How to create demand in sport fishing?

[Terry]

and here I just want my kids to be healthy and happy...I guess I have a lot to learn about being a good parent

 

as I stated this thread wasn't about get kids interested in fishing

[Bigfish]

Great feedback thanks!

[Harrison]

I wonder how many know who Hank Gibson was and what he was the first to do..........

 

First Canadian in the bassmaster.... ah forget it. Funny Terry.

 

There are two theories on how to get interest in Sportfishing from my experience.

 

1. Through Competition.i.e. tournament format etc

 

2. No competition, just fellowship and hands on education/experience.

 

I have a bit of expereince through larger events introducing kids to this sport.

 

The avenue I chose was #2, and it was mostly tournament and fulltime professional anglers that helped me do it.

 

There is no wrong or right way I believe, but getting a rod and reel into a youngsters hand is a pretty good start.

 

OH...As for the T scene....

 

America(especailly South) = Bass Crazy!

 

Canada = 85% anglers have no idea when bass opens and if they do, the walleye and pike bite must be off.

 

Cheers.

Edited April 4, 2007 by Harrison

[misfish]

Canada = 85% anglers have no idea when bass opens and if they do, the walleye and pike bite must be off.

 

[John]

Canada = 85% anglers have no idea when bass opens and if they do, the walleye and pike bite must be off.

 

[PatrickGG]

Canada = 85% anglers have no idea when bass opens and if they do, the walleye and pike bite must be off.

 

I seen that one to many in my lifetime.

[Mike Pike]

Hey, those small horsepower tourneys are great! Don't know if there are any more out there but I really enjoyed participating in the Reel Fishin Competition years ago when it was around. As far as gaining fishing knowledge, I felt like my fishing learning curve increased dramatically during my two tourney seasons!

 

But I see tournaments as more of a progression for people who are ALREADY fishing. As others have said, I think just getting a rod into a kid's hand and starting 'em fishing for fun is the best way to grow our sport.

 

Cheers.

[Roy]

I think the question asked here was not "How do we get kids involved in fishing?" but rather "How can we make our club bigger and more profitable?" You can do both but you'll have to do the "unprofitable" part first. Take kids fishing for the love of fishing and the outdoors. Don't take them fishing because you want them to buy a $50 membership to your fishing club. That's my opinion.

[fishindevil]

This is a very interesting thread,i would like to see more tourneys for smaller boats like 50hp and under there is definatley enough people with small boats to get the required field,and it could travel to different areas of the province that way those people with small boats and a small buget would be able to fish them or tourneys with an adult and a kid under 16or even just husband and wife/girlfreinds...it would be fun and would definatley get the word out...it could be done...i guess its like everything else it just needs to be organized...cheers

[GbayGiant]

I might be in a few tournaments one day (not bass). Anyway like I said before, tournaments are about who has the best/fastest boat with the most stickers on it, they have nothing to do with kids, the fishing comes second after the sponsors. If you want your kids to be competitive fisherman, teach them how to sell the gear.

[Guest mistyriver1]

As many people on this board know, I fish alot with both of my sons (aged 13 and 7). We spend alot of time on the water together and I wouldn't trade it for anything. To get them to be more "competitive" when it comes to fishing, sorry, doesn't work for me. Fishing will never be about being competitive to me. I realize that is my choice. In my opinion, if you want to teach them to be competitive, take up another another organized sport. There's lots to choose from.

 

I do enjoy watching the tourneys and if my kids decide when they get older that they want to pursue fishing on a competitive basis then that is their choice. I have found other ways to share our passion for fishing off the water with my kids.

 

I have another question, with our constant concern about C&R and fish stocks, why would you want to get more people into it and put more pressure on the lakes, if they haven't discovered on their own what a great sport this is, oh well, their loss in my opinion.

 

I don't usually rant, my apologies, but fishing will always be an escape for me and I suspect alot of folks on this board, we are faced daily with deadlines and targets and other Bull so making fishing "competitive" especially with kids.....NO go for me.

[David Chong]

Frank,

You know my take on kids & fishing! We have to take every opportunity to take a kid fishing! Especially kids who would normally not have a chance to do so! That's the reason that I organize an event every year on opening day up in Orillia, the Fish Hard! Dream Big!-Big Brothers/Big Sisters "Take A Kid Fishing" Day! We arrange for a group of tournament anglers/TV hosts to take Big & Little matches from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization out for 4 hours of fishing. The kids get to come in and weigh in a fish just like the pros do, it can be a perch, bass, pike, rock bass whatever, we have prizes for all categories! If you could see the smiles on these kids' faces, it's amazing, they love it! We also make sure that we send everyone of them home with their own Daiwa fishing outfir and a whack of tackle so that hopefully they keep going fishing! Extreme Angler TV will be out to film this year's event so watch for it next season!

 

As for the competitive issue, every child is different, not everyone is a Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky or Kevin Van Dam. If a child enjoys the competitive side of the sport then encourage him/her and nuture that interest! If not oh well, the great thing about fishing is that you can enjoy it on whatever level you wish. In a canoe, in a river, on shore, in a tin boat or in a high-powered bass boat, each to their own! We're all anglers, here there's no point in judging others because it's not the way you enjoy fishing! Some on the hottest young anglers on the tournament trail these days started when they were very young, Barry Graves, Laura Bates, Cory Johnston and his youngerr borther Chris just to mention a few!

 

If you're lucky enough to be a pare,nt there is absolutely no better way to spend quality time with your child then fishing! It is the best! We as adults sometimes get too wrapped up in the pressures of everyday life that we forget to stop and catch the odd fish here & there!

 

Fishing and competitive fishing is going to change drastically over the next few years in Canada! We have the Bass Pro Shops in Vaughan, there is a Cabela's opening in Montreal we now have the WOW factor! WFN is going to provide a lot more media coverage, it is a exciting time to be an angler, competitive or not! The best thing that we can do is support each other as fellow anglers!

 

We'll see you on the water soon!

Dave

Edited April 4, 2007 by David Chong

[Fisherman]

Frank,were talking fishing here,not life or death. You asked a question,it seems the answers you got,are not what you wanted to hear. Yes/No............................

Ditto, No Brian, I didn't mean to lump all the 200HP + or- fishermen in the same boat, (it would have to be pretty big) , but, quite often you see the power hungry, look at me, have to make up for a small D, roar through the middle of the fishing pack types. You see it every year at the Perch Derby, and No Frank, driving the big boat should have zero influence whether or not a young person goes fishing or not. Not everyone can afford to make such purchases to keep up with the Jones or Adamos. The last bad encounter I had, about 2-3 years ago in Barrie around october, the two gabonies with the bass boats, from 0to60 in twenty feet, cause a massive wake to stop twenty feet further, whohaw and carry on like total idiots, ya, they were filming a show. And no, I don't own the lake or a cottage, I just try and do my best to respect those around there.

[SlowPoke]

Mr. Chong, outstanding reply.

 

Frank, don't take this as parenting advice... just my perspective. As a parent, we're just along for the ride. We can influance and provide guidance but a child isn't going to learn to like brussel spouts by being forced to eat them. I think it's our job as parants to create opportunities and encourage participation, in something... anything.

 

I think children come by competitive spirit naturally and the most competitive children aren't always the best at what they do. The children that excel in an activity have a genuine interest in what they are doing and apply themselves accordingly.

 

As it pertains to fishing; I plan on spending a lot of time on the water with my daughters this summer. Whether thier holding a rod or tanning on the casting deck whilst I troll for trophies, I don't care. I just want it to be enjoyable time with 'Daddy'.

 

-Brian

[Moosebunk]

Hmph, didn't really think the sport fishing "industry" or "numbers involved" was really suffering. What's it worth just here in Ontario, let alone Nationally and Internationally. What do we need here big purses for the tourneys, more shoreline anglers, more motors polluting, more money to make more high-tech rods and computerized and robotic reels.

 

In Canada not every kid gets to try every sport. Yet, the one I would think that nearly all of them from Inuvik to Windsor at one point get the chance to try is fishing. The child could be competetive, passive, handicapped, purple, 10 legged or blind... wouldn't matter, as, they'll decide wether or not they enjoy the experience they were provided.

 

A smart thread might include... what are some significant points, we as adults with varying degrees of love and enjoyment in the sport, could offer here today in order to possibly produce some sort of concrete plan or idea that will enhance the new anglers experience? Could OFC with it's high participation by anglers actually map out an intelligent, comprehensive tool, that anyone could refer to in order to "assist" them in making that first experience for a newcomer as positive as possible regardless of the particulars of the day planned on the water.

 

 

And yeah, my first vote would be to leave the competetive attitude at home and instead aim for open-mindedness.

[glirw]

Here is my opinion on this topic :

 

Firstly , there is no shortage of fishermen. Walk into BPS on any given day , the store is busy, there are plenty of teens and young adults walking the isles.

 

BUT , if you want to get the teenagers off the coach and onto the lake , then you gotta help them, coz many of them have parents that just don't like fishing !

 

If the parents aren't gonna do it , than the MNR should .

 

My dream program by the MNR would involve a fishing club that any city kid can join , make it affordable , and make it give kids that have no transporation to and from fishing trips a shot at fun on the water !

 

For an affordable price, give the kids a fishing rod, a reel, some bait for the day , and instructioning from a person with experience , but most importantly TRANSPORTATION via something like a school bus to and from the lake , with a pickup location somewhere in the city where everyone lives .

 

Only by giving kids a chance to go fishing where their parents wouldnt can you turn them onto this great activity that beats video games any day in all respects.

 

What beats a bunch of 14-16 year olds spending a day on rice lake , making new friends, and catching pumpkinseeds hand over fist ?

 

Give them the means , and kids will go fishing. Plant the seeds , and only then will you watch the plants grow.

 

 

On the other hand though , who cares how many kids take up fishing ? It's not our task to convince kids that fishing is fun , or that the outdoors are more fun than the indoors . Let the kids make that decision themselves. Everyone knows what fishing is these days and how it works , so really , we shouldnt be concerned with getting kids fishing . Just take care of your own family , and give your kids a shot at fishing if they want it . Lets not turn this into a religion we must spread .... in fact , the less we spread it , the less pressures our lakes and rivers will receive .

 

It's just like dinner , the less your siblings ate , the more you got !

Edited April 4, 2007 by KTFO

[tonyb]

I see your point KTFO, although it sounds like a liability nightmare, maybe have permission slips or something?

 

Everyone says take a kid fishing, but it's not like you can just go invite someone else's kids to go fishing with you in this day and age It's too bad most parents live in such fear for their children, that they have to miss out on stuff and keep their kids locked up inside glued to television screens. (I can almost understand their reasoning with all the sickos out there)

 

Tony

[Terry]

there are some schools that have taken students icefishing as part of winter electives ( outside the school activities, skiing,bowling etc..), which is a great way to get them hooked

if we could get schools to have them in the marinas during the perch run, we could hook them on fishing quicker then a crack pipe

[JPD]

Terry you make a valid point. I have been doing that (Schools fishing) for the last 10 years with the high schools I have had the opportunity to work at. Typically the schools are from the Jane / Finch area and Scarborough and you wouldn't believe how many kids would sign up. The smallest group that I had out was 28 and the largest was 54 and basically out of the entire group maybe 5 had been ice fishing before.

 

These kids loved it, they would show up and be in complete amazement that they were standing on a lake and staying in a heated hut catching perch on Cook's Bay. We would even organize to have the Operator who was usually Harry in Keswick bring out pizzas at lunch for them.

 

It was very rewarding to take inner city kids who typically hang out at the malls and coffee shops and introduce them to something that wholesome and they genuinely appreciated it. Even if they caught only one perch they were thrilled, they would have snowball fights and play football, just a good time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

 

That in my opinion is a great way to get them introduced to a great hobby and if they decide to become more serious then that is their choice. No different than a house league hockey player who wants to get better or more serious about it, fishing offers the same opportunities.

 

I myself love to compete and feel that it has made me a better angler but I also still love to kick back and fun fish for every species that swims. No one is right or wrong about how they fish, we just differ in our approaches like the die hard musky guys that fish for only that or a purist fly fisherman or any species specialist.

 

If more and more people become involved in this great sport then it will be better for everyone... less kids being lost to video games or hanging out and getting into trouble and getting some fresh air never hurt anyone!!!

 

Get out and fish for whatever swims. It always beats watching the tube on a weekend!!

 

JP

Edited April 4, 2007 by JPD

[lew]

JPD, that's an excellent thing your doing for those kids.....kudos to you bud !!

[POLLIWOGG]

The # 1 thing to get more people into fishing is to drop the license because that wiped out a lot of occasional fishers.

 

In the late 80's salmon fishing was the hot ticket and a lot of fisherman invested heavily into offshore boats that might not be suitable for bass and eye tournies so that might have taken a chunk out of the # of fishers that might have gotten into them.

 

As for the big HP high speed thing, I had a guy go 3 miles out of his way so he could blast by me in a deep v offshore racer and rock my boat. It wasn't illegal just ignorant. On the other hand I've had a 1200 hp racing cat pass within 50' and not even rock our boat at all and that was way cool cause we were there to check out the boats. My point is that the faster most boats go the less wake they make so most guys aren't trying to pizz you off, they're trying not to rock your boat and unless they are reckless you should not be offended.

 

As one here stated guys buy these fast boats because of a short appendage, if this is so when someone complains about them are they truly offended or is it appendage envy.

[misfish]

WOW..............There has been some great responses.

 

JPD and David really put the hammer on the nail in thier responses.

 

I started out fishing just because I liked it,the whole family did it,heck, being a east coaster, if ya didnt like fish,n,you might as well be a blue noser.LOL . I like the competitiveness and meeting of new people during the tournies. I guess I did the cycle,was being a kid,fished for fun and enjoyed the sport and Im now like I said before,living a dream of just fishing in bass tournys. I still like those lazy days out there with my sons,friends and family,just keeps thing in perspective.

[mart]

Just wondering what the chances are of getting funding from the government to start some kind of organization for involving kids and fishing? Probably the odds are pretty slim.For those that are dedicating

their time and efforts for this cause, GREAT JOB!!!!! Kudos to Dave for his event that gives kids a chance to experience this great sport.I was part of the Big Brothers Organization growing up and will definitally be taking part in your event in the near future.

[Ben_Daniels]

People Like Mike Iaaconelli bring o much attention......just like in happy gilmore. I think people and personalities like him are what are going to get younger people fishing.

[hawg_hauler]

As said before the sport of fishing here in Ontario is thriving and doing well. I have to assume that Frank is referring to generating more interest in the competitive side of sport fishing. In my opinion Canada will never achieve what the U.S. has shown us in competitive fishing tournaments. For starters, Canada has to cram all (lets use Bass for arguments sake) of it's seasons tourneys in a few months, compared to 12 months that the U.S. can. Second, you have to generate interest with the public, without spectators it would be very hard to move forward and honestly it is very hard to get crowds to wait all day just to see a couple of guys hold up fish for twenty seconds(in fact, it is hard enough to keep the contestants interested to stay if they know they wont be cashing a cheque and that in my opinion is poor sportsmanship). This is especially true in Canada where our summers are short enough to try to enjoy. This is also why sponsorship in Canada is much more difficult to attain, no spectators=no one there to advertise too=poor marketing decision.

 

As a tournament director myself, I am for the most part content with the scene in Canadian competitive fishing, as the most I can hope for anyone is the ability to have fun and enjoy the decisions that they have made, whether it be competitive or not.

 

Later,

Jamie Busby