Well, you have to consume social media first... I'm pretty sure when Fork blasted on the scene it was before the advent of social media... We heard about it and made a trip in 1987... Probably read about it in Bassmaster magazine... So Yes/ No/ Maybe... Dan

The internet has done more to damage lakes than ffs will ever do. Youtubers, clowns that post every big fish they catch on a lake, and I'll never understand why local clubs make their weights from jackpots public knowledge. Then you have the fish apps with waypoints. Add guides posting nonsense to try and drum up business to the list.

Absolutely yes, the story is 100% accurate, any lake gets decent and it’s destroyed within months. It’s also diluted everything we watch. Everyone’s now an expert and people get sick of watching it all.

Much like guns don't kill people by themselves i think social media is fine. Some people just screw it up

I think it makes it hard on the professional guy trying to get sponsor dollars. The sponsors can get more views from some guy talking about fishing than the professional who actually fishes. The internet is the new jersey and wrap for the local..... every dollar that an idiot like Randy B or some youtuber collects from a sponsor is a dollar that could be directed at actual people who are trying to make it in the pros

It’s ruined everything

The internet made more information available to almost everyone. We should be much better informed than before.
Sadly for the majority it just made people more polarized.

Same with social media. There is a lot to be learned that you could not do without it.
Instead of using it to learn about fishing people spend a lot of time discussing who did this, who did that.
Still, the best fishermen are not in front of their computers on social media. They don't have time for it.

I don’t think it’s ruined it.
I see lots of guys out on the water doing what they see on YouTube, just like 30 years ago I saw them doing just like they saw on tv. Run and gun and all hitting the same spots.
I’ve always looked for fish away from the crowds and using techniques that maybe not everybody else would use at that time and place. Overall, there’s more anglers for sure, but I wouldn’t say anything is ruined.

100% yes.

I wonder how much fun Bois d arc would have been if there was no social media? It went crazy there for awhile, people driving in from out of state etc.

yep

Yep

I read on social media that it is ruining bass fishing. It must be true.

It’s not been great for it. Could be worse, social media has ruined hunting 100x times worse than fishing.

I don’t hunt per say, what has it done to hunting?

This

Could it just be that we have more people but not a bunch of new lakes?

I would say that social media, the "grow the sport initiative" and covid is to blame for a lot of the issues we are dealing with today outside of FFS. Not everyone can afford ffs or a boat but they can buy rods, reels and kayaks.

Everything and might I add the clowns carrying around the fish all day to get that ramp shot!

Where do they learn that from- hint most every major bass tournament….

I doubt that. Some social media characters that have never fished a tournament before do that stuff. I don't think carrying fish around if I'm not in a tournament is for me but then again if we are truly being honest those guys have every right to do it. Just because we do it in a tournament doesn't suddenly make us any better than anyone else or makes it OK for us but not for others.

Maybe one day people will stop making tournaments sound like the boogeyman. Maybe I'm fishing the wrong trails but I don't see all the craziness reported on here and social media happen. Apparently it happens often to the same people though.

It’s bad when sponsors could care less about your resume or public appearances. But are more interested in what platforms you’re on and how many followers you have.

Lol, the limited mindset of so many is astounding.

Social media has ruined everything including our kids I said 20yrs ago technology is good but woukd destroys things, we are seeing that now and it won't get better.

Social media has ruined alot of things including our kids I said 20yrs ago technology is good but woukd destroys things, we are seeing that now and it won't get better.

I hear so many things about you. Enlighten us simple minded types with your expertise.

Yep, other than that’s how he makes his money, I’d like to be educated on the benefits of social media. Even some of the pros are crying about these kids getting too much info and having it easier than they did.

Sponsors want the biggest return on their investment so who has the most exposure will most likely be the better investment.

Add to that rather than pay real money to a few they can sprinkle out crumbs, baits, spools of line, etc to every a hole with a youtube channel or a tiktok following. The entire model is warped and a big reason the actual professionals starve, along with the fact that tournament fishing is less popular than corn hole.

Why is that bad? You can be the greatest at a particular thing but that doesn’t make you good at marketing.

Most youth these days follow people that do stupid things or act like true idiots. How is that good for marketing? It’s in the eye of the beholder. I’m one that feels social media is ruining everything. Not just fishing. And it’s doomed our youth already.

Companies know who is and isn’t buying products and they are going to direct marketing dollars towards that demographic. It’s like all the 70 year olds complaining about ffs- thru aren’t buying it anyways.

I'm not buying bridgeford jerky because they sponsor randy b and because it sucks

Explain please, you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

Do you have something against tournaments?

You will if you don't get those hub seals fixed soon

Nothing at all I’m just saying it’s good for the goose it’s good for the gander. Those guys are celebrated for bringing 5 big ones across the stage so you can’t get mad at billy Bob doing it for instagram at the boat ramp.

More drama is all social media brought to the game. And its sells apparently.

I don't think it is currently ruined, but I invite anyone who does think its ruined to move on to something else. It will be better for you and will help to improve numbers for the rest of us as well.

It ruined one of my favorite fishing spots. Could fish there all day and maybe see a handful of boats.
Now it's turned into a circus and never will be the place it used to be.

It hasnt ruined fishing, its made us better in that regard. It has been the complete demise of many lakes though.

Pros making it look so easy on TV are a big part of the problem. whe the TV goes from one to another making people think they are just catching fish with reckless abandon they think anyone can do it .I guess I am old enough to remember when it was dads and Grandpa's who taught the fishing to their kids but now we have Hi schools and colleges along with pros and us parents teaching our kids to fish which is making the boats and tackle go higher and higher just about putting a lot of fishermen on the bank or sitting on their butts at home. I am sorry but putting 200 + boats on any lake is just to dang many and should be broken up to give some relief to our lakes and the people who are regulars and home owners on any given lake

"regulars and homeowners" should have bought or leased a private lake.
My family has land that Fork took, still own the land up to it, and I've had a lake house on Fork since before it was full. It never crossed my mind to be so self entitled as to tell someone I should have it to myself.

All this talk about where the $$ is going? Pro's vs You Tubers? Marketing and such? Did anyone ever think that the old model was broken to begin with or at the least, inefficient at best? For 40-50 years, it was "let's put our money into the pro's" because they are the ones who will sell our products. Granted, that worked for a very long time and was "successful" because it was the only medium they had. For years, the Pro's had a leg up with sponsors and life was good for them, Simple supply and demand, the supply of pro's were low and for the most part, they could name their price. Supply low, price high.

Fast forward to now. Companies have the upper hand!! You own ABC Tackle and you want to get your brand out there. How are you gonna do it? Are you gonna tell me you are gonna give "Joe Pro Smuckatelly" 50K a year to push your brand? Im not. I will take 1/2 that amount of money and spread it out amongst 10-15 You tubers and get infinitely more exposure. Supply is now high with people who will push your product. Supply goes up, price goes down.

Social Media hasnt ruined Bass Fishing. It's only made life a lot harder for those of us who remember the "Good ole days". For the younger folks, it's all they know and the world they grew up in, hence the "ho-hum" attitude that most of them have.

It's Darwinism in Business/Economics......Evolve or die. And remember, youth is undefeated.

No way. Change can only be bad. If I'm less successful than I once was it can only mean the circumstances are wrong for everyone. /s

That is the problem - too many people chasing bass (including me).

Its ruined everything. Internet has too.

Some would say that bass tournaments have ruined fishing…..

Been hearing that sad song for about 40 years now.

Haha!
Exactly!!
Times change, society changes, and those who don’t adapt along with it get left behind.
It’s the natural way of things.

Looking back on my own experiences I think i have witnessed poor etiquette a lot more from recreational anglers than tournament anglers. Some of that I write off as them just knowing any better.
I have had very, very few issues from others during tournaments. Eve then most of that is minor stuff. The most common is guys crowding the loading dock and ramp when other boats are trying to launch. .
I don't understand what is hard about launching then getting out of the way while your partner parks the truck. Someone always wants to Power Pole down parallel to the dock making it impossible to pick up your partner or at the end of the ramp where others want back off trailer without almost hitting them as they tinker with tackle etc.

Just checking, did Mark Jones ever clarify his comment?

No, it was a hit and run

This is, for the most part, true but it doesn’t paint the whole picture. Yes, sponsors are paying much less, (based on what I’ve read), but there are also a lot more potential sponsors in the market. What is 100% true is that the game has changed and so must the professional if he/she wishes to survive in this market.

one thing is sure the dang price of anything fishing is way over the top of what it should be.Paying $25 gees for a motor which if you use it much will blow up is [censored] so many fall into just make payments and trade it in in 2 years . Let someone else take it and blow it up leaving them to spend thousands on the thing . For that kind of $ a motor should last a very long time and should be covered for a very long time

Almost 800 hours on my 2015 SHO. Other than routine maintenance, it has not needed a thing.
While you seem to really be hung up on the past........ it is well known, for a long time now, that outboards don't need a reason to pop, just a place. A lot of the new ones have good records.

I use social media quite a bit, it’s almost required to promote your business these days. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. With that said, it’s definitely taken its toll on fishing, especially the big YouTubers. All the ponds around here where I live used to be an easy after work/after school fishing trip. Used to be able to go to any of them, drop a flat bottom in, and catch nice fish often. Now they’ve all gone to [censored] and I don’t even bother

It’s really a double edged sword. I love seeing the younger middle school/high school kids out fishing these ponds after school and enjoying the outdoors, but it’s also taken a big toll on what was once good fishing.

I think all this growing the sport is just a phase, all these you tubers and digital creators will all need something to fall back on one day! Put it in stone! 😎

No matter how bad we would like to go back to a world where kids were playing football in the street until the street lights came on, is all in the past.

The fishing we got to enjoy in the 80's and 90's at Fork will never be back.

It seems it is always the 60+ NB crowd saying tech is bad. Fyi, many of you double double cheeseburger eating, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking time machines are alive because of advancements in technology.

Embrace advancements in the world we live in, you may find life can be easier as we advance in age.

If you would have told me 20 yrs ago that I could have purchased an investment on the internet that consists of something I can never touch and it would 50+X it's value in less than 10 years I would have laughed until I fell down.

Well with all the you tube instructional videos it has helped all of us, whether we want to believe it or not. Lots of tricks to the trade. So that's 1 positive for social media.

I think the biggest misconception is that fishing is a renewable resource. Mother Nature adapts. The more people who fish and the more the people who catch, the harder it will be to catch bass in the future. That is a fact. Ivie is a huge testament to that. Our lakes are historically lower due to droughts, yet we have more people on the water than we ever have putting more pressure on the fish than they have ever seen. 250 boats on a lake with all the running motors and pinging sonars disrupts the fish’s natural habitat. We are absolutely outgrowing our sport and our resource. Used to be during the fall you could get out on the lake and have it to yourself because everyone else was out deer hunting. That’s not the case anymore. I have my opinions on the types of people who are coming into the sport but I’ll keep that to myself. The “good ole days” are gone for a multitude of reasons, social media being one of them for sure.

Why would a fisherman want the entire internet to know that he caught a bunch of big fish on a 1,000 to 2,000 acre local lake? Is the urge to brag to strangers that stronge?

Isn’t that what social media is for the most part- just bragging? It’s the kids that won 1st place, the fancy dinner, the new car, etc…

I have learned alot off of you tube, some fishing things. but mainly other how to stuff. just learned how to rig tree limbs over the house so they do not fall onto the house when u cut them.

social media is not hurting fishing, the increase of anglers fishing might be increasing the drama on lakes. If you want to go fish by yourself and not have anyone else on the lake, and rather easy fishing, go now through no Dec.

The human brain is powered on knowledge. The internet and social media are both places that everyone, with the capability to access the internet, can have unlimited information and knowledge at their fingers tips.

But the "little johnny did this or that" posts are plentiful as well...

oh yeah it is that strong and then some

The statistics say that approximately 8% of the people in Texas fish. The DFW metroplex has grown from 2.5M in 1984 to 8.6M in 2024. Just i the DFW metroplex that would add around 500-600K anglers to the angler pool.

Some important points about fishing in the DFW metroplex, especially considering the significant population growth and the influx of new anglers over the years. The increase in the angler population, combined with limited new fishing locations like Bois d'Arc, can definitely lead to pressure on existing fisheries.

The fact that most Texas lakes are man-made adds another layer of complexity. These reservoirs depend heavily on management practices to maintain fish populations and habitat quality. Without ongoing efforts—like habitat enhancement, stocking programs, and pollution control—these artificial ecosystems can struggle to support growing fishing demands.

Additionally, the ease of access to information today amplifies these issues. With fishing techniques, spots, and gear being shared widely online, it’s likely that more people are hitting the water, further intensifying pressure on the fish populations.

Sustainable management practices are crucial to ensure that fishing can remain a viable activity for the increasing number of anglers. Balancing access with conservation efforts will be key to preserving the quality of fishing in the region...

To counter the argument regarding fishing pressure and sustainability in the DFW metroplex, one could consider the following points:

Technological Advancements: Improvements in fishery management technologies, including better data collection and analysis, can enhance the ability to monitor fish populations and adapt management strategies accordingly.
Community Engagement: Increasing awareness and community involvement in conservation efforts can lead to more sustainable practices among anglers, promoting responsible fishing and habitat protection.
Diverse Ecosystems: While many Texas lakes are man-made, some natural ecosystems still exist. These can provide refuge and support for fish populations, potentially mitigating pressure on heavily fished areas.
Catch-and-Release Practices: The rising popularity of catch-and-release fishing can help maintain fish populations, allowing anglers to enjoy the sport without significantly depleting fish stocks.
Expanding Fishing Opportunities: New fishing locations and programs can be developed to accommodate the growing number of anglers, distributing fishing pressure more evenly across available sites.
Legislative Support: Increased state and local investment in fisheries management, including habitat restoration and stocking programs, can support fish populations despite rising angler numbers.
By emphasizing these points, one could argue that, with proper management and community involvement, the fishing landscape in the DFW metroplex can remain sustainable despite population growth.

All but one lake in Texas are man made reservoirs.

Here are some points of interest as to the comparison of Man-Made and Natural Lakes


Ecological Health:

Natural Lakes: Typically have established ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna, which can contribute to greater biodiversity and ecological stability.
Man-Made Lakes: While they can support wildlife, the ecosystems may take time to establish and can be less diverse initially. They might also be more susceptible to issues like pollution and sedimentation due to human activity.

Water Quality: Natural Lakes: Generally have more stable water quality due to natural filtration processes. However, they can also be affected by external factors such as agricultural runoff.
Man-Made Lakes: Can face challenges with water quality due to inflow from urban and agricultural areas, which may introduce pollutants and nutrients leading to algal blooms.

Fish Populations: Natural Lakes: Often have established fish populations and a natural food web that can support a healthy ecosystem.
Man-Made Lakes: Initially may require stocking to establish fish populations, and management practices can greatly influence long-term sustainability.

Recreational Use: Natural Lakes: Often valued for their scenic beauty and biodiversity, making them popular for various recreational activities.
Man-Made Lakes: Designed for multiple purposes, including recreation, but may lack some of the aesthetic or ecological qualities of natural lakes.
Resilience:

Natural Lakes: May be more resilient to changes due to their established ecosystems.
Man-Made Lakes: Their long-term health can be highly dependent on ongoing management, including habitat restoration and pollution control.

Long-Term Considerations: Over time, man-made lakes can develop healthy ecosystems, but this process requires careful management and monitoring. In some cases, they may become nearly as valuable as natural lakes, while in others, ongoing human impact can hinder their ecological health. The success of a man-made lake often hinges on the balance between human use and environmental stewardship.


As to your counter arguments, some I do agree with and some are way off base, IMO


1. Technological Advancements: While technological improvements in fishery management can enhance monitoring, they are not foolproof. Over-reliance on technology may lead to complacency, as managers might assume data accuracy guarantees sustainability. Additionally, not all regions have equal access to advanced technologies, leading to disparities in management effectiveness.

2. Community Engagement: While community involvement can foster responsible practices, it also risks overfishing if not properly regulated. Enthusiastic anglers may prioritize their recreational interests over ecological balance, especially if community engagement initiatives lack strong oversight or education on sustainable practices.

3. Diverse Ecosystems: Even if some natural ecosystems exist, they may be vulnerable to the pressures of nearby man-made lakes and urban development. These ecosystems can be disrupted by pollution, invasive species, and increased fishing pressure, diminishing their ability to serve as refuges for fish populations.

4. Catch-and-Release Practices: Although catch-and-release can help maintain populations, it can also lead to stress and injury for fish, impacting their long-term survival. Improper handling or inadequate release practices can negate the benefits of this approach, potentially harming fish stocks more than anticipated.

5. Expanding Fishing Opportunities: New fishing locations may not adequately address the fundamental issues of overfishing and habitat degradation. Simply creating more sites can lead to increased pressure on fragile ecosystems and may not consider the ecological balance necessary to sustain fish populations.

5. Legislative Support: Increased investment does not always translate to effective management. Legislative support can be misallocated or influenced by political agendas that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. Without strict regulations and enforcement, even well-intentioned programs can fall short in preserving fish populations.

Overall, while the arguments highlight positive aspects of fishery management, they may overlook the complex challenges and risks associated with sustaining fish populations amid growing demand and environmental pressures.

Well, I subscribe to the theory that opinions are like [you know]. I don't listen and I don't watch except for an occasional foray here to ask something.

Make fishing GREAT AGAIN, vote for Trump!

I have a creek that i fish, no one else fishes it, this late spring to summer I could not catch much of anything during this time. But its Prolly cuz of tournaments on Rayburn. Yesterday I went out and caught 5 10-12 inch bass. And that is because there are too many people fishing other lakes and taking fish off the lake,

In a nutshell, yes, social media has at least hurt fishing.

How many lakes have become unbelievably "hot" when big fish are being caught. I can think of four lakes that have never been the same since they were discovered again.

Amistad was smoking around 2003-5 and we had not only every bass fisherman there but every snow bird filleting 8 pounders at the ramps. Today?
Falcon was destroyed the same way (including by BASS).
Choke was in there too. At one Bass Champs, there were TWO stringers over 44#'s weighed in one day. Now, it is the dead sea.
The latest was Ivie. We all know the story there.

Granted, the lack of water also had an effect on all the lakes but the lakes took a dramatic downturn before the droughts really hurt.

Bass fisherman seem to have to brag on bags and that causes tremendous pressure.

The only lake I know of that you could catch a big bag from consistently and it was kept quiet was lake Gonzales. GBRA let the dam fail and didn't rebuild so it is dry now but that lake was only know by a few, and I mean a handful, of fisherman and it was awesome for a long time. That was the best kept secret for a long time.

High School Fishing didn't help. The combo of social media and HS fishing was devastating to the sport.. Also I personally believe that catch and release hurt as much as it helped. Imagine what giant fish were suspended in deep water while all the boats were going down the bank back in the day. Any of your private pay water has fish keeping rules in most cases where you have to keep a few fish to help the water be better.


Social media changed everything as far as secrets go. There are places we visit now that just 10 yrs ago no one even knew existed. Double edged sword, you find out about places and things you wouldn't have before. Now you just get to share it with EVERYONE.

The biggest issue is the way majority of people behave now. Something changed with that plandemic, we have yet to recover from it either. In most cases people do not treat each other the same anymore. Social Media hasn't helped that either, just more programing and creating a competition that didn't exist in the good ol days.

I'm glad someone blamed HS fishing. Been a couple of pages since I've read about this plague...............

social media has screwed up most everything it has touch in the last 25 years . The whole world has gone out of their mind with this monster. There seems to be no way to stop the lies and [censored] that goes on with it .

I think covi has done more damage to fishing than anything . Before covi fishing was good and mostly you had many less boats on the water . When covi hit it was like everyone figured out that the only safe place to be was on the water , Bass boat and boat sells went thru the roof along with the prices of such when they were already way to high . Boaters on the water doubled if not more . It got insane to be on the water. The owoowaters came from everywhere and knew nothing of editicut on the water. They just bulled there way in and did not care . It got crazy even in the winter when I used to have the lake mostly to my self it was bad .If that was not bad enough then on PK the algea hit and fishing has not come back from that yet and in other lakes we have no runoff as the lakes keep going down more and more every day .Life is good but fishing has taken a beating from where I stand .

Every lake you named all have huge water level fluctuations and the fishing on every one of of them has never been consistent for more than a few years at a time. Plus most are located far enough from major urban areas that they do not get constant pressure 12 months a year.

What started the runs on Falcon and Amistad were the pro circuits publicizing them. Starting in 2006 and 2008 respectively, before "social media" was a thing. In the 70's Lake Guerrero was a hot lake down south, in the 80's it was Falcon, Lake Fork, Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. Many years prior to anyone even using the internet, much less "social media". In 1979 there were aprx 1.1 million fishing licenses sold in Texas and the population of the state was 13.8M. In 2022 there were 2.7M licenses sold and the population was 30M.

If you were at Fork from the mid 80's to the mid 90's, you would know that social media had no part in the [censored] show that was there 24/7/365 for many years.

Fss, media, blah......... has not ruined bass fishing. It has ruined Tournament fishing. The 0bvious. FSS shows more than we could have seen before. Now it shows which lakes are better for fss. Ive vs fork.
IVE the better lake for fss vs a dying lake.