Tough Times For Fishing Industry in 2009

I look at how the horrible economy is affecting the fishing
industry and wonder if we will ever bounce back. I have to
think back when the market crashed years ago and people thought that the world was coming to an end.

A quote by Harry S. Truman comes to mind, "When everyone loses their job it is a recession, but when you lose your job, it is a depression."

I heard a guy the other day say that now the gas prices are going back down, he can afford to fill up his truck; the only problem is that he got laid off and does not have a job to go back to right now.

Believe me, the tough times are hitting throughout the fishing industry.

Look at the 2009 Elite series for example. There is usually 11 events and now, they have cut it back to 8. The entry fee will not change and the payout is to be less this coming season.

Boat manufactures have had layoffs, reduced the number of days per week for production or closed their doors.

Small bait companies have gone belly up. Rod and reel companies are not doing a booming sale and have cut marketing budgets to almost nothing.

FLW closed the doors to all saltwater tournaments, In-Fisherman shut down the Professional Walleye Trail, and Bass Elite series Pros are seeing a 40% drop in sponsorship income.

I can see in about two more months you will not be able to get a sponsor to back any fishing event such as meals, lodging, and gas.

Since I just mentioned lodging above, don't you think they are also feeling the economy? Folks are camping out or have RV's so they do not require rooms. They bring their own meals that can be prepared on the grill or portable stove instead of eating out every meal.

The economy is showing no signs of doing an over night recovery or rebound.

State Fishing Tournaments With National Run Off For Championship - Is It Time?

We are all going to have to bite our lower lip and ensure that we do not let our guard down as far as introducing our youth to fishing.

Sure, we can not drive across the United States to the Best Bass Lake, or fly to Mexico and catch some of the double digits.

Instead, what we need to do is look in our own State or backyard and maybe come up with State by State Tournament.

Each State could send their best to a lake for a fish off that would save $$$$ in entry fees that the Elite Series are dishing out, and don't be surprised when some of the pros pull out and go back to 9 to 5 jobs when the sponsors pull out.

Keep The Faith

All I can say is keep the faith and take the small ones fishing as often as possible, you will get the enjoyment out of watching them pull in the fish.

We will over come this setback and some of us will still be fishing no matter even if it is a mud puddle in the middle of the street.

Keep The Hooks Wet!

Steve McGoldrick