What do you wish FISHING shows had more of?

[Bigguyone1]

I watch quite a few fishing shows and a lot of them just seem to be a little "mundane" and just a lot of watching people reel in fish (which most of us can already do) so wanted to get your guys' take on it and what you think would improve these shows - as I contemplate some business ideas. Thank you for your input.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]The problem is that the shows are aimed at the broad audience...well, the guys too. I suspect the vast majority of viewers are on the upside of the learning curve and still enjoy seeing the constant catching of fish. Gives them hope.

The shows I enjoy most spend more time on the actual lures, baits and rigging...with some discussion of lines, hooks, knots and other terminal stuff. But I would guess that a lot of that is lost on folks who have one "fishin' pole" and a small tackle box. Showing them how to tie a Palomar knot instead of their triple overhand knot is often just boring and confusing.

In Fisherman and a few other shows break their programs up into sections...to address a wider range of fishing topics. I watch some but not others.

It would be nice to be able to tune in to programs that are specific to your area and your favorite species. We have a couple of those in Utah with Adam Eakle and Gary Winterton. But they also mix in a lot of hunting, back country stuff and other topics that don't have a lot of appeal to anglers only.

It is also tough to run a series of programs on only one water...or one species. A small segment of the viewing audience might like your choices but without the wide appeal they would not be able to sell enough advertising or sponsorships to keep the programs on the air.

Just look at the cross-section of anglers who post on this one forum. We have guys and gals that are very focused on one small aspect of fishing and it would be tough to keep 'em all interested in a program or series on other topics.

That being said, I think most anglers are attracted to programs that feature new products and new ideas. So, whatever program you come up with you can have a segment that shows off what's new and exciting.

Another thing...I think it is okay to provide current fishing info...as long as it does not degrade to "hotspotting". Some tackle outlets and fishing programs give out TMI. Sure, they feel an obligation to their customers to help get them into fish. But giving directions to a water that doesn't need more attention and then all the 411 on baits and lures...well, there has to be a line somewhere.

That's my rant.
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[Tarponjim]

I'd like 'em to show me the fish up close and say, "look at the colors on that one." More enthusiasm, like "Son, that's a nice'n there!" "Man, look at him run!"

Seriously, its pretty tough to make fishing entertaining on TV. there are some on-line "movies" and videos that really are stunning, but it has to be of THE FISH, not the fisherman! The environment in which it lives. It's TV for cryin' out loud, so it has to be VISUAL! On most shows, you see and hear Bubba a lot, the water a little, see Bubba with a bent rod, and a quick glimpse of a fish out of water.

What I would tune into would be great video of the fly or lure being cast to the water, (preferably to a visible fish!), the lure or fly being retrieved or presented (Zoom in on just the fly or lure) the fish approaching said fly or lure, the fish eating said fly or lure, and the angler setting the hook. Edit to a few seconds of the bent-rod fish-on, 5-10 seconds of the release, and repeat. People would tune in to that visual aspect. We don't even need to hear Bubba. Most of the fishing and places fished would have to be shallow, fairly clear, and a lot of top-water and dry-fly fishing. There's plenty of that all over the place for a series though.

And if anyone on the show ever, ever says, "Look at the colors on that one," they are fired, fined $10,000 by the FCC, and spend a week in jail.[sly] If the camera work is any good, we can see the "flippin" colors if they're worth seein'!

Need a host? "Fishing On Top with Grumpy Jim" "Sight Fishing the World" [laugh][laugh]
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[senkonate]

Tarponjim nailed it. That's exactly what I want too!

Unfortunately, I imagine those kind of shots are near impossible to get or too expensive to get. []

Nate
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[fishnutts]

I Enjoy all types of fishing shows, I would rather watch a fishing show (is rather a word?) , then any of the crap they have on the other 100+ Cable channels. There is one type of fishing show, I cannot stomach watching, that is the Bass fishing tournament shows. Fishing Pro's using 30 lb test, Iron stiff rods, yanking bass into the boat under a minute, Jetting to any spot in the lake, Hyper speed, via a 100 grand turbo monster boat (that's really sporting guys). I can give you some Ideas that aint mundane (I know aint, is not a word, but I like it). How about sending a BFT fishermen vs one of those pro fisherman, out to some unknown Lake for a contest? Give them limited fishing equipment (Hand full of lures ,hooks, weights, can of worms and one ultra light fishing rod and reel). Send them on there way in a 12 foot john boat , that has a few small leaks, and an old 2 stroke motor. When they hookup with a fish, and begin to fight it, have a group of ski boats blasting rap music at 140 decibels , cruise by at top speed, so close they could read the speedometer. Then see who ends up with the most fish? You could also throw in some Cheerleaders and paintball guns into the mix if you like. Now that's a fishing tournament show I would watch.
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[gstott]

I prefer the more informative shows like Linder's Angling Edge and In-Fisherman. I like that they explain the situation and what they're doing.

There are other shows, like Seasons on the Fly that I like because they're really pretty to look at. The cinematography is very well done and really focuses on the beauty of the fish and the environment where it was caught.
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[RockyRaab]

I don't care to watch Bubba Bag O'Donuts catch a hundred fish. What I want to see is Bob Oldguy teach ME how to catch fish.

I want to see exactly what rig, what bait, what knots, what retrieve. And I want to see what part of the lake, in what weather, at what time of year he found the fish. Not a specific lake, mind you, because that would lead to the place looking like a boat showroom the next weekend. But how the angler deduced where the fish would be on a "generic" lake on a given day.

You know: the stuff I need to know when I put my boat in somewhere in search of a nice dinner - or just a few fun tugs.
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[jaklakmak]

Gave up on fishing shows years ago. Too much advertisement and not enough show. So now I just go create and watch my own shows!
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[TroutBumDave]

[quote gstott]
There are other shows, like Seasons on the Fly that I like because they're really pretty to look at. The cinematography is very well done and really focuses on the beauty of the fish and the environment where it was caught.[/quote]

I freaking loved that show when it first aired. After the first ten shows or so, I started to get real tired of "fishing in Alaska". I've done it, once, loved every second of it, but probably won't get back up there again anytime soon. I know they did a few shows down in the lower 48, but I grew tired of watching the same AK fish, knowing that I'd never get up there to try it.

On topic, I like In-Fisherman. The dude with the missing tooth is the main reason; it takes balls to put a dude that ugly on TV.
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[albinotrout]

[quote TroutBumDave, but I grew tired of watching the same AK fish, knowing that I'd never get up there to try it.

.[/quote]

I remember one from PBS years ago about northern pike fishing. Every show was northern pike from the northern US and Canada. Interesting at first but got old because it was the same old thing. Same baits, same waters, same locations.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

[quote gstott]I prefer the more informative shows. . . . The cinematography is very well done and really focuses on the beauty of the fish and the environment where it was caught.[/quote]

AND THE COLORS! LOOK AT THE COLORS!!!!

I'm on board with the instructional approaches, In-Fisherman - showing the rigs, the rigging, the location tactics, and approaches.
What annoys me is the shows who just catch toss catch toss. Don't care for the bass-tourney's either.

What I do really dig is underwater footage - that shows HOW the offering's action is running, and how the fish respond to different options, movements, etc. I know it's all patched and posed if they put it together with live catching, short of a Go-Pro clamped on a net!

I'd like to see the Tubeborium Adventure. A weekly video blog of the latest crafts and creations, and the latest tubing trip, and grundle of catches, seeing the jigs and rigs in action!
Kinda like Sheldon's "Fun with maps" v-blog! But on fish stuff!

[gstott]

I'm fine with them showing the colors if they use a nice enough camera to get it right. It's a bit of fish porn for sure.

Trout Bum Dave, I agree, they do spend too much time fishing Alaska, although there was a really cool one where they were catching sea bass, ling and halibut on the fly. That was really unique. I'd like to see them branch out into some more freshwater species like bass, pike, even carp though.

I've been enjoying some of the more adventure/exotic location shows too, like Hunt For Big Fish, Fishing Adventurer, etc.

I honestly enjoy all of them to some extent, but the good ol boy Jimmy Houston type of shows are my least favorite. Especially since they're throwing in hunting segment now too.
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[RockyRaab]

I doubt any of you but geezer and dubob are old enough, but THE show hosts of yesteryear were Gadabout Gaddis and Virgil Ward.

Gaddis flew his own Piper plane to fishing spots and Ward's one invariable shot was pulling the lure he used in a fish tank to demonstrate its "action."
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[FishMcFisherson]

They need to make more episodes of River Monsters. It's very entertaining, I just can't keep watching the same episodes over and over.
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[RockyRaab]

You only need to watch the last five minutes of River Monsters. Jeremy Wade spends the first 55 minutes following obscure rumors and getting skunked. It's miraculous how he manages to always get his target fish in the last few minutes of his trip, isn't it?
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[Lundman]

No one seems to have mentioned Rough'in it Outdoors, Hooked On Utah, & At Your Leisure - these local shows each has merit for what they show and usually has an episode or two that hits home with the fisherman & hunters & outdoor's people. It gets you at least motivated to head out and get off the couch.
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800]I like the Fish Tech segment on the Roughing It shows.[/#502800]
[#502800]Adam should do a whole show from TD's Tubeatorium.[/#502800]
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[flygoddess]

Those are great shows, but they can also exploit some waters that can't really take the pressure. But that never seems to be a concern at the time.
God bless Doug Miller, but he ruined a couple of bodies of water with his TMI.

For me, the Canada fly fishing shows that USE to be broadcast were awesome. They explained the area fished, what and how to fish it, and most important topics.
Fly Tying demos, they had it all. It wasn't about "watch me fish" it was more "you can do this".
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[catmaster23]

I wish they had more of me in them!
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[brookieguy1]

I wish they had more alpine lake fishing shows. But judging by the general low-interest on these forums, few people besides me and a few others would watch them.
But, I'm kind of glad the attraction is low. Less pressure, better fishin'!
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