A reflection from fishing this year, what are your targets for the next?

[crablante]

...said it is noticeable that not many young folks are joining the clubs he takes out...

Any idea why?

 

[Cwab]

Any idea why?

Used to fish with some of them to make numbers up due to not been able to fill boat like in the past and enjoyed their company.
The club members take on situation that I spoke to was younger folks in their area not interested in getting up very early, driving up to two hours each way, with full days fishing and pay for doing so.
You could see the numbers dwindle over a decade or so in more than one club as folks fell off their perches, however still plenty of takers to fill boat over the season, just not the clubs from some areas inland which had done so for many years.

 

[flappy]

Any idea why?

Possible reason could be that the majority of people think that sticking metal spikes in to living things is cruel.

 

[Cwab]

Possible reason could be that the majority of people think that sticking metal spikes in to living things is cruel.

Think a lot to do with it was ££££ considering if sharing car and fuel, plus a breakfast or fish and chips after before travelling home not much change out of £120, which would go a long way to paying their drugs dealer.

 

[flappy]

I mean.. lots of people think that it’s a good idea to reintroduce wolves and beavers.. the public really doesn’t have a clue.

 

[Cwab]

I mean.. lots of people think that it’s a good idea to reintroduce wolves and beavers.. the public really doesn’t have a clue.

Absolutely, along with those foreign johnnies… I mean what is the world coming to.️

 

[crablante]

Used to fish with some of them to make numbers up due to not been able to fill boat like in the past and enjoyed their company.
The club members take on situation that I spoke to was younger folks in their area not interested in getting up very early, driving up to two hours each way, with full days fishing and pay for doing so.
You could see the numbers dwindle over a decade or so in more than one club as folks fell off their perches, however still plenty of takers to fill boat over the season, just not the clubs from some areas inland which had done so for many years.

To be fair - you have to love your fishing if you're willing to driving 2 hours each way on a regular basis. For example Chesil is 2h20min each way for me (and usually full of people) - I like fishing but not 2h20min each way.

So is it the case that number of young people fishing is relatively stable but the number of (inland) club members has gone down?

 

[Cwab]

To be fair - you have to love your fishing if you're willing to driving 2 hours each way on a regular basis. For example Chesil is 2h20min each way for me (and usually full of people) - I like fishing but not 2h20min each way.

So is it the case that number of young people fishing is relatively stable but the number of (inland) club members has gone down?

Can only relate it to my limited info based on boat anglers from certain long standing inland clubs that would book charter trips all over country some involving bed and breakfast and had done so for many years as a traditional thing now dwindling.
Get the impression that course angling especially carp fishing has a huge following though local tackle shops in some areas closing probably through internet sales.
Love my shore fishing in winter and will drive up to two hours now and again but not the norm for me, though when living next to the sea I probably fished less as too easy or could cherry pick so to speak.
Edit, meant to say seemed to me in what I experienced a “ last of the summer wine” kind of thing regarding numbers

 

[Leginfisher]

I’d think the cost and often very little to show for it is a key reason why fewer youngsters are getting into sea fishing. 20 years ago I’d take my nephew out from Rye when our group had a space. He enjoyed it as we’d often, but not always, catch 10-20 cod/ pollack/ bass each on those trips. I used to do 2 charter trips a month weather permitting. Last year I did 2 turbot trips and caught none in size as was same for the whole boat of 10 anglers. Not bothered with any charter trips this year myself and I wouldn’t even considered taking my grand son out given how poor generally the fishing is.

 

[crablante]

I’d think the cost and often very little to show for it is a key reason why fewer youngsters are getting into sea fishing. 20 years ago I’d take my nephew out from Rye when our group had a space. He enjoyed it as we’d often, but not always, catch 10-20 cod/ pollack/ bass each on those trips. I used to do 2 charter trips a month weather permitting. Last year I did 2 turbot trips and caught none in size as was same for the whole boat of 10 anglers. Not bothered with any charter trips this year myself and I wouldn’t even considered taking my grand son out given how poor generally the fishing is.

Good point - the coastlines have been fisted (in various ways) and the oceans are getting warmer

 

[Cwab]

I’d think the cost and often very little to show for it is a key reason why fewer youngsters are getting into sea fishing. 20 years ago I’d take my nephew out from Rye when our group had a space. He enjoyed it as we’d often, but not always, catch 10-20 cod/ pollack/ bass each on those trips. I used to do 2 charter trips a month weather permitting. Last year I did 2 turbot trips and caught none in size as was same for the whole boat of 10 anglers. Not bothered with any charter trips this year myself and I wouldn’t even considered taking my grand son out given how poor generally the fishing is.

Things not what they used to be in many places by sound of things especially if having to keep 8-10 danglers happy even with a few fish each. Still some of the better venues still fish well for some species though with increase in folks with their own boats with modern electrics there are no secrets with wrecks that hold fish in some areas a lottery and having to burn more fuel to find fish.
Was a “boatie”myself for a few years and challenge was to find fish but after a while looking at a box of fish ceases to be rewarding and would rather have the challenge of the shore but each to their own.
Though all that been said boats a great escape but not unlike women in some respects and costly to run but with benefits and can escape the fckery of fishing with people you don’t know or like.

 

[Beach]

Good point - the coastlines have been fisted (in various ways) and the oceans are getting warmer

Are you sure it's not the mega trawlers decimating our coasts?

 

[glandyman]

The average age of the anglers on the local charter boats here is over 60yrs, can't remember when I last saw anyone under 40 on the boat.
My old club had 40/50 members but there was never any under younger people ( Under 40) joining and our numbers gradually dropped due to members health or snuffing it. Additionally after a shit year of weather cancellations and crap catch returns about half the members didn't book any trips for the coming year so we had to hand them back to the skippers and without trips we had to close the club. From 40 trips a year to bugger all.

 

[Mr Fish]

Fishing hopes 2025



Having coarse fished as a kid up until about 17 when discovering alcohol & the opposite sex proved to be of greater importance I always vowed to return to it some day.

On being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease , at the ripe old age of 45, eight years ago I realised that time was now. Rather than return to the venues I knew as a kid I opted to challenge myself with beach Fishing keeping the brain active with research and reports & the body fit from the fishing and walking etc.

Things inevitably took a turn for the worse when the side effects of a certain medication began to outweigh the benefits and the slow process of being weened off of one to start another began. That was back in September & still ongoing.

I have been fortunate to have a large family of my own who also keep me busy.

Fishing is my measuring stick of how well I am doing and as I reflected in a similar post recently this year hasn’t gone well & I have pushed myself too far but been lucky enough to get away with it on many occasions.

I guess things reached an all time low last week as I can barely even stand & for the first time since lockdown could not walk my daughter to school.

This shit disease now owns me not vice versa.

Well different medication on the way now so hopefully I can rebuild in the new year and get back to being myself & better support my family and of course go fishing .

I am an unsociable creature and don’t belong to any club mainly as I have no desire to fish matches yet understand the hard work they do having been a member many years ago.

I sympathise with all of you in a similar position here’s to hoping you can get back out there even if only for a brief cast while marvelling at the awesome sight of the sea & night sky.

Wow, very sorry to hear you’ve got that at such a young age and it certainly puts things in perspective

 

[Mr Fish]

I’d think the cost and often very little to show for it is a key reason why fewer youngsters are getting into sea fishing. 20 years ago I’d take my nephew out from Rye when our group had a space. He enjoyed it as we’d often, but not always, catch 10-20 cod/ pollack/ bass each on those trips. I used to do 2 charter trips a month weather permitting. Last year I did 2 turbot trips and caught none in size as was same for the whole boat of 10 anglers. Not bothered with any charter trips this year myself and I wouldn’t even considered taking my grand son out given how poor generally the fishing is.

I’m not even sure if I’ll bother with a single charter this year. Maybe a bream trip later in the year.

As you say, even 20 years ago the boat fishing for the iconic species was much better.
Had some cracking days on the wrecks for cod and pollack, on the banks in the Channel Islands for the big flatties, all a shadow of what they were.
Even when it was ‘decent’ by my standards, still a shadow of what it was even then.
The cost vs return just doesn’t seem worth it these days.

There’s still sport to be had with tope, rays, hounds etc etc if that’s your thing but it doesn’t overly interest me.

 

[Cwab]

ambition for Cwab, to hook and land one more shore caught double figure cod anytime in next five years or so, but tomorrow night would do nicely or jan 2025 acceptable.
Edit, fishing tonight now cancelled due to pox.

 

[crablante]

Are you sure it's not the mega trawlers decimating our coasts?

I did say fisted in various ways...

My general impression (based on no evidence) is that industry has fisted the stocks, the general public has fisted the bait (clams, worms etc) industry has probably fisted the bait too (depending on location) due to contamination, and the warming of the seas...you'd have to ask a marine biologist to know for sure.

 

[Cwab]

I did say fisted in various ways...

My general impression (based on no evidence) is that industry has fisted the stocks, the general public has fisted the bait (clams, worms etc) industry has probably fisted the bait too (depending on location) due to contamination, and the warming of the seas...you'd have to ask a marine biologist to know for sure.

Would say that should about cover it in general with regional variations and demand for fish for the table under general heading of too many people squeezing limited resources.

 

[Angrybear]

More basic, it's just the cost if you ask me,
Last time I did an all nighter at Abbotsbury parking was 40-50p now it's £10 or more.
Little if any change from £25 in fuel there & back, bait is probably that again, & then a bit of tuck to help pass the time.
(at least I've given up smoking now)
So £50-£60 min for a beach session is a fair whack for most of us.

 

[Mr Fish]

More basic, it's just the cost if you ask me,
Last time I did an all nighter at Abbotsbury parking was 40-50p now it's £10 or more.
Little if any change from £25 in fuel there & back, bait is probably that again, & then a bit of tuck to help pass the time.
(at least I've given up smoking now)
So £50-£60 min for a beach session is a fair whack for most of us.

It must have been quite a good few years ago when it was 50p?

But yes if I drove down to Chesil it’s probably at least £30 fuel, £20 bait if I buy worm and I don’t faff about with food but still £50 easy.

Then again a wreck trip is easily £100 plus these days before fuel etc and the fishing isn’t great generally now.

I’ve always preferred doing my own thing to being tied to someone else’s boat for a day, plus on the occasion you do have a decent shore trip or good fish, I get extra satisfaction from knowing it’s all my own effort and indeed a greater challenge.

But yes, it’s not cheap, then again most hobbies aren’t.