5 Best Ways To Make Money Fishing In Today's Economy.

Here are 5 ways to make money fishing. Number 3 and 4 are perfect for today's new economy.

5 ways to make money fishing
5 Ways To Make Money Fishing In The New Economy

Fishing isn't just a fun hobby - it can also be a great way to make some extra money on the side!  It's a massive market of enthusiasts who want to catch their favorite species, whether it's offshore, inshore, saltwater or freshwater.  In fact, Outdoor Life estimated the total fishing market is 20% bigger than golf and tennis - combined.

And over the past 10 years, there's been a tectonic shift in the way people buy things.  Online sales have skyrocketed, and will continue to do so.  Brick and mortar stores are closing their doors in favor of one or two click purchasing coupled with convenient delivery to your home.  There will soon be a generation of people who will have very little experience actually going to a store to shop.  You can lament it all you want, but if you don't get on board you'll get run over.  The online train is rollin'!

And it's easier than ever to start a fishing business.  For some businesses you don't even need your own product!  So if you're an avid fisherman, why not try your hand at one of these five money-making ideas?

What Are The Best Ways To Make Money Fishing?

 1. Sell Your Catch

One of the easiest ways to make money fishing is simply by selling your catch. If you live near a body of water that's popular for fishing, there's likely to be a demand for fresh fish - and if you're able to supply it, you can turn a tidy profit.   Restaurants in places like the Florida Keys need fresh fish every day, and someone needs to supply it.

Just be sure to check local regulations before selling any fish, as there may be limits in place on how much you're allowed to sell.

 2. Enter Fishing Tournaments

Competitive fishing can be a great way to make some serious cash - prizes for major tournaments can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, winning isn't guaranteed - but even if you don't take home the top prize, simply participating in a tournament can be a fun way to meet other anglers and earn a little extra spending money.

 3. Write About Fishing

If you're passionate about fishing, why not share your knowledge with others by writing about it? There are many different avenues you could explore, such as starting a blog, writing articles for magazines or websites, or even publishing your own book. This option is perfect for those who enjoy writing and researching - and if you're successful, it can provide a pretty nice stream of passive income over time.  

One source of income from writing about fishing can come from affiliate sales, when you recommend a product and a person who reads your article actually makes a purchase from a link in your article, you earn a commission for the sale.  The goal is to get as much traffic to your site as possible, so these commissions add up to thousands of dollars each month.

Not a writer?  There are tools you can use to make it easier to write about fishing and rank your articles on Google search to get more views. It's a long term game, not get rich quick, and it's not hard to do.

Another great option for monetizing your love of fishing is by creating and selling products related to the sport. This could include anything from lures and bait to apparel and gear. If you're handy with tools, you could even build custom rods or create other unique items to sell. There are many different ways to go about this - so whatever creative ideas you have, run with them!

You can start your own online store very easily with one of the available platforms like Shopify.  For $29 per month, you can set up your own site in as little as a few hours.  

And you don't have to have your own products.  You can use a Print On Demand (POD) supplier who will process the order, produce the order and ship it to the customer without you ever seeing it.  You can create your own designs and add them to your store very easily.  One good design can literally be a financial windfall.

You can then promote your products on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for free.  And if you have products that are selling, you can purchase ads on these platforms to increase the amount of money you can make.

 5. Become A Fishing Guide

If you know the ins and outs of fishing in your area, you can start making money by taking people on guided fishing trips. This is a great option if you love being on the water and helping others learn more about fishing.

It's not as easy as just heading out onto the open water with a rod and reel. There are start-up costs involved in starting your own business. Here are some of the necessary expenses you'll need to take into account when starting your own fishing guide service.

Business Licensing and Permits
In order to operate a fishing guide service, you'll need to obtain the proper business licenses and permits from your state or province. The cost of these licenses and permits will vary depending on where you live and the specific requirements of your business. However, you can expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars on these required licenses and permits.

Fishing Gear
Of course, you'll need some quality fishing gear if you're going to be a professional fishing guide. This includes rods, reels, lures, nets, and other gear necessary for a successful day out on the water. If you already have some gear that's in good condition, you may not need to spend much money here. However, if you don't have any gear or your gear needs to be replaced, you could easily spend a couple thousand dollars on new gear.

Boat and Motor
You'll also need a boat and motor if you're going to be guiding fishermen. If you already have a boat that's in good condition and meets all the necessary safety requirements, then you're ahead of the game. However, if you need to purchase a new boat, you could end up spending anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, or more.

Insurance
Lastly, you'll need to purchase insurance for your business. This includes liability insurance in case something happens while someone is under your care out on the water. The cost of insurance will vary depending on the coverage you choose and the insurer you use. However, expect to spend at least several hundred dollars per year on insurance premiums.

This is the most costly way to make money fishing, but with some careful planning and budgeting, you can get your fishing guide service up and running without breaking the bank.

💡
Outdoor Life has estimated that the total market for fishing is bigger than the golf market and the tennis market - combined.

5 Ways To Make Money Fishing - The Last Cast

Whether you're looking for a fun way to make some extra cash on the weekends or wanting to start a full-fledged business venture, there are plenty of options available for monetizing your passion for fishing. What matters most is finding an avenue that speaks to your interests and skill set - then it's just a matter of going out there and giving it your best shot.

Our Recommendation On The Best Ways To Make Money Fishing:

  • Write about fishing and recommend products
  • Create your own products in an online store

The start-up costs with these two are the lowest, and the future growth with these sales channel can be explosive.

Who knows - with enough hard work and dedication, you might just find yourself landing the catches (and payouts) of a lifetime.

Cheers to the outdoors,
Bert

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