Fishing on the Web

Today I want to talk about two seemingly unrelated concepts, but they are the two driving factors that motivate this blog – fishing and social media.  It goes without saying that we live in a world that is seriously affected by and changing because of the effects of social media.  People are connected to one another, on a global level, like never before.  Whether through Facebook, Twitter, blogs such as this one, or even picture sharing sites like Instagram, people are finding ways to connect and share their lives virtually with a worldwide community. 

Now, there couldn’t be a less technological hobby than fishing – it’s about being outdoors…being one with nature.  However, recently, anglers across the country have been realizing the opportunities that social media presents within the world of fishing.  Unheard of and exciting opportunities are on the horizon for fishermen everywhere to connect, share information, and even compete from across the globe with one another. 

One site providing such an opportunity is www.fishidy.com .  This site, as explained by its homepage description, works something like a facebook or myspace for anglers.  Through the site, fishermen are able to create profiles that outline their fishing preferences and locations, track catches, and even map their fishing on an interactive, shared map.  Fishermen can tell their stories and share information with others, while also having a place to document their experiences, much like a blog or online scrapbook.  Another cool perk is that this site has a feed of fishing related blogs and news articles that can connect readers to other fishermen. 

 

Another awesome fishing networking site is www.anglingmasters.com . According to Nicholas Deleon’s article on techcrunch.com, anglingmasters is a site that also functions something like a facebook for fishermen.  Anglers are able to network with other anglers and create interest groups, called “cabins,” within which they can share information and stories, show pictures, and even create and participate in online fishing tournaments from anywhere in the world.  The site even has suggested rules and regulations to make these online tournaments viable and fair. 

In an article on www.takemefishing.org, research is presented that shows that social media is having a clear impact on the fishing world.  According to surveys, fishermen are using social media more than ever before to share information, post pictures, and gain bragging rights.  Anglers in the “avid” fishermen category also often take advantage of online forums to share information and tell their fishing stories.  The RBFF (Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation) hopes to use this data to connect anglers and provide new opportunities for fishermen across the globe. 

 

I definitely use social media to connect with other fishermen and post pictures and stories from my fishing experiences.  I have found that sites like facebook are an excellent place to keep up with what’s going on in the fishing world and to make sure I stay a part of it!  Although I personally have not used official fishing networking sites in the past, this research has helped me to see what opportunities there are for fishermen on the web.