Rant

[burrows]

   Things have been pretty crazy with the bass fishing industry partly because of youtube. The popularity of the sport has sky rocketed. According to Forbes,  facebook and other social media giants have rolled out with tonnes of videos however it doesn't campare to the billions of hours we spend watching youtube videos daily. This makes me wonder where the industrty is going? The youtube fishing community is engulfing the popularity of tournament fishing in my opinion. Things are changing, and have been for a couple of years now. Many pros have also focused on creating content. Even the the problems youtube has had with its advertisers or "adpocalypse", hasn't stopped this growing trend, after all they starterd like this, with controversy from the moment they launched in 2006. This is just my rant, me thinking out loud, I still love tournaments and fishing period but it makes me wonder what's next for 2018.

  

[JawjaBoy]

I'll freely admit that I'm not a tournament guy.  I simply have never had the desire to compete in one and more especially I've never had the disposable income or time.  

 

But I know what you mean about YouTube.  It has changed the game in MANY areas of life.  The amount of information, both good and bad, is simply staggering.  And the instant access to that information is right up this next generation's alley.  Everything nowadays is "right now."  So, everyone is having to adapt. 

 

Manufacturers no longer have to put out a product and then wait a year or 2 to see how sales go.  Thanks to YouTube and social media sites, they can put out an idea to gauge interest and if they move into production will know within DAYS if a product is going to be successful or not.  

 

I suspect tournaments will have to evolve to a degree as well.  I've talked to a few guys who have done the tournament scene for many years.  All of them say they can remember when an angler could fish all day and only have an occasional curious fisherman stop to watch them for a bit before moving on.  Now tournament anglers, especially the big guys, have small fleets following them around watching and videoing them.  By the time KVD gets back to the weigh in, all the fans know every move he's made and every fish he's caught.  Hell, they probably know where he took a leak at!  

 

I'm an old curmudgeon so I can sympathize with you.  But, I'm afraid it's going to get worse and we're just going to have to learn to deal with it.  Lord help us.

[CroakHunter]

  People would rather be on their phones than in front of a tv. Myself included. Its all about the money. Money is power and whoever has the most money has the most power over the industry.

[Sam]

Hopefully in 2018 we will have less costly boats. New boats cost too much. Of course, this situation opens the door to a strong used boat industry. This will also give rise to a stronger kayak fishing industry with strong sales and more kayak tournaments.

 

We will continue to see costs for rods and reels plus baits continue to increase. Over $8.50 for a bag of Senkos is very costly. Way too much. Higher costs for Senkos will drive bass fishermen to YUM for a named brand replacement and to the various off-market companies for stick baits.

 

Overall higher costs for bass fishing will drive guys into crappie and bream fishing. If we try our luck with fly fishing it will be another monetary shock.

 

The bass fishing industry is being propelled forward by the YouTube videos which are very helpful. If you read about a bait, technique, rod, reel or line you can probably find a number of informative YouTube videos explaining the details. I believe YouTube has caused the Ned Rig to take off and be used more and more.

 

Will higher product costs and tournament entry fees cause less and less guys to get into bass fishing and some of the older guys to drop out? Only time will tell.

 

And what about bass clubs? Are they going to the "partner only" style or will individuals be allowed to fish by themselves? And will  bass clubs allow non-boaters to join and learn the sport? I think we will see a number of bass clubs or regions join together in 2018.

 

There are a lot of other things we could do with our entertainment dollars other than bass fishing. And with the younger bass fishermen getting married and starting families we could have less and less guys and gals in our industry in the future. But for now, the bass fishing industry is going strong and lets all hope it continues on this path.

 

In the meantime we need to do our homework on our boats, motors, tackle and baits and invest wisely.

 

And watch YouTube!!!!

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

[Catt]

YouTube?

 

Most is regurgitation

 

I've learned & have been taught more by members here than YouTube!

 

What's in store for 2018?

 

I know who holds the future & he doesn't have a YouTube channel

[Glenn]

As an industry insider, everything I've heard the last 10 years is that fishing participation - as a whole - is declining.  If you take away the influence of the economic rise over the past several years, bass fishing is declining is as well.

 

Now, everyone has their theories and reasons, so I don't claim to have "the answer".  However I do feel an important factor is that less and less kids are getting introduced to fishing.

 

As for YouTube...meh.  There's very few quality YouTube fishing channels out there.  But there's lot's of GoPro wannabees with delusions of stardom and $$ in their eyes.  And there's a lot of misinformation getting passed around by copycat YouTubers. To be sure, there are indeed several fishing channels that impress me.

 

As a personal critic of my own videos, I don't feel I have met the bar I have set.  And I certainly don't feel I'm good in front of the camera. LOL!  But at least I have original content, and I don't have the shaky-cam-with-poor-audio videos like so many I've seen.

 

 

 

 

[BigAngus752]

2 hours ago, Burro said:

According to Forbes,  facebook and other social media giants have rolled out with tonnes of videos however it doesn't campare to the billions of hours we spend watching youtube videos daily.

 

11 minutes ago, Glenn said:

As an industry insider, everything I've heard the last 10 years is that fishing participation - as a whole - is declining.  If you take away the influence of the economic rise over the past several years, bass fishing is declining is as well.

So I'm not much of a social media guy, but I do love Instagram.  I ran across an account awhile back dedicated (allegedly) to bass fishing.  After following it for several weeks I discovered that it is a couple of teenagers that like to fish.  Every once in awhile they post pics of themselves holding lunkers...but it's ALWAYS the SAME pics!  All of the other posts are of gear or memes and the majority of the posts are "answer this with a yes or no" or they'll post a pic of a popper and say "post the word POP and double tap!".  The account has very little to do with actually FISHING, but it has 250,000 followers.  Everyone is watching videos and participating in social media but fewer people are actually FISHING.  Just check out Glenn's videos and compare them to the other YouTube videos!  Almost all the other accounts are just for watching the highlight reel of someone else fishing.  Few people are engaging the viewer and passing on knowledge like Glenn does.  I'm afraid we are turning into a society of WATCHERS.  I come from a long line of DO-ERS and I just don't fit in anymore.  The only hope I have is what I see in my teenage son.  He is a huge watcher...but he's a do-er also.  

 

 

[Tweek1106]

I actually owe almost everything I know about bass fishing to YouTube. My father passed away when I was only 9mo old and I didn't have a male (or female) figure in my life that knew how to fish and could show me the ropes or pass down their knowledge.

 

A buddy of mine lives on a private reservoir and kept begging me to come fishing with him. Finally did, landing a couple nice bass and I was hooked. Unfortunately for me it's lucky my buddy fishes a almost untouched private bass heaven because I came to find out that he's desperately lacking in overall bass fishing knowledge/techniques.

 

YouTube introduced me to pretty much every aspect of bass fishing and without it I don't think I would have nearly as much success as I do.

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, Glenn said:

As an industry insider, everything I've heard the last 10 years is that fishing participation - as a whole - is declining.  If you take away the influence of the economic rise over the past several years, bass fishing is declining is as well.

 

Now, everyone has their theories and reasons, so I don't claim to have "the answer".  However I do feel an important factor is that less and less kids are getting introduced to fishing.

 

As for YouTube...meh.  There's very few quality YouTube fishing channels out there.  But there's lot's of GoPro wannabees with delusions of stardom and $$ in their eyes.  And there's a lot of misinformation getting passed around by copycat YouTubers. To be sure, there are indeed several fishing channels that impress me.

 

As a personal critic of my own videos, I don't feel I have met the bar I have set.  And I certainly don't feel I'm good in front of the camera. LOL!  But at least I have original content, and I don't have the shaky-cam-with-poor-audio videos like so many I've seen.

 

Glenn, The difference between your videos, along with a few choice others, is they provide information rather than hype. Hype is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. It does nothing more than bring attention to something that isn't all that interesting. For me, the how and the why is more important. unfortunately educational content takes a back seat to "flash" when it comes to Youtube. It's extremely rare for me to watch fishing on youtube. One thing I noticed first hand with the filming of these videos is something similar to the prepubescent craze for the likes of Justin Bieber. The video below was filmed this past spring at a tournament I competed in. In fact, they docked next to me at the weigh in. My Lund can be seen in all her glory right after the 7 minute mark. LOL Back to my point. My son told me this young man has a huge following on youtube and quit college to pursue his youtube career. The guy he is fishing with is Steve Mui a local pro who has competed in both FLW and BASS and the boat they are in was won at our Anglers Choice tournament of champions back in 2012 (I came in 112th out of 196 ) Anyway, when they pulled in at the dock, there was nothing but 7 to 14 year old boys following Alex around like lost puppies. They weren't even aware that Steve Mui, the "professional fisherman", was there. There is no educational content in the video. Just a couple guys catching fish. Somehow this kid is making a living off it. More power to him, but what happens when he gets a little older and the 10 year old boy don't want to watch some old guy on youtube? 

 

[A-Jay]

Interesting topic ~ 

 

I'm a believer of supply & demand.  As long as there are bass to catch, some portion of the population will be out there trying to catch them.  It's been that way for a long time and I can't see any reason why it would not continue.  Youtube influence may or may not be a good thing.  Whether or not there is $$ to be made or not, will seem very important to those who depend on it. 

 

One of the aspects of the sport that may be part of the appeal to so many, is that one can invest as little or a much time, $$$ and effort and still often experience many of the great benefits bass fishing offers; with or without social media. 

 

 As a hack GoProer (I made that up) myself, I really enjoy filming and sharing my fishing.   As far as production quality goes, I'm well aware that most of my stuff is usually pretty sketchy.  But I could care less.  I do it because I think it's fun; Just like the fishing.  If it wasn't, I wouldn't do it.   

 

I'll readily admit that through all of this, and perhaps because of this, I've developed a perspective that when a trip or fish catch is reported, I do anticipate a video or at least a picture to accompany it.  

 

Finally, I firmly believe that the percentage of useful content on the Bass Resource site totally exceeds most anything found on youtube. 

 

A-Jay

[MichaelCopeland]

I admit, before I was a member of this great forum, I watched alot of YouTube videos in hopes of learning how to better myself at bass fishing. Very little was actually helpful. It wasn't until I found the Bass Resource channel that I actually gained any knowledge. That's also when I subscribed to the weekly newsletter and eventually joined this forum. I have gained more knowledge from the awesome folks on this forum and from the books I've read than I have from almost all the YouTube videos I've watched. Kudos to @Glenn for creating such an informative forum and YouTube channel to go with it. Without either of them I wouldn't know near what I know now about bass fishing. Thanks a million! ?

[slonezp]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

 

 As a hack GoProer (I made that up) myself, I really enjoy filming and sharing my fishing.   As far as production quality goes, I'm well aware that most of my stuff is usually pretty sketchy.  But I could care less.  I do it because I think it's fun; Just like the fishing.  If it wasn't, I wouldn't do it.   

 

If I was to define the content of your videos, I would call them a fishing log or video diary. Short and to the point. Unfortunately you're not pretty enough to have a youtube following. 

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, slonezp said:

If I was to define the content of your videos, I would call them a fishing log or video diary. Short and to the point. Unfortunately you're not pretty enough to have a youtube following. 

  I'm good with that - Thanks.

And I'm also OK with little to no following.

As I prefer leading.

A-Jay 

[Oregon Native]

Interesting....guess I'm outa the loop as they say.  My son/wife set me up with facebook....maybe look once a month.....ugh.  UTube....gosh...have never watched a fishing anything here...have heard about it though.  GoPro.....as you can see from a posting....I have a face for radio so am not going there.

BUT.....you all have fun and thanks for the smiles your giving me.

[frogflogger]

youtube ? just go fishing - when I was guiding the people that had the most fun were those that just fished the moment and didn't worry or go on about pros or lures or techniques - if it has a hook in it it can catch a fish. Don't let the technical stuff get in the way of the pure joy of catching a fish on your own.

Not criticizing you tube or go pro cameras if that makes you happy - but there is a simple joy in bass fishing that I fear some miss out on due to the confusing mass of info out there.

 

 

[nascar2428]

 Forbes has got it all wrong. Gander Mountain closed, Cabelas bought out, just two of many indicators that the industry is headed in the wrong direction.  As stated above, the you tubers are targeting for the most part, a very young age group, one that hopefully one day can sustain the industry.

[senile1]

As I get older I learn more and more to not worry about what I cannot control.  I think bass fishing will be around for a while, more or less. As for information sources I have used books, magazines, this forum, YouTube, other anglers, etc.   As I have progressed as a bass angler I discover that all of these sources provide less and less information that is new to me, though I still find the occasional helpful nugget.  More and more, any improvements are made by thinking about the environment and the conditions I face on a body of water and adjusting my presentation and the location I am fishing.

[lo n slo]

40 minutes ago, senile1 said:

As I get older I learn more and more to not worry about what I cannot control.  I think bass fishing will be around for a while, more or less. As for information sources I have used books, magazines, this forum, YouTube, other anglers, etc.   As I have progressed as a bass angler I discover that all of these sources provide less and less information that is new to me, though I still find the occasional helpful nugget.  More and more, any improvements are made by thinking about the environment and the conditions I face on a body of water and adjusting my presentation and the location I am fishing.

well said

[Deleted account]

Annoying clueless snots with what passes for bass fishing is a small price to pay for hotties in bikinis fighting big fish in center consoles. Youtube is just another medium where content will be produced and aired in support of ad dollars, so whatever gets ratings is the goal. No need for all the hate, just like TV, if you don't like it, change the channel.

[Kyhokie]

Appropo of nothing, as far as tournaments go, I greatly prefer the major league fishing format to the standard 5 fish limit format. It plays much better on TV (not a bad thing) and the tension is often palpable. In a time where gratification is just a click away, I believe the MLF format holds the attention of the younger generation better and thus will help, not hinder, the growth of the sport. As for YouTube, ehh...this whole computer thing is just a fad. Shouldn't last more than a few hundred more years.

[soflabasser]

Interesting subject. I enjoy seeing Youtube videos, especially videos of difficult to catch or rare fish. I learned more from watching Youtube videos than I have learned from any internet forum. Youtube is by far more popular, more interesting, and more imformative than any internet forum I have seen. Youtube and other social media platforms like it are the future of fishing entertainment, there is no denying that. With that said there are certain things I do not like watching on Youtube. I do not like watching videos of those who are trying to convince me to buy some fishing gear since they are in the bass fishing industry. Sorry but I have been very successful in bass fishing for too many years to have some internet fisherman tell me what I should buy or not just because they are dressed like a pro bass fisherman. I also do not like watching those fishermen who overhype a catch, such as someone who screams when he gets a 5 pounder when this man has caught many +5 pounders in the past. I avoid those Youtubers and instead focus on real Youtubers who post what they catch without trying to sell me something or overhyping a fish that is quite common to catch.

[Catawba Mike]

Good thread to pass the cold winter day.

 

I have a perspective on "amateurish" YouTube fishing videos that has not been touched on. I have a channel, and while I enjoy knowing that people viewed and commented on my upload, I really do it more as my personal fishing journal. I find that the challenge of trying to capture usable video while fishing is something I enjoy. And I learn a lot in the process.

 

Also, keep in mind that YouTube is a place to store your video content in perpetuity, and you don't have to make your content viewable to the public. I hope my kids and grandkids will enjoy being able to see me doing what I love long after I'm gone.

[Oregon Native]

20 hours ago, reason said:

Annoying clueless snots with what passes for bass fishing is a small price to pay for hotties in bikinis fighting big fish in center consoles. Youtube is just another medium where content will be produced and aired in support of ad dollars, so whatever gets ratings is the goal. No need for all the hate, just like TV, if you don't like it, change the channel.

Saw this "No need for all the hate"!?!

Where is this coming from....

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Oregon Native said:

Where is this coming from....

Ah, from some of the posts above...

[Pro Logcatcher]

I do watch a few fishing channels, just to see what they were catching them on and get an overall better knowledge of the sport. I have learned a lot of things from youtube including the ned rig, neko rig, and other finesse techniques. I don't watch some youtubers because I find them obnoxious and petty, but I do feel that my overall knowledge of the sport is much improved. My dad got me into fishing, but I had to learn the sport by myself and youtube helped with that.