Decline In Fishing?

[RoLo]

Unlicensed fishermen is a real concern of mine.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve been approached only 3 times by the FWC (Eloise, Walk-In-Water & West Toho).

The wardens checked my life vests, fire extinguisher and boat decals, but never once

was I asked to produce a fishing license. As a matter of fact, I don't ever remember being asked

to show my fishing license in Jersey, Ontario, Quebec, MI, MA, NY, PA, TN, SC, GA or Florida.

In the interest of their own revenue, the state agencies need to be a lot more aggressive.

 

Roger

[Freak78]

One could argue tho that the decline in fishing and outdoor activity are one in the same. Everything is a trickle down effect. As others have stated is been noticed everywhere. I live in the sticks where camo appearal is an everyday thing, where confereradte flags still fly, and country music is the music of choice and its not even close. Hunting and fishing used to be huge here. Now it's not.

I also live 5 minutes away from to big colleges and even with the influx of all those students you might see one or 2 of them on the water. Even at the lake on campus. I'm not complaining as I now have more choice and peace and quiet when I want to get on the water. That just wasn't the case just a few years ago.

Like I stated before, I used to avoid weekends, holidays, free fishing weekend, kids fishing days, early trout season, first stocking of the regular season..you name it. Now it literally makes no difference as to what's going on. Theres no one really out there.

[bigbill]

I seen that game warden here let a family of about 8 people go Scott free no one had a license. Then he checks mine. I pay they go free. Then I see the warden on the tv local news receive an award for doing an outstanding job.

Funny.

The wife has no clue. I was talking about night vision. She got me a head band with a LED bright lite called night vision. God bless her little heart she tried. But I told her that good night vision can run into many thousands of dollars. Don't even get into tackle with her.

I'm having encounters with something in the dark.

[Anantha Patel]

Cost is not really a problem. A lot of kids my age are willing to shell out hundreds at Gamestop, even though there is a nice pond next to their house.

[offsidewing]

This Gen-Xer always gets a kick out of the boomers blaming electronics for kids not doing stuff. My grandparents blamed my parents "decline" on rock music. My parents blamed MTV and Madonna for destroying America in the 80s.

My father introduced me to lots of things as a kid, fishing is one that stuck with me. Without the evil electronics so many people blame for America's failing youth, I'd still be slinging a Zebco 33 and throwing Crankbaits at pre-spawn locations in August. I'd be wondering why a jitterbug didn't catch fish in the middle of Lake Erie. I'd never be able to research lakes and ponds for my next fishing trip. I'd have to rely on the almost non-existent old-timers who are willing to tell me their Hotspot, techniques, and other secrets to catch fish. I'd probably be saying "I don't need none of the fancy foreign bait casters!" Getting kids to go outside and do stuff is not the electronics responsibility nor is it their fault.

The sustained growth of any hobby rests on introducing it to "new" people at any age. Take the politically - opposed coworker fishing and show him how fishing just isn't rubes in cut-off denim shorts and Metallica shirts hot boxing Marlboros while bank beating. Take the DINK Yuppie neighbor and show him how much tech and learned knowledge go into the sport. Make one fishing trip a month all about your kids - don't even take gear for you (or your cell phone). Do those things and our favorite hobby/sport/passion will never decline. And much thanks to anyone sharing fishing with those who haven't tried.

[MIbassyaker]

This Gen-Xer always gets a kick out of the boomers blaming electronics for kids not doing stuff. My grandparents blamed my parents "decline" on rock music. My parents blamed MTV and Madonna for destroying America in the 80s.

My father introduced me to lots of things as a kid, fishing is one that stuck with me. Without the evil electronics so many people blame for America's failing youth, I'd still be slinging a Zebco 33 and throwing Crankbaits at pre-spawn locations in August. I'd be wondering why a jitterbug didn't catch fish in the middle of Lake Erie. I'd never be able to research lakes and ponds for my next fishing trip. I'd have to rely on the almost non-existent old-timers who are willing to tell me their Hotspot, techniques, and other secrets to catch fish. I'd probably be saying "I don't need none of the fancy foreign bait casters!" Getting kids to go outside and do stuff is not the electronics responsibility nor is it their fault.

The sustained growth of any hobby rests on introducing it to "new" people at any age. Take the politically - opposed coworker fishing and show him how fishing just isn't rubes in cut-off denim shorts and Metallica shirts hot boxing Marlboros while bank beating. Take the DINK Yuppie neighbor and show him how much tech and learned knowledge go into the sport. Make one fishing trip a month all about your kids - don't even take gear for you (or your cell phone). Do those things and our favorite hobby/sport/passion will never decline. And much thanks to anyone sharing fishing with those who haven't tried.

 

This GenX-er narrowly avoided the urge to post something on this thread with nearly identical substance but less wit. And now I don't have to. Cheers.

[joeblowwwww]

Where I live it's bigger than ever. it surprises me how many kids are fishing and kind of have an idea what's going on in bass fishing. maybe it's where you live?  I live in Ca.

[BigmouthForever23]

I wouldn't be surpised if there is a lack of interest in fishing with the younger generation. Now a day's you have little kids glued to their cell phones, IPads, video games, etc. So much is out there that wasn't available back in the day.

[bigbill]

I think they go fishing once catch nothing and give up. I was a trout fisherman all my life. Bass fishing trips were limited. When my son broke his leg on the dirt bike everyone took him fishing lounge chair and all. We got hooked on bass fishing. The rest is history. At $50++ for live bait per week I started trying lures more using two rod setups. Soon the lure rod out fished the live bait rod. The bass wanted something that looks alive and moving. My live bait money went towards buying lures. I bought anything and everything just to see if it worked.

I believe most try fishing but when they catch nothing they give up.

Just get a dozen night crawlers a bobber a #8 hook a affordable rod setup at a tag or garage sale and try fishing. Even panfishing will get u hooked.

[SlappinTheBass]

I might even go out on a limb and say we will see a steady increase in fishing in the next few years. I'm 24, and I just started fishing this summer. I went out about 5 times with my Daiwa Samurai ($15) and caught nothing, but I was still hooked.

 

Why did I start? I just started working a full-time job, and I needed a break from the office. I needed a break from electronics. I originally thought fishing was something you cast, sit down and crack a beer/book, but after my first fish, I realized how exciting it is. Generation Y and Z, there's a phenomenon called the hipster generation. This may sound like slang, but it's actually a deeply rooted post-modern influence we obtained by living off the affluence of our hardworking Gen X parents. We want to value things that have meaning or history. Living vicariously through something created by blue-collared workers. We're starting to value cafe racers, double edged shavers, and restored book shelves. We're suddenly all Emersonian and value the grit freedom of nature. All this to say, I think fishing will soon catch on with this generation as a hobby.

 

What helped me? A local pastor volunteered to teach me how to fish a senko. First cast, first fish. He gave me a bag of senkos and gammy hooks. It might be the most life altering gift I've ever received. I don't fish senkos too often, I've been learning how to fish a jig, obviously stealing ever tip I can from this forum. A member here even met up with me and taught me how to cast a BC without bird nesting.

 

To all the experienced anglers, reach out to that kid untangling his spool. We will most-likely cling onto every piece of advice you give.

[bigbill]

Most people I see shore fishing are looking for a meal. They could get food stamps???

How do they eat a 2" long sunfish?

[Anantha Patel]

Most people I see shore fishing are looking for a meal. They could get food stamps???

How do they eat a 2" long sunfish?

Fry it until you can eat the bones. They crunch. I sometimes take home a plate sized crappie or two, but I can't see how catching a 2" bluegill and cleaning it is worth the time and effort.

[stkbassn]

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.

 

 

I won't disagree with the new generation thing entirely but fishing has become a lot "cooler" among the youth with High School and College Fishing exploding. I think it's awesome that schools are acknowledging bass fishing as a sport and encouraging those young guys and gals to get involved. I wish we had it when I was in high school. It's cooler than it used to be I'd say!

[LuckyGia]

I wonder if broken marriages has anything to do with it ?

Over the 27 years my wife and I have been married, well over half of our friends have divorced.

The family dynamics have changed quite a bit.

[Jd_Phillips_Fishin]

High School bass clubs are growing more and more.

[SirSnookalot]

I've been married a long time myself.  My wife was never a golfer or fisher person, despite all the time I spent in those activities my marriage was never affected.  Either you have a good marriage or you don't.  My wife takes classes, goes to lectures, being an avid reader she goes to book review clubs, she's happy I don't go with her, and I'm happy she doesn't fish with me.

[bigbill]

I been married for 41 years. We have different interests. But we do spend time together. When the bass call to me she knows I'm answering that call. Lol. When my two sons come over to visit they take me fishing. It's a bond that started when they were 6yo I took them fishing. It's in our DNA. Panfishing is one thing. But that first topwater action with old bucket mouth will get you hooked in fishing. My son's are pushing 40yo and we still fish together often.

Try a panfishing tournament with your buddies or family. It's a blast. Who catches the most fish wins. We are near each other. When one misses a bite the other one casts in the same spot and catches the fish. Bobbers are flying everywhere. I never laughed so hard in my life. Try it.

Take a kid fishing.

[offsidewing]

It's also worth noting that in the 80s, everyone in my school district got a Zebco 22 rod/reel combo in the 4th Grade.

[Cgolf]

Have seen some positive signs locally. I hit my favorite river spot last week and met some kids that had biked 7 miles to fish. Unfortunately I don't think this is happening everywhere though.