Starting a YouTube Channel

[slonezp]

Is your intent to get rich off youtube?

 

I don't care for watching youtube fishing videos. That's neither here no there. I am however from the western suburbs as well and I don't know if AP lives local to Chicago but he films a lot locally and he competes in open tournaments as a non boater on the Fox Chain with local FLW pro Steve Mui. I see him as the Justin Bieber of fishing except, his fan base is a bunch of pre-pubescent boys rather than girls. The kids flock to him at weigh-in like he's some superstar. IMO, and I could be wrong, seems to me he, as well as the other googans are more concerned with video production than actually fishing. That being said, If AP is local, you might want to see if you can meet up with him for some instruction on how to get started. 

[JWall14]

That’s a great idea slone. Thanks!

[Koz]

On 9/20/2018 at 7:27 AM, JWall14 said:

I think I’m going to take the winter and fall to plan and polish my techniques. I will start in the spring with videos.

 

I think that would be your first mistake. Why? There are a billion YouTube channels doing the same thing with their fishing videos and you can stand out by doing something different. You mentioned that you're in high school so no matter how you slice it you don't have a ton of experience on the water like bassresource or other channels. So why the heck would people want to watch your videos on fishing technique?

 

Instead, use your lack of experience to your advantage. Go ahead and research a technique beforehand, but then your videos are you trying to implement those techniques for the first time. Let the viewers go through your struggles and triumphs with you. GREAT editing and (subtle, not blaring) music will help with the drama aspect.

 

If you fail at a specific technique shoot follow up or add on footage with an experienced angler helping you with that specific technique. Heck, take a shot and invite local college or even pro anglers to help you AFTER you have shown your failure (if in fact you happen to fail).

 

Along with that you may want to start a HS fishing club and document that venture as well. Or partner with a HS film club so they can work on the production and you can work on the fishing.

 

If you just want to make a few videos then go ahead and do that. But if you want subscribers you need to TELL A STORY and make it COMPELLING.

[Jaderose]

I realize I literally CAN'T respond to this without sounding like a crotchety old man so to heck with it.  The only question I have is why?  No offense but I can't imagine sitting and watching a high school kid fishing and talking about his "technique".  I'll watch Glenn or one of the old pro's teach technique because they have experience and knowledge that I desire to have.  I actually considered making a froggin video one time and then realized that I have nothing to offer that isn't already on a thousand other videos and I would feel ridiculous doing it AND wouldn't enjoy the fishing which, to me, is the whole point.  This would probably be unthinkable to you or your generation but I don't even *gasp* CARRY MY PHONE when I'm on the water.  Meh...sorry.  For all I know, you might be the next KVD and I'm an idiot but I would most likely still not watch your videos.  Not because of you as a person, but because I have no reason to.  Now get off my lawn and go fishing.

 

ps......Leave your phone in the car or at home next time.  You might find you like fishing even more without the distraction.

 

[JWall14]

Exactly, which is why I am now leaning towards doing something like Glenn and others said. Thanks guys. 

 

I will make my first video probably next weekend which will be filmed on a well known local creek and next door pond.

 

So if I am going to be original and try to learn new techniques do I come out and say “today I am trying to catch bass on a spinnerbait...” and explain how I am trying or what??

 

Thanks again guys!!

[slonezp]

2 hours ago, JWall14 said:

Exactly, which is why I am now leaning towards doing something like Glenn and others said. Thanks guys. 

 

I will make my first video probably next weekend which will be filmed on a well known local creek and next door pond.

 

So if I am going to be original and try to learn new techniques do I come out and say “today I am trying to catch bass on a spinnerbait...” and explain how I am trying or what??

 

Thanks again guys!!

I think it it were me, I would start practicing by narrating videos that someone already made. Think about what you would say in the same situation. Tell the audience what you're working with. Not necessarily brands of equipment but types. "I chose a spinning combo with 8lb fluorocarbon for this technique because....." "I'm using a palomar knot because...." "I put the hook thru the bait this particular way because...." "When fishing weeds, I do this....because" "I chose braid instead of mono or fluoro because..." With any luck, the fish will cooperate and you'll get some good footage.

 

As far as your spinnerbait example, Answer what situations warrant a spinnerbait? Color choice? Weight? Stinger hook? Trailer? Willow leaf blade? Colorado blade? Single blade or double blade? Reinforcing skirts with wire(since the name brand skirts use wire ties which will eventually break)? Scent or no scent? What knot to use? and so on.

[NorthernBasser]

I see you're from Chicago. If you're a Bears and/or Cubs fan, I would suggest not wearing their gear in your videos. Otherwise the entire state above you will tune you out. ?

 

[slonezp]

12 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

I see you're from Chicago. If you're a Bears and/or Cubs fan, I would suggest not wearing their gear in your videos. Otherwise the entire state above you will tune you out. ?

 

Not the entire state

[JWall14]

@NorthernBasser I'm sorry to say yes I am a bears fan but on the bright side I am a sox fan and usually root against the cubs but as the sox are terrible I haven't watched much baseball this year. 

[NorthernBasser]

3 hours ago, slonezp said:

Not the entire state

MY EYES!!!!!

MY HEART!!

[TnRiver46]

Go Cubs go 

[soflabasser]

16 hours ago, JWall14 said:

Exactly, which is why I am now leaning towards doing something like Glenn and others said. Thanks guys. 

 

I will make my first video probably next weekend which will be filmed on a well known local creek and next door pond.

 

So if I am going to be original and try to learn new techniques do I come out and say “today I am trying to catch bass on a spinnerbait...” and explain how I am trying or what??

 

Thanks again guys!!

Be yourself and post the videos you want. Do not worry if the people like them or not. Consider Youtube a hobby and somewhere to place your videos and pictures for memories.With that said I like seeing land based smallmouth bass videos so if you post one I will watch it.

[A-Jay]

On 9/19/2018 at 12:27 PM, JWall14 said:

As some of you know I am a high schooler who is completing his first serious year of bass fishing. I have always watched people like Jon b, Flair, Ap, etc. and thought how fun it would be to do that. I would really like to share what I have, and continue to learn with others. I believe the best way would be YouTube. I have never  made a YouTube video but am very good with computers so editing would not be a problem.  I am not sure what to make videos about or what to film on- I have a dslr and tripod available so that will be my primary recorder for now. 

 

Anyone have have ideas for a channel name or content ideas? What should I start out content wise? Anyone know how to contact other fishing YouTubers? Anything else that could help me gain popularity or tips to make my videos better?

 

-I am also a little nervous about how others will react- any tips about this?

Maybe call your channel something like . . 

 Windy City Adventures or Mud City Fishing or Chi-Town Angling  

 

As for 'content',  when compared to your bass angling knowledge level in 10, 20 or even 30 years from now, as high school age angler your fishing experience is really in it's infancy stage.  So you may run out of experience based tips & advice to offer pretty quickly. 

 

 Instead, my advice is to just go fishing & video it.  You could talk about what you plan on doing in advance and why, where you're going (Totally optional), what you're doing while you're fishing and then perhaps a brief recap of the days events and how it went.  Adding in what worked & maybe didn't might be useful, as well as what you learned and what you may do differently next time.  

 

  You may strike a cord with anglers in a similar position & age or even some in your area of the country doing the same thing. 

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

  

[slonezp]

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Maybe call your channel something like . . 

 Windy City Adventures or Mud City Fishing or Chi-Town Angling  

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

  

Chi-Town Angler is a local fishing forum. Probably not worth the legal headache

[JWall14]

So I settled on Windy City fishing. I filmed today and only landed one dunk creek largie. I easily could have caught 3 at the pond but couldn’t get them hooked. I think I’m going to ditch the video and hopefully get out again tomorrow. I’ll be fishing a small clear lake if I am free. If not I’ll work on my editing. 

 

@Glenn would you recommend I post the video from today or just tomorrow’s or both?

 

Thanks!

[JWall14]

I will be traveling down to Florida this weekend and filming with captain Shane. I will put a link when the video comes out.

[A-Jay]

On 10/5/2018 at 4:12 PM, JWall14 said:

I will be traveling down to Florida this weekend and filming with captain Shane. I will put a link when the video comes out.

@JWall14 ~ How did the trip with Capt Shane go ?

 And did you get the video you'd hoped for ?

A-Jay

[JWall14]

49 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

@JWall14 ~ How did the trip with Capt Shane go ?

 And did you get the video you'd hoped for ?

A-Jay

It went amazing! Caught about 150 bass total (50+ myself). Unfortunately they were all under 2lbs so no new pb. I got good video but I’ve been too busy with basketball to edit it so I’ve got that to do over Christmas break. I will also be filming a ton this spring and probably every other day in the summer so I’ll  be making more vids then and start the channel when bball ends.

 

Thanks for asking!!

[Tyler.]

I enjoy bassresource and informative fisherman. Those 2 are great instructional videos. I also like videos on lures and what they mix and match them with as far as jigs or line setup.

[Choporoz]

On 9/22/2018 at 12:57 AM, schplurg said:

My music theory instructor told the class one day, "You can pretty much do only one of two things - make good music or make money with music." Figure out which you want to do.

I'm fairly ignorant on the subject, but as I read through all the posts in this thread, I sorta figured this would likely be the case.  How many bass youtubers are really good sticks AND successful on the YT thingy?  It is such a miniscule number that you almost have to choose to be popular or be good, I'd think

 

On 9/22/2018 at 2:29 PM, Jaderose said:

I realize I literally CAN'T respond to this without sounding like a crotchety old man so to heck with it.  The only question I have is why? 

After a couple pages, I still haven't understood this either....Why?  Once you can answer that, the answers to your other questions will become clearer....so ....fame?  fortune?  altruistic desire to share some unique knowledge or talent?  vanity?  what do you want out of it and what are you willing to put into it?  And, get off my lawn, too :)

[ratherbfishin1]

20 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

After a couple pages, I still haven't understood this either....Why?  Once you can answer that, the answers to your other questions will become clearer....so ....fame?  fortune?  altruistic desire to share some unique knowledge or talent?  vanity?  what do you want out of it and what are you willing to put into it?  And, get off my lawn, too

I think it would be fun to share your fishing experiences.  If you never get over 100 subs, so what?  If you get 10k, good for you! It's just something to do for the fun of it.  At least those my thoughts.

 

One more thing... USE SOMETHING OTHER BESIDES CHEST MOUNT!!!  Set the camera up places and move it often so the angle doesn't get boring.  This sounds so minor but at least to me the video gets SOOOO much better.  If you can get someone to hold the camera underwater during part of the fight and see if you can get the fish in action (this only works with waterproof cameras obviously). Camera movement is extremely important in my opinion.  Also, at first I would say do less videos but better videos, later on when you already have a handful of subscribers you can start doing more "whatever" videos but you really want to have some solid first videos.  Another thing to do is, like others have said, have a story.  Start at your house or the boat ramp or something and do like a time lapse out to the fishing spot.  Don't make it too long otherwise it gets boring but just starting out at the lake, having no intro, can make it seem like you don't know what your doing.  Take everything I said with a grain of salt because I don't even have a youtube channel but I plan to start one this summer when I move down to Florida where there will be more places to explore and try out.  Although I could start in Nebraska I want to start fresh and strong in Florida.  

 

And lastly, have fun!  Your out to fish and too many youtubers seem to have forgotten that and now just want to put on a show, those are the people I don't want to watch.

 

Good luck!

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I'm fairly ignorant on the subject, but as I read through all the posts in this thread, I sorta figured this would likely be the case.  How many bass youtubers are really good sticks AND successful on the YT thingy?  It is such a miniscule number that you almost have to choose to be popular or be good, I'd think

 

After a couple pages, I still haven't understood this either....Why?  Once you can answer that, the answers to your other questions will become clearer....so ....fame?  fortune?  altruistic desire to share some unique knowledge or talent?  vanity?  what do you want out of it and what are you willing to put into it?  And, get off my lawn, too

I look at the video's I post here as a different way to post a "Report".

I thoroughly enjoy seeing & reading about BR member's fishing adventures as well as sharing my own. 

So if a 'picture is worth a thousand words', digital video may be the next level.  

Perhaps posting about or sharing your fishing exploits is not your thing; (you've never made one here) and that's fine.  

 

Either way, your last paragraph above is condescending.

 

A-Jay 

   

[Choporoz]

26 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Either way, your last paragraph above is condescending.

 

A-Jay 

   

Condescension is my middle name.  I also answer to Boorish and Mr. Sarcasm.  However, in this case, I think my tone/message were misinterpreted.  My 'Why' question was intended to be a useful one for the OP.   He seems to have arrived at an answer (make some sort of video) without knowing what his questions are. 

    I think that until he has a vision of what he wants, he'll struggle for content, format, message, etc.  The process and product would naturally vary greatly depending on his goal(s.)  

    For those who already know their 'why', I'd like to think I'd not knock them for doing what's important to them.  (Though I might razz over my judgements as to quality and/or content.)  You, for example, clearly have a purpose beyond "I want to put something on the interwebs" - you take pride in your product; you clearly get pleasure out of putting them together and sharing them; and MANY here appreciate it.  

 

    So, I wasn't knocking the idea of creating content.   Just (poorly?) suggesting that vision, and introspection may be necessary to figure out where he'd like to get and then get him there. 

[JWall14]

Yeah thanks. I’ll use a tripod and dslr to record everything.

[BassNJake]

17 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Condescension is my middle name.  I also answer to Boorish and Mr. Sarcasm.  However, in this case, I think my tone/message were misinterpreted.  My 'Why' question was intended to be a useful one for the OP.   He seems to have arrived at an answer (make some sort of video) without knowing what his questions are. 

    I think that until he has a vision of what he wants, he'll struggle for content, format, message, etc.  The process and product would naturally vary greatly depending on his goal(s.)  

    For those who already know their 'why', I'd like to think I'd not knock them for doing what's important to them.  (Though I might razz over my judgements as to quality and/or content.)  You, for example, clearly have a purpose beyond "I want to put something on the interwebs" - you take pride in your product; you clearly get pleasure out of putting them together and sharing them; and MANY here appreciate it.  

 

    So, I wasn't knocking the idea of creating content.   Just (poorly?) suggesting that vision, and introspection may be necessary to figure out where he'd like to get and then get him there. 

I have seen all types of youtube channels fishing, lure making, combat sports, gaming and many others.

Most of the channels I have watched have evolved from their initial videos.

Many will go back and make a video poking fun of their first videos for their lack of direction, errors and other things they learn while making them.

Sometimes a person will make a specific type of video that they will get more feedback on, this prompting the direction of the channel to take a different path.

 

My suggestion is not to be afraid to fail. 

Some of the most important successes came from learning from some type of failure.