IGFA 2026 Reel Into Fishing Camps Recap

IGFA’s Reel Into Fishing programs wrapped up their most impressive year yet, with 11 weeks of programming across eight counties in three states. The 230 participants from Florida, New Jersey, and Michigan, ages 10-14, took part in the three-day program, which gives them the chance to not only build their fishing skills but also see the opportunities that await them in the fishing industry. 

Continuation

The Reel Into Fishing program returned to the five counties that hosted a program in 2025. In Florida, Palm Beach County and Martin County each hosted a spring program in March and then a summer program in June. Participants heard from a variety of speakers about conservation, angling, and careers, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Biologist John Cimbaro and Conservation Officer Tyson Matthews, IGFA Captain Mike Holliday, danco Sports Captain Cody Baker, Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley, Sea Grant Agent, Dr. Vincent Encomio, and full-time Viva mate, Drew Wanczak.

Additionally, they had the opportunity to tour the following facilities: Michael Rybovich & Sons Boatworks, Crowder Rods, and danco Sports. Michael Rybovich & Sons Boatworks showcased the craftsmanship that goes into producing the last all-wood sportfishing boats, while Crowder Rods and danco Sports showed the details of not only producing tried-and-true products but also developing new ones that keep them on the cutting edge. These tours also gave them a behind-the-scenes look at the different roles within each company. In addition to the career aspects, participants received rods donated by Fish Florida.

They spent half of the first day learning how the rods and reels worked, how to rig them up and tie proper knots, and cast. Following their industry tours on day two, they visited either Indian Riverside Park or Lake Park Harbor Marina to fish from land. On day three, they got to put the culmination of their skills to the test aboard the Living on Island Time out of Boynton, Florida. These Palm Beach and Martin County programs are in large part thanks to the generosity of IGFA Hall of Famer Nick Smith as well as Dennis Levitt, who donated to both the South Florida and New Jersey programs, in honor of his father, the late Michael Levitt, past IGFA Chairman, Trustee Emeritus, and IGFA Hall of Fame Inductee.

In New Jersey, Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic County all continued their programs in August. They heard from Dr. Doug Zemeckis from Rutgers University, The Fisherman Magazine Editor, Jim Hutchinson, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Conservation Officers, Dane Bahrle and Anthony Ranaudo, about the importance of conservation, ethical angling, and career opportunities in the fishing industry. Participants from Ocean and Atlantic County then had the chance to tour the Viking Yacht plant, where they learned just how much goes into producing one of the most prominent sportfishing yachts in the world. Burlington County participants toured Barnegat Oyster Collective and had the chance to learn about not only the commercial farming of oysters, but the positive environmental impacts oysters have on their local estuaries.

On the fishing side, day two saw Ocean County visiting Wells Mills County Park while Burlington and Atlantic County visited Holiday Lake Park, where they got to use their new Zebco Splash Combos they had set up from start to finish on day one. For their boat trips, Ocean County was aboard the Debra Ann out of Belmar, New Jersey, while Burlington and Atlantic County were aboard the Avalon Lady out of Avalon, New Jersey. These New Jersey programs are in large part thanks to the generosity of the William J. Healey Foundation, honoring Bill Healey of Viking Yachts, and Dennis Levitt in honor of his father, IGFA Trustee Emeritus Michael Levitt. 

Expansion

Along with the existing programs, IGFA was able to work alongside new partners and expand the Reel Into Fishing program to three new counties, including one new state. In Florida, there were two new counties brought on. The first was Hillsborough County. Hosted in Seffner, Florida, participants heard from Associate Extension Scientist Eric J. Cassiano from the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory about fish biology and the benefits of aquaculture. They also heard from FWC Biologist, Gina Russo, about local game fish ID and all the different fields the FWC has to offer that relate to the fishing industry. Participants then spent the afternoon rigging up their new rods from Fish Florida and learning how they work and how to use them. On day two, participants toured the Bass Pro Shops in Tampa, Florida, learning all the different functions of the store along with how they work alongside agencies like FWC to sell fishing licenses. They spent the afternoon fishing on site at Bass Pro Shops in their pond. Day three saw them step aboard the Miss Pass-a-Grille out of St. Pete Beach, Florida, for an adventure into the Gulf targeting bottom fish.

Continuing in Florida, AMIkids in Pinellas County, Florida, hosted two weeks of Reel Into Fishing programs. Having experience in fishing education, IGFA was able to provide material and curriculum support so that AMIkids could then integrate Reel Into Fishing into their existing programming. Participants heard from different speakers discussing fish ID, estuary importance, and the importance of ethical angling. They then had the opportunity to tour AMIkids' very own boatyard before putting their newfound fishing skills to the test at the Skyway Pier and aboard the AMIkids marine education vessel.

Expanding beyond Florida, IGFA was excited to have a new state host the Reel Into Fishing program, bringing Macomb County, Michigan, into the fold. This not only served as a new state, but also the first non-coastal state as well. Participants heard from a wide array of speakers, including Michigan Department of Natural Resources Education Services Manager, Tracy Page, Michigan Senator Kevin Hertel, Captain Don Murray, Captain Shawn Elliot, and collegiate angler Tackle Box Joey, learning about all the different ways they are involved in the fishing industry both professionally and recreationally. The afternoon was spent rigging up their new Zebco rods and learning how they work and how to use them. Participants spent day two touring Bass Pro Shops in Chesterfield, Michigan, sharing a similar experience to the Hillsborough County, Florida program. Following the tour, they spent the afternoon fishing at the Brandenburg Park foot-pier. Day three was spent on the water thanks to the generosity of Lake St. Clair Walleye Association club members Bob Barnes, Shawn Elliot, Al McMurray, and Rob Kennedy, who were able to get all the kids out on Lake St. Clair for a day of fishing. Both the Macomb County and Hillsborough County programs were made possible thanks to a grant from the FishAmerica Foundation.

Future

With how successful this program has been, IGFA looks forward to its continued expansion. Hosted all over the country, IGFA relies on strong partnerships to make these happen. This includes the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension Offices of Martin, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough Counties; Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Offices of Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic Counties; Michigan State University Extension Office of Macomb County; and AMIkids. Lastly, these programs would not be possible without the generosity and opportunities from Dennis Levitt, Nick Smith, the William J. Healey Foundation, and the FishAmerica Foundation.