The fishing equipment market worldwide generated a revenue of US$24.7bn in 2024. This potential market gives anglers and outdoor enthusiasts higher chances to earn money from fishing affiliate programs.
This article reviews 19 top fishing affiliate programs, covering essential details such as commissions, cookie durations, payment options, and unique benefits. Let’s see which brand will be your ideal partner.
TL;DR
We’ve highlighted 19 fishing affiliate programs to help you generate earnings from fishing passion. Choose the best program for you and apply to start promoting now.
- Pure Fishing (Commission: 10%, Cookie: 14 days)
- TackleDirect (Commission: 3%, Cookie: 30 days)
- FishUSA (Commission: 5%, Cookie: 30 days)
- Mustad Fishing (Commission: 20%, Cookie: 30 days)
- Discount Tackle (Commission: 3-5%, Cookie: 30 days)
- Hook & Tackle (Commission: 8%, Cookie: 30 days)
- Trident Fly Fishing (Commission: 5%, Cookie: 60 days)
- Bass Pro Shops (Commission: 1-3%, Cookie: 14 days)
- Academy Sports & Outdoors (Commission: 1%, Cookie: 30 days)
- Penn Fishing (Commission: 6-10%)
It can be overwhelming to run programs, manage affiliates, monitor performance, or process payments. However, affiliate software like UpPromote can help handle all these tasks effortlessly. Our app makes it simple for any brand to grow a successful affiliate marketing program.
UpPromote has helped brands all over the world achieve $1.1B in affiliate marketing sales.
Top 18 Fishing Affiliate Programs in 2025
Want to find the best fishing affiliate programs quickly? Check out the table below for all the details.
| The best affiliate programs | Program name |
| Affiliate program with the highest commission rates | Mustad Fishing (20%) |
| Affiliate program with the longest cookie duration | Trident Fly Fishing (60 days) |
| Affiliate program with the most payment methods | Discount Tackle (PayPal, Bank Transfer, cheque, gift card, bitcoin, Google Wallet) |
| Affiliate program with the most promotional materials | Hook&Tackle (Videos, product descriptions, links, banners) |
1. Pure Fishing
Pure Fishing leads the fishing tackle industry with a wide range of products for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. They offer everything from rods and reels to lines, lures, and accessories for anglers of all skill levels.
Their fishing affiliate program provides a 10% commission rate for each order placed. You have 2 weeks of cookie duration to get earnings if customers buy products via your link within that time frame.
Managed through Avantlink, their affiliate program allows you to monitor your sales and commissions through the platform’s dashboard. With PayPal and ACH, the brand provides fast and reliable commission payments to affiliates worldwide.
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2. TackleDirect
TackleDirect offers a wide range of fishing tackle and equipment from leading brands like Shimano, Penn, Abu Garcia, and Daiwa. The company engages with the fishing community through events, sponsorships, and educational resources on their website.
The TackleDirect affiliates can enjoy a commission rate of 3% for each successful order. The referral window lasts 30 days, allowing you to earn money on purchases within 1 month of the customer’s first click.
You can use their pre-made links or create your own links to promote products. Your link can be in different formats, such as banners, text links, product links, search boxes, and storefronts.
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3. FishUSA
FishUSA is a nationwide destination for fishing enthusiasts, providing a broad selection of gear, equipment, and accessories. Their expert team also shares the knowledge and expertise of fishing to enhance consumers’ experiences.
Managed through Avantlink, the FishUSA affiliate program offers a 5% commission rate for each successful sale. The cookie window lasts 30 days from the customer’s first click.
They pay commissions for affiliates through PayPal and AHC with support from Avantlink. You can place their pre-made beautiful banners on your site to attract more clicks and drive conversions.
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4. Mustad Fishing
Mustad is one of the leaders in delivering durable and reliable fishing hooks worldwide. They also offer a range of fishing accessories, including swivels, leaders, and pliers, catering to professional and recreational anglers.
The Mustad affiliate program allows you to earn a 20% commission rate and 30% in the peak seasons. You’ll earn commissions on purchases within 30 days of the customer’s first click on your link.
As a Mustad affiliate, you’ll gain Expert Voice membership and enjoy a 50% discount on all Mustad products.
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5. Discount Tackle
Discount Tackle takes pride in offering a wide range of fishing tackle and equipment at discounted prices. Their products come from top manufacturers such as Z-Man, Strike King, Rapala, and Shimano.
The Discount Tackle pays affiliates different commission rates depending on your site types:
- Coupon/Deal sites: 3%
- Content sites: 5%
You have a 30-day cookie period to earn commissions from the customer’s initial click.
Managed through Affiliatly, their program provides an easy-to-use tracking dashboard so you can monitor your performance in real-time.
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6. Hook & Tackle
Hook & Tackle offers premium fishing apparel and gear for freshwater and saltwater fishing. Their products feature breathable, quick-drying, UV-protective fabrics, perfect for improving comfort and performance in challenging outdoor environments.
They provide a commission rate of 8% for every successful order via your link. You may earn $9 for each sale with an average order value of $115.
The brand allows you to get earnings from purchases made within 30 days of customers’ first click.
You can access their creative collection and add various colorful videos, banners, links, and product descriptions to your website. If you’re looking for customizable creative to fit your website or some tips to optimize your promotion, you can reach out to their affiliate managers.
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7. Trident Fly Fishing
Trident Fly Fishing offers a wide range of fly fishing gear from top brands like Sage, Hatch, and Orvis. They also provide valuable resources to improve anglers’ skills, such as fishing tips and techniques.
Affiliates can enjoy a 5% commission rate on all sales when joining the Trident Fly Fishing affiliate program. You can earn money on purchases made within 2 months from the customer’s first click with the 60-day cookie duration.
You can leverage the impressive banners they provide to drive your audience’s attention. Their product data feeds allow affiliates to display up-to-date product information on your website.
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8. Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops sells outdoor recreation and sporting goods for hunting, fishing, camping, and other related outdoor activities. The company is committed to promoting sustainable outdoor practices to protect wildlife.
You may earn a 1-3% commission rate based on the item you promote when joining their affiliate program. They allow you to earn commissions on any successful order made within 2 weeks of the customer’s first click.
The company provides a diverse collection of creatives and content for you to promote their products. Their regularly updated newsletters also keep you informed about the latest product information and exclusive offers.
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9. Academy Sports & Outdoors
Academy Sports & Outdoors supplies clothing, footwear, and accessories for outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. The brand also has the naming rights to the Bassmaster Classic and partnerships with various sports organizations.
You will get a 1% commission from each successful sale when promoting their products. The 30-day cookie duration allows you to earn money for the purchase within 1 month from the first click.
The brand also gives you many text links and engaging brand images to help your promotion impress audiences’ attention and encourage more sales.
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10. Penn Fishing
Penn Fishing supplies a large selection of high-quality fishing gear, especially saltwater rods and reels. The brand’s gear holds more than 1,400 International Game Fish Association world records, making them renowned among anglers.
The Penn Fishing affiliate program offers 2 different commission rates for different partners depending on the type of promotion:
- Loyalty partner: 6%
- Content partner: 10%
The brand pays publishers through PayPal and AHC to help you receive your payouts easily. They also support your promotion with various banners and links to help you attract more audience.
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11. Phoozy
- Commission rate: 6-10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Phoozy uses thermal technology to protect electronic devices against extreme temperatures, drops, and water. Their products are perfect for outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and more.
12. Sportsman’s Guide
- Commission rate: 5%
- Cookie duration: 7 days
Sportsman’s Guide is an American retailer specializing in outdoor gear, including fishing, shooting gear, firearms, and more. They provide numerous items at competitive prices, along with exclusive deals and membership discounts.
13. EGO Fishing
- Commission rate: 6-10%
- Cookie duration: 60 days
EGO Fishing specializes in producing high-quality landing nets and fishing tools. Their products feature corrosion-resistant, tangle-free mesh for easy handling and durability.
14. Epic Fly Rods
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 60 days
Epic Fly Rods are famous for their high-performance fly rods with exceptional sensitivity, strength, and precision. Their products are made from carbon fiber and other high-quality composites to ensure durability and lightweight performance.
15. BassOnline
- Commission rate: 10-20%
- Cookie duration: 90 days
BassOnline is a leading provider of bass fishing guide services in the United States. Their professional guides cater to a diverse clientele, from casual anglers to celebrities and corporate groups.
16. Enigma Fishing
- Commission rate: 20%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
Enigma Fishing delivers high-performance rods and gear in terms of durability, sensitivity, and precision for anglers of all skill levels. Their rods are crafted using ultra-light Japanese Toray carbon to improve the fishing experience.
17. Cheeky Fishing
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
Cheeky Fishing has become a trusted name among fly fishing enthusiasts with their innovative fly reels. They combine advanced materials and technology to create lightweight, durable, and precise reels.
18. Berkley Fishing
- Commission rate: 6-10%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
Berkley Fishing is committed to enhancing the fishing experience with reliable, cutting-edge fishing gear and accessories. Their innovative products include the famous Trilene fishing line and Gulp Baits.
How to Build a High-Performance Affiliate Program for Your Fishing Brand on Shopify
The fishing industry is booming, with more and more families choosing it as a weekend activity.
The global fishing equipment market was valued at over USD 15.22 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.
For fishing brands on Shopify, this growth is a big chance, but it also brings tough competition. To get more people to buy your product, affiliate marketing can be worth considering.
So, what is affiliate marketing? Put simply, it’s a simple deal.
You give partners a special link to your product. When a customer buys something through their link, you pay them a small commission.
It’s a way to market your business where you only pay for a real sale, not just for clicks or views.
This guide will show you exactly how to launch your own fishing affiliate program on Shopify.
Finding the Right Affiliate Tool for Fishing Stores on Shopify
Trying to run an affiliate program for your Shopify fishing store is tough.
You probably find yourself juggling multiple tools at once – one for affiliates, another for customer referrals, and maybe even a separate spreadsheet for influencers.
It quickly becomes a mess. Everything feels disorganized, it costs you valuable time and money, and you can never get a clear picture of what’s actually working.
This is where UpPromote solves this problem by putting everything under one roof.
The app lets you create separate programs for your different types of partners.
For example, you could create a VIP program just for your top-performing YouTubers and give them a special, higher commission rate.
Meanwhile, you can have another program for loyal customers who just want to refer a friend, offering them a smaller reward.
The platform also helps you to track your affiliate performance in real time. You can see which affiliates are driving sales this week or which products they’re promoting most successfully.
Furthermore, you can automatically schedule affiliate payouts via PayPal or store credit. No manual work involved
And, with UpPromote’s free plan, you can launch your own affiliate program without any upfront cost.
Setting Up Your Commissions
Commission rates play a key role in how motivated affiliates are to promote your fishing gear.
If your commission rate is too low, your best partners will lose motivation. Instead, they’ll put their energy into other brands, and you’ll miss out on sales.
But if the rate is too high, you could end up cutting into your profits without seeing much extra growth.
Based on our research on over 125 brands in the fishing industry, we’ve put together suggestions to help you find the best commission rate.
Fishing tackle and consumables, like lures, lines, and bait, have high repeat purchase rates.
So, we recommend offering a higher commission rate of 10-20% to attract affiliates and encourage frequent promotion.
For example, a popular lure sells for $15, and your profit is $10. By setting a 15% commission, you pay the affiliate just $2.25 per sale.
You still make a healthy profit of $7.75, and the commission is enough to motivate your partners to promote an everyday item.
For your more expensive gear, like rods and reels, an 8-12% commission is the sweet spot.
This rate gives your partners a big enough cash reward to get them excited about promoting your best gear.
For example, a 10% commission on a $150 fishing rod is a $15 reward. That single sale feels much more exciting to them than the $2 they might make on a cheaper lure.
High-ticket items like fish finders, kayaks, and trolling motors have the highest production costs, which means your profit margins are tighter.
For this category, a lower commission of 5-8% is a smart choice.
It keeps the program profitable for your business, while the high retail price still gives affiliates a lucrative commission.
If an affiliate sells a $1,500 fish finder, a 5% commission still earns them $75 from just one sale.
Selecting the Right Cookie Duration
Cookie length is also an important detail affiliates often consider before signing up for a program.
Different products need different cookie windows because customers make buying decisions at different speeds. Here’s how to think about it:
Everyday Gear (Lures, Line, Apparel): 15-30 days
These are things people buy pretty quickly.
A fisherman sees a new lure he likes and might buy it that same week. He doesn’t need to do a lot of research or ask anyone for permission. It’s a simple, fast choice.
Think about your customers. They might compare two or three kinds of fishing line, then pick one.
A shorter cookie length matches how people shop for these items. It gives them a few days to decide, and your partner gets paid for the quick sale.
Core Equipment (Rods, Reels): 30-60 days
A $200 reel is a bigger deal. It’s not something people buy right away. They need more time to think about it.
They will watch a review video from your partner, then read other reviews, and maybe ask a friend for their opinion.
This whole process can take a few weeks. A longer cookie ensures that the partner who first showed them the reel will still be paid for their work.
It respects the time it takes for a customer to make a good choice.
High-Ticket Investments (Kayaks, Fish Finders): 60-90 days
These are big purchases. No one buys a $1,500 kayak in a day. People have to plan for it, save up, and compare different models. The whole process can take months.
A long cookie of 60 or 90 days tells your partners that it’s worth it to promote your big-ticket items.
They know they will get paid for the sale, even if it takes a long time. This encourages them to create great reviews and videos that sell your most expensive gear.
Recruiting Your Ideal Affiliate
With your program structure in place, the next crucial step is to find the right people to join.
Identifying Your Target Affiliate Partners
Before you can find the right partners, you first need to have a clear picture of who you’re looking for.
Fishing YouTubers & content creators are some of the most powerful voices in the industry.
Their greatest strength is that they can show your products in action, not just talk about them.
If you sell kayak fishing gear, fishing content creators can make a video showing how they install your fish finder mount on their own kayak.
Then, they’ll take it out on the water and show everyone how it works while they’re actually catching a fish. When their audience sees your product helping them succeed, they’ll want it too.
You can find these creators on YouTube by searching for keywords related to your products, such as “bass fishing rod review.”
Another way to discover them is on Instagram and TikTok by looking through hashtags like #fishinglife, #bassfishing, or #kayakfishing.
When you look at their channels, don’t just focus on the number of followers.
Instead, pay attention to how many comments, likes, and shares they get. A lot of engagement means they have a strong, real connection with their audience.
We’ve found some popular influencers for you. You can see if they’re a good fit for your brand:
- @JonBrollin (1.84M subscribers)
- @GooganSquad (1.07M subscribers)
- @ndyakangler (524K subscribers)
- @LakeForkGuy (1.04M subscribers)
LakeForkGuy’s YouTube profile
Next, think about the fishing bloggers. They are the experts who write the guides people trust before they buy new gear.
Let’s say you sell a great fishing life vest with special pockets. A blogger can feature it in a post like, “My Favorite Gear for Kayak Fishing.”
They could show off how everything fits neatly into the pockets, share some great photos, and talk about how easy it is to cast while wearing it.
How to Approach These Target Affiliates
Okay, so you’ve made a list of a few creators you’d be excited to work with. Now it’s time to reach out!
1. Direct Outreach
The best way to make a great first impression with a creator is to show them you’ve paid attention through a personal message.
The most important rule here is to be a real person, not a spammy robot. Don’t send the same generic message to everyone.
You should take a minute to personalize it and show them you’re actually a fan of what they do.
This little bit of effort shows that you’re serious and makes them much more likely to reply.
The right way to contact someone usually depends on where you found them.
When you want to connect with a blogger or YouTuber, sending an email is the way to go. It gives you a little more space to introduce yourself and your brand properly.
Say your brand is called “RiverRun Outfitters” and you sell awesome fly fishing gear.
Here’s a simple outreach email example you can use as a starting point:
Subject: Love your fly fishing videos! Partnership idea?
Hi [Creator’s Name],
I’m [Your Name], and I started a brand called RiverRun Outfitters. I’ve been following your YouTube channel for a while, and your recent video on nymphing techniques was amazing. You made it super easy to understand!
At RiverRun, we make top-quality fly fishing gear that helps people have more fun on the water. Since you’re so great at teaching other anglers, I thought we’d be a perfect match.
We’d love for you to join our affiliate program. Here’s what you’d get:
- A 10% commission on every sale you send our way.
- Early access to our new rods and reels to test out.
- Special discount codes to share with your audience.
If this sounds interesting, you can sign up and get all the details here: [Link to Your Affiliate Page]
Hope to hear from you soon!
Best,
[Your Name]
When you’re reaching out on more casual places like Instagram or TikTok, a short and friendly Direct Message (DM) is ideal. Keep it simple and get right to the point.
Here’s a great example for that:
Hey [Creator’s Name]!
I’m a huge fan of your Instagram page! That video you posted last week from the Snake River was just awesome.
I run a fly fishing gear company called RiverRun Outfitters, and I think your followers would really love our stuff. We’d be thrilled to have you in our affiliate program!
You’d get a 10% commission and a chance to try our new gear before anyone else.
Let me know if that sounds cool, and I can send you the link with all the info.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
2. Create an Affiliate Application Form
You should create a signup page on your site so people who love your brand can apply.
In there, they can find all the details about your program – how it works, its benefits, and how partners can get started.
As a top affiliate app for Shopify, UpPromote lets you create a professional registration page in minutes.
The best part is that you can completely customize this page to match your brand’s look and feel.
You can change the colors, add your logo, and even choose from different layouts (Basic, Comfort, and Trendy).
Here is an example of the basic affiliate signup form.
UpPromote’s Affiliate Signup Form – Basic Template
Besides essential information, you can add custom questions to the signup form. It lets you learn more about applicants before you approve them and helps you find the perfect partners.
Here are the key questions you should add to your form:
- What type of fishing do you specialize in?
- Please share links to your primary social media channels or blog.
- How do you plan to promote our products?
With these questions, you’ll know if their niche matches your products. If you sell bass fishing gear, you want affiliates who are experts in bass fishing.
In addition, you can also get a quick look at their promotional strategy. You should focus on partners who enjoy creating attractive content, instead of those who only post a link and forget about it.
Providing Your Partners with High-Impact Promotional Tools
Giving your partners the right tools is the best way to ensure your Shopify brand always looks professional and consistent.
You can create a central library of ready-to-use marketing materials that they can easily access.
It can save them a ton of time searching for content. Moreover, you can ensure they are always using your best, brand-approved images and messaging.
For example, with UpPromote’s Media Gallery, you can upload everything they need in one place: high-quality photos of your lures, videos of your rods in action, and official brand logos.
Another amazing tool you can give affiliates is personalized discount codes.
That way, affiliates can drive more sales, as customers feel they’re getting an exclusive deal that’s exclusive to that affiliate.
With UpPromote, you can create custom coupon codes with ease.
You can decide if the coupon gives a percentage off, a fixed dollar amount, or even free shipping.
Moreover, the app can help you automate code generation based on preset rules. Affiliates will get exclusive coupons as soon as they join the program.
For example, you could set the code to {affiliate_first_name}10OFF. Then, when a new partner named Sarah joins your program, she will instantly get her own unique coupon code: SARAH10OFF.
Encouraging Your Affiliates to Boost More Sales
Keeping your affiliates motivated is the key to encouraging them to sell more and stay with your fishing affiliate program for a long time.
When your partners feel valued, they’re more likely to put in the extra effort that helps your business grow.
A great way to motivate affiliates is to offer a higher commission rate when they drive more sales for your Shopify store.
UpPromote’s Auto-tier Commission can automate the entire process for you.
You can create different programs, and the system will automatically move your affiliates up as they hit the targets you have set.
For example, you could create a structure with three levels.
Everyone would start at Level 1, earning an 8% commission on all of their sales.
Once a partner generates $2,000 in sales, the program automatically bumps them up to Level 2. They will then earn a higher 10% commission on all new sales.
If they keep performing well and reach a sales total of $5,000, they are moved to Level 3, where their commission rate increases to 12% for all future sales.
Additionally, you can offer your partners attractive bonuses when they reach a specific performance goal.
In UpPromote, you can set up bonuses based on the number of referrals, total sales, or the total commission they’ve earned.
You can also set up rules for one-time or even recurring bonuses.
For example, you can offer a $50 bonus every time an affiliate refers 15 sales.
Conclusion
Setting up an affiliate program is a game-changing strategy for any fishing brand on Shopify.
By creating an attractive commission structure, recruiting the right partners, and using a powerful tool like UpPromote to manage and motivate them, you can build a program that drives significant sales.
Now it’s time to put these strategies into action and watch your fishing store reel in success with the help of UpPromote affiliate marketing.
FAQs
1) What are Fishing Affiliate Programs?
They’re partnerships where you promote fishing products (rods, reels, lures, tackle, apparel, kayaks, electronics) and earn a commission on sales tracked via links or coupon codes.
2) What commission rates are typical in the fishing niche?
Common ranges are 5–15% for DTC brands; higher for digital products (courses, apps) and lower (1–4%) for marketplace programs. Some offer hybrid or tiered rates.
3) What content converts best in fishing?
“Best X for Y” buyer guides (e.g., bass lures), seasonal kits, technique tutorials, comparison tables, on-water tests, rigging/how-to, and gear lists for species or locations.
4) How do I evaluate a fishing program’s quality?
Look for: commission %, EPC/CR, cookie window, average order value, allowed traffic, product margins, payout speed/methods, and affiliate support (assets, feeds, direct manager).
5) Which platforms do fishing brands use?
Common: Shopify apps, Impact, CJ, ShareASale, Refersion, PartnerStack, or custom in-house tools.
6) What core features should an affiliate app have for a fishing store?
Link + coupon tracking, multi-channel attribution, tiered commissions, product-level rates, fraud controls, VAT/tax support, PayPal/transfer payouts, UTM passthrough, API/webhooks, and influencer tools (vanity codes, link shortener, media kit).
7) Where do I find fishing affiliates?
Start with YouTube anglers, TikTok/Instagram creators, Facebook groups, Reddit subs (r/Fishing, r/BassFishing), fishing forums, and niche blogs. Also check customers with high AOV or repeat buys.
8) What content briefs convert for fishing gear?
“Best setup for [species/technique],” seasonal buying guides, side-by-side comparisons, “what’s in my tackle box,” on-water test videos, and bundle/kit spotlights.
Ellie Tran, a seasoned SEO content writer with three years of experience in the eCommerce world. Being a part of the UpPromote team, Ellie wants to assist Shopify merchants in achieving success through useful content & actionable insights. Ellie's commitment to learning never stops; she's always eager to gain more knowledge about SEO and content marketing to create valuable content for users. When she's not working on content, Ellie enjoys baking and exploring new places.
