Outlook

[Cobra190]

After reading through the axing of Basscenter post, I was thinking. I have been bass fishing for over 25 years now. When I started the popularity was no where near what it is today. What is everyones opinion on the future of bass fishing? Bassmaster as the icon is slowly sliding downhill and bass fishing in general(IMO)has has been taken to the bank by all who manufacture any fishing need. All who fish from the weekend angler,right on to the top pros continually feel the impact of the rising cost of everything from equipment to gas. Will this trend continue or will the total cost of fishing enjoyment get to a point that most will walk away? Not looking for arguements, just thoughts and opinions.

[CRANKINandYANKIN]

I don't beleive that anything can stop the joy of bass fishing. The costs may make us fish closer to home and use the gear we have but it can never stop the pleasure of the sport. It's like driving,if you have to do it you'll find a way.A fisherman will always find a way.

[Devils Horse]

Fishing is a disease that won't be cured by gas prices, equipment/boat prices, or anything else. Can't see all that many folks who truly love to fish just walking away. Tournament fishing may decline, but in many respects that's not necessarily a bad thing. Tournament fishing is my favorite thing to do, but if it goes away I'll still be out there.

If gas were $20 a gallon, lures $100 apiece, and there was only one lake I could still get to, I'd prolly be out there walking the bank trying to catch some fish.

The only thing really endangering fishing here in my opinion is over regulation. I hear more and more people crying out for stronger regulations. The one that worries me the most is "Fishing during the bass spawn should be illegal, we should have a season". Well folks, look to our neighbors to the north where that mindset has led to their regulations. You cannot legally fish for bass for almost 6 months of the year in New York state! Many of the other states up there have for the most part the same laws as good ole NY.

[Cobra190]

Let's throw another hitch in the giddy-up! Young people. Most of us were taught or introduced to fishing by our fathers,grandfathers etc. Gave us the bug, right. Do you feel that the younger folks today will get the fishing bug that got us or will they more than likely find other interest. I have 5 five grand kids and betwwenn them and their parents, only the two six year olds want to go fishing. and that's mainly for the boat ride.

[Danny]

I think it is obvious that the rising prices have already impacted the industry.

For instance, look how long it is taking folks to sell their boats now. When I bought my boat in 2002, I went into the negotiations knowing that the fishing boat industry had a glut of inventory, and that sales were down. I used this knowledge to buy a 2002 boat that was identical to a 2001 model, and actually got it for less than the 2001.

On Bassfan, there is already stories popping up about anglers who are dropping out of the Elite Series.... just losing too much money.

It happens. Things in our lives seem to be cyclical, just like the fishing in our lakes.

I know it has affected me. It costs me over $50 round trip in gas for my truck alone to KY and Barkley lakes. I can't afford to do that 3 or 4 times a week like I used to. As a result, I am not fishing nearly as much. I am planning to also fish the river much more, as the ramp is only 10 or 15 minutes away.

I do hope to move to the lakes when I can, and when I do, I'll be back to fishing the lake more often... I hope..LOL

I also think we will see innovations in boats that will help us stay the energy costs some. We are already seeing fleets of vehicles that run on hydrogen, and the only exhaust is water. So when will we see boat motors that run on hydrogen? When the hydrogen, or some other form fuel is developed, permeates our society and becomes not only viable, but commonly available.

Great discussion,

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[dpage70]

wow this is a great thread. i completely agree with devil's horse, if you love it you'll figure a way out to be on the water. me personally if gas got to high i'd sell my boat and buy a big ol' john boat with about 40 horse on it. you can ride around all day on 10 gallons with those. better than not fishing in my mind. as far as the kids go, the interest is there you just have put them on fish to keep it. my nephew is 18 now and he'd rather go fishing with me than go out on the town with his buddy's. an 18 year old. as far as prices go, it's sport related industry. I play golf also and you use to be able to buy a good driver for $250 when i first started playing about 18 years ago. now the good ones are $600-700. good set of irons were $200, now they range from $700-1500. again it goes back to if you love it you'll figure out a way to be on the water. and me, i love it.

[Devils Horse]

I've got a friend who golfs and fishes. It's beyond me to see how he stays solvent AND married. He obviuosly has plenty of money, but when I beat him on a $5 fishing bet he acts like I slapped his mama. (The last club tourney, I lucked out and got on a few stupid ones. Had to pick my wadded up $5 bill up off the parking lot after he stomped on it and left it lay in my general vicinity.) On the other hand it seems a lot easier for him when he beats me and collects the $5. Go figure.

As to young folks, I think they come around sooner or later if they've been properly indoctrinated. For some young men there's a period between the ages of about 14 and 25 years where other 'things' interest them more than fishing (or anything else). I've been taking my teenaged sons fishing since they were in diapers, and with a little help from her ole man, my 4 year old daughter wore some bluegill out last weekend on Barren. All I can say is if/when I get too old and feeble to launch the boat, them turkeys better take me out there.