Fishing And Social Media

Most fishermen are a social bunch of people. They like to hear what’s going on with other fishermen, what the fish are biting on, where the fish are and just about anything that pertains to fishing.

That’s why so many of them are starting to use Social Media as a way to keep in touch with other fishermen. Whether it be Twitter, Facebook or Google+ fishermen are fast becoming avid users. They have found it can be an instant and private (if desired) method of communication.

For many years fishermen on Lake Erie have used their marine radios as the means to communicate. The only problem with that is everyone on that channel can hear what you say. Not so good if you are trying to protect a hot spot. Also the FCC is very strict on marine radio language and usage.

The Iphone and the Android have made it feasible to communicate nearly anywhere by using a Social Media platform. Fishermen can have groups, circles or lists. Whichever they choose it is far superior to the marine radio.

Here is an example of what I mean. Take a like minded group of Lake Erie fishermen who wanted to keep in touch while on the lake. Using Google+ they could set up a circle of friends and then communicate at will. They could include their marina manager, the local bait shop and even some charter captains.

It would also be a great way for Charter Captains to communicate and keep it private. They tend to hold their hot spots close to the vest. This would give them the perfect forum to do just that. They could talk among themselves with no fear of the fishing coordinates being broadcast to everyone.

The more I think about it the more possibilities come to mind. The ODNR, Coast Guard, Salvage boats, marina managers and local water police could set up a circle of their own. By checking it even once an hour they would have a pretty good idea what is going on around them.

Lake Erie boaters could even set up a circle for general communications and make it open to the public. Any number of things could be posted that would be important to everyone. Pending weather, floating debris, boaters needing help, who has shiner minnows and the list goes on and on.

I think it is an idea whose time has come. I will try to test this with a fishing forum I belong to and see what the response is then get back with another article.