Media Savvy for Aspiring Anglers

Posted by Shane Beilue on Jul 16th 2020

Here’s a subject that’s a little off topic from “how to catch a bass” but is relevant to the ever-increasing interest from die-hard bass fanatics in finding a career and sponsorship in the fishing industry.

In today’s social media environment that competes for “likes and follows”, there could be an overlooked source of promotion that many aspiring fishing collaborators and tournament pros are missing: print media. Print media may seem archaic compared to the freeform and creativity of YouTube and Instagram; however, there is a certain legitimacy derived from being the subject matter of a fishing article posted in print or web media. Linking or reposting that content to your social media pages provides just a little separation from the crowded space of the digital fishing world and could give you the oft-lacking element when it comes to followers and potential collaboration efforts: “street cred”. In other words, the ability to separate yourself from the thousands of other “grip and grin” bass photos posted daily could be the fact that someone valued your insights enough to reference your expertise in a fishing article. While traditional print media continues to decline in readership, these outlets will never go away entirely and they’re often hungry for good content – you just need a plan and some persistence.

Considering national publications like BASS and FLW are focused upon promoting their brand through their associated touring professionals, you’ll likely need to have a few notable finishes in their regional or open events to have any shot at being highlighted in their publications. Alternatively, there are various regional and state outdoor publications across the US which could increase the possibilities for you being the subject matter for a fishing article; however, you’ll need to put in some effort, and it starts with researching who is writing the content for these publications. Building a rapport with the writers to gain an understanding of their content needs allows you to pitch ideas to them, as a writer is always looking for new content. Consider ways in which your expertise could come into play, for example, insights into catching bass on an area lake that’s on fire, your unique twist on an existing fishing technique or your insights into a regional issue that would be of interest to their readership at large, such as invasive species and how it’s impacted the fishing.

Finally, there’s the local newspaper. These publications are likely the most in need of content and may also provide the easiest onramp to publication. Now you’re dealing with more localized topics with subject matters specific to your immediate geography with writers and columnists that are more readily available to jump in the boat with you or meet you at the shoreline. You still need a unique angle that appeals to a more generalized readership that may or may not be into fishing, so have an idea in mind before reaching out to the paper. Examples: a local lake undergoing drawdown for dam repairs and how it impacts the fishing (with you as the fishing subject matter expert), or perhaps how families can catch fish from the shoreline this spring (with access points to the lake, tackle needs, etc.). If you have an emerging guide service, invite the writer along for a free ½ day trip in return for your insights on the lake and techniques for catching them.

I used this approach many years ago in trying to establish a fishing guide service in Texas and I found the writers welcomed the “free trip”, craved the content and I received a nice boost to my guide service.

If this subject matter is of further interest to you, I’d strongly recommend going over to a blog and podcast I recently discovered by Angie Thompson. Angie hosts “Fishing Business Podcast” on YouTube and has a blog at FishingBusinessSchool.com where shares her deep knowledge of the fishing business from her years of working various roles in production and sponsorships at ESPN and BASS. She has great fishing industry guests on the podcast that provide deep insights for those interested in cracking into the fishing business – there’s even a free download available through her email signup entitled, “Guide to Working with the Media”.