42 replies to this topic

[Bass Dude]

I think they spend too much time on lure presentation in fishing shows. For me, that's the easiest part of the equation. It's totally dictated by location, then you just experiment with retrieve. How many times can they show you the different ways to fish a jig or crankbait, etc. I wish they would show more of what they're looking for on the map, then what that spot looks like on the sonar, and how they go about looking and finding that proverbial 'spot on a spot.' They always show them idling for 10 seconds and saying this is the spot, then they drop the trolling motor and start fishing. Most of the time they don't even show the sonar, unless they are trying to do a commercial for Hummingbird or Lowrance.


How do you think they should improve on fishing shows....other than not making them commercials!

[38 Super Fan]

I'd cut out all the trying to sell you you stuff, trash talk, and guys trying to be funny, but I'm afraid that wouldn't leave much with most of the current shows.

[Gangley]

Quit trying so hard to sell something. If you look like a salesman and act like a salesman, the door is gonna get shut in your face like a salesman, or in this case the channel is gonna get switched. I've quit watching several shows because of that alone. It gets to the point where you dont even want to watch the show because its not a fishing show any more, its a 30 minute infomercial on Brand X

Dont get me wrong, I know you have to make your sponsors happy but JEEEEEZ, be real for 5 minutes.

If the product is good it will sell itself. The last thing I want to hear is "This lure seperated me from the pack and allowed me to win so-and-so tournament, ITS MONEY IN THE BANK!". To me, thats garbage advertising. The equipment I want is the equipment the pro will use when he's not busy trying to sell something, when he is actually out fishing.

When watching a fishing show, I want to see you catch fish, and I want to see how you catch those fish, and that will sell me on your product. The proof is in the results, not in the talk.

[outdoorsman110]

Make everything like Iaconelli.. Entertainment.

[shady oaks]

I was just talking about this with my wife last yesterday. I agree with the sales pitch, makes me go from liking someone to thinking they'll say anything for a sponsor. I personally would love to see them spend more time on explaining WHY they are using certain equipment, the benefits of this rod and reel combo versus another for example. They could cover each topic to help a complete novice to a seasoned pro. Trust me, it's possible.

[basscatcher8]

I'd like a show to be like the old In-Fisherman shows. They were nothing but explaining and applying the FLP system that they taught. There were a couple plugs here and there but not a ton like those guys do today with the angling edge. But the more you look at it the more it looks like that is what is demanded by the economics of TV today.

[Quillback]

I like shows that fish public lakes, and name the lake. I like to see the lure that's being used and the presentation. Give an expalantion why that lure is working. Talk about water temps/time of year/weather and it's effect on the fish.

If they're going to fish a sponsor's lure I have no problem with that as long as it's a named public lake. Shows where a guy is fishing in his private pond have no crediblity with me, and it won't lead me to buy whatever lure you're tossing.

And please, no screaming and yelling. As they say in football, don't act like it's the first time you've been in the end zone.

[flukemaster]

Great topic. One of the main reasons that I got serious about my videos is because I was tired of tuning into fishing shows for information and getting nothing but an infomercial. So Glenn and I made the goal to keep our instructional videos instructional and talk about what we are using, why and how we are using it.

Now a days fishing shows are all about "Watch me fish and then buy my sponsors product". Even on YouTube you get very little worth while instruction. That's why I am glad you started this topic. Now I'm going to sit back and take notes.

[Traveler2586]

Make everything like Iaconelli.. Entertainment.

That's NOT entertainment ! Just ask my granddaughter, a ten year old, she'll tell you and I quote "that man has a problem"

End of story...

[WookieeJedi]

One thing got me to stop watching fishing shows: the Color-C-Lector. About the same time, the helicopter lure showed up. That was it. I haven't watched many shows since. Some of my favorite shows were Jerry McGinnis, and Bill Dance. I still remember Bill Dance hammering big smallmouth on Pickwick. That was a great show. Jerry McGinnis' show was more about just enjoying the sport, with a little technique thrown in.

[slonezp]

Bass Dude, I think the problem with your theory is most average anglers want to see guys catch big fish. I also think thry would be alienating a huge part of the audience. I would guess the majority of the audience do not have boats to fish out of. If you spend 15 minutes teaching the viewers to find the spot on the spot with your electronics, and 5 minutes catching those fish(10 minutes for commercials ), those viewers will surely tune into another program that adds entertainment value. I also like the local lake concept. We have a couple local shows in northern IL and southern WI that do just that. One is a multi species show with a new episode every week. The entire show is a "Promote the sponser" plug. The second one is a bass fishing show, but all the guy fishes with is senkos and spinnerbaits. He catches average sized bass which makes me depressed
I would like to see Jimmy Houston give a largemouth bass a tongue bath like Joe Bucher's dog gives to a smallmouth.(FYI Joe Bucher is a smallmouth and musky fisherman from up north. His dog slobbers all over every bass he brings into the boat)

[Traveler2586]

I'm down to one TV show, Hook n' Look, and no longer go to the traveling fishing shows/expo's.

I like the way Hook n' Look show the sonar, how to rig and fish the bait, and how it runs under water. I most enjoy the underwater portion of the show where they show the fish in it's habitat and how it reacts to the structure, cover, and bait. They not only tell you where their fishing, but also give a tip on where to stay (OK, it's an ad too)

I would like to see them use something other than Strike King though.

During the last show I got to see "Big O" and his Space Monkey in action.

[j.bruno]

How about just plain old more fishing less bs ?

[outdoorsman110]

That's NOT entertainment ! Just ask my granddaughter, a ten year old, she'll tell you and I quote "that man has a problem"

End of story...

Haha I know.. I just like him and his yelling.

[basscrusher]

This is exactly why some of us love Lunkerville so much. No BS, just a guy who loves to fish, humbly trying to soak up as much info as possible. And that show isn't just for the newbies and bank beaters, either. Not all of us tournament fanatics need a 30 minute infomercial, or a technique seminar that's old news to those in the know. At this point, there isn't a whole lot I'm going to learn from TV shows...so I just watch for the pleasure of it. And Lunkerville does the best job (in my mind) of applying the correct philosophical perspective to the hobby.

So to answer the original question...get back to the basics.