Rant 2024

burrows reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 12:01 AM, 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.

On 1/1/2018 at 2:24 AM, 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 reply :

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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 2:24 AM, 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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 4:36 AM, 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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 12:08 PM, 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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 10:45 PM, 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

BassWhole! reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 11:46 PM, 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....

BassWhole! reply :

On 1/2/2018 at 8:22 PM, Oregon Native said:

Where is this coming from....

Ah, from some of the posts above...

Pro Logcatcher reply :

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.

papajoe222 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 10:10 PM, nascar2428 said:

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.

The direction the industry is headed is just a result of an overflow of retail outlets looking to get their piece of the pie, only to discover the piece getting smaller and smaller. Also, the outlets you mention are department stores and their target consumer wasn’t the fisherman.

The other factor to consider is on-line purchasers. If you look at the Christmas season, there has been a steady decline in retail sales.

As far as that video channel, I don’t feel it hurts bass fishing. As Glenn mentioned, the introduction of children to the sport is dwindling. IMO a major reason is the demise of family, the traditional mom, dad and kids. When dad only has visitation every other week-end, a time consuming sport like fishing is far down on his list of things to do.

Children hunger for information, entertainment and a connection to others. Sadly, family is no longer supplying those.

BassWhole! reply :

So I'm the only one that likes Thai hotties in Daisy Dukes catching snakeheads?

NYWayfarer reply :

If I am not fishing I am watching programs with fishing related content. Things like Wicked Tuna but also YouTubers. Just like anything else they have their place.

geo g reply :

Thanks guys for the video. I enjoyed watching regardless of what techniques you are using. There are many ways to catch bass on any given day, and any body of water. I enjoyed the lack of senseless music that sometime blasts in others videos. Keep doing what your doing and people will watch.

MrPeanut reply :

The youtube fishing channels are always an interesting topic because everyone has a very different view point on them.

There are many channels that are for fishing, but don't actually provide instruction. A lot of the younger crowd find them entertaining, so they have a lot of followers. I don't find a lot of them entertaining so I don't watch them. On the other hand, there are a handful of channels with a lot of very good information / tips on them as well, which I do watch.

Youtube is nothing more than a platform people can share information on. The viewers can choose whether or not they want to watch. Some companies are more or less supporting some of the bigger channels, because it's a way to get their advertisements out to a mass of viewers, who would otherwise not see their ads. To them, it's simple economics and marketing.

If people want to invest the money into buying cameras and posting their outdoors blogs on youtube, my take is go ahead, there's a lot worse things they could be doing. As long as I can still choose which ones I want to watch and which ones I don't, I have no problem with it. I think it will be interesting to watch and see if companies start to "sponsor" youtube personas in the same way they do tournaments, and the affect that choice will have on the massive amount of channels there are. Once channel owners get to a certain age, youtube will pay the bills or it won't.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

On 1/2/2018 at 10:40 PM, papajoe222 said:

The direction the industry is headed is just a result of an overflow of retail outlets looking to get their piece of the pie, only to discover the piece getting smaller and smaller. Also, the outlets you mention are department stores and their target consumer wasn’t the fisherman.

The other factor to consider is on-line purchasers. If you look at the Christmas season, there has been a steady decline in retail sales.

As far as that video channel, I don’t feel it hurts bass fishing. As Glenn mentioned, the introduction of children to the sport is dwindling. IMO a major reason is the demise of family, the traditional mom, dad and kids. When dad only has visitation every other week-end, a time consuming sport like fishing is far down on his list of things to do.

Children hunger for information, entertainment and a connection to others. Sadly, family is no longer supplying those.

Very well said my friend! I can't remember the last time I actually bought fishing gear from a store myself. And you're right, the traditional family life is becoming nonexistent. So many parents find it much easier to hand their children a video game, phone or tablet instead of spending time actually showing them something useful. I believe that this kind of exposure leads to a population of kids who know and see too much too soon. Many get consumed in social media and fall into trying to fit into crowds they shouldn't be in. Fishing is the last thing on their mind at this point.

My son loves pumping himself up with fishing videos on YouTube prior to a trip. Then he wants to know why we don't have the huge wrapped boat and expensive flat screen TV monitor sonars he sees on the different channels. Given, he's only 8 yrs old. But it's an example of how easily they can get affected by what they see when they don't yet understand things. Everything in moderation IMO.

Preytorien reply :

I like watching some now and then, and definitely only the informative types, like Glenn or Gene.

One other thing that I noticed, and really only about myself, is how the editing and cutting affected my mentality when fishing. I had watched so many videos of guys pulling up on "fishy" looking spots and hauling them out, that I started getting frustrated in my own fishing. The videos, even TV programs, of course usually only show footage of the guys getting bites, all the boring stuff in between doesn't sell. It started causing my mentality to change and be more impatient. Once I stopped watching so much, and focused on techniques and applications that I learned both on here and Glenn/Gene's videos, I not only caught more, but enjoyed the hunt a little more than I did.

That said, if nothing else is on I might watch Bill Dance or someone, I might watch a lure review video on YT now and then, but the majority of the time I try to watch something more informative and educational.

Chance_Taker4 reply :

There is going to be a downfall on the youtube side of the industry. YT banned all hunting and gun related content from being monetized. A small channel I watch that is geared for instructional and reviews has shut his channel down because YT is now combing through Fishing channels to demonetize them. All these flooded channels will be gone once YT quits paying them for fishing videos. That is one reason the Googan Squad (I can't stand by the way) is uploading less fishing content and more talking about fishing.

As for the industry I shop probably the most different than everyone here. I do not buy from big chain outlets and very rarely do I buy from mom and pop shops. When I want to buy product I go straight to the manufacture for it. Yes I may place 7-8 different orders but they offer free shipping along with every other store. I would rather the manufacture receive every cent for their product then split between other companies.

Lastly @reason where can I find these snakehead videos?

Fishing Rhino reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 12:21 PM, A-Jay said:

I'm good with that - Thanks.

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

As I prefer leading.

A-Jay

But, but, but, but, if you don't have followers, who or what are you leading?

A-Jay reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 7:59 AM, Fishing Rhino said:

But, but, but, but, if you don't have followers, who or what are you leading?

The Blind.

A-Jay

BuzzHudson19c reply :

I've never like tournaments. I always preferred fishing shows (Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston etc) to tournament fishing from a young age. There will always be those who would rather compete in a given sport or hobby however.

I think a similar effect has been had on the lifting industry. I love powerlifting and youtube has exposed a lot of new young people to the sport, but it hasn't really increased the amount of people showing up at meets to compete. Kids do "Mock meets" alone at the gym and then post them on youtube.

Personally, with powerlifting I prefer the competitions, with fishing I do not. I don't think tournament fishing has anything to worry about. The competitors are out there.

slonezp reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 8:02 AM, A-Jay said:

The Blind.

A-Jay

Since you are Sensei to the blind, maybe you can answer this question I have been pondering for a long time. How do blind people know when they are done wiping?

A-Jay reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 10:34 AM, slonezp said:

Since you are Sensei to the blind, maybe you can answer this question I have been pondering for a long time. How do blind people know when they are done wiping?

Guess you got your meds then ?

A-Jay

soflabasser reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 10:13 AM, BuzzHudson19c said:

I've never like tournaments. I always preferred fishing shows (Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston etc) to tournament fishing from a young age. There will always be those who would rather compete in a given sport or hobby however.

I think a similar effect has been had on the lifting industry. I love powerlifting and youtube has exposed a lot of new young people to the sport, but it hasn't really increased the amount of people showing up at meets to compete. Kids do "Mock meets" alone at the gym and then post them on youtube.

Personally, with powerlifting I prefer the competitions, with fishing I do not. I don't think tournament fishing has anything to worry about. The competitors are out there.

I use to watch fishing shows on TV such as Jimmy Houston, Spanish Fly, etc when I was a kid and did not like watching tournament fishing and still do not like watching tournament fishing. I do watch many fishing Youtube videos and find them very entertaining. As for powerlifting,I have noticed what you mentioned about the lifting industry and theres a lot of shady stuff in the fitness industry that I am sure you are aware of. I have been powerlifting for almost 2 decades, still have big lifts, and I do not plan on completing in a powerlfiting meet since too many guys in those meets take anabolic steroids. I refuse to complete with person who takes steroids and I am sure there are many drug free athletes who do not complete in powerlifting competitions since they know they will complete against those who got their gains by abusing steroids. Many of these lifters juice a couple months of the year and stop for several months so it doesn't show up on drug test, so even the ''drug free powerlifting meets'' are tainted with these steroid abusing individuals. I am sure there are those in the lifting community that look down on drug free lifters for not taking steroids , but at least we are not cheating and taking drugs that are illegal in the USA for bodybuilding and athletic purposes.

Fishing Rhino reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 10:34 AM, slonezp said:

Since you are Sensei to the blind, maybe you can answer this question I have been pondering for a long time. How do blind people know when they are done wiping?

Do you really want to know the answer to that?

KenNorton reply :

From a regional perspective, youtube has been a breath of fresh air. I cannot express how frustrating it was growing up around some of the top bass waters in the country (northern California) and hardly ever seeing western lakes fished on the national tv shows. We had/have one show that showcases western waters (Angler West TV) and when I was younger I can remember waiting all week with baited breath for new episodes. Youtube makes it so easy to finally watch lakes in our region fished (and seeing what works out here).

I would say 80% of the time on youtube I'll watch videos filmed on northern California waters (helps that tacticalbassin and Informative Fisherman are out here). And the rest of the time I'll watch general instructional videos of the bassresource variety....I cannot stand a lot of the "hype"/"clickbait" type fishing videos. I think youtube is still in it's infancy and these unfulfilling videos will not stand the test of time as the general public gradually smartens-up - at least I hope that's the case.

OCdockskipper reply :

Being on the downhill side of 50, I don't have much use for most fishing videos to learn. In fact, I find I will often read the transcripts of the videos that Glenn posts as opposed to watching them. I find I learn better when I am actively participating rather than passively watching.

An example of that is how I learned about the Ned rig. It started with a simple, tongue-in-cheek comment by Bluebasser86 who wrote something like "Nothing to see here, it is just hype " when talking about the technique. For some reason, that throw away line piqued my curiosity and I began picking up information reading about it from others on this site & from Ned himself. Videos on the subject seem to be lacking (for me), although I did find illustrations helpful.

I do enjoy watching shows like MLF for the entertainment value, but it seems like many of the videos (as well as some TV shows) try so hard to be cool or different that they come across as annoying to me, so I turn them off.

LionHeart reply :

Don't have any interest in tournament fishing so I can't really speak to that but I think YouTube as a whole is incredible. It has saved me countless hours and money by showing me things from fixing appliance to replacing window motors in my wife's car.

I thoroughly enjoy watching fishing videos of just about every kind. A great number of the channels just want to eventually profit From the deal, but some of them are just regular people trying to share their experience, from gear reviews to fishing techniques. Anything that can save me time and money, while I get to sit in front of a computer drinking coffee..... well, nuff said.

Choporoz reply :

What's a youtube?

JK...sorta...lump me in with some of the other old pharts above....I can count on one hand (two, maybe on a generous day) the number of youtube posters that I thought brought me some value, including Glenn and Gene...oh, and those two Tactical guys out in CA, also...not many others.

I admit to having enjoyed a few top pro's vids, like KVD or that skipping guru, Montgomery...and I'll watch most anything that Swindle is doing because he cracks me up...and sometimes teaches me a little as a bonus...I don't have time/interest for the rest of it

nighthawk25 reply :

I love watching Jon B, but if I really want to learn a certain technique I'll watch BassResource, Angling Buzz or similar channels.

Hawkeye21 reply :

On 1/1/2018 at 3:07 AM, slonezp said:

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?

If he does well enough on YouTube he won't have to worry about his future. There are plenty of YouTubers who make hundreds of thousands and even millions putting videos on YouTube. Many of those videos are watched by young people too. I'd say he's pretty smart.

Fishing Rhino reply :

On 1/4/2018 at 10:34 AM, slonezp said:

Since you are Sensei to the blind, maybe you can answer this question I have been pondering for a long time. How do blind people know when they are done wiping?

There is a simple solution. Bidets for the blind. I'd recommend the unit with the highest pressure.

http://bidetking.com/best-bidet-seat-for-me

Gundog reply :

On 1/7/2018 at 7:12 AM, Fishing Rhino said:

There is a simple solution. Bidets for the blind. I'd recommend the unit with the highest pressure.

http://bidetking.com/best-bidet-seat-for-me

I used one of those for the first time in a government building in Canada back in the 80's. It was a unique experience. It wasn't the worst water fountain I've ever drank out of but the design should be changed. The horseshoe shaped thing kept falling down and hitting me in the head.

burrows reply :

Even with a bidet though I would still think that the person would have to be able to see ? Or have someone else see or ?

Gundog reply :

On 1/7/2018 at 12:10 PM, Burro said:

Even with a bidet though I would still think that the person would have to be able to see ? Or have someone else see or ?

This is where a good seeing eye dog comes in handy. You can just wipe yourself on it and then take it to the groomers.

Jaderose reply :

Meh.....who cares? Wanna watch fishing videos? knock yourself out. A few are great. Most are unwatchable to my 50 yr old eyes and ears. I have an old flip phone. I've never taken a picture of a fish I have caught, let alone made a video. I just don't give any poops whether YOU see me catch a fish and can't imagine that you would be interested in seeing me do so. I just fish.

Get off my lawn!

Quarry Man reply :

I am 16. I started fishing for bass heavily in 2016 during the summer. Come winter, I began to look into new lures, then I found youtube. Most of my basic knowledge comes from there. Later on, I found bass resource, way more informative, that is also where i noticed the little details that make all the difference in the world. Instead of learning what rod to throw a spinnerbait on in the spring from youtube, here I learned how to retrieve it, when hand why to fish it. Stuff like that. It also explains why I caught 100ish bass in 2016 (one 50 fish day) to 752 LMBs in 2017. Without this site, I would still be on Youtube right now.

When I first started watching the "Big Channels", they all had like 17k subscribers. Back then they made great content. They actually taught me how to fish. ow I stopped watching because it is a joke about making money and telling kids to quit school. I sense that this sudden change in the lack of content will make dropping out of school a regretted decision in a few years, but I will be the first to say that I hope it works out for them. There is nothing better than being your own boss and waking up everyday and loving your job.

LOTR88 reply :

There is plenty of informative content on YouTube when it comes to Bass fishing, it all depends on what you are looking for. I watch a lot of bass fishing YouTube videos and have picked a few I follow because they are either informative or entertaining, some of them just make me laugh and we can all use a laugh. As for how it affects the industry I can't really say, I don't fish tournaments, I live on a lake and fish for the fun of it. I have taken a few action cam videos of me fishing but the novelty wore off quick with me, it was too much work...lol. As for it being expensive to bass fish that also depends on the person, you don't need to send a lot of money to catch a bass.

Brock_v reply :

I'm 13 and absolutely love fishing, My dad is a die hard musky fisherman and doesnt really like fishing for bass. So one day a couple summers ago my friend suggested we went fishing so we did and i was hooked on the sport. Now i know more about fishing than almost all the adults in my city and have a true passion. I make my own youtube videos myself but i am more interested in watching tips, trying to learn more about tackle and how people store their tackle so that's the types of videos i make i focus more about teaching than about entertaining. I think The googan squad is cool but id rather watch other fishing videos like ( mikey ballzz, Benjamin Nowak and Alex Rudd ) People who consistantly catch big fish and tech you how to do it. Whens the last time (not in mexico ) have you seen a googan catch a 9 pounder 3 days in row like mikey ballz. That's all i have to say.

scaleface reply :

If I was a better speaker then I woudnt mind making some fishing videos . I have a couple of metal detecting videos on Facebook and I'm not very good at communicating .

rosshilk reply :

I am a bit awestruck by the way Youtuber's are changing the scene. The young men that make videos like the googen squad drive me a bit crazy. Before the scene started changing to entertainment instead of education I enjoyed some of their videos. The fact that companies are designing rods with these kids names to sell them is a bit alarming. They are not professional fisherman in my opinion, so I find it foolish that people buy their "designed" rods. Ive never used their products and never will. I have no trust in their opinions of what is necessary to have a quality rod.

I do still like some youtube video series very much. I enjoy Glen's material, wired to fish, and the Tacklejunky. Tacklejunky does not come off overly attached to his sponsors products, and seems far more interested in discussing the techniques and baits that he has had success with. I far prefer education over entertainment. I also feel like some of these youtuber's who get sponsorship due to their silly antics and view potential harms somewhat the professional fisherman. Sponsorship money in a lot of anglers cases is hard to get. Some 23 year old kid opening boxes with a weed whacker getting that money over a guy with 30 years experience fishing the tour circuits in my mind is appalling.

J Francho reply :

I'm still unclear how YouTubers are changing the scene? I mean, I've been fishing a long time, and I just don't get what "scene" they've affected. It's fishing. And I'm not sure who is actually making any kind of REAL money doing it. There's a few top educators, but other than that, free stuff in return for a plug isn't real money, and the bottom is falling out of that market anyway.

Hez reply :

On 1/18/2018 at 4:46 AM, J Francho said:

I'm still unclear how YouTubers are changing the scene?

IMO...YouTubers are changing the scene simply by increasing the popularity in the younger generation. I got back into fishing because of YouTube 3 years ago...and look at me now...I'm as hardcore as they get.

Include a handful of friends...plus some teenagers/kids I know that fell victim to fishing via the same way (YouTube).

Fishing was a dying sport...now with the help of YouTube and social media...the fishing industry is revived...along with the boating industry...and the outdoors industry in general.

I think it's absolutely phenomenal

burrows reply :

This is what I've noticed with you tube. Selling your brand is easier and makes the angler more popular depending on the channels success. This is why alot of professionals make content to reach the younger generation that does not watch TV like most of us older folk. Kids don't watch TV anymore there watching youtube and facebook videos and whatever else but tv is becoming like radio that's why most tvs are smart tvs so ppl can watch Internet content. In order for a tournament angler to sell themselves to the younger generation they absolutely need to make content. This is why youtubers can make and sell there own products because of their popularity. These products rods reels whatever is mainly in the 100 to 200 dollar range targeting young anglers looking for the next coolest rods, reels at an affordable cost.

J Francho reply :

On 1/18/2018 at 5:00 AM, Hez said:

Fishing was a dying sport...now with the help of YouTube and social media...the fishing industry is revived...along with the boating industry...and the outdoors industry in general.

Numbers are still down, way down.

On 1/18/2018 at 10:49 PM, Burro said:

This is why youtubers can make and sell there own products because of their popularity. These products rods reels whatever is mainly in the 100 to 200 dollar range targeting young anglers looking for the next coolest rods, reels at an affordable cost

No YouTuber is "making and selling" their own rods and reels. They are shilling for someone.

Weedless reply :

This site is has the best info hands down but.......Youtube is great for Knot tying instructions videos for this slow learner!!

burrows reply :

On 1/18/2018 at 11:20 PM, Weedless said:

This site is has the best info hands down but.......Youtube is great for Knot tying instructions videos for this slow learner!!

I agree 100% but that's not what the op was about.

Weedless reply :

Well personally, I feel like the younger generation is into instant gratification, that is why they have a million of apps that you get always being doing something "entertaining/gratifying" with your phone. That being said, I believe there is a demand to watch fishing via youtube knowing that the youtube clip of their choice will be off catching (the instant "entertaining/gratifying" part) fish.

There are ALOT of people that love the idea of fishing (like Wicked Tuna), but actually doing it is another thing. So yes there are alot of advertisers jumping all over these youtube videos that have lots and lots of clicks, but I am not necessarily believing that it is resulting in sales and growing the industry. So I predict that there will always be advertising in these videos but the videographer will be getting paid less and less and resulting in less Fad videographer fisherman. I believe you will always have poplular fishing videos of big catches but i do not believe it is gonna grow the industry. In the end of the day, clicks do not mean purchases and increasing the industry.

Choporoz reply :

what was the question?

or rant?

burrows reply :

On 1/18/2018 at 4:46 AM, J Francho said:

I'm still unclear how YouTubers are changing the scene? I mean, I've been fishing a long time, and I just don't get what "scene" they've affected. It's fishing. And I'm not sure who is actually making any kind of REAL money doing it. There's a few top educators, but other than that, free stuff in return for a plug isn't real money, and the bottom is falling out of that market anyway.

This is how they are changing the game, they are becoming increasingly more popular than your traditional tournament angler for example Gerald swindle is a tournament angler but probably not as popular as let's say Scott martin who has a ton of subs to his fishing channel who do you think sells more rods or merch or whatever? Who do the kids look up to more? Scott because he puts himself out there he's got more of a personal relationship with his veiwers because when you watch theses fisherman on you tube you began to either hate them or relate to them, they take you threw the experience which leads to more popularity than the regular old Joe tournament guy that has no channel.

Now a days you don't even have to fish tournaments to pick up sponsors or get paid to fish you just have to create good content. And I'm talking good content.

slonezp reply :

On 1/18/2018 at 4:46 AM, J Francho said:

I'm still unclear how YouTubers are changing the scene? I mean, I've been fishing a long time, and I just don't get what "scene" they've affected. It's fishing. And I'm not sure who is actually making any kind of REAL money doing it. There's a few top educators, but other than that, free stuff in return for a plug isn't real money, and the bottom is falling out of that market anyway.

Did the "scene" change? A guy I fished against since 2004 qualified for the Elite series this year and never made a video in his life. Had he worried about making videos and not fishing, he wouldn't be where he's at.

slonezp reply :

On 1/19/2018 at 12:02 AM, Weedless said:

Well personally, I feel like the younger generation is into instant gratification, that is why they have a million of apps that you get always being doing something "entertaining/gratifying" with your phone. That being said, I believe there is a demand to watch fishing via youtube knowing that the youtube clip of their choice will be off catching (the instant "entertaining/gratifying" part) fish.

This comment is not directed towards you, you just spawned my thoughts.

You know what is gratifying? Watch a Hank Parker episode. He is doing more good for the industry than any youtoober. The younger generation's values have shifted. Too much selfish behavior and not enough selfless behavior. Many/most Youtoobers aren't posting videos to help the sport. They are posting videos to stroke their own egos. Is the Googan squad taking veterans, the handicapped, the less fortunate, fishing? Hank Parker is. Mike D is. A midwest local John Gillespie is. A number of other organizations are.

I mentioned something in a thread some time ago about the Googan Squad. I had never seen a video and decided to take a look. What I saw was a kid slamming a bass into the windshield on the bassboat as he leaned back to adjust the GoPro so he could get a nice shot. Not only are their fish handling skills less than par, but so are their editing skills.

You want to do something for the sport? Volunteer at your local H.S. if they have a fishing club. Volunteer for one of the many veterans fishing charity's. Volunteer for local events. Kids need this. Last year my father and I recruited volunteers to teach kids from 5-15 how to cast fishing rods. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to get people to give up 8 hours out of their precious lives to help a kid that isn't theirs. Do something productive instead of commenting on youtube videos.

The Maestro reply :

The most drastic change I've seen is the sheer amount of information available. Combined with the massive advancements in technology (gps, side/down-imaging, mapping, power poles, spot lock, rods, line, reels, super realistic baits etc.. ), the learning curve has been dramatically reduced from 20-30 years ago.

burrows reply :

On 1/20/2018 at 9:20 AM, slonezp said:

This comment is not directed towards you, you just spawned my thoughts.

You know what is gratifying? Watch a Hank Parker episode. He is doing more good for the industry than any youtoober. The younger generation's values have shifted. Too much selfish behavior and not enough selfless behavior. Many/most Youtoobers aren't posting videos to help the sport. They are posting videos to stroke their own egos. Is the Googan squad taking veterans, the handicapped, the less fortunate, fishing? Hank Parker is. Mike D is. A midwest local John Gillespie is. A number of other organizations are.

I mentioned something in a thread some time ago about the Googan Squad. I had never seen a video and decided to take a look. What I saw was a kid slamming a bass into the windshield on the bassboat as he leaned back to adjust the GoPro so he could get a nice shot. Not only are their fish handling skills less than par, but so are their editing skills.

You want to do something for the sport? Volunteer at your local H.S. if they have a fishing club. Volunteer for one of the many veterans fishing charity's. Volunteer for local events. Kids need this. Last year my father and I recruited volunteers to teach kids from 5-15 how to cast fishing rods. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to get people to give up 8 hours out of their precious lives to help a kid that isn't theirs. Do something productive instead of commenting on youtube videos.

LAWL.

iabass8 reply :

On 1/20/2018 at 9:20 AM, slonezp said:

This comment is not directed towards you, you just spawned my thoughts.

You know what is gratifying? Watch a Hank Parker episode. He is doing more good for the industry than any youtoober. The younger generation's values have shifted. Too much selfish behavior and not enough selfless behavior. Many/most Youtoobers aren't posting videos to help the sport. They are posting videos to stroke their own egos. Is the Googan squad taking veterans, the handicapped, the less fortunate, fishing? Hank Parker is. Mike D is. A midwest local John Gillespie is. A number of other organizations are.

I mentioned something in a thread some time ago about the Googan Squad. I had never seen a video and decided to take a look. What I saw was a kid slamming a bass into the windshield on the bassboat as he leaned back to adjust the GoPro so he could get a nice shot. Not only are their fish handling skills less than par, but so are their editing skills.

You want to do something for the sport? Volunteer at your local H.S. if they have a fishing club. Volunteer for one of the many veterans fishing charity's. Volunteer for local events. Kids need this. Last year my father and I recruited volunteers to teach kids from 5-15 how to cast fishing rods. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to get people to give up 8 hours out of their precious lives to help a kid that isn't theirs. Do something productive instead of commenting on youtube videos.

You're better than these topics. You're getting soft in your old age.

Hawkeye21 reply :

I wonder if the older generation of fishermen ranted about the fishing shows on those new, fancy color TVs like people are ranting about people on YouTube. It's not that much different.

slonezp reply :

On 1/20/2018 at 10:00 PM, Burro said:

LAWL.

Had to google that

ClackerBuzz reply :

deja vu...

that der automobile is going to be the end society--no more taking time to stop and talk to ur neighbor on horseback or wagon....just zooming by each other too fast to say hello!

that der radio is going to end civilization. no more talking face to face for news or going to sporting events. just alone in ur house listing to a box!

that der telephone contraption is going to be the end of us. why would two people sit in a room alone talking over a electronic line when they only live 10 blocks away!

that der television set is witchcraft. families sitting home alone watching 12" tall people have fun instead of getting together for games, dances, picnics etc. they'll just watch picnics on the box instead of having one!

that der computer is the official end of us. why would you electronically send mail when the pony express has been doing a great job for hundreds of years...

OCdockskipper reply :

On 1/17/2018 at 3:02 AM, Brock_v said:

...catch a 9 pounder 3 days in row like mikey ballz...

If a guy has to use a sophomoric pseudonym with a couple of Z's tacked on to the end of it, I most likely am not in his target demographic.

Fishing Cowgirl reply :

On 1/20/2018 at 9:20 AM, slonezp said:

This comment is not directed towards you, you just spawned my thoughts.

You know what is gratifying? Watch a Hank Parker episode. He is doing more good for the industry than any youtoober. The younger generation's values have shifted. Too much selfish behavior and not enough selfless behavior. Many/most Youtoobers aren't posting videos to help the sport. They are posting videos to stroke their own egos. Is the Googan squad taking veterans, the handicapped, the less fortunate, fishing? Hank Parker is. Mike D is. A midwest local John Gillespie is. A number of other organizations are.

I mentioned something in a thread some time ago about the Googan Squad. I had never seen a video and decided to take a look. What I saw was a kid slamming a bass into the windshield on the bassboat as he leaned back to adjust the GoPro so he could get a nice shot. Not only are their fish handling skills less than par, but so are their editing skills.

You want to do something for the sport? Volunteer at your local H.S. if they have a fishing club. Volunteer for one of the many veterans fishing charity's. Volunteer for local events. Kids need this. Last year my father and I recruited volunteers to teach kids from 5-15 how to cast fishing rods. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to get people to give up 8 hours out of their precious lives to help a kid that isn't theirs. Do something productive instead of commenting on youtube videos.

I agree. My husband and I both captain for a High School Fishing Club. None are our own kids but all the kids treat us like we are extra parents with a boat. It is gratifying to take young freshmen anglers out. We teach the boating safety, ethics, courtesy about respecting other fisherman’s space, which direction are they going-don’t cut them off, ask permission to go around, how to back up a trailer, ramp etiquette, how to load the boat, run the trolling motor and in case of emergency to even get back to the ramp. Then we get into hook sets, baits, reading the maps, bait choice. We bring in speakers from Fish and Game, Elite fisherman like Bobby Lane, other pros, business men. They compete for scholarships and we were able to take a team to the World Finals High School Fishing championship. We’ve done live well tests with the FWC. It is rewarding for not only us but for the kids too.

RPreeb reply :

On 1/21/2018 at 1:15 AM, ClackerBuzz said:

deja vu...

that der automobile is going to be the end society--no more taking time to stop and talk to ur neighbor on horseback or wagon....just zooming by each other too fast to say hello!

that der radio is going to end civilization. no more talking face to face for news or going to sporting events. just alone in ur house listing to a box!

that der telephone contraption is going to be the end of us. why would two people sit in a room alone talking over a electronic line when they only live 10 blocks away!

that der television set is witchcraft. families sitting home alone watching 12" tall people have fun instead of getting together for games, dances, picnics etc. they'll just watch picnics on the box instead of having one!

that der computer is the official end of us. why would you electronically send mail when the pony express has been doing a great job for hundreds of years...

Those developments may not have killed civilization, but they certainly changed it, and often with a downside to balance the good. The speed of life today is certainly not always a good thing. We don't connect with people like we once did. We don't do the same sort of community celebrations and gatherings. Too many of us don't take the time to smell the flowers as we race to the lake to put our 150 hp boat on the lake, and then race again to our honey hole in an attempt to get the fishing done before we are run off by the jet skis and water skiers.

I have fond memories of bass fishing in the 50's from my friend's 16 foot aluminum rowboat with a 5 horse Johnson. It was an amazing upgrade when his dad replaced that Johnson with a 10 horse Evinrude. Boy oh boy.... now we had a speed boat. We could go all the way across the lake to The Stumps in half the time. We could fish all day and never see more than one or 2 speedboats (and most "fast" boats then only had a 50 or 60 hp motor). Almost every boat with fishermen that drifted past our cabin was the same kind of open row boat, and for a trolling motor, they used oars. I never felt out of place in our canoe as I often do today. I certainly never felt in danger of being run over.

However, I would not want to give up my computer, my digital SLR camera, my cable internet connection, my satellite TV and Sirius radio. I love my F-150 Ecoboost pickup - have no interest in revisiting the beat up '60 Chevy 1/2 ton truck I bought after I got home from my active duty Army service in 1971.

So you can put me down as one of those boomers who is stuck between 2 eras, and wants the best of both.

BassWhole! reply :

I can't decide between a tiny house, van life or off grid yurt, please comment below, here is some video of my hot girlfriend and her friends (and puppies) consider patreon(ing) our journey...

burrows reply :

On 1/23/2018 at 9:06 AM, reason said:

I can't decide between a tiny house, van life or off grid yurt, please comment below, here is some video of my hot girlfriend and her friends (and puppies) consider patreon(ing) our journey...

And don't forget to like comment and subscribe, also the gear I was using will be linked down in the descriptions.

roadwarrior reply :

Movin' on...

Goodnight Irene.

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