The Starting Spot: How Smart are Smallmouth, BPS Buys Hobie, and Why Folks Stop Fishing

In this edition of The Starting Spot:

-This isn’t a story based on scientific facts or studies (or any science at all, really), but it is a fun take on the contrasting “personalities” of largemouth vs. smallmouth and which is smarter. And based on my own non-proven opinion, I’d tend to agree with the author. What’s your experience?

-Bass Pro Shops is of course a legendary retail brand in the fishing and outdoors space, so it makes sense they’d buy the legendary Hobie kayak brand. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

-There’s some interesting data in this article explaining why people start fishing and why they stop. Obviously, the long term growth of the sport depends on keeping people involved. Really eye-opening information here.

Admit It: Smallmouths Are Smarter

by Nick Petrou

Bass Pro Shops acquires legendary water sports brand Hobie

by Bass Pro Shops

Why Anglers Quit Fishing and What We Can Do About It

by Rob Southwick

From a story on FishingTackleRetailer.com: Less than half of all licensed anglers renew their fishing license each year.

To identify how to boost angler retention rates, we must answer the question, “Why do many anglers quit?”; “What do they do in the years when they do not fish and why?”; and “How can we encourage anglers to keep fishing?”

An American Sportfishing Association (ASA) study, funded by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant using sportfishing restoration excise tax dollars, provided insights and recommendations about why anglers often quit fishing and what we can do about it. This project, conducted in 2024, was based on insights gained through surveys of active and former anglers made possible with the assistance of 24 state fisheries agencies.

Understanding why anglers often quit fishing is aided by knowing why they originally started fishing.

Previous ASA research showed top motivations to fish include:
Fun/excitement
Relaxation
To socialize with others
To be outdoors

Thanks for starting your day with Fishing On SI. Lines in!

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