Internet experts………

[Fishin Dad]

I look at a lot of internet (you tube, etc.) fishing content in the winter as we have around 6 months off from open water.   So many of these “Internet Experts” (including pro fisherman, former pros, etc.) seem so confident in their lures, techniques, locations, and knowledge.   Do you ever wonder if they know so much and are so confident, why most of them don’t finish better in tournaments??   I know it is fishing and very unpredictable, but with their amount of confidence, it would seem they would be dominating.   I understand they are trying to sell their sponsored products and themselves, but it is starting to wear me out a little.   “This lure is all you need for spring”, “ Fishing here during xxxx will guarantee fish”, if you use this weight, you will increase your bites by 90%”. 
 

Spring must be coming SOON!!

[Dogface]

You used the word "sell" and you got it right. They are not only selling goods but they are selling themselves and their internet videos. They need to post different content or people will stop watching and their income dies. 

[Susky River Rat]

I went to YouTube university for lots of things. I’m like Chuck Norris I tell the fish what they aren’t going to eat.

 

I think they get on a hot bite on their home body do water and share it. It might be what works on perfect conditions. Honestly no matter how you slice it these guys are salesmen. Sell their page, sponsor product, image. You don’t have to be a top tier tournament fishermen to provide great content. 
 

Time management and a bad day in a tournament are the biggies. You can’t have a bad day you have to put them all together. That over 3-5 days is tough. Think of how we experience weather. They are fishing through it. 

[TnRiver46]

You would have zero fishing videos to watch if they weren’t making money somehow 

 

well you’d still have A-jay but he’s got ice too haha

[bowhunter63]

Jeff Little has some great Smallie videos 

[Ktho]

One important distinction is often when those dudes are making videos or giving advice they're fishing the lake of their choosing, on a day of their choice, and fishing where they want. That's a HUGE difference between recreational fishing and tournament fishing, it's a lot harder when you're fishing a lake you're forced to, on set dates, with 100+ other boats limiting what water you can fish. 

 

Palaniuk and Pirch had pretty poor showings at the Classic.. those dudes are still extremely good fisherman. 

[Mobasser]

I enjoy Glenn's videos and short videos I've seen here on BR. That's all I watch. And, I've learned things from them too. All the other videos I don't care about.

[Gnarwhal]

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

Do you ever wonder if they know so much and are so confident, why most of them don’t finish better in tournaments??

Unwillingness to use or master forward facing sonar?

[WRB]

I like to watch bass tournaments on TV that are taped to fast forward through ads.

Glenn’s video’s have helped hundreds of bass anglers both new and experienced.

We are fortunate that Glenn has the skills to teach on camera without self or tackle promotion. 
Tom

[Darth-Baiter]

to be frank, I think they all parrot each other information over and over (and over again) anyways.  they are either selling some product, or they are selling themselves.  

 

I like watching youtube to be entertained more these days.  I like the VideoBlog format.  just showing us a day in the life type stuff.  a fishing tournament, just a fun fishing day etc.  I like seeing the skunks, backlashes, and even rod breaking and kayaks flipping.  the full story.  

 

I would go broke and insane if I chased all the gear and baits these people use.  no thanks. 

[thediscochef]

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

I look at a lot of internet (you tube, etc.) fishing content in the winter as we have around 6 months off from open water.   So many of these “Internet Experts” (including pro fisherman, former pros, etc.) seem so confident in their lures, techniques, locations, and knowledge.   Do you ever wonder if they know so much and are so confident, why most of them don’t finish better in tournaments??   I know it is fishing and very unpredictable, but with their amount of confidence, it would seem they would be dominating.   I understand they are trying to sell their sponsored products and themselves, but it is starting to wear me out a little.   “This lure is all you need for spring”, “ Fishing here during xxxx will guarantee fish”, if you use this weight, you will increase your bites by 90%”. 
 

Spring must be coming SOON!!

I think the first reply about selling is a big one. The big money isn't in the fishing. It's in the selling. Much of what I see on YouTube is just guys trying to convince you to watch more of their content or buy their sponsored whatever. If I want to actually know how something is done I pretty much stick to Glenn's videos. The rest is edu-tainment. I do enjoy a good Bill Dance blooper reel.

[LCG]

I enjoy and have learned a lot from various youtube channels. But, and this is a big but, I take what I see and hear with a grain of salt.

 

I am certainly not against people making money or sponsorships, otherwise we wouldn't have these channels. But with the money factor, I question a lot of the products recommend.

 

I put more faith in my peers here on this site and their experience. That, combined with my own experience, knowledge, and a bit of common sense make the learning journey enjoyable and entertaining.

[the reel ess]

One of the pros I follow on YouTube once said he NEVER pegged a bullet sinker. He thought it cost bites and was completely unnecessary unless heavy punching. The last video I saw from him had a pegged sinker on the T-rigged lizard he was pitching to laydowns. They have to present everything as if they know it to be a fact because they're the experts. What's conventional wisdom one day is history the next. 

 

I remember watching a video of Gerald Swindle giving jig fishing advice. It was winter and he didn't get a bite the entire time. He said, as I always say, if you're fishing in cold water, two bites can be success. That's refreshingly honest.

[TnRiver46]

41 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 

 I like seeing the skunks, backlashes, and even rod breaking and kayaks flipping.  

 

 

I think you’d like fishing with me haha

[Fishin Dad]

I agree with all of your statements.   Most of the guys I watch are great fisherman (I watch mostly pro’s videos).   I have learned a ton from many of them as well.   They have all obviously done a great job selling as well, I still watch a lot of them to learn.   My winter screen time is up and my bank account down.  
I have also learned to take their confidence with a grain of salt.  I have respectfully left out names of some that I watch that take it over the top with very minimal results.  

[Dogface]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I think you’d like fishing with me haha

 

I think I could give you a run for your money if you want to compare bloopers.

 

Maybe we should get together with Bill Dance and have a Blooper Tournament.

 

Second though maybe not. No one could beat Bill when it comes to bloopers. He's the best! ?

[Troy85]

@Dogface Agreed, Bill Dance probably has the best bloopers in the history of the world. lol

[swhit140]

I like to watch some professional anglers, I like listening to them about simple changes/modifications to baits/lures. Sometimes there is good knowledge/technique that you never thought of that you can apply to your fishing success. 

[TOXIC]

I know I’m not letting the cat outta the bag when I tell you Bill Dance’s bloopers are all staged…..right??

 

and yes, promoting your sponsors products is a big part of a pro’s job.  Why don’t they dominate you ask…because the minimum skill level to fish at the professional level pretty much puts them all on an even playing field.  

[PaulVE64]

19 hours ago, bowhunter63 said:

Jeff Little has some great Smallie videos 

I stumbled on his strap jig video about 6 yrs ago but I was very new to youtube and had no knowledge of subscriptions or how to follow a provider.

I found another of his videos last november and realised he was that guy!

 

 I dont jive with alot of the advice/ content I see on youtube but Jeff Little has great videos. The best.

[Deleted account]

13 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

because the minimum skill level to fish at the professional level pretty much puts them all on an even playing field.  

 

Yeah, kinda like Mark Madsen and Michael Jordan in the NBA...

[Darth-Baiter]

being a GREAT fisherman doenst make you a great hype-man for fishing on youtube.  they can be mutually exclusive.  

[scaleface]

I dont pay that much attention to what lures they are recommending.   All those configurations of spinnerbaits for example . Dont need a bunch  willows, Colorados, Indianas , gold , copper , silver painted... I have my favorites. I just  need to present them to the most bass  as efficiently as possible. That is where most Youtubers fail. I much prefer to watch someone discus how to approach and  fish a dock then some yahoo explaining why I need a multitude of spinnerbait combinations.

[Tennessee Boy]

It’s true in just about any area of expertise that the people who are knowledgeable and reasonable are the most boring.  Take the pundits on network news,  the dramatic ones that rant and rave have the best ratings.  No one wants the watch the guy that says an issue is complicated and calmly explains both sides.  Same with fishing,  people love the guy who claims to have all the secrets.  No one wants to hear about how important time on the water and persistence is to becoming a better angler.
 

[Mobasser]

This is the reason I like Glenn's videos. He lets you know what bait he's using, but leaves it open so you make your own choice on what brand. Then, he sets it up with a good demonstration. For me, this is the best way to learn. The first one I watched was plastic grub fishing. All since then have been good.                      No hype- just fishing.