This young man caught this fish in 2022 and has visited the author every year since,
excited to fight another big catfish and enjoy the great sport of catfishing.
Are We Scaring New Anglers Away?
Story and photos by Brad Durick
Are we as anglers scaring away other potential anglers of all ages? We might be scaring them before they get a chance to love the sport. Take someone of all ages fishing.
I was invited to speak to a group of members from Riverkeepers, a Red River advocacy group based in Fargo, North Dakota in the summer of 2023. The plan was to meet at the park near an easily accessible shore-fishing area. I would take 20 to 30 minutes to discuss basic catfishing gear and give some tips on bait, location and how to catch catfish. After that we would all go to the river’s edge and fish for two hours. This was a crash course in catfishing, so to speak.
It was not a large crowd by any means, but the attendees wanted to learn to fish. All they had to bring was a fishing license to participate. The event was so laid back that we sat at picnic tables for the short seminar.
I quickly went through the basic equipment, explaining why I chose that rod, reel and tackle. I explained my rigging and why it was set up the way it was. I told the people of some other options for gear and made it clear that catfishing can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. I asked if there were any questions, answered said questions, and we headed to the river bank.
I had a rod rigged up for everyone there and enough bait to keep everyone busy for a couple hours. The people went to the bank and started casting, except one woman who was sitting right by me at the seminar. I asked why she was not fishing and she said, “You told me how to rig the rod and look for the fish, but I don’t know how to get the bait to the water.” I’m sure I was a little taken back and exclaimed, “Cast.” This is when she told me she had never fished in her life and did not know how to cast. I showed her how to cast and what do if a fish bit. Then I went to check on a couple other people. When I returned, I saw that the woman had reeled in her line and gone home.
It hit me at that moment that we might be making fishing harder than it is. I admit, I am guilty as someone who has been in the industry for a long time and fishes every day. The basics to me are automatic and overlooked.
How many more interested beginners are we scaring away like that woman because we assume everyone knows the basics? I have a feeling the answer is more than we know.
I personally didn’t start fishing until I was 22 years old. I know there was a generation or two missed with people about my age. They say if you are not introduced to fishing while young, you probably won’t be. I see this at kids’ fishing events too. Parents bring the kids to the event. When the kid has fun, they are told, “Maybe we can come back next year.” What this means is that the parents were missed as kids, and many simply don’t know what to do to take their kids fishing.
I thought we may be beyond this in 2020 when COVID shut everything down and there was a rush on fishing rods and gear. I thought maybe some of these new people would get hooked, and we would have a resurgence of the purity of fishing. Data suggests that most of those people went back to their daily lives once things opened up.
All these examples set up the original question: are we scaring away new anglers? My answer is probably. I think as an industry and as anglers we need to take a little extra time to teach the beginners that everyone starts somewhere and you don’t need a ton of expensive tackle and gear, especially in catfishing.
Possible Solutions
How do we get beyond this? I think as anglers it is our responsibility to introduce new people to fishing whether they are young or old. Take the time to show someone new the ropes, even if it is just one person per year and only for a few hours. Show them the basic gear and what to do, even if it’s casting. Another suggestion is, find a species that tends to active to keep interest high. Bait fishing or panfishing are great for kids. This can include taking someone fishing who may be older and just physically can’t get out on their own any more.
I would like to see some of these kids’ fishing events be family fishing events where the volunteers actually explain the procedures to the parents and have everyone experience the fishing. Take time to explain basic concepts that will allow them to fish for a couple hours without problems. Teach them how to rig their lines, what baits to use, etc. Then, if they start going on their own, the rest should fall into place.
Human nature steps in once a person is addicted to fishing. When that bug bites, gear will be upgraded and more purchases will be made. That simple $20 rod and reel might get a little nicer, the tacklebox might get a little larger and travel distance a little farther.
In terms of catfishing gear for beginners, I have a link to my local store on speed dial to show people who ask what they should buy to get started. This is an Ugly Stik spinning combo for $69. I then tell them I recommend changing the line that comes on the reel, buy a few sinkers, 6/0 or 7/0 hooks and some #3 or #1 barrel swivels. Total cost to get started is under $100 for a quality setup. Like I said earlier, human nature takes over from there once they are hooked. If they are in my guide boat or at a tournament, I will show them how to rig everything up for use. I make sure they know how to cast.
As anglers let’s keep this in mind and not scare new people away. Even almost two years later, I would like to find that woman from the seminar and take her fishing just to show her the joy that she has not experienced on the bank or in a boat.
(Captain Brad Durick is a nationally recognized catfish guide on the Red River of the North, seminar speaker and author of the books “Cracking the Channel Catfish Code” and “Advanced Catfishing Made Easy.” For more information go to www.redrivercatfish.com)
