NMMA reports 2025 powerboat sales declined 8-10% to approximately 215,000-225,000 units, with 2026 expected to remain stable or slightly improve. Entry-level segments, personal watercraft, and freshwater fishing boats drove activity, while pre-owned boats remain critical to market access.
The 2026 boat show season launches with Discover Boating® New England Boat Show® in Boston and Discover Boating® Atlanta Boat Show® in Atlanta, both in partnership with Progressive®. The sold-out events feature NMMA member companies, dealers, and accessory brands showcasing new boats and marine innovations through Sunday.
NMMA's Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary through October 2025 revealed year-to-date new retail powerboat unit sales decreased 8.7%, with 202,994 units sold. Economic pressures from elevated borrowing costs and mixed consumer confidence continued influencing the marine market, with freshwater fishing boats showing relative stability compared to discretionary categories.
Effective January 1, 2026, Maine requires children 12 years of age or younger to wear USCG-approved personal flotation devices while on recreational watercraft. The Maine State Legislature increased the requirement from 10 years old to align with federal law and improve youth water safety.
Shimano North America Fishing, Inc. announced that President Dave Pfeiffer will step down on March 31, 2026, after 38 years with the company, transitioning to Vice Chairman and Executive Advisor. Senior Vice President Jason Livermore will assume the presidency on April 1, 2026, bringing over 24 years of outdoor and sporting goods industry experience.
Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area along the St. Johns River protects one of Florida's most important floodplains, connected to Tosohatchee State Reserve, Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge, and River Lakes Conservation Area. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, canoeing, boating, and wildlife viewing while spotting alligators, herons, egrets, and other species.
From 2005 to 2025, AFTCO and the Shedd family have contributed over $9.05 million to conservation through their 10% Pledge, donating more than $600,000 in 2025 alone. The family-owned company supports organizations including Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Coastal Conservation Association, IGFA, and the Center for Sportfishing Policy to advance fisheries, habitat, and ocean access initiatives.
The Senate passed the Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act (H.R. 187), which directs federal agencies to digitize recreational access information on federal waterways. The bipartisan legislation helps anglers, hunters, and boaters safely and legally access public waters.
CCA Florida, Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners inspected the S.S. United States, a 990-foot former ocean liner that will become the world's largest artificial reef when deployed this spring. CCA Florida is contributing $500,000 toward this conservation effort, with the vessel to be placed southwest of Destin.
A virtual program on January 16 from 12-1 p.m. teaches participants fishing equipment maintenance skills including respooling reels, cleaning, lubricating, and proper storage. All ages are invited to register through the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The 2026 Fly Fishing Show runs January 23-25 at the New Jersey Convention and Conference Center in Edison, featuring instructors Gary Borger, Mac Brown, Jason Randall, Landon Mayer, George Daniel, and others. The event offers seminars, fly tying, casting demonstrations, and theater presentations.
The BoatUS Foundation is seeking speakers for its Turning the Tide Summit in New Orleans, December 6-9, 2026. The summit will convene government agencies, environmentalists, marine professionals, and waste management experts to discuss sustainable removal and disposal of abandoned and derelict vessels and boating-related debris. Speaker applications are due June 1, 2026.
Effective January 1, recreational bluefish harvest limits increased along the Atlantic coast to five fish per day for anglers and seven fish for for-hire vessels. The changes reflect positive population trends, with North Carolina harvesting 1.6 million bluefish in 2024.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a Notice of Intent to establish fillet size regulations for Spotted Seatrout and Red Drum. Licensed anglers demonstrating two or more days on the water south of U.S. Highway 90 may possess up to twice the daily bag limit of filleted fish, with specific minimum and maximum fillet sizes established for each species.
Maryland's Department of Natural Resources reduced the recreational yellow perch catch limit from 10 to 5 fish per person per day in tidal waters and freshwater streams in response to six years of low recruitment. The minimum size remains 9 inches, and biologists hope the change will preserve spawning stock biomass and improve juvenile recruitment throughout Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a series of informational meetings across northern Wisconsin from January to February 2026 to educate the public on fisheries management and habitat topics. Sessions will cover walleye movement studies, trout habitat improvements, Green Bay restoration efforts, and other fisheries management topics, available both in person and virtually.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved a 20% increase in coastwide recreational Black Sea Bass harvest for 2026-2027. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is surveying anglers and industry members by January 19 to determine management measures that best serve New York's recreational fishing communities.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources increased the commercial fishing incentive from $0.10 to $0.15 per pound for harvesting invasive carp from Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake. The program has removed over 74 million pounds of invasive carp since 2013, with recent data showing population decline and improved management outcomes.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation released the final Adirondack Brook Trout Pond Management Plan to guide management of these fisheries for the next 15 years. The plan was developed from four decades of fisheries management research and public input including three information sessions, a focus group, and a 45-day comment period.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources stocked 648,557 fish across 76 locations this fall, including seven species at state hatcheries like Marquette, Oden, Thompson, Wolf Lake, and Harrietta. Combined with spring and summer efforts, 2025 reached nearly 19.5 million fish stocked statewide.
Popular bait-catching methods in Florida, include cast nets for shiners, sardines and shad, dip nets for grass shrimp and minnows, and minnow seines for covering larger areas. The article provides practical tips on technique, bait storage, safety considerations, and etiquette for anglers collecting their own bait.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Milwaukee County Parks, and local fishing clubs will offer free youth ice fishing clinics at four Milwaukee County Parks on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The beginner-friendly clinics provide hands-on instruction, safety information, and equipment for youth ages 15 and under.
Four new New York state fish records were set in 2025 through the New York State Angler Achievement Awards Program: a 4 lb. 1 oz. Fallfish by Alex Pidhorodeckyj, a 37 lb. 9 oz. Channel Catfish by Dylan Kampnich, a 6 lb. 3 oz. Brook Trout by Benjamin Furguson, and a 3 lb. 4 oz. White Perch by Yongfeng Tian.
Columbia River walleye offer year-round fishing opportunities that are challenging to catch and excellent to eat. ODFW's Marty Olson highlights the benefits of this fishery, including less crowded conditions than salmon fishing and the potential for trophy-sized catches, with Oregon's state record nearly reaching 20 pounds.
Brunswick Corporation CEO David Faulkes unveiled an 808-hp concept outboard engine at CES in Las Vegas, built on Mercury's naturally-aspirated 7.6L V12 600-hp platform. The engine's large displacement provides significant power gains comparable to high-performance automotive V12s.
Skeeter Boats introduced the WXR1910F, a compact bass boat combining refined tackle management, responsive handling, and deep-V design. Powered by a Yamaha V MAX SHO 200 and featuring a Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor, the model delivers big-water performance with enhanced fishability and storage capacity.
Flite, a Brunswick Corporation brand, unveiled Fliteboard RACE at CES 2025 in collaboration with Mercury Racing. The high-performance eFoil reaches speeds of 34mph and features custom RACE impeller technology, FLITELab surf foiling wings, and motorsport-inspired design for elite riders and competitive eFoilers.
The Gulf Council will meet January 26-28, 2026 to take final action on Reef Fish Amendment 62 regarding red grouper catch limits and Reef Fish Amendment 58A addressing scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock assessments. Public comment is welcome on January 28 from 9:15 AM-12:30 PM CST.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will host two public listening sessions on January 20-21 to gather community input on fish, wildlife, and habitat management on Lake Okeechobee.
BoatUS and navigation technology company Savvy Navvy announced a partnership to help recreational boaters navigate more safely. BoatUS's 740,000 members will receive discounted access to Savvy Navvy Premium accounts, addressing critical skills gaps among newer boaters through the app's smart routing and real-time data features.
Outdoor Action TV announced the addition of Best on Tour Breakdown, a behind-the-scenes bass fishing podcast hosted by industry veterans Dave and Jordan. The podcast offers insider perspectives on tournament storylines, tackle trends, and industry developments, available on the Outdoor Action TV mobile app and website in audio and video formats.
Major League Fishing (MLF) opened entries for the 2026 Road to REDCREST Sweepstakes, offering one lucky winner a trip to REDCREST 2026 in Springfield, Missouri, April 17–19, plus daily prize opportunities. Fans can enter daily through March 15 at MajorLeagueFishing.com with no purchase necessary.
Yamaha Marine announced six new anglers joining its 2026 Pro Fishing Team: Austin Felix, Andrew Loberg, Beau Browning, Aaron Jagdfeld, Tristan McCormick, and Banks Shaw. These professional anglers will compete across tournament trails nationwide, representing Yamaha's premium brand and serving as ambassadors for competitive fishing.
B.A.S.S. announced the return of The CAST presented by Bass Pro Shops for a third season in 2026 with seven original episodes premiering January 11 on FS1. The series features interviews with fishing icons including Kevin VanDam, Davy Hite, and Aaron Martens, along with B.A.S.S. Nation grassroots content and sport history.
Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour kicks off its 2026 season January 15-18 at Lake Guntersville with 51 professional anglers competing for a $600,000 purse. The B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 Presented by Mercury, hosted by Marshall County Tourism & Sports, features reigning Angler of the Year Jacob Wheeler and back-to-back REDCREST champion Dustin Connell.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks are sponsoring multiple ice-fishing events and tournaments throughout 2026, including the Mac Attack Fishing Contest at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the Lake Trout Angler Harvest Program, Steinaker Youth Ice-Fishing Derby, and Frozen Frenzy Ice Fishing at Scofield Reservoir. Free ice-fishing seminars are also available in Vernal and Springville.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seeks public input on its Beaver Management Plan revision through January 31, 2026. Comments can be submitted online, via email to DNR furbearer specialist Shawn Rossler, or at three public listening sessions scheduled for January 14, 21, and 28.
Everybody loves Destin’s Crab Island—but are we loving it too much? (Photo By Jeremy Thompson)
Lots of boats, lots of swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and simply fooling around in boats is a Florida tradition—and a good thing for fishing tackle producers, marine businesses, and coastal tourism. But in a growing number of places, the scale of those gatherings is starting to push past what the water, the infrastructure, and sometimes the people themselves can comfortably absorb.
On peak summer weekends, popular sandbars can draw hundreds—sometimes close to a thousand—boats packed bow-to-stern along shallow bars. That’s not hyperbole. Every open patch of sand or knee-deep water fills with boats, swimmers, coolers, floating mats, and marine stereos loud enough to qualify as mobile concert rigs. Alcohol is usually part of the scene, often in quantities that would raise eyebrows anywhere else.
I’m not anti-beer on a boat. But extended drinking in extreme heat, surrounded by hundreds of other boats doing the same thing, tends to produce predictable results—and not always good ones. Arguments over loud music, drifting anchors, public nudity, or simple bad manners sometimes turn into waterborne wrestling matches. When law enforcement arrives, citations and Boating Under the Influence arrests often follow.
Florida’s BUI laws mirror those on land, with one big exception: passengers may legally consume alcohol, but the operator may not be “under the influence.” In Florida, that’s a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent for operators 21 and older, and .02 percent for those under 21. In crowded sandbars, enforcement of that line has become a summer ritual.
Crab Island, just north of the U.S. 98 bridge in Destin, is the best-known example. Boca Grande’s version unfolds at Gasparilla Pass. Similar scenes play out at the Jupiter Sandbar, Peanut Island near Palm Beach, and Three-Rooker Bar off Tarpon Springs. These places have become modern Florida commons—part block party, part rite of summer—where freedom of assembly, public recreation, environmental limits, and public safety all collide.
The appeal is obvious. These areas sit in protected water, close to ramps and marinas, with shallow sand and clear water that’s perfect for kids and casual swimmers. They’re easy to reach and easy to enjoy—at Crab Island there are floating restaurants, and you can get out there via ferry service—you don’t even need a boat. But as social media amplifies their popularity, they’re being overwhelmed.
Open boats don’t have bathrooms. When thousands of people stand in the same shallow water for hours, basic biology comes into play. While tides eventually flush these areas, the nutrient load adds stress to already fragile systems. Trash is another unavoidable byproduct. Even if most boaters pack out what they bring, a small percentage of carelessness multiplied by hundreds of boats still leaves a mess that spreads with every tide.
Peanut Island at Riviera Beach has been attracting huge crowds of boaters for years thanks to the clear, calm water and proximity of the ICW. (Photo Credit Joseph Jackson)
As the crowds have grown, so has friction. These floating neighborhoods mix families looking for a relaxed afternoon with party-oriented groups focused on volume—of music, alcohol, and attention. That clash has occasionally boiled over. In recent years, viral videos have captured large brawls at crowded sandbars, with arrests following incidents involving bottles used as weapons and people knocked unconscious in the water. Law-enforcement agencies now routinely respond to calls involving aggravated battery and disorderly conduct at these sites.
Beyond the occasional fights and trash, safety is the issue that keeps marine officers up at night. Dense crowds of swimmers mixed with moving boats create a dangerous equation. Officers consistently point to impaired operators maneuvering through swimmers as the leading cause of preventable trauma. A propeller turning at idle speed is still capable of causing catastrophic injury, and prop-strike incidents are recorded every summer around Florida’s busiest sandbars.
Managing these gatherings is complicated by overlapping jurisdictions. Crab Island, for example, sits at the intersection of state waters, local authority, and federal oversight. The National Park Service has moved to regulate commercial vendors and require sanitation plans for larger operations. Elsewhere, counties and cities struggle to balance enforcement costs with public access. Okaloosa County experimented with vessel safety corridors, only to abandon them after cost and compliance proved unmanageable against the sheer volume of traffic.
So what comes next?
Some municipalities are considering vessel exclusion zones or seasonal limits to give habitats a break. Others are floating—literally—the idea of anchored restroom platforms to address the most basic environmental reality. Whether people would actually use them remains an open question.
What’s clear is that the “anything goes” phase of Florida’s sandbar culture is running into real constraints. These gatherings reflect modern Florida itself: more people, fewer open spaces, and natural resources under constant pressure. The days of discovering a quiet sandbar and keeping it quiet are gone for good.
That doesn’t mean the fun has to end. But it does mean the future depends on restraint—by boaters, by businesses, and by agencies tasked with keeping people safe and water clean. Without that, the places that draw these crowds in the first place may not survive the attention.
Florida’s sandbars are still extraordinary. Whether they remain that way will depend on how much care the crowds bring with them.
