Fishing is not only a popular hobby but also a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting, there’s always something new to learn and gear to buy. This presents a great opportunity for affiliate marketers to promote fishing-related products and earn a commission from sales.
In this post, we’ll be looking at the top 10 fishing affiliate programs that you can join in 2023 to start earning some extra cash. From fishing gear and equipment to apparel and accessories, these programs offer a variety of products that will appeal to fishing enthusiasts of all levels.
With the rise of e-commerce and online shopping, affiliate marketing has become a popular way for people to make money online. And what better way to do it than by promoting something you’re passionate about? So, whether you’re an experienced affiliate marketer or just starting out, these fishing affiliate programs can help you make a splash in 2023.
Fishing Affiliate Programs
Enigma Fishing
Enigma Fishing offers more than just fishing gear, they are a community of anglers that create products and sponsorships for fellow anglers. This unique approach sets them apart from the typical e-commerce fishing businesses. Their high-quality rods and reels are well-known in the industry and they offer free shipping on orders over $150 as well as a military discount. As an affiliate, you can earn a 20% commission on each sale referred through your affiliate links. Enigma Fishing has the highest EPC of all the fishing affiliate programs featured in this article. The 90-day cookie is another great perk, allowing you to earn commissions on delayed conversions due to their premium prices.
URL: Enigma Fishing affiliate program
Commission: 20%
Cookie: 90 days
Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear may not immediately come to mind as a source for fishing gear, but their PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) range is a treasure trove for fashion-conscious anglers and fly fishing enthusiasts. Their range includes fleeces, shirts, fishing gloves, shoes, shorts, bibs, tackle vests, duffle bags, and thermal cases for storing your catch. Although they don’t sell fishing rods, lines, or lures, they have a wide variety of items that most fishing enthusiasts will be happy to invest in. The only thing missing is the tales of your epic catch to tell your friends.
Affiliate marketers who promote this program will receive an 8% commission on all sales referred through their affiliate links. If you’re already operating in the fishing niche, such as fly fishing, angling, or deep-sea fishing, the Columbia Sportswear program is a great addition to your portfolio.
URL: Columbia Sportswear affiliate program
Commission: 8%
Cookie: 21 days
Boat Setter
Boat Setter offers a unique twist for fishermen and women looking for a different fishing experience. Rather than casting off from shore, they can rent a boat to take them and their friends or family out onto open waters for some deep-sea fishing fun.
Contrary to popular belief, boat rental is not just for the wealthy, with options available for as little as $240 for a half-day rental or around $40 per person with five friends.
With a choice of 1,700 boats in 600 locations, there is something to fit every fishing need and budget.
As a per-lead program, affiliates earn $20 for every booking made through their links. While a percentage-based system would be preferable, driving enough business to the program could lead to negotiation opportunities in the future.
URL: Boat Setter affiliate program
Commission: $20 per lead
Cookie: 30 days
Academy Sports & Outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors has an interesting history – it was once a tire shop that started selling army surplus in the 1930s, and later expanded to stock sports and outdoor goods in 1980.
For fishing enthusiasts, Academy Sports + Outdoors boasts an impressive selection of gear across its 250 stores, including rods, reels, lines, lures, fish finders, tackle boxes, kayaks, canoes, and more.
Their website also offers an ‘Expert Advice’ section filled with valuable tips and tricks on everything from smoking trout to choosing the best saltwater baits.
As an affiliate of this program, you’ll earn a 2% commission on each sale you refer. While their EPC is not the highest, their ‘Network Earnings’ score suggests that their affiliate program is generating significant revenue for affiliates.
URL: Academy Sports + Outdoor program
Commission: 2%
Cookie: 30 days
Forza Sports Affiliate Program
Don’t worry, we’re not trying to sneak an MMA program in here. Forza Sports has a whole section on their website dedicated to outdoor sports and activities, including fishing. This sporting goods company started in a basement back in 2008 and has grown to occupy a 115,000 square foot facility within a decade. As a result, they have plenty of space to stock a complete range of fishing gear, including lures, bait, fishing lines, rods, reels, waders, boxes, terminal tackle, and a lot of other fishing accessories. In short, they have everything that the typical recreational fishing fan needs.
Affiliates promoting this program will earn 10% of each referred sale, which results in an average payout of $9.55 per transaction. Additionally, their program boasts a 10% conversion rate, indicating that they handle their sales and customer service professionally.
URL: Forza Sports affiliate program
Commission: 10%
Cookie: 30 days
Sportsman’s Guide
The Sportsman’s Guide is well-known for providing army surplus, but what many people don’t know is that they offer a comprehensive range of outdoor sporting goods, including everything a fishing enthusiast could possibly need.
Their fishing gear selection includes rods, reels, lines, terminal tackle, tackle boxes, and apparel from leading brand names, along with more specialized products such as ice fishing gear, fish finders, downriggers, and trolling motors.
In short, they’re a one-stop-shop for all things fishing.
Plus, they offer free shipping on orders of $49 or more, making it easier for customers to save.
Their program is popular with social influencers and high-volume affiliate marketers, and it pays up to 5% per sale. However, the 7-day cookie can be a challenge.
URL: Sportsman’s Guide affiliate program
Commission: 2% – 5%
Cookie: 7 days
Legacy Food Storage
Legacy Food Storage is not your typical fishing affiliate program, but it’s perfect for anglers who are looking for emergency food and survival gear during their fishing trips.
In remote fishing locations, finding a good meal can be a challenge, so why not stock up on freeze-dried meals, first aid kits, solar lights, and even portable toilets from Legacy Food Storage?
As an affiliate, you can earn a 10% commission on every sale you refer to Legacy Food Storage, and with an average order value of $366, your potential payout per customer is $36.
The program also offers a 30-day cookie, giving your audience plenty of time to decide on their purchase. So, whether you have a survivalist or fishing audience, Legacy Food Storage’s program is worth considering.
URL: Legacy Food Storage affiliate program
Commission: 10%
Cookie: 30 days
West Marine
West Marine, originally known as West Coast Ropes, was founded in 1968 by boating enthusiast Randy Repass. He noticed that many boating supply stores focused more on telling sea stories than serving customers, so he established a store that provided quality products at fair prices, backed by excellent customer service. Today, with 240 stores, West Marine has become a household name.
For fishing enthusiasts, West Marine offers an extensive selection of products, including inflatable and rigid boats, fishing gear, and equipment. While this program has some potential downsides, such as a 3-day cookie duration and varying commission rates depending on what you sell, electronic items are worth 2%, anchoring is worth 5%, and clothing is worth 10%.
Commission: Up to 10%
Cookie: 3 days
Rapala
Rapala, founded by Lauri Rapala in the 1930s, is a leading fishing lure manufacturer, selling over 20 million lures each year worldwide. Their lures are designed to mimic wounded fish, attracting big fish to your line.
In addition to their award-winning lures, Rapala also offers ice fishing accessories, fish grippers, clippers, and scales, making them a great one-stop-shop for all your fishing needs.
Rapala offers free shipping on orders over $99, making them an attractive option for customers.
Affiliates of the Rapala program earn a 4% commission on all purchases made by new or existing customers, with a 6% commission rate reserved for sales of their ‘StrikeMaster’ product range. With a wide variety of products and an established brand name, the Rapala affiliate program is a great choice for affiliates looking to promote fishing gear.
Commission: Up to 6%
Cookie: 30 days
Phoozy
For our final pick, we decided to include a unique option in the fishing affiliate program list – Phoozy.
Phoozy offers specialized protective sleeves for electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops that provide thermal protection for the battery and even float in water.
This product can be particularly useful for fishing enthusiasts who want to protect their gadgets from the elements while out on the water.
As an affiliate for this program, you can earn a 15% commission on each sale referred through your affiliate links, which results in an average payout of $6 per transaction.
Commission: 15%
Cookie: 30 days
Conclusion: Fishing Affiliate Programs
Fishing enthusiasts can turn their passion into profit by joining any of these top 10 fishing affiliate programs. From the classic fishing gear of Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and Sportsman’s Warehouse to the unique offerings of Legacy Food Storage and Phoozy, there is something for every kind of fishing fan. By promoting these programs, affiliates can earn generous commissions on every sale, with some programs offering as much as 20%. With high conversion rates and a range of products to choose from, these fishing affiliate programs are a great opportunity for affiliates to reel in some extra cash in 2023.
