For most industries, lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions saw sales plummet and shop doors close, but the recreational fishing industry experienced quite the opposite.
Fishing was classified as passive exercise in New South Wales with individuals permitted to cast a line during lockdown as long as they socially distance.
President of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Stan Konstantaras has seen a huge take-up of the sport.
"We noticed when COVID-19 first hit and the lockdowns took place, that fishing was a legitimate reason to get outside and exercise," Mr Konstantaras said.
The Department of Primary Industries estimates around one million people go fishing across NSW each year.
While not all fishers get a licence, 470,000 fishing licences were issued in 2020/2021, an increase of 30,000 from the previous year.
"It wouldn't surprise me if at the end of the 2021–22 year that we see a bigger spike in participation in recreational fishing," Mr Konstantaras said.
Together with charter fishing, recreational fishing brought in just under $2.2 billion to the state's economy in the 2019–20 financial year, coming in second overall for primary industries output.
With the influx of new anglers due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Konstantaras expects that figure to grow.
Boost in bait and tackle sales
Mr Konstantaras said the industry saw a drastic increase in bait, tackle and boat sales during the state's first lockdown.
"People weren't going overseas, and we heard they were spending that money on renovations and buying new cars. But they were buying a heck of a lot of new boats and fishing tackle at the same time," he said.
Boating Industry Association co-general manager Neil Patchett said that has certainly been the case for their members.
Jason Isaac, owner of Ned Kelly's Bait & Tackle store in Port Macquarie, also noticed sales skyrocket during lockdown.
"We had an up in sales last year when the restrictions were first implemented," he said.
"That has started to steady off a bit now that other sport has opened up and other activities are allowed."
Mr Isaac also noticed more young people suddenly started to get involved in the sport, as other popular activities for youth were ruled out.
"I saw quite a bit of an uptake in the industry by that younger generation," he said.
Fishing boom felt far and wide
Adam Martin, chief executive of Australia's peak body for recreational fishers, said the boom is not only happening in NSW but across the country.
"It's the same story in New Zealand and to a lesser extent in North America and Europe. It's a bit harder to track in South-East Asia but from what I understand it's the same there too."
Mr Martin said tackle stores are struggling to meet the high demand for fishing products.
"In 2020, tackle stores across Australia were selling out of products; there was a shortage in Australia," he said.
Mr Konstantaras said as lockdowns continue, more people are likely to have a crack at fishing, but the task for the future is keeping the new clientele.
"I'd hate to see us come out of COVID and recreational fishing go down," Mr Konstantaras said.
"It's part of the culture of coastal towns, so we should always have people interested in the sport from places like Port Macquarie."
