The business of bass fishing during a recession/depression

I was just starting to get back in to fishing so I have no pace of involvement to adjust. I am staying close to my business and doing what I can to relieve expenses and hold on to key people.


I think its too early to say where this will lead economically, and that this "We are likely headed for the greatest recession/depression globally that any of us have seen in our lifetimes. " is a premature prediction.

I hope I'm wrong but people way smarter than me already know where our GDP and the global GDP is headed as they're already seeing numbers from China, recession is here, depression we shall see. Unemployment is headed toward record numbers in the days/weeks ahead. Not once in our lifetimes have we shuttered businesses, travel, restaurants etc. to the point of non existence. Again, it's unprecedented and while I'm a silver lining type of guy, I think the outcome of this will be catastrophic for many. This isn't a blip.

But I'm more interested in hearing how people plan to spend and adjust their fishing spending/purchases than argue over how bad the outcome is going to be.

Here's what I think Mark. The last thing I want to find and read on this awesome website is a post of gloom and doom because of this current situation. No offense to you personally Mark, just tired of the constant negativity, hysteria and fear being promoted. For gosh sake, people are fighting over toilet paper. Yes, this is a serious deal. Some will lose a loved one, some will lose a job or have to take less pay, but the world isn't ending so I wish people would stop acting like it is. If what I have read/heard from people I consider true experts, this will be a 2 month deal if it's handled correctly. Then and only then will we know the long last effects of this.

In the short term the corona virus has not hurt us, except for larger groups (6+) who wanted to lodge in addition to their fishing. We have an outdoor activity and people are feeling couped up. In our case you have the hole lake to yourself, you do not come in contact with anyone. However, longerterm (2 months to 12 months) I'm sure there will be a percentage of our membership who will not be able to renew their membership for fiancial constraints. But, I am optimistic that percentage will be small and that the American economy will come roaring back over the next 12-18 months.

Very few business's are recession proof, but I think we will just fine.

I am sure everyone on this forum hopes you are wrong. I am not trying to argue, just don't think its time to take the leap of despair and doom.

It's just not productive thought.

There will be none of us in the fishing business (or any business for that matter) who come out of this unscathed in the coming days/weeks/months ahead. We are likely headed for the greatest recession/depression globally that any of us have seen in our lifetimes.

We are already seeing insights from the last several weeks with many of our clients and how their businesses are being affected. We know from the past how the market responds but this is certainly unprecedented.

Lastly, how can we all help this sport and the businesses that support it moving forward while many will be battling to keep their jobs, homes and families fed in this crazy time?

Your questions were fine but the lead in was all of the same fear, doom and gloom, etc being promoted all over the place. You can do what you want, I just won't be back on this topic again.

....Some will lose a loved one, some will lose a job or have to take less pay, but the world isn't ending so I wish people would stop acting like it is...

Still went fishing yesterday. Still bought gas and food on the way. Still had a boat sitting on my best spot when I got there. Not much has changed.

Still went fishing yesterday. Still bought gas and food on the way. Still had a boat sitting on my best spot when I got there. Not much has changed.

Was going to buy a new vehicle but not now. I will continue to fish, buy gas, lures and such. Just no major purchases such as new boat and/or truck

hopefully the whole pricing of the bass fishing industry gets back closer to reality like it used to be.

Well, I’m just gonna keep hoarding these fillets just in case this whole deal goes south!

2008/2009 was totally different --- way too many people were living beyond their abilities and the banks were making millions of bad home loans and selling as AAA rated to other countries . Once gas hit $4.00 and rising , people had to make a choice --- buy gas to get to work and be late on your house payment , or pay your house payment and no gas for your vehicles --- truly a "house of cards " -- (documentary). This is totally different . I am in in Technology and companies in China are already ramping back up ( PCB's , substrates , packaging etc...). Other companies are hiring people as fast as they can ( Amazon , Walmart , etc...)
The obvious companies will struggle -- Airlines , Hotels , Restaurants , etc.... Those will recover more slowly and people will most likely change behaviors related to those industries -- both short term and long
term .
Some industries will change for the better ---- medical testing and at home medical will change forever . Remote patient monitoring will be a HUGE growth industry from this . The airlines will also be " forced " to change how they react to outside countries --- especially at certain times of the year .
Lastly , if you lived through 2008/2009 ---- and you are still living paycheck to paycheck ---- that's foolish . EVERY financial person advised strongly to have a minimum of 6 months emergency funds just for these type of things .
As the saying goes " Tough times don't last , but tough people do "