The Pros and Cons of Joining an Online Fishing Club

Having a fishing club, especially if you are a beginner in fishing, will significantly benefit the foundation of your fishing journey. Being in a fishing club brings a sense of community and security that will help in boosting your passion for sports fishing. It feels good to have people that support your hobby. Fishing is more fun with company, whether it's a family affair, a prestigious association, a local clubhouse group, or a geeky friends' club! 

If you are thinking of registering for an online fishing club but unsure whether to pursue it or not, reading about the pros and cons of having one can help you decide.

Advantages of Online Fishing Club

Here is a list of some of the benefits of joining an online fishing club:

1. Cheap or Free

To be clear, not all online fishing clubs are free. Although, it is good to note that many fishing clubs that you will find online are free. If the club requires monthly membership or subscription-free to unlock more features, it usually solicits affordable payment. If you are on a tight budget, you can still have a fishing group ready to answer your queries, share ideas, and geek about your favorite sport, all for a low price!

2. Accessibility

The internet is readily available to almost everyone nowadays, which means online fishing clubs are accessible any time of the day, even on mobile. Some of the clubs even have apps. However, online group chats are also popular with physical clubs these days. If you join a big online club, there are more chances of coming across online members when you need it most. So if you are in the middle of a fish tackle or just wondering about fishing gear in the middle of the night, there are more chances of quicker response from an online fishing club.

3. Worldwide

Some online fishing clubs, especially those that do not need membership or subscription fees, are bigger in range and usually international. This means more avenues for getting vital information on fishing in general. The broader diversity of people and places will help create further discussion points and generate fresh ideas. You may think that you do not need to learn about the fishing methods in other countries while you are in the United States, but tips from other places might also be efficiently applied to your fishing style. And who knows, you might travel far for a fishing trip where tips from your online club might come in handy! 

4. Independence

Some anglers like to do things on their own. Joining an online fishing club will allow you to experiment with different fishing styles yourself but have a group to share the results with.

5. Confidence

Clubs are not just for outgoing people. Clubs can be a way to improve and boost your confidence. For more reserved anglers who shy away from joining physical fishing clubs, signing up for online ones is a good alternative if you have the benefits of a club minus the social interaction. It might also give you the boost that you need to start socializing if you feel like going out of your comfort zone.

6. Instant Features

It will be easier and more convenient to share stories of fishing experiences with an online fishing club. Type away, share a photo and get immediate responses! For more experienced anglers, sharing tips and answering questions of a broader range of people will be more efficient. Asking for help on how to fix your equipment is more effortless. With one click of the camera, you can share a photo of your gear and receive multiple solutions based on different people’s experiences.

Disadvantages of Online Fishing Club

These are some of the downsides of joining an online fishing club:

1. No Hands-on Learning Experience

In online fishing clubs, learning is done virtually, which can be difficult when doing actual setups yourself. There are limited teaching and learning methods in online clubs. Some clubs upload video tutorials and offer online seminars and workshops, but this might not be enough in some cases. If a boat is required to teach fishing techniques, an online fishing club will fail to deliver.

2. No Physical Interaction

There is no physical contact in online clubs. This means outgoing anglers might crave physical gatherings if their only fishing group is online. In connection with the previous disadvantage, applying what you learned by your lonesome might feel dull and less fulfilling.

3. No Actual Events

Another missing perk of an online fishing club is the lack of actual events. These events may be in competitions, festivities, and fishing trips. Friendly competition among anglers is a good way of maximizing the fun in fishing. Celebrations are essential in building up your confidence in doing what you love. Fishing trips will allow you to explore different places and try fishing methods on new water bodies. Without all of these, your fishing journey may seem uneventful.

Join On Your Own Accord

Considering all of these, you may want to join an online fishing club to expand your network, broaden your sources of information, and meet new fishing buddies to geek with. This is helpful, especially to kick-start beginners’  angling journey. For experienced anglers, joining an online fishing club is a way to give back to the sport and share your knowledge.

It is important to note that while you join an online club, you can still enter a physical fishing club, depending on your time, resources, and personal choice.

There may be pros and cons in joining an online fishing club, but the decision will depend on your personality, purpose, and fishing style. It is entirely on your own accord, but just a reminder, always be responsible and respectful online.