Anglers know the fishing world never sits still. Every season brings new gear, materials, and techniques that push the sport forward. 2025 proved to be one of the most exciting years yet—a year shaped by smarter technology, better-performing rods and reels, and major expansions in both freshwater and saltwater gear at Angling Sports.
Across Ontario, Canada, and the northern U.S., we saw anglers embracing new categories and refining traditional methods. At Angling Sports, we also expanded our offerings in big ways, including the launch of our saltwater collection and the introduction of Patagonia fly-fishing equipment and FXR clothing. Every day, we continue to bring in the newest rods, reels, baits, and cutting-edge technology so our customers always have access to the very best gear on the market.
Read on as we break down the biggest fishing trends of 2025 and how they’ve impacted the water.
The Rise of Advanced Materials and Smarter Gear
In 2025, innovation took centre stage. Rods, reels, and lures saw major upgrades thanks to new material blends and performance-focused engineering. This wasn’t changed for the sake of change, these improvements directly enhanced how anglers fish.
A few major gear improvements stood out:
Lighter and Stronger Rod Blanks
Rod manufacturers pushed materials science even further this year, bringing anglers stronger, lighter, and more sensitive blanks across the board. New combinations of high-modulus carbon fibre, reinforced graphite, and advanced resin systems have upgraded everything from centrepin rods to muskie sticks to trolling setups. Sensitivity is up, weight is down, and performance gains are noticeable for any angler who spends real time on the water.
A perfect example of this is the Daiwa 2025 Tatula Bass Casting Rod, which showcases how far modern graphite has come. These rods use Daiwa’s high-density SVF graphite, a material that packs more graphite and less resin into the blank to create a lighter rod with no loss of strength. The increased density transfers energy faster from the tip to your hand, giving near hair-trigger sensitivity for finesse techniques. The blank is built with the X45 bias process, which aligns graphite fibres at strategic 45-degree angles to stop blank twist and improve both casting accuracy and hook-setting power.
These upgrades were noticeable across every category, from centrepin rods to muskie sticks to trolling setups.
Smoother, More Durable Drag Systems
Fishing reels saw major upgrades in 2025 with better heat-resistant drag materials, improved lubricants, and more refined drag curves. Anglers noticed smoother startup, steadier pressure, and fewer failures when targeting hard-pulling fish like salmon, muskie, and saltwater species.
A great example of this jump in performance is the Daiwa Tatula TW 200 Baitcaster Reel. Built for heavy bait applications, it delivers power, control, and long-term durability.
Key features:
- HYPERDRIVE system for smoother cranking and longer gear life
- Hyper Armed Housing for rock-solid rigidity under load
- T-Wing System for reduced casting friction
- Hyper Tough Clutch for clean, reliable engagement
- LC Concept spool and Magforce braking for longer casts with big baits and fewer backlashes
Perfect for muskie anglers, bass anglers throwing oversized lures, and anyone who wants a reel that holds up when it matters most.
Improved Guides, Frames, and Handles
We also saw widespread use of corrosion-resistant components, reinforced reel seats, and redesigned handle ergonomics across multiple rod styles. These enhancements made long days on the water more comfortable and improved overall durability.
These advancements highlighted a clear 2025 trend: anglers expect their gear to be lighter, tougher, and better suited to long fishing sessions and the industry delivered.
Growth in Specialized and Technique-Specific Equipment
Just like 2024, anglers continued moving toward highly specialized gear in 2025. But this year, the shift was deeper and more refined. Instead of broad categories, anglers sought out rods and reels that matched very specific techniques and target species.
Two key categories led the way:
Muskie Rods and Reels Took a Big Step Forward
Muskie anglers are notoriously tough on equipment, which made the improvements in 2025 especially meaningful. Rod builders focused on balancing power with comfort, an essential combination when casting big lures for hours.
This year’s muskie gear included:
- Stronger, more resilient blanks: Rod manufacturers began using hybrid carbon and fibreglass blends that delivered the backbone needed for oversized rubber baits while keeping enough flex to control fish during boatside runs. A great example is the St. Croix 2025 Legend Tournament Musky Casting Rods, which use refined SCIV and SCVI carbon with updated resin systems to increase strength and reduce weight. The redesigned blanks also improve sensitivity and durability, giving muskie anglers a rod that loads smoothly on big figure-eights and holds up to repeated heavy-lure casting.
- More ergonomic handle designs: Longer butt sections, reshaped foregrips, and improved balance points made it easier for anglers to cast heavy lures with less fatigue.
- Reinforced gearing in reels: Muskie reels saw major upgrades in 2025. Stronger brass gear trains, higher torque retrieve options, and more advanced anti-corrosion coatings resulted in reels that held up far better over multiple seasons.
These upgrades helped muskie anglers stay on the water longer and with greater confidence that their gear could handle whatever their next cast connected with.
Spinning and Baitcasting Updates
Spinning rods remained popular for their versatility, while baitcasting rods continued dominating bass and pike applications. Across all price points, anglers appreciated lighter guides that improved balance and upgraded blanks offering greater sensitivity.
Angling Sports’ 2025 Best Sellers
These were the top-performing products that flew off our shelves this year.
Best Selling Rods
- Okuma Classic Pro GLT Leadcore Rod (8'6" Medium): The go-to choice for Great Lakes trolling, specifically designed to handle the weight and pull of leadcore lines.
- Daiwa Wilderness Trolling Rod: A legendary value-to-performance rod that is a staple for salmon and walleye fleets across the North.
- Abu Garcia Max SX Spinning Combo: A perfect entry-to-intermediate setup that offers high-end sensitivity and a smooth drag system.
Best Selling Reels
- Shimano Sedona FJ Spinning Reel: A versatile powerhouse featuring HAGANE Gear for long-lasting durability.
- Shimano Vanford A Spinning Reel: The ultimate finesse reel. Its ultra-light MGL rotor makes it perfect for delicate vertical jigging.
- Okuma Magda DXT Trolling Reel: Known for its reliable mechanical line counter, making it a favorite for precise depth control.
Best Selling Baits
- Lunker City Fin-S Fish 4" Minnow: A versatile soft plastic that mimics a dying baitfish—deadly on a jig head or a drop shot.
- Megabass 3" Hazedong Shad: A premium paddle-tail with incredible action, even at very slow retrieve speeds.
- Z-Man The Original ChatterBait®: The undisputed king of vibrating jigs, essential for covering water and triggering aggressive strikes.
Best Selling Tackle
- Eagle Claw Pickerel Rig: A Canadian classic for perch and walleye, featuring a two-hook setup that gets results.
- Drennan Float Stops: Highly durable and easy to use, these are a must-have for any slip-float or centerpin setup.
- Raven Ultra Micro Swivel: Small but mighty, these prevent line twist on light-line setups without spooking wary fish.
Brand Highlights and Market Leaders
- Patagonia Fly Fishing: New to Angling Sports in 2025, Patagonia brought sustainable, high-performance waders and jackets to our fly-fishing community.
- Daiwa, Shimano, and Okuma: These giants continued to innovate, offering reliable gear for steelhead, trout, walleye, and muskie.
- Chaos Tackle: Remained a leader in the predator market, delivering the big baits needed to land trophy fish.
Stay Ahead of the Trends and Shop the Best Selling Fishing Gear with Angling Sports
At Angling Sports, we’re proud to help you navigate these trends with expert advice, Canada's largest selection of specialty gear, and staff who fish just as hard as you do.
Looking to upgrade your setup? Discover the latest fishing gear and best sellers at Angling Sports today!
