Most fishing innovators are still operating under assumptions, but one breakthrough at ICAST could change everything.

Angie Thompson sits down with Toby Lapinski, editor of Fishing Tackle Retaler and Bobby Thompson, editor of The Fishing Wire, to talk about trends shaping the industry— from AI-driven marketing to game-changing new gear — and share the secret sauce behind the year's most surprising innovations.

This episode unpacks what’s new in fishing technology: the unexpected rise of anti-backlash reels that tap into reel energy, the mysterious success of urchin-shaped baits, and the future of AI transforming how retailers connect with anglers.

You’ll discover how regional tactics like Sputniks reveal overlooked growth opportunities and why some innovations are quietly yet exponentially shifting the market.

If you’re curious about what’s next for the fishing industry and how to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape, this episode is your front-row seat. We dive into what we are looking out for at ICAST, exploring the surprises that could dominate the show—and your business. Whether you're a retailer craving insider intel or an angler eager for the latest tech, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.

Plus, we discuss how small businesses can leverage new technologies—like AI—to amplify their reach and outsmart the giants. With insights from longtime industry insiders and perspectives on regional trends, you'll learn what to watch out for and how to capitalize on the coming waves of innovation.

Perfect for anyone looking to capitalize on the latest in fishing tech, retail strategies, or industry insights, this episode arms you with the knowledge to make smarter moves—before the next big thing hits the water. Don’t miss out on the secrets that could shape your year ahead.

#FishingTackle #ICAST2026 #FishingBusiness

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I got a chance to talk to Trevor McKinney at the G Loomis media event at the Bassmaster Classic in Ft Worth on the night before the tournament started. Trevor won the 2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series in November of 2020 which qualified him for a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

Trevor is sponsored by G Loomis and Shimano and other A+ brands such as Rapala.

McKinney talks with us about how his business relationship with Shimano began and how he also developed a relationship with Rapala as a college student.

As a college angler, the Bassmaster Classic can be overwhelming and Trevor talks about his mindset going into the biggest fishing tournament in the world and about how to work with the cameraman who might be in the boat with him.

He also talks about how to learn from mistakes and how to make sure the time is right before you make the jump to the highest level of professional fishing.

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At the 2021 Bassmaster Classic in Ft Worth, I was invited to a G Loomis event where I had the chance to sit down with Elite pro Jeff "Gussy" Gufstafson, who was fishing the biggest event in fishing but still took the time to talk.

We talked about how to keep your game face and avoid the distractions of the hype of the Classic and how to take advantage of the event from a business standpoint.

Gussy says he's "a regular guy" but I have to disagree with that....he's an extraordinary guy. The audio is not great on this episode but the content is!

CONNECT WITH GUSSY
https://www.facebook.com/gussyoutdoors
https://www.instagram.com/gussyoutdoors/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8kGwfaUSdjND1act7kZjA?

If you're starting out, don't forget how important it is to build you brand. I can help you get started.

Download my free resource "Developing Your Personal Brand" at

https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/brandworkbook

CONNECT WITH ME

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fishing-business-podcast/id1507041192

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishingbusinesspodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/fishnchik/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishingbusinesspodcast

https://www.facebook.com/angie.l.thompson/

#bassmasterclassic #jeffgustafson #gussy #fishingpodcast

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This week my friend Dena Vick joins me to talk about what to do when things go wrong.

Dena is a Public Relations executive who owns an agency called King Eider Communications and works with some of the top fishing brands in the country on their Public Relations.

We talk about quite a few things today such as:

- What to do when you've publicly made a mistake
- Why we might want to avoid talking about politics
- How to decide whether you should post something that might be considered a rant
- How to handle a situation when you've done well in a tournament but weren't using your sponsors products
- How to gain confidence with speaking to the media
- What to do if you misspeak on stage
- How to make up for not mentioning someone important in an interview
- How to handle sponsor mentions so that you're not reading a laundry list of brands

This conversation is full of really helpful, actionable advice from someone who gets paid to work with brands for this same insight. Listen to this with an eye to the future in case you ever find yourself in a situation where things have gone wrong and you're just not sure what to do.

CONNECT WITH DENA
https://www.facebook.com/KingEiderPR
https://www.linkedin.com/company/king-eider-communications-llc/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8kGwfaUSdjND1act7kZjA?

If you're starting out, don't forget how important it is to build you brand. I can help you get started.

Download my free resource "Developing Your Personal Brand" at

https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/brandworkbook

Website: https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/

CONNECT WITH ME

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fishing-business-podcast/id1507041192

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishingbusinesspodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/fishnchik/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishingbusinesspodcast

https://www.facebook.com/angie.l.thompson/

#sponsorship #PR #fishingpodcast

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Rick Horrow is an expert of Sports Law, and in fact he pioneered the field. He also blazed a trail for public/private partnerships to fund development of stadiums, arenas, performing arts venues and other infrastructure. Then to top that off he developed the framework for selling naming rights to those structures. He's done over 100 deals worth more than $20 billion in branding concepts that have enticed more than $4 billion in corporate funding to cities and development projects.

I tell you all this to say....Rick knows how to make a deal.

Whether you are an aspiring pro angler or exploring a new job or role in the fishing industry, negotiating skills are important. Many times I hear people express fear over the negotiating process but if you take a little time to learn the basics of negotiation you will feel more confident when it's time to come to the table to make a deal.

I met Rick 12 years ago when I was one of the producers on his television show The Sports Take. That show isn't on the air anymore but you can see Rick on CNN, ESPN, Fox and many other networks whenever there is a story about the business side of sports and the networks need an expert. They call in the big gun - Rick Horrow.

I thought Rick would be a great person for you to hear from on 3 Negotiating Skills Everyone Can Develop. Rick has literally written the book on Sports Business and you'll find out more about that in this episode.

CONNECT WITH RICK HORROW
https://twitter.com/RickHorrow

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1044502904

Rick's Book
The Sport Business Handbook
https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Business-Handbook-Insights-Industry/dp/1492543101/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rick+horrow&qid=1621525128&sr=8-1

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8kGwfaUSdjND1act7kZjA?

If you're starting out, don't forget how important it is to build you brand. I can help you get started.

Download my free resource "Developing Your Personal Brand" at

https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/brandworkbook

Website: https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/

CONNECT WITH ME

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fishing-business-podcast/id1507041192

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishingbusinesspodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/fishnchik/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishingbusinesspodcast

https://www.facebook.com/angie.l.thompson/

#sponsorship #negotiatingskills #fishingpodcast

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Gary Morgenstern is an expert on content and how to figure out what kind of content your audience wants to consume.

He has worked in television programming for the entirety of his decades long career. I worked with him when he was director of programming for ESPN Outdoors and his current role is Senior Vice President of Programming for SportsNet New York.

In many ways our social media is like our own personal TV network. We make decisions every time we create content & those decisions are not unlike what TV network programming executives decide in their roles. Whether you are an aspiring pro angler, a brand or manufacturer or just an individual who cares about your reputation, you decide what content you share and how you express your (brand) voice.

So I thought it would be beneficial for all of us to hear how a highly successful television network programming executive made decisions about what content to program. With the cost of television airtime in the figures with many, many zeros, there is a lot at stake for them. They have to be extremely smart and well prepared to make those choices.

Listen to this conversation as if you were the programming director of your own personal channel because you know what? You are!

We can all learn a lot from Gary Morgenstern and we're lucky he's so generous in sharing his insight.

Subscribe to my channel here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8kGwfaUSdjND1act7kZjA?

If you're starting out, don't forget how important it is to build you brand. I can help you get started.

Download my free resource "Developing Your Personal Brand" at

https://www.fishingbusinessschool.com/brandworkbook

Find me on social media.

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fishing-business-podcast/id1507041192

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishingbusinesspodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/fishnchik/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishingbusinesspodcast

https://www.facebook.com/angie.l.thompson/

#fishingsponsors #fishingpodcast #fishingbusiness #bassfishing #largemouthbass #smallmouthbass #tournamentfishing

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Quick tip on how you can catch the attention of potential sponsors.

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Renaissance Man is a term used to describe someone who is good at many things, and defines the notion that humans should embrace all knowledge and develop themselves as fully as possible. A Renaissance Man is usually multi-talented, well-rounded, self-taught, and a gentleman.

Ty Southerland is a modern Renaissance man.

He’s a successful visual artist, a working musical artist and a singular talent when it comes fishing. His Youtube channel “Thirty Miles Out” has 50,000 subscribers and his videos get literally 300,000 views.

Ty has a mindset of abundance and that’s one of our main topics we dive into today. This cat is not like everybody else, y’all. He’s very unique and has a fresh point of view on so many things we all spend time thinking about.

Having a mindset of abundance means you focus on what you have and not what you don’t have. The opposite is having a mindset of scarcity and honestly there is a lot of scarcity mindset in fishing and in the world.

A mindset of abundance also leads you to being generous and gracious. Generous is one description of Ty Southerland that came up whenever I talked to anyone who knew him. He’s generous with his knowledge, he shares his locations, he tells people his fishing techniques….he’s just generous. He believes there is ore than enough for everyone.

And I agree with him.

CONNECT WITH TY
https://30milesout.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/30milesOut/

https://www.instagram.com/30milesoutyaktv/

https://www.facebook.com/30milesOUT

Mentioned in this episode

The Lawless Tide
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqD-eS-qRKsGi9LfT-4jiJA

David Goggins
https://davidgoggins.com/

Tony Robbins
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

Joel Olsteen
https://www.joelosteen.com/

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