Fishing's Future

What Fishing's Future does

Fishing's Future is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Shane Wilson on South Padre Island, Texas, with the mission of reconnecting youth to family and strengthening family relationships through fishing education and environmental stewardship. The organization delivers programming through a national chapter network of approximately 70 chapters across 21 U.S. states and the United Kingdom, organized as semi-autonomous local units led by certified volunteer guides (formerly 'Master Anglers'). Its core product is the Family Fish Camp event — free beginner-friendly workshops that teach knot tying, casting, fish identification, and catch-and-release techniques to families with children ages 5-16 — supplemented by a structured progression system (First Cast, Next Cast, Last Cast Family Events), the iCAN Initiative for families with disabilities (featuring a 25-foot Triton boat with retractable chair/lift), the iCATCH portable 20'x20' fish tank for urban/outreach settings, and the FFAP youth ambassador pipeline.

The organization's business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than transaction-based. Revenue streams include tiered corporate sponsorships ($100 General Support to $5,000 National Sponsorship, plus $2,500 chapter adoptions, $1,000 I CAN initiative sponsors, and $250 family sponsorships), foundation grants (RBFF Vamos A Pescar, ASA FishAmerica R3), and modest earned revenue from the 2ndCastSolutions gear recycling and conservation-ornament program (which ships used monofilament to Berkley and Blood Knot Ring for remelting and creates recycled soft-plastic ornaments for fundraising). Distribution is primarily in-person via chapters and event-based, with supplemental Zoom-based Interactive Online Experience sessions. Strategic partnerships with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Zebco provide state-level programmatic backing and in-kind equipment support.

Name

Fishing's Future

Legal name

Fishing's Future

Website

https://fishingsfuture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fishing's Future is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free family fishing education programs through ~70 chapters across 21 U.S. states and the UK, serving families with children ages 5-16. Programs include Family Fish Camps, accessible fishing via the iCAN boat initiative, the iCATCH portable fish tank, and youth ambassador training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation Education

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fishing Gifts, Collectibles & Licensed Gear Retail (CRAMALAO)

Keywords

• Family fishing education
• Angler education programs
• Outdoor youth programs
• Aquatic education services
• Accessible fishing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

South Padre Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Fishing's Future relies on donations from corporations, foundations, and private individuals. Sponsorship tiers range from $100 General Support to $5,000 National Sponsorship, with chapter adoption at $2,500, I CAN initiative sponsorship at $1,000, and family sponsorship at $250.
2. 2ndCASTSolutions Gear Recycling and Merchandise: Takes in used and surplus fishing gear, cleans and tests equipment, then redistributes to families, nature centers, state parks, 4-H Clubs, and Scouting units. Also creates recycled soft plastic ornaments (Sea Turtles, Redfish, Manatees, Sawfish) sold to raise funds. Old lead weights and rubber products are recycled; used fishing line is shipped to Berkley for remelting.
3. iCATCH Family Fish Tank Rental: The portable 20' x 20' fish tank can be rented for events, providing fishing education opportunities in controlled environments where natural fishing may not be accessible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fishing's Future is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free Family Fish Camps and hands-on angling education to families with children ages 5–16, plus adaptive fishing programs (iCAN), portable fish tank events (iCATCH), youth volunteer training (FFAP), and a gear recycling/redistribution program (2ndCastSolutions). Programs are delivered through a national chapter network of trained volunteer guides and via online Zoom sessions, and are entirely free to participating families.

Product overview

Fishing's Future is a national non-profit organization founded in 2007 that operates as a unified family fishing education platform rather than a commercial product company. The core offering centers on Family Fish Camps, supplemented by specialized programs including the iCAN Initiative (accessible fishing for disabled families), iCATCH Family Fish Tank (portable fishing experience), and the Ambassador Program (youth volunteer training). Event programming follows a progression model: First Cast Family Events for beginners, Next Cast Family Events for intermediate skills, and Last Cast Family Events for memorial ceremonies. The organization also operates 2ndCastSolutions for equipment recycling and maintains a Family Fishing Network community. The portfolio functions as interconnected community programs rather than a modular software platform, unified by the mission to reconnect youth and families through fishing education and environmental stewardship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Family Fishing Network (FFN): Network for sharing family fishing stories and photos from Fishing's Future events.
• iCAN
• iCATCH
• FFAP
• 2ndCastSolutions

Products and services

• Family Fish Camps Core educational fishing events that connect youth and families through beginner-friendly fishing workshops, teaching basics like knot tying, casting, fish identification, and catch-and-release techniques. Provided free to families, funded by sponsorships and donations, and led by Fishing's Future Certified Guides at parks, lakes, piers, and community locations.
• iCAN Initiative Accessible fishing boat program for disabled families, featuring a 25-foot Triton boat with retractable lift chair to accommodate wheelchairs and medical apparatus for family fishing experiences on Laguna Madre, South Padre Island. Includes all equipment, safety gear, and supplies; sponsored at $1,000 per family fishing day.
• iCATCH Family Fish Tank 20' x 20' eight-sided aluminum portable fish tank holding 5,000 gallons of freshwater, accommodating 14–16 people fishing simultaneously. Can be stocked with Bluegill, Bass, Channel Catfish, and Rainbow Trout for special events. Available for rent for controlled-environment fishing education where natural fishing may not be accessible.
• Fishing's Future Ambassador Program (FFAP) Youth volunteer training program for ages 15–17 that creates pathways for lifelong fishing participation and volunteerism. Introduces young people to fishing, provides AED/CPR instructor mentoring alongside adult volunteers, and retains them as volunteers and educators at age 18.
• 2ndCastSolutions Equipment donation and recycling program that collects used fishing gear, cleans and tests it for operation, then redistributes to families, nature centers, state parks, 4-H Clubs, and Scouting units. Also recycles fishing line (shipped to Berkley for remelting), repurposes old lead weights and rubber products, and creates recycled soft plastic Christmas ornaments (Sea Turtles, Redfish, Manatees, Sawfish) sold to raise conservation funds.
• First Cast / Next Cast / Last Cast Family Events Progression-based family fishing events: First Cast Family Events are beginner-friendly workshops introducing families to fishing with no assumptions; Next Cast Family Events are specialized skill-building sessions including fly tying and advanced techniques offered online and in-person; Last Cast Family Events are memorial fishing ceremonies honoring deceased anglers with shared stories and ceremonial casts.
• Interactive Online Experience Free online 40-minute Family Fish Camp sessions delivered via Zoom covering Basic Knots, Basic Fish ID, and Basic Tackle. Limited to 10 families per session; materials sent in advance for hands-on participation.
• Vamos A Pescar Education Program Bilingual (English/Spanish) fishing education program targeting Hispanic/Latino communities through family fishing events in Houston and Rio Grande Valley. Includes basic, intermediate, and advanced angler education sessions, kayak safety, fish preparation workshops, and family fishing activities.
• Newsletters & Downloads Quarterly newsletters and downloadable resources including DIY projects (PVC rod holders, easels, fishing journals), educational guides, monofilament recycling guides, and tournament materials. Published since 2020.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600,000+ individuals reached since 2007, with 140,800+ reached in 2016 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership where Fishing's Future volunteers support TPWD's Angler Education Program. TPWD provides certification for volunteer instructors. Fishing's Future was named TPWD Proud Partner. Partnership for Vamos A Pescar 2025 grant program.
• Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the George HW Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund grants. RBFF awarded the 2025 Vamos A Pescar grant to Fishing's Future in partnership with TPWD. Original promotional video created by RBFF in 2015.
• Academy Sports + Outdoors (ASO)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTeamed up with Fishing's Future Texas to put on ONLINE and IN PERSON Skill Sessions teaching families basic fishing and helping them shop for outdoor adventures. Chapter sponsorship at Austin, Brownsville, El Paso, Huntsville, Katy, and San Antonio TX locations.
• Berkley FishingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports monofilament recycling and environmental initiatives. 2ndCASTSolutions ships used fishing line to Berkley for remelting and reuse in the fishing industry.
• Texas Sea GrantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting monofilament recycling and environmental education initiatives listed in the monofilament prevention guide.
• The Meadows CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexasStreamTeam partner providing Monofilament Finders training and education. Listed in monofilament recycling prevention guide.
• Clear Your GearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine debris prevention organization. Fishing's Future supports their mission to clear fishing gear from waterways. Facebook page for monofilament awareness.
• Texas Brigades / Coastal BrigademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation education organization partnering on aquatic resources and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Montana Loon SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation organization listed as supporting Fishing's Future in the monofilament prevention guide.
• Blood Knot RingminorGTM or Marketing Partner2ndCASTSolutions ships used fishing line to Blood Knot Rings where it is melted down and reused in the fishing industry.
• Sea Turtle Inc. and Sea Turtle ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partners receiving funds from 2ndCASTSolutions sales. Organizations dedicated to sea turtle protection and research. Funds support adoptions, patients, hatchlings, and nesting programs.
• Conservation-Minded Lure Companies (Bit & Fight Angler, 3JD Lures, Knockin Tail Lures, Anglers Anonymous)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLure companies send discarded and faulty soft plastics to 2ndCASTSolutions for remelting into Christmas ornaments and fundraising items.
• Flatland Fly Fishers (Kansas)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKansas fly fishing organization donated used fly line to 2ndCASTSolutions, which was repurposed as Christmas ornament hangers.
• Havenworth Coastal ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSawfish research organization receiving funds from 2ndCASTSolutions ornament sales ($460 as of April 2023).
• Kingdom Zoo Wildlife Center (Chester Moores)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife center receiving funds from 2ndCASTSolutions Christmas ornament sales.
• ZebcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFishing equipment company whose products are distributed through Fishing's Future events. Zebco Rambler Telescopic combos given to families. Zebco Field Tester program participants share fishing reports.
• Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnered with Kansas Chapters of Fishing's Future. Partnership improved quality of KDWPT FishKS Program. Fishing's Future provides volunteer training expertise and event support across 13 Kansas chapters.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Broad incumbents

• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a larger, established conservation nonprofit with significant youth and family angling education programs (e.g., Trout in the Classroom, Stream Explorers). It operates nationally across all 50 states and competes for the same pool of conservation, foundation, and government grants as Fishing's Future.
• Izaak Walton League of America: The Izaak Walton League is a long-standing conservation and outdoor education nonprofit with local chapter affiliates that run youth fishing and aquatic education programming. It competes with FF for the same family/children outdoor education funding pools.
• National Wildlife Federation: NWF is the largest U.S. conservation education nonprofit and runs family outdoor programming (e.g., Great American Campout) that overlaps with FF's mission to reconnect youth with nature. It captures a meaningful share of corporate and foundation conservation funding.
• Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.): B.A.S.S. runs youth/college fishing tournaments, the CAST for Kids program for special-needs families, and conservation education — overlapping substantially with FF's Family Fish Camps, I CAN Initiative, and youth ambassador pipeline. Its larger national footprint makes it both a peer and a potential scaling benchmark.

Direct peers

• Coastal Conservation Association (CCA): CCA is a marine conservation nonprofit with state chapters that runs family-oriented fishing events, youth education, and habitat restoration, paralleling FF's chapter-based grassroots delivery model. It also pursues corporate sponsorships from the same pool of tackle and marine brands.
• Future Anglers Foundation: Future Anglers Foundation (a project of the American Sportfishing Association) is a focused fishing-recruitment nonprofit aimed at getting new participants into the sport through education and events. It is a direct peer in the R3/beginner-angling-education space and shares corporate-sponsor relationships with FF.
• Take Me Fishing / Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF): RBFF's Take Me Fishing program is the largest U.S. fishing recruitment/education nonprofit and a direct peer of Fishing's Future; both deliver beginner angling education to families, run R3 initiatives, and partner with state fish & wildlife agencies. RBFF is also an active grant-maker to FF (Vamos A Pescar), making it both a peer and a funder.

Emerging players

• The Fishing Foundation / Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs: Youth-focused fishing programs that use angling as a vehicle for life-skills and family bonding share FF's mission and target demographic. These smaller initiatives compete for the same school- and community-based programming dollars and volunteer pipeline.
• Parknership / Kids to Parks Day (National Park Trust): National Park Trust runs family outdoor engagement programs including Kids to Parks Day, which connect families to nature-based activities. It is a partial peer in the family-outdoor-education funding and programming space, though not angling-specific.

Others

• Academy Sports + Outdoors (Outdoor Foundation): Academy Sports + Outdoors is an existing FF partner and the retail backbone of FF's family skill sessions across six Texas chapters. It is not a peer in the nonprofit sense but is a comparable outreach vehicle for family outdoor education and a key channel for program delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fishingsfuture
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/fishingsfuture
• Xx.com/fishingsfuture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fishings-future

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fishing's Future