted on the show floor with telltale yellow badges, tackle store owners and buyers are the reason the entire operation exists. The cameras, the stage lights, the seminars, golf tournaments, bass tournaments, social hours, and after parties are all a celebration of tackle buyers. And at the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, there’s room for big box brands and independent business owners alike.
A New Event to Connect Dealers to Deals
This year, ICAST is introducing an all-new event called Meet the Market. Launching on Tuesday, July 14, Meet the Market connects sportfishing manufacturers directly with qualified buyers through pre-scheduled, introductory appointments. Think speed dating for tackle users.
Designed specifically for first-time buyers, exhibitors launching new products, and first-time exhibitors, Meet the Market aims to kick-start new connections that can build during the week and continue for years.
Meet the Market will join forces with ICAST Live, the new Retailer Lounge, and an expanded array of specials only available on the ICAST show floor. This year, show doors open on Wednesday, July 15, but the party gets going on Monday, July 13.
An Easy Trip for U.S. Dealers
Non-stop flights connect Orlando International Airport to more than 100 destinations within the United States, including fishing hot spots like San Diego, Seattle, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Madison, Wisconsin, and Nashville, Tennessee.
The Magic City welcomes an average of 75 million visitors per year, making this enormous gathering of sportfishing fans a drop in the bucket. That’s good news for travelers; however, as the city offers thousands of hotel rooms within walking distance of the Orange County Convention Center, as well as a sprawling entertainment complex on International Drive.
ICAST attendees lingering after the show will find themselves just a few hours from the Gulf Coast’s legendary summer tarpon run, a few minutes from legendary largemouth bass fisheries in Central Florida, or a short drive from other world-class inshore fishing on the Atlantic Coast.
Registration for ICAST 2026 is live now at ICASTFishing.org. Retailers are automatically entered to win one of five all-expense-paid trips to ICAST 2026 by signing up.
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