Fishing Publications

Just as the sport was gearing up in the mid `90s, I was writing for Pacific Fisherman Magazine and got approached by a guy who was starting an email group to network the bite from San Fran to Cabo.  50 anglers, most with their own boat and most fish once a week.  The name of the group is POETS (Piss On Everything, Tomorrow's Saturday).  We survived the newness of the internet and the personality/opinion conflicts that were inherent but the strong networking vibe and near daily participation is long gone.

I'm looking to advertise RTM Kayaks here in CA.  Naturally, NCKA was my first choice.  Looking for some feedback, I asked the POETS "who still reads Western Outdoor News?".  I was shocked to learn that 90% of the replies either stopped reading WON or declined to renew their subscriptions in the past 5 years.  POETS are hardcore anglers and most are politically informed and active when it comes to fishery issues.

Personally, I believe responsible print media is critical to the survival of recreational fishing.  At the same time, I appreciate that so many of us use the internet to maintain a heads-up on the news and fishery issues and in the past decade, print advertising has taken a hard hit.  While I only occasionally read WON anymore, I depend on Sport Fishing Magazine every month, KeepAmericaFishing.org and a handful of other publications (print and online) to keep me informed of the bigger (national) picture.  As a writer, I guess I probably read more variety than citizen anglers.  To put that into perspective, I only read a fraction of what editors read and could be a lot more informed.

So here's my question(s).
1.  Do any NCKAers subscribe or pick WON up at the newsstand?  Fish Sniffer?  Pacific Coast Sport Fishing?
2. How many readers subscribe to the print version of Kayak Angler or pick it up regularly at the retail shop?
3. Is anyone subscribing to KA Online or any other online kayak fishing publications...or reading the kayak fishing  magazines and newsletters that show up in your email?
4.  How do you stay informed on fishery issues that affect you?

The advertising landscape has changed radically with the internet.  Sites like this are worthy venues for reaching us, the kayak fishing target market.  When it comes to reach though, special interest web sites generally reach a minority of the section, regionally and I'm trying to learn what anglers who already have a "home" site do and if you depend on one or two sites/publications to stay informed.
Thanks

I pick up the FishSniffer.


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Very rarely deal hard print anymore. Between Fb, here, and email 40-60 a day, I have info overload. USA Fishing, Field & Stream, DU, in my spare time. Hell I have even shied away from MilkCrate  because I can't decide which other one I'd have to give up. I know I will eventually.

I enjoy reading my Kayak Angler Magazine (paper) over and over.  Before I go to bed and sitting on the throne.
I don't care too much for digital magazine editions.  I like to watch Youtube related kayak videos too.
I used to subscribe to most of publications you mentioned but not anymore.

So here's my question(s).
1.  Do any NCKAers subscribe or pick WON up at the newsstand?  Fish Sniffer?  Pacific Coast Sport Fishing?
2. How many readers subscribe to the print version of Kayak Angler or pick it up regularly at the retail shop?
3. Is anyone subscribing to KA Online or any other online kayak fishing publications...or reading the kayak fishing  magazines and newsletters that show up in your email?
4.  How do you stay informed on fishery issues that affect you?

1. No. No. Not since my subscription ended and they figured it out.
2. I don't really read the online version, let alone the print version.  It has never appealed to me. 
3. No.
4 The internet.....and I'm a hundred times more informed now than I ever was when reading publications.  When fish rags were all that were available I'd read them all but I'm sick of the same canned crappy articles and any news they print is already a month old by the time I read it.  Honestly the only time I do buy a rag is when I want to see a buyers guide shoccasing the new gear that comin.



 

I find everything I need to know on the internet.
If I buy any publication I am limited to what is in the pages of that publication.
The internet has no boundaries.
I could probably make up a fishing scenario, google or yahoo it and find something on the internet about it.
To prove a point, I just did a search for 'dynamite fishing for trout'. Here ya go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blast_fishing
I am pretty sure I wouldn't randomly find that in my average fishing magazine.

I still subscribe to WON, Love to read about Baja and like Jonathan's articles...

I also like to support the local rag and they have helped with HOW...

can't say that I'm up on political concerns effecting my rights to fish, don't have enough blood pressure meds for that... 

on line with kayak angler and keep up with Pal...

1, 2, and 3 no.              4. I get email alerts from Keep America Fishing but sometimes someone has already posted a link here on NCKA before I get their emails.

Dennis

I do subscribe to Pacific Coast Sport Fishing because they have a kayak article and shore fishing article. However, I think printed publications are on the road to obsolescence in the near future. There is so much free information on the internet which is a Google search away. I never buy WON or the Fish Sniffer anymore because I have NCKA and other websites. As far as marketing, the quality of your product will be the bottom line. A great product almost sells itself on the web because of unbiased  owner testimonials. Having a RTM at GS is on the right track. Differentiating the RTM from OK, WS and Hobie is a tough job but could be done based on fishing features and functionality. One last thought is that it is a delicate balance trying to make a living at kayak fishing and being a member of NCKA. I think you have done a good job at managing that balance. Anyway, glad you left those SCAL slackers and joined us.

Scott

As long as anglers still use the john, I believe print publications will prevail but in a smaller capacity due to the electronic info era.  Thanks to everyone for your time and feedback, I truly appreciate it.
I have a strong sense of loyalty for WON since they've always taken a journalistic approach, had a big hand in kayak fishing's foundation promotions and got the attention of industry and anglers nationwide. 
I think all these publications (and especially consumer shows) need to take a fresh approach to how they reach anglers and the quality of their content.  It's clear that we previously went to shows and read these magazines for all the info we can now get online for free, right down to the seminars.  Being able to touch and feel  product isn't enough anymore to bring people to shows at sustainable levels.
Thanks Again!

You mean there is life outside of NCKA? 

The only hard copy mag I get is North American Fishing Club, and that's only because in my younger/richer days I had a little extra dough to throw at a life membership.  That said, I've never caught a walleye but can tell you more than you'd care to know about them.  I used to get WON, but like others have stated the web has a ton more info, specific to what I am looking for when I want it.  Don't get me wrong, last year I subscribed to Sport Fishing and it was great throne material, reading about far off lands and exotics...I'll probably renew that one. 

Gear reviews/tips/reports...all that stuff I'll find on the web.  But great stories and photos of adventure and exotic destinations...I'll pay money for that.

Dont buy any printed stuff anymore. You can usually find it all online. Plus FB updates you instantly with any new news and product reviews can easily be seen online as well.
Sad to say but dont see them(print anything) lasting much longer.
I think online articles and blogs and forums are the way of the future.