Fishing is LOSING Popularity?

[Floridabassking352]

Don't know if you all have seen this from the latest Bassmaster or not, but for those who haven't, take a look at these percentages:

1. 4.2% decline in number of anglers from 1996-2001

2. 11% decline in days spent fishing from 1996-2001

3. 17% decline in total expenditures from 1996-2001

(these percentages are on p.24 of the latest Bassmaster magazine)

We need to do something about this. I thought fishing was gaining in popularity, not declining. A recent poll here on BR on this topic showed that most voted it would increase in the future:

What do you think fishing will be like in 10 years? http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1166820490

What's going on? I suppose it could be gaining in popularity NOW considering the fact that these percentages only go from 1996-2001, but based on just the numbers it sure seems like the sport isn't taking off all that much.

[VekolBass]

I think it is the natural result of big business "discovering" a sport (ESPN/BASS), hyping it to the masses, the masses trying it out and discovering that:

1. You can't just throw money at it to become proficient--or even have fun. (see some of the recent threads regarding this subject)

2. It requires some degree of physical effort and discomfort.

3. It is an activity that requires patience and concentration.

They tried it and discovered they did not like it. Not a problem as far as I'm concerned. The water is too crowded as it is.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I wouldnt mind a few less people on the lakes to tell you the truth

Serious anglers will still keep buying equipment and weekenders also.Its the fringe anglers that fall out amyway

[=Matt 5.0=]

Not a problem as far as I'm concerned. The water is too crowded as it is.

I concur.

[Nick B]

Took the words right out of my mouth about too many people, we just need to make sure that we have a future for fishing, so Take a Kid fishing

[Gatorbassman]

2001 was six years ago. ESPN didn't start airing bass fishing untill 2003. Those numbers are not current. I don't know why they didn't report on the last six years. It sounds like a story to fit an agenda.

[burleytog]

I can't spend any more.   :-/

[CraigBaugher]

I have not done any research, but I would say you are looking at a natural decline in population growth. As I am one of the last of the "Baby Boomers" who took pride in the fact that we were only having one or two kids. Right behind me, are the Generation "X" folks, who not only reduce the number of kids they are having, but waited to have their kids later in life, which is only getting worse with the Generation "Y" folks. The "Ybies" are actaully wanting to be secure before they have kids. Advance College degrees, good jobs, a nice home, solid retirement program, sound stock portfolio -- Well, honey, I think its time to have some kids . . . I don't know, we're only 40; we might be too young still. . .

[Marty]

It wouldn't shock me if the trend is similar from 2001 until now. Kids have a lot of things to do that are competing with fishing, plus with more kids being brought up in fatherless homes, the decline seems consistent with those factors.

[Gatorbassman]

It wouldn't shock me if the trend is similar from 2001 until now. Kids have a lot of things to do that are competing with fishing, plus with more kids being brought up in fatherless homes, the decline seems consistent with those factors.

Good point Marty

[Travlin_Man]

I agree with those that say  smaller number of fisherman = nicer day on the water      Also the fact that you can't buy fishing success.

[bass109]

Fishing is LOSING Popularity? only to those that are not good at fishing or love fishing. I have fished in very pressured waters before, it is alot better to just enjoy fishing with less competition then to fish in a  crowded area.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I have not done any research, but I would say you are looking at a natural decline in population growth. As I am one of the last of the "Baby Boomers" who took pride in the fact that we were only having one or two kids. Right behind me, are the Generation "X" folks, who not only reduce the number of kids they are having, but waited to have their kids later in life, which is only getting worse with the Generation "Y" folks. The "Ybies" are actaully wanting to be secure before they have kids. Advance College degrees, good jobs, a nice home, solid retirement program, sound stock portfolio -- Well, honey, I think its time to have some kids . . . I don't know, we're only 40; we might be too young still. . .

also, alot more people of my generation aren't getting married (and having kids) at all.

I still have to agree with Fluke, the parameters he chose to quote sure do seem to be tailored to prove his point.  Current numbers would be better.  Also remember that often times how popular somthing is or isn't is based on "retail sales".  Not neccessarily a true miror of what's gong on in the field, just a guage.

[edbassmaster]

Some of you Im sure will disagree with me, but I think if the sport had more people like Ike and Ish it might open doors to a bigger more diverse audience, remember its now " Urban America ". I know alot of people who know absolutely nothing about bass fishing but know who Ike is and now show interest in the sport.

[dink]

Oh yeah!  I don't even like fishing anymore.  I'm hanging it up as soon as I use up the rest of my soft plastics..... sometime around 2078. ;D ;D

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I am a little taken back by those numbers as well and the dates are definitely suspect.

All of my opinion is based purely on what I see at the my local waters.  I have seen SIGNIGANTLY more boats on the water especially in the last 2 to 3 years.  These particular lakes I used to be able to go to on the busiest of fishing days and there would maybe 5-10 boats on the water TOPS.  Often times I would have the whole lake to myself.  Now it's not all that uncommon to see 15-20 boats on the water regularly.  That may not be big numbers to some, but for 200-300 acre lakes that's quite a bit.

[RoLo]

An 11% decline in days spent fishing from 1996-2001

Cheer Up Fellows, at that rate there'll eventually be only one boat on each lake

Roger

[fishbear]

Are we talking just bass fishing here, or fishing as a whole??????

Somehow I find it hard to believe that fishing is declining in popularity..

[Nick_Barr]

The Youth are the FUTURE of the sport and I personally believe there should be more support to get as many kids out fishing.

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

2001 was six years ago. ESPN didn't start airing bass fishing untill 2003. Those numbers are not current. I don't know why they didn't report on the last six years. It sounds like a story to fit an agenda.

I agree.

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

2001 was six years ago. ESPN didn't start airing bass fishing untill 2003. Those numbers are not current. I don't know why they didn't report on the last six years. It sounds like a story to fit an agenda.

I agree.

[senile1]

2001 was six years ago. ESPN didn't start airing bass fishing untill 2003. Those numbers are not current. I don't know why they didn't report on the last six years. It sounds like a story to fit an agenda.

LBH stated"

I still have to agree with Fluke, the parameters he chose to quote sure do seem to be tailored to prove his point.  Current numbers would be better.

It doesn't appear that anyone was pushing an agenda with this story.  The survey is conducted by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service every five years ending in the numbers 1 and 6.  Preliminary findings from the 2006 survey are being compiled and will be released in the spring of 2007, so the current figures aren't yet available.  

[HPBB]

Idon't know If I believe those numbers. The lakes I fish seem to be getting more crowded all the time, even the fishing only lakes. I was able to go out on an odd Tuesday or Wednesday and I would be the only one out there. Now I can't seem to find any empty water.

If it is, I will have to agree with the kids not being taught how to fish.

But I do see it. I moved into a new neighborhood last year. the one I left, my street had about 30 houses on it and about 8-9 boats. and many people fished. I am 33 and my wife is 28. we were the youngest people on that road. most of the people were over 50.

I moved up you could say, bigger newer house, into a newer neighborhood There are 65 houses on my street. I am the only one with a boat. I would say that we are about the average age here

i would have to say that less younger people fish, but the water is still crowded.

[Fish Chris]

And what I found amusing was, 90% or so of the posters disagreed with me..... But the difference in those opinions and mine were, those were based on "how things felt or seemed to those posters" (BTW, every women I have ever been with based their opinions the same way ;-)) while my post was based on hard core fact, and I even posted this link: http://www.fishingnj.org/netusa27.html

......to which many people skipped right over to say, "Well I think........" But wait ! You don't have to think ! All you have to do, is to be able to read.

I said this before, but I'll say it again; When a guy surrounds himself with other anglers, it might, at times, feel like everyone is a fisherman ! It certainly feels this way to me sometimes. But aside from articles like the one I posted the link for, I have heard from lots of big names who believe that fishing will be gone in a matter of decades.

Burying ones head in the sand will do nothing to change the facts.

Fish

[NATHAN_JAMES]

More bass for me  ;D    Oh and if you own stock sell sell sell!