How Would You Improve Fishing Shows??

[Bass Dude]

I think they spend too much time on lure presentation in fishing shows. For me, that's the easiest part of the equation. It's totally dictated by location, then you just experiment with retrieve. How many times can they show you the different ways to fish a jig or crankbait, etc. I wish they would show more of what they're looking for on the map, then what that spot looks like on the sonar, and how they go about looking and finding that proverbial 'spot on a spot.' They always show them idling for 10 seconds and saying this is the spot, then they drop the trolling motor and start fishing. Most of the time they don't even show the sonar, unless they are trying to do a commercial for Hummingbird or Lowrance.

How do you think they should improve on fishing shows....other than not making them commercials!

[38 Super Fan]

I'd cut out all the trying to sell you you stuff, trash talk, and guys trying to be funny, but I'm afraid that wouldn't leave much with most of the current shows.

[Gangley]

Quit trying so hard to sell something. If you look like a salesman and act like a salesman, the door is gonna get shut in your face like a salesman, or in this case the channel is gonna get switched. I've quit watching several shows because of that alone. It gets to the point where you dont even want to watch the show because its not a fishing show any more, its a 30 minute infomercial on Brand X

Dont get me wrong, I know you have to make your sponsors happy but JEEEEEZ, be real for 5 minutes.

If the product is good it will sell itself. The last thing I want to hear is "This lure seperated me from the pack and allowed me to win so-and-so tournament, ITS MONEY IN THE BANK!". To me, thats garbage advertising. The equipment I want is the equipment the pro will use when he's not busy trying to sell something, when he is actually out fishing.

When watching a fishing show, I want to see you catch fish, and I want to see how you catch those fish, and that will sell me on your product. The proof is in the results, not in the talk.

[outdoorsman110]

Make everything like Iaconelli.. Entertainment.

[shady oaks]

I was just talking about this with my wife last yesterday. I agree with the sales pitch, makes me go from liking someone to thinking they'll say anything for a sponsor. I personally would love to see them spend more time on explaining WHY they are using certain equipment, the benefits of this rod and reel combo versus another for example. They could cover each topic to help a complete novice to a seasoned pro. Trust me, it's possible.

[basscatcher8]

I'd like a show to be like the old In-Fisherman shows. They were nothing but explaining and applying the FLP system that they taught. There were a couple plugs here and there but not a ton like those guys do today with the angling edge. But the more you look at it the more it looks like that is what is demanded by the economics of TV today.

[Quillback]

I like shows that fish public lakes, and name the lake. I like to see the lure that's being used and the presentation. Give an expalantion why that lure is working. Talk about water temps/time of year/weather and it's effect on the fish.

If they're going to fish a sponsor's lure I have no problem with that as long as it's a named public lake. Shows where a guy is fishing in his private pond have no crediblity with me, and it won't lead me to buy whatever lure you're tossing.

And please, no screaming and yelling. As they say in football, don't act like it's the first time you've been in the end zone.

[Traveler2586]

Make everything like Iaconelli.. Entertainment.

That's NOT entertainment ! Just ask my granddaughter, a ten year old, she'll tell you and I quote "that man has a problem"

End of story...

[WookieeJedi]

One thing got me to stop watching fishing shows: the Color-C-Lector. About the same time, the helicopter lure showed up. That was it. I haven't watched many shows since. Some of my favorite shows were Jerry McGinnis, and Bill Dance. I still remember Bill Dance hammering big smallmouth on Pickwick. That was a great show. Jerry McGinnis' show was more about just enjoying the sport, with a little technique thrown in.

[slonezp]

Bass Dude, I think the problem with your theory is most average anglers want to see guys catch big fish. I also think thry would be alienating a huge part of the audience. I would guess the majority of the audience do not have boats to fish out of. If you spend 15 minutes teaching the viewers to find the spot on the spot with your electronics, and 5 minutes catching those fish(10 minutes for commercials ), those viewers will surely tune into another program that adds entertainment value. I also like the local lake concept. We have a couple local shows in northern IL and southern WI that do just that. One is a multi species show with a new episode every week. The entire show is a "Promote the sponser" plug. The second one is a bass fishing show, but all the guy fishes with is senkos and spinnerbaits. He catches average sized bass which makes me depressed

I would like to see Jimmy Houston give a largemouth bass a tongue bath like Joe Bucher's dog gives to a smallmouth.(FYI Joe Bucher is a smallmouth and musky fisherman from up north. His dog slobbers all over every bass he brings into the boat)

[Traveler2586]

I'm down to one TV show, Hook n' Look, and no longer go to the traveling fishing shows/expo's.

I like the way Hook n' Look show the sonar, how to rig and fish the bait, and how it runs under water. I most enjoy the underwater portion of the show where they show the fish in it's habitat and how it reacts to the structure, cover, and bait. They not only tell you where their fishing, but also give a tip on where to stay (OK, it's an ad too)

I would like to see them use something other than Strike King though.

During the last show I got to see "Big O" and his Space Monkey in action.

[j.bruno]

How about just plain old more fishing less bs ?

[outdoorsman110]

That's NOT entertainment ! Just ask my granddaughter, a ten year old, she'll tell you and I quote "that man has a problem"

End of story...

Haha I know.. I just like him and his yelling.

[basscrusher]

This is exactly why some of us love Lunkerville so much. No BS, just a guy who loves to fish, humbly trying to soak up as much info as possible. And that show isn't just for the newbies and bank beaters, either. Not all of us tournament fanatics need a 30 minute infomercial, or a technique seminar that's old news to those in the know. At this point, there isn't a whole lot I'm going to learn from TV shows...so I just watch for the pleasure of it. And Lunkerville does the best job (in my mind) of applying the correct philosophical perspective to the hobby.

So to answer the original question...get back to the basics.

[NCLifetimer]

Information, that isn't about products. patterns, why exactly the angler is doing what he is doing on that day(bc of this weather condition, this time of year, this temperature, etc...), general tips and tricks.

[Michael DiNardo]

In my opinion In-Fisherman , Anglers Edge, The Bass Pros and Joe Bucher have the best shows. My ears bleed when they tell me about catching bass in the winter when they are fishing in Mexico in short sleeves and getting a sunburn. Excuse me, I live in PA, that AIN'T winter. If they don't give water temp, depth and month they are fishing, the rest is useless. Just like with everything else a baseline is needed.

I also like the tournament coverage shows, but I don't group them the same as informational shows. I may have left out good shows that my cable system doesn't carry.

Mike

[tomustang]

In my opinion In-Fisherman , Anglers Edge, The Bass Pros and Joe Bucher have the best shows. My ears bleed when they tell me about catching bass in the winter when they are fishing in Mexico in short sleeves and getting a sunburn. Excuse me, I live in PA, that AIN'T winter. If they don't give water temp, depth and month they are fishing, the rest is useless. Just like with everything else a baseline is needed.

I also like the tournament coverage shows, but I don't group them the same as informational shows. I may have left out good shows that my cable system doesn't carry.

Mike

Reminds me when I lived in california, winter to them was sunny 70F+

I'll repeat but in better wording: Better hosts on many of the shows. Not lying about fish weights would help too.

[grimlin]

I'm down to one TV show, Hook n' Look, and no longer go to the traveling fishing shows/expo's.

I like the way Hook n' Look show the sonar, how to rig and fish the bait, and how it runs under water. I most enjoy the underwater portion of the show where they show the fish in it's habitat and how it reacts to the structure, cover, and bait. They not only tell you where their fishing, but also give a tip on where to stay (OK, it's an ad too)

I would like to see them use something other than Strike King though.

During the last show I got to see "Big O" and his Space Monkey in action.

I really like Hook n look too.I can still tolerate bass pro.Lately I've been watching River monsters.I also like Larry Dahlberg's Hunt for big fish.

Lunkerville is just too slow for me.....I cannot watch for more than 10 minutes before I feel like changing the channel. Although I love the concept he put into the show.

[Fish Chris]

Show me some BIG bass ! Heck, even the 5 to 8 lb'ers Bill Dance catches at the private stock ponds are not "real trophys".... well, for a lot of other states maybe, but most of the time, I wouldn't even break out a camera for fish that size, unless their was something cool about the catch, to offset the "not so huge" size.

I can probably count on two hands, the number of actual DD bass I have seen on TV fishing programs......

Have Butch Brown, Mike Long, Bill Sementiel, etc, do a show, where they don't even bother showing you the ones under 13 lbs And then throw in a 90lb Blue Cat for the bonus fish

^ That, would be a fishing show worth watching.

Peace,

Fish

Lately I've been watching River monsters.I also like Larry Dahlberg's Hunt for big fish

X's 2

Those Bassmaster shows, catching 2 to 5 lb fish just bore me to death.

[Glenn]

I'm not defending anyone here, just offering up some insight.

Producing and airing a fishing show costs money, and lots of it. The sponsors know that, and know people producing fishing shows are hurting for funding. So their sponsorship packages now come with a ton of strings. And it's more than just "mention our product name X times in each show." It's "Produce a direct and measurable increase in sales of our product by at least (insert a really high number here) percent, or we won't sponsor you."

And all of them are doing that. It's the economic situation we're in now.

But you can't blame the sponsors - they're struggling just to keep their heads above water, so they MUST make every dollar they spend count as much as possible. They can't afford to make mistakes. It's a viscous cycle.

[basscatcher8]

I use to like that show that ESPN had on called Day on the Lake was modeled right after the articles in the bassmaster magazine. Follow a couple pros around a lake for a day and listen to how they are breaking down the conditions.

I know alot of people dont like him but I have been getting into Iaconelli's instructional stuff he has done. He is real good a breaking down presentations and strategies. I bought his finesse fishing dvd and it has gone up to my favorites with the lindners dvd set I have as well.

[flippin and pitchin]

It's hard to find any fishing show that has balance, entertainment and instruction. I kind of liked the recent Major League Fishing series just aired. Each angler had to run the same boat, electronics and just go figure them out. That was good stuff. The Lessons show was the best. Each angler described their thought processes and described their techniques in detail. Did they show their sponser's stuff ? Heck yes but it was done in good taste. Glenn is spot on. Fishing is a business. The producers of MLF did a great job. I'm not a big fan of Marty Stone, but he did a great job as well. Kudos to him. I hope they repeat it next year.

[Bankbeater]

I agree with an earlier post about fishing in public lakes.

I would like to see if one of these pros could catch his limit in a heavily pressured lake that get hit close to 24/7.

[grampa1114]

I have to agree with Flippin and Pitchin...Major League Fishing put a little realism back into the tournament scene. Everybody was running an affordable boat, like us, and the deal was "no practice", just like the guys who don't have time to practice for the monthly club tourney.....and....they were all of approximately the same skill level, again much like an average local club.... x10...This was also the beginning of a very interesting scoring format. Fun to watch and some good tips were there if you paid attention. JMHO

Grampa

[Nosoup4u]

I know that this is a bass board, but I would like to see a little more variety, kind of like the articles in InFisherman. I'd like to see someone fishing for two pound bluegills and red ears, crappie, big carp, hybrid striped bass whatever. Like someone said constantly watching someone catch 2 to 5 pound largemouth bass bores me to death.