Bait and Tackle Stores Trade Associations

American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA)

The U.S. fly-fishing trade group for specialty retailers, brands, guides, lodges and media; provides advocacy, research, education and networking tailored to fly shops and tackle retailers (e.g., AFFTA Confluence). 600+ industry members.

https://affta.org Membership: 600

American Sportfishing Association (ASA)

The national trade association for the sportfishing industry; produces ICAST, leads federal/state advocacy and market research, and runs retailer engagement programs that support bait and tackle shops. Membership was reported at “almost 900” in 2024.

https://asafishing.org Membership: 900

Archery Trade Association (ATA)

Trade association for the archery and bowhunting industry—relevant to many bait-and-tackle retailers that also sell archery gear; provides research, policy advocacy and the ATA Show. Membership exceeds 2,500.

https://archerytrade.org Membership: 2,500

Association of Marina Industries (AMI)

U.S. marina-industry trade group supporting marinas and marine retailers (education, certifications, lobbying, conference). Active membership reported at about 1,250.

https://marinaassociation.org Membership: 1,250

Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA)

Australia’s fishing trade association serving retailers and wholesalers; advocacy, promotions (e.g., AFTA Tackle Show) and member directory access useful to tackle stores. About 200 retailer and 80 wholesaler members.

https://afta.net.au Membership: 280

Boating Ontario Association

Ontario’s provincial marine trade association representing marinas, dealers and suppliers; 500+ member companies with advocacy, networking, Clean Marine programs and business resources that benefit tackle retailers with marine operations.

https://www.boatingontario.ca Membership: 500

Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA)

Statewide trade group for Connecticut’s marine industry; runs the Hartford Boat Show, workforce and legislative programs that support marine retailers including bait & tackle shops. Membership noted at 345.

https://www.ctmarinetrades.org Membership: 345

Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF)

South Florida’s marine trade association (owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show) providing advocacy, workforce and promotion that help regional marine retailers, including tackle shops; 500+ members.

https://www.miasf.org Membership: 500

Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA)

North America’s marine retail trade association for boat dealerships, marinas and marine retailers; delivers training (Dealer Week), benchmarking and advocacy. Represents 3,500+ retail rooftop locations.

https://www.mraa.com Membership: 3,500

Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM)

Nonprofit trade association for Maryland’s recreational marine industry; focuses on legislative advocacy, workforce and marketing for nearly 400 member businesses that include tackle and marine retailers.

https://mtam.org Membership: 400

Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ)

New Jersey’s statewide marine trade association supporting 300+ marine-related businesses; offers advocacy, industry events (e.g., Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo) and a directory that helps local tackle retailers connect.

https://www.mtanj.org Membership: 300

Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA)

Massachusetts’ statewide marine trades association providing advocacy, workforce solutions and promotions that support marine retailers including bait & tackle stores; approximately 200 members.

https://boatma.com Membership: 200

Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA)

Michigan’s marine trade association representing 350+ marine businesses; provides government relations, shows and education that benefit marine-focused retailers such as bait and tackle shops.

https://www.mbia.org Membership: 350

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

North America’s leading recreational boating manufacturers’ association; 1,400 member companies producing 80%+ of boats, engines, trailers and accessories—key vendor ecosystem for tackle retailers with marine operations.

https://www.nmma.org Membership: 1,400

National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)

Firearms industry trade association (producer of SHOT Show) with 8,000+ members, including many outdoor/sporting-goods retailers whose assortments often overlap with tackle; provides retail resources, research and advocacy.

https://www.nssf.org Membership: 8,000

New York Marine Trades Association (NYMTA)

Regional association serving Long Island/NYC marine businesses; offers boat shows, advocacy and member networking helpful to tackle retailers in the New York market; about 120 members.

https://www.nymta.com Membership: 120

Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA)

The Pacific Northwest’s largest regional marine trades association; 600+ member businesses and programs spanning advocacy, workforce, the Seattle Boat Show and business services that support retailers.

https://nmta.net Membership: 600

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

U.S. outdoor-recreation trade association providing market research (e.g., participation trends), policy advocacy and sustainability programs; over 1,200 member manufacturers, suppliers, reps and retailers—useful to tackle shops for insights and advocacy.

https://outdoorindustry.org Membership: 1,200

Paddlesports Trade Coalition (PTC)

North American trade coalition for paddlesports brands, retailers/outfitters and reps—relevant to tackle retailers expanding kayak/canoe fishing; launched in 2023 and began with 20+ members; focuses on research, safety, access and policy.

https://www.paddlesportstradecoalition.org Membership: 20

Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA)

Trade association for towed water sports (wake, waterski, surf); provides waterway-access advocacy, safety initiatives and business networking that can benefit coastal and lakefront tackle retailers; 250+ members.

https://www.wsia.net Membership: 250