Decline In Fishing?

[CFS]

I have talked to a Dnr guy the other day and he remarked that Maryland was seeing record lows in fishing interest the past few years. I got a few ideas, but since you have been the hobby longer than I have, what do you think is the cause for the low interest in angling, bassing in particular?

[RoLo]

I blame it all on IKE   

[Jon G]

If I had to guess? Probably cost. For someone just getting into bass fishing it can be pretty overwhelming.

[bigbill]

The baby boomers are getting old.

I didn't get heavy into bass fishing till 45yo I'm 64yo now.

The larger sporting goods places have good buys u can find under $20 rods online. Cheap reels to start out with. EBay??

[paleus]

If I had to guess? Probably cost. For someone just getting into bass fishing it can be pretty overwhelming.

You could easily buy enough stuff to be catching fish successfully for less than $100.

[bigbill]

I could buy rod, reel, line some lures under $75/$100 max.

My PB #10 was caught on a quantum Wal-Mart reel, Shakespeare rod.

[Angry John]

The latest generation my son included wants fast pace instant gratification.  He along with many others also do what is cool and for some reason fishing is not cool.  Expense is an excuse because every kid i know has a cell phone that would buy a very nice setup and plenty of gear to have fun for a long time.  Am i upset there are less people fishing hell no.  I go out to enjoy peace and quiet.  Marketing is not a concern of mine and if people want to do something else then power to them.

[Jon G]

You could easily buy enough stuff to be catching fish successfully for less than $100.

You are absolutely correct. But you would be surprised of how many people think that is way to much, even just getting started. Take someone you know who has no knowledge in fishing to a tackle shop and look at their reactions to the prices on things that to us isn't that expensive. I've been in stores before when someone was wanting to get started and just could not get over a bag of plastic lures cost $4. Let alone something like a SK crank costs $5-$6

[greentrout]

I have talked to a Dnr guy the other day and he remarked that Maryland was seeing record lows in fishing interest the past few years. I got a few ideas, but since you have been the hobby longer than I have, what do you think is the cause for the low interest in angling, bassing in particular?

Changing Demographics...

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hunting-fishing/2014/08/04/Shifting-demographics-suggest-a-future-with-fewer-anglers-who-are-most-multi-cultural/stories/201408030210

 

The Old School Basser...

[NotnatsSamoht]

Lol my wife was like that when I got back into fishing, she thought a $50 combo from Cabelas was to much, now I got her fishing and when we go to the store she encourages me to go over budget for stuff.

[Cgolf]

Too many screens and other things for kids to do instead of going fishing. Every once in a while I do see and talk to some young kids that fish our local river and am encouraged that they are into it enough to be on the river at 4 am or earlier. Sadly though there isn't enough kids like that. Fishing is as expensive as you make it, one can shore fish a river below a dam and catch a mess of smallies on a skinny budget.

[Turkey sandwich]

I think that in general, a lot of people have moved away from the outdoors, really beginning with my generation. I'm in my early 30s and have plenty of friends who have never gone hunting, gone on a legit camping trip, or have ever really been fishing beyond their parents giving them a Wal-Mart Rod and some worms for the first day of trout or maybe a charter party boat.

I think instant gratification and excitement may play into some of it (no doubt there are more people skiing/snowboarding in Park City than fly fishing the Provo River) but I think other recreational sports, like golf for example, have better marketed themselves to younger people. And maybe some of it has to do with being social. Most popular sports/hobbies involve interacting with other people, even if over the Internet, and being on the water is something we often do alone or with just a few friends.

[tnt2671]

I would say in my area freshwater fishing has grown quite a bit in the last few years , I see lots more younger kids early teens through 20"s out there and many more of them are into there equipment , great to see !!

[NotnatsSamoht]

I agree with the social part, none of the schools around here have a fishing program and the only bass club I found requires a boat for tournaments, I'v been looking for bank fishing clubs and tournaments for years and when I finally found some information online I had missed it by 3 months.

[BucketMouth15]

Honestly I think a lot of people new to fishing expect to catch a ton of fish every time with little effort . some days the fish can be biting like that, other days there won't even be a bite. I just like to get outdoors, catching fish is just a bonus to me!

[Jar11591]

Maybe its the fact that every single body of water these days is LOADED with a million other fishermen, not to mention kayakers, jet-skiers, paddle boarders and pleasure boaters.    Makes it really tough to fish.

[GodfatherOfSeoul]

I think this generation is different. With infinite knowledge at their fingertips from the time you are walking as a toddler to TV and new thinking. Its thought of as old school to fish.

I watched a youtube fishing video under my suggestions last month and it wasnt anyone with a lot of subscribers but more of a newbie. But one of his views wrote in the comments, "who even fishes anymore!"

I know there arent huge major lakes near me nor a bunch of fishermen, but when, I come across one, they are never disrespectful but rather genuinely nice people. I think its up to us to keep this tradition. I know we dont want our waters over pressured but I feel that we should introduce something outdoors to one of our loved ones. Ive introduced my niece, my wife, my best friends and heck I always let my 17 month old play with her barbie combo when I yard fish 3 or 4 days a week. I know fishing isnt for everyone but its good fellowship time away from electronics (except your depth finders!)

Price could be an issue but its def interest. I have a buddy that I try to fish with but he buys gear the day of and even buys the daily fish license 4 or 5 times a year. Too many shows on the dvr and making it a red box night. Trust me, I love the internet and some movies but fishing is a different category of life for me.

[Lund Explorer]

#1 reason why fishing is in decline?

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/161332-bassresourcecom-your-lake/

 

There is absolutely no reason to confront the real world when the virtual one is right at your fingertips. 

 

We used to go on camping/fishing trips quite often when the kids were growing up.  If I ask them or the grandkids to go today, the first question is whether there is a cell phone tower nearby!  The few times I can get any of them in the boat for a day, the cry of the loon is drowned out by the myriad of ringtones constantly squelching from their phones.

 

The problem, and it is a real one, will arrive at the tipping point when license sales decline to the point when state fisheries can't fund their operations.  Stocking programs will be cut or eliminated, followed by enforcement of fishing laws.  At some point, the few remaining fishermen will be a very small minority of those on the water.  The water fleas will then ask why these people are allowed to annoy them! 

 

 ​

[blckshirt98]

Kids nowadays all need to be "on-grid" to interact with friends.  Social media, video games, texting...I don't know too many kids nowadays that would regularly go off-grid for a few hours every week to fish.  I'm guessing a lot of you that take your kids fishing, if they get reception they'll want to spend fishing time texting with friends and whatnot unless you make them leave their phones at home.

[Angry John]

I don't let mine bring electronics. A barbie for my baby girl is OK though. All I really want from them is to disconnect. Fish or not.

[Turkey sandwich]

I don't think it's worthwhile to complain about technology for it's problems if we aren't willing to take advantage of its benefits. This year I started posting pictures to facebook and Instagram kind of as a means for me to track patterns, but also to see what kind of response I'd get. To my surprise, I started getting hit up by friends asking questions, or wanting to get on the water. My point is, I've been on the water about 15-20 times this summer (fly, trolling for strikers, and fishing for largemouth/smallmouth) and have been pretty successful getting friends or family in the boat with me - some who haven't touched a rod in years.

I don't think people have an aversion to the outdoors so much as they've only found it accessible via guided hikes, and what's visible from the highway. Post some fishing pictures. Post some scenery. Make it welcoming. I've been surprised by some of the feedback I've received.

[Lund Explorer]

I don't think it's worthwhile to complain about technology for it's problems if we aren't willing to take advantage of its benefits. This year I started posting pictures to facebook and Instagram kind of as a means for me to track patterns, but also to see what kind of response I'd get. To my surprise, I started getting hit up by friends asking questions, or wanting to get on the water. My point is, I've been on the water about 15-20 times this summer (fly, trolling for strikers, and fishing for largemouth/smallmouth) and have been pretty successful getting friends or family in the boat with me - some who haven't touched a rod in years.

I don't think people have an aversion to the outdoors so much as they've only found it accessible via guided hikes, and what's visible from the highway. Post some fishing pictures. Post some scenery. Make it welcoming. I've been surprised by some of the feedback I've received.

 

Congratulations!  In over six years, this is the first time I've ever heard someone say that they have to use their smart phone as a public service.  Do you take time out from your fishing to check in to see if anyone has replied to these announcements?

 

The standard excuse has always been to insure that they were available in case of an emergency.  My Son-in-Law used that excuse.  The last time he and I went fishing together, my daughter sent him a total of 28 what must have been emergency text messages because he took the time to reply to everyone of them!  The days total catch had me with 30+ bass and him with 2!  As we were loading up the boat at the end of the day he asked me how long it took to learn to catch fish so much better than he could.  I tried to explain that it only took a minute or two to figure out how to mute the ringer on my phone!

[CFS]

Congratulations!  In over six years, this is the first time I've ever heard someone say that they have to use their smart phone as a public service.  Do you take time out from your fishing to check in to see if anyone has replied to these announcements?

 

The standard excuse has always been to insure that they were available in case of an emergency.  My Son-in-Law used that excuse.  The last time he and I went fishing together, my daughter sent him a total of 28 what must have been emergency text messages because he took the time to reply to everyone of them!  The days total catch had me with 30+ bass and him with 2!  As we were loading up the boat at the end of the day he asked me how long it took to learn to catch fish so much better than he could.  I tried to explain that it only took a minute or two to figure out how to mute the ringer on my phone!

Ha ha! I used to have a kid like that go on environmentalist field trips even though he was more of a jock that texts in class than a guy interested in digging up turnips. When I showed the classes the list of seminar field trips I have, he signed up for a lot of them. Turns out he just sits inside the air conditional building texting.

[Neil McCauley]

I have talked to a Dnr guy the other day and he remarked that Maryland was seeing record lows in fishing interest the past few years. I got a few ideas, but since you have been the hobby longer than I have, what do you think is the cause for the low interest in angling, bassing in particular?

The bass industry seems to be doing just fine:

 

 

But on another note... even if the hobby were in decline, I would be perfectly fine with that. The fewer people on the water the better, sorry. A deserted lake is a beautiful thing.

[zachb34]

I think it starts with childhood. Fishing is a lot cheaper than some of the other habits I see kids get into. I think it comes down to the fact that my generation has grown up with a cellphone, video game, television, and Internet all at the tips of our fingers. A lot of kids never really went outside growing up. Technology has created such a fast pace world and fishing doesn't really fit in with that.