Fishing Reels Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Fishing Reels Market is projected to expand from USD 6.02 Billion in 2025 to USD 7.91 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 4.66%. Fishing reels, which are mechanical devices comprising a spool, handle, and axle attached to angling rods, are designed to manage line deployment and tension during a catch. The market is primarily driven by the growing popularity of recreational angling as a therapeutic outdoor activity and the increasing consumer demand for technologically advanced, lightweight, and durable gear. This surge in participation fuels equipment sales and serves as a foundational growth engine; according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, the number of Americans participating in fishing hit a record 57.9 million individuals in the year prior to their 2025 report, highlighting the robust demand for angling equipment.

However, the industry faces a critical challenge regarding participant retention, or churn, which threatens long-term expansion. While the sector successfully attracts new entrants, a significant number of anglers exit the activity annually due to time constraints, rising costs, or limited access to local waterways. This high attrition rate introduces volatility into recurring equipment sales, compelling manufacturers to continually allocate resources toward customer acquisition rather than benefiting from a stable, long-term consumer base. Consequently, this dynamic hinders sustained linear growth as the industry must constantly replenish a fluctuating customer pool.

Market Drivers

Technological innovations in durability and performance act as a primary catalyst for market growth, with manufacturers increasingly utilizing lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials and precision engineering to drive equipment upgrades. Modern angling necessitates gear capable of withstanding harsh saltwater environments while reducing user fatigue, prompting brands to innovate with carbon composites and digital braking systems that provide superior control. This focus on high-performance specifications directly boosts financial results for leading manufacturers; for instance, Angling International reported in April 2025 that Shimano achieved a 4.95% increase in global fishing sales during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, a growth largely attributed to the successful launch of advanced models like the Twin Power XD spinning reels.

Furthermore, the rising participation of women and younger demographics is diversifying the consumer base and generating new demand for reels designed for various skill levels and ergonomic needs. Industry initiatives promoting inclusivity have successfully broadened the market beyond its traditional core, stabilizing demand against churn rates and fostering a new generation of anglers seeking entry-to-mid-level equipment.

According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation's '2025 Special Report on Fishing' released in July 2025, female participation reached a historic high in 2024 with 21.3 million women engaging in the sport, representing 37% of all anglers. This expanding demographic significantly supports the sector's economic impact, with the American Sportfishing Association noting in 2025 that the industry generated over $230.5 billion annually for the U.S. economy.

Market Challenges

The most significant obstacle to the sustained expansion of the Global Fishing Reels Market is the high rate of participant attrition, commonly known as churn. This dynamic prevents the industry from establishing a cumulative consumer base, as manufacturers are compelled to rely heavily on constant customer acquisition rather than capitalizing on the lifetime value of long-term anglers. Since a substantial portion of the customer base exits the market each year, companies must continuously expend resources on marketing to novice users instead of focusing on upselling higher-margin, performance-oriented equipment to a stable, loyal demographic. Consequently, the market struggles to achieve linear growth, as revenue gains from attracting new entrants are largely neutralized by the departure of existing ones.

This volatility is confirmed by recent data highlighting the scale of the retention crisis. The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, in its 2025 Special Report on Fishing, revealed that the sector lost approximately 16.6 million participants in 2024. This high turnover rate destabilizes recurring revenue streams and forces the market into a cycle of replacement rather than genuine expansion, directly impeding the sector's long-term economic potential.

Market Trends

Product lines are increasingly fragmenting into highly specialized categories, with distinct reel designs tailored for specific techniques such as slow-pitch jigging and finesse baitcasting. This shift forces manufacturers to move away from general-purpose models, instead developing precision-engineered gear that enhances performance for particular species, thereby commanding higher price points and fostering brand loyalty among enthusiast anglers. For example, Angling International reported in May 2025 that Globeride achieved a 6.5% increase in net sales to 13.34 billion yen in the Americas region, a growth directly attributed to the expanded distribution of specialized Tatula bass series and sea fishing reels.

Simultaneously, brands are adopting sustainable production practices, including the use of recycled plastics for reel components and biodegradable lubricants, to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. This trend is reshaping supply chains as companies integrate circular economy principles to minimize their ecological footprint while maintaining the durability required for angling equipment. As noted in a February 2025 update, Shimano successfully implemented recycled plastic from manufacturing runners into its reel production lines in 2024, marking a critical step toward its corporate target of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030.

Key Players Profiled in the Fishing Reels Market

• Stradic
• Daiwa
• Creed
• GT
• Penn Spinfisher
• Pflueger
• Shimano
• Orvis
• Okuma
• LL Bean

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Fishing Reels Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Fishing Reels Market, by Type:

• Spinning
• Spincast
• Fly Reel
• Baitcasting
• Others

Fishing Reels Market, by Material:

• Aluminum
• Graphite
• Stainless Steel
• Others

Fishing Reels Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

Fishing Reels Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Fishing Reels Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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