Social media is an integral part of our everyday lives. We share photos on Instagram, random thoughts on Twitter, funny video uploads on TikTok, and status updates on Facebook. Social media has become a norm that most people can’t last a day without logging into their social accounts.
While it’s an awesome way to get connected, especially in these unprecedented days of social distancing and working from home, it’s also changing how most people are looking at their hobbies. And one of these amazing hobbies is fishing.
Fishing is a solitary hobby and is slowly finding a spotlight in social media; what with the rise of recreational fishing and sport fishing where people compete and even earn awards for catching the target fish, more and more people are getting interested.
With that said, is social media promoting or hurting fishing?
Social media can help teach people about fishing.
Did you know that certain fish are only allowed to be caught at certain times in the year? For example, on the Gulf coast, they have a scalloping season. This means that there is a period where scalloping is allowed and when it is not.
Did you also know that some areas require a license if you intend to fish there? Well, social media can give you all these answers and more.
Find out if your local wildlife or fish department has a social media presence. If they do, you can follow them as they can keep everyone informed about seasonal changes, regulations, and license necessities as needed. There is no need to go out misinformed or to read misleading information online.
There are also many fishing apps you can download that focus solely on fishing and fishing tips. These apps also offer fishing maps and thousands of waterways where you can fish. Some of the apps have forecasters informing you of the best time to fish for different fish species.
Social media is also an excellent way to connect with other anglers on social media and learn about upcoming events such as sport fishing and the like.
Social can get more people interested in fishing.
If you wish to learn about fishing and don’t have someone to teach you, it can be challenging to get started. If you want somewhere to start and learn a few things about fishing, you can follow some fishing vloggers on YouTube. Watch some of their videos online, and get some invaluable tips. You can learn how to wind a reel, set a lure or even bait a hook.
Social media can be a valuable resource for beginners. There are several blogs and videos online that can help people get involved.
If you have a question and are looking for someone to show you the ropes, you can even join some groups online or on Facebook, and you can get someone close to you to teach some things about fishing firsthand or websites like https://reliablefishing.com/ where you can stock up on all the gear you need for fishing.
Social media can also help bring attention to environmental issues
There is nothing worse than going to your favorite fishing sport only to find the place overrun with trash or the water has changed color because of runoff from a plant or farm. While you can call the news and bring it to their attention, there are high chances that it may not do much.
However, leveraging social media can make such news go viral and bring it to the attention of the necessary authorities. You can take a few pictures of the garbage of unsightly looking river or lake and write a compelling post, which might be just the start of changing things.
Calling companies out on social media is the best way to get their attention because it gets people’s attention. The last thing they want is bad publicity they can’t control.
Many people will read, comment, and share the post, and this will prompt the companies or the authorities to act; and you can get to save your favorite fishing spot.
The downside of social media
Of course, as with most things, there is a good side and a bad side. If someone finds your favorite spot and maybe posts it on social media and the posts go viral, it could attract dozens of people to the area.
People love taking pictures and sharing their on-water escapades on channels like Facebook. Instagram and YouTube, which may attract a lot of unwanted attention.
With many people frequenting your spot, it can be challenging to enjoy your hobby, especially if you like the area because of the tranquility and being away from people.
With social media, there is a downside, but they don’t necessarily need to spoil it for you. If you are worried about your spot being overwhelmed by people, turn your phone’s location settings so that the images aren’t geotagged and don’t post all about where you are going on social media.
So does social media benefit or damage fishing?
In most cases, when posts blow up, this is a good thing for fishing. The posts on fishing get more people interested, and it also provides a lot of information for those who wish to learn or beginners on what it takes to catch their first fish.
Social media gets people involved, especially on an issue that is harming the environment. With social media also many people can learn of the best spots to fish and even make friends with other anglers who share the same passion.
However, they are also a downside to fishing, but the good outweighs the bad, and social media may be one of the best things that ever happened to recreational fishing.
Utilizing the positive aspects of social media can be advantageous for avid anglers and newbie fly casters alike. It’s an excellent way to gather information, communicate with others, and even try to stop pollution, you will be part of a community of like-minded people, and you can make lasting connections.
