In-Fisherman must have sold the farm to Berkley.

[KDM]

I have been watching lots of what seem to be more like 3am outdoor infomercials than sportsman shows due to the weather recently and good grief does In-Fisherman push Berkley and the other Pure Fishing Product Names. I get the magazine as well with the same song and dance. They used to use whatever baits were working the best for each situation regardless of manufacture, but not so much anymore. Sad really as I used to put In-Fisherman on the top of the list for information on how to catch more fish, not sell products. I realize the bills have to be paid, but I think they have given up a bit too much of what made them great. Losing the Lindners probably started the slide to commercialization and away from teaching people to catch more fish. IDK, might be the weather, but I'm probably NOT going to renew the subscription or tune into the show much anymore.

 

[Still_Learnin']

I know what you mean but like you said, someone has to pay the bills. Nobody can run any show worth watching without sponsorship dollars. And that sponsor isn't going to have them talk about anything that competes with them.

 

[Up Y'oars]

I ended my subscription from In-Fisherman, too. They have lost focus on what they did best, and in my opinion, have slid downhill. I get tons of emails from them wanting me back...... Nope. That sailboat left the dock already.

 

[KDM]

At what cost is the question. If you know what I mean, then you have probably considered the same issues of not watching or not subscribing to their magazine. There's a fine line between paying the bills and selling your identity. It just seems to me that marketing has supplanted information and instruction about fishing in that organization. It probably wouldn't have bothered me without the weather keeping me indoors, but now that I've noticed, it's like losing a tooth. Your tongue keeps falling out the hole.

 

[Duckslayer100]

As someone who used to be in the magazine biz, I feel your pain.

What you describes happens everywhere. Even nonprofits (Delta Waterfowl, DU, PF, etc.) kneel to the almighty dollar. Unless it's bought and paid for by someone or some company, it doesn't get ink.

But I don't think all is lost, because even though most stories and product information is ultimately biased, you can still read between the lines to get good information. Most of the times when I write an article with the caveat to "mention such-and-such product at least once," that's exactly what I do. I go about researching, interviewing and writing the subject as objective as possible, and then work in the little morsel of advertising medicine so the sponsors stay happy. I know it's a tough pill to swallow when you read something like, "...the ducks cupped hard over the Arkansas timber and into the whipping wind, their wings humming in unison like a marching bad whistling Dixie. We let them get close, once, twice and then, on the third pass, let loose with our Benelli Super Black Eagle IIs and Federal 3-inch Black Cloud ammunition."

Gag me, I know. I apologize.

There's a lot of blame to go around. It's a problem of the snake eating its own tail. Publishing companies need more revenue despite stagnating or dropping subscription numbers and competition between other media markets. And even if subscriptions are doing ok, they still might not cover the overhead since the cost of printing and delivering continues to creep up and up, despite the fact they can't raise subscription rates without hemorrhaging readership.

The solution, unfortunately, is more sponsors, more advertisers, and more in-you-face product placement.

I think if you're looking for stories built on pureness and objectivity, you'll pay the price. Gray's Sporting Journal is an excellent example. Incredible imagery and stories worthy of reading and re-reading, but the cover price is that of a hard-cover novel.

Then again, for the price of a Super Value Meal, you can pick up In-Fishermen and, well, there you go. You'll have to do a bit more work to get the same out of a story, but I think the information you've come to rely on is still there.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.

 

[eyexer]

I thought a few years ago In-Fisherman sold to Pure Fishing.

 

[Still_Learnin']

I just don't let it bother me that much. Whether it's watching an outdoor show or reading articles in a magazine, every "professional" angler or TV personality is going to have sponsors that they have to keep happy. To do that, they have to try to "sell" you on the idea of buying those products. If we ALL stopped watching these shows, it wouldn't change anything. It's simply how bills are paid.

As for how I deal with watching/reading this stuff with all of the promotional product placement, I just try to read between the lines. For example, if some TV show has them hammering the fish on Rapala Shadow Rap (all the rage lately;:;blahblah) I focus less on the thought of needing that particular bait and instead focus on the fact that I can use similar lures from companies that I like to catch them under those conditions.

But mostly, I just don't let that crap bug me. I care more about wondering when I'll go fishing next.

 

[Brian Renville]

I hear ya KDM I think they leave the catching to the tourney guys these days. Most shows now could just do the show from inside the boat on the trailer, a bait in the water is just wasting time for them.

 

[guywhofishes]

I pretty much stopped relying on ad-filled shows and magazines to educate me.

NDA is now my sole trusted resource.

 

[KDM]

I thought a few years ago In-Fisherman sold to Pure Fishing.

I think pure fishing, Berkley, and the lot were just bought by Rubbermaid. It's so watered down now, it makes my head hurt trying to keep up with who owns who. Whatever, I just want the old In-Fisherman back and not the infomercial we have now. However, it's probably gone the way of the Do Do. (Pouty Face)

 

[NDwalleyes]

Every TV show, pro-fisherman/hunter, fishing tournament & magazine no matter who or what is all about marketing. They could care less if you catch more fish as it's simply about moving product. These authors, hunters and fisherman are simply salesmen paid by the manufacturer, and nothing more. Pay attention to where and when fishing shows and tournaments are filmed. Always in spring and fall on a lake anyone could catch fish on with any lure. Ever wonder why they always have a guide?

If you want to impress me with your product fish, fish a lake by yourself, with an average number of fish in August!

The reality is that catching fish has more to do with your individual knowledge of the species you are hunting and fishing than with anything else. Become a nerd, read studies performed at universities or those funded by DNR/GnF agencies. Pay attention to weather conditions, water temps, water flows and nature around you. I pay attention to a few indicators in nature that seem to parallel fish activity. An example could be when a certain species of tree begins to bud or when a certain species of bird make an appearance. When you have a really good day of fishing look around...pay attention.

 

[dean nelson]

That's why I do most of my research online. As soon as I see something new or hear about it i go looking for whatever I can find. The key for me is i go looking for the bad reviews first to get an idea if the product has a consistent complaint against it that is a reasonable thing to bitch about. I always try to find at least 5 different reviews of a product before I get to comfortable with what it might be able to use. Checking on threads on big chat boards like this one are normally the source for the least bias info.