OK, 2024 is here and we are all going to make a bunch of resolutions that will make us bigger and better anglers — right? Well, maybe. At least a fair share of my winter time will be spent in front of the TV screen watching a variety of fishing shows, most of which will be on the popular YouTube channel.
It’s no secret that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of YouTube channels that pertain to fishing and its many variables. There are fishing channels about all species, all tactics, all locations and many that delve way deep into the nitty-gritty of fishing and science and more. It would be hard not to find a channel that suits your angling interest.
And with that, here are a few of my favorite channels that I frequently view to not only learn something but often to just enjoy the fishing:
Creek Fishing Adventures
Tennessee angler John Dalton has ditched his HVAC job several years ago to pursue a career in making fishing vids on YouTube, and he’s come away with a winner. I have been watching CFA for about four years now and his simplistic but hard-earned efforts never disappoint. Primarily a stream/small river smallmouth guy, Dalton goes beyond his blue-collar roots by fishing various kayak bass tournaments throughout the East, fishing larger reservoirs in the south, Florida canal fishing in the winter and even some crazy catfish stuff for spice. His videos are fun, exciting and often filled with big bass, muskies and more. You get the feel that with Dalton what you see is what you get — a man in love with God’s creation and fishing. Real, genuine stuff.
kanalgratis.se
Indeed that would all be lower case letters when doing the search, but this is way, way different fishing as it is centered out of Sweden and several Scandinavian nations. My latest viewing has been the pike and zander (European walleye) tournaments and the way they film and do them. So much different, and better IMHO than the way bass tournaments are done in the U.S. The “Fly vs. Jerk” pike competitions are spectacular episodes of crazy big European pike that sometimes surpass 50-inches and 30 plus pounds. The format has eight teams of two anglers, different countries. They fish any public water they want, in multiple countries. The fly rod guys are my favs, but they are all superb anglers from Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Finland, Poland and Germany. Points awarded for the biggest, top-five longest and for the most caught each day. They go through crazy stuff to catch giant fish. Check it out.
Crappie Chronicles
Adam Bartusak and his band of merry ice fishermen have got the bead on King Kong sized crappies throughout the ice belt. They are in Year 4 for their quest for an 18-inch crappie through the ice. No, it hasn’t been filmed yet, but the boys have come close, and they put a lot of 14- to 16-inch slabs topside every season, keeping only smaller, eater-sized fish in the 11-12 inch class for fun and food. Another plus: Master chef Ryan Pinkala shows top-notch recipes for crappies in every episode. Whether you’re an ice angler or not, you’ll find this one informative and a real treat.
Georgia Boy Outdoors
Labeled “GA Boy Outdoors” this is another down-home, as-it-happens channel with a slant on family fishing. Lure maker and outdoor writer Craig James takes his son and daughters on the Satilla River in South Georgia for big ‘ole redbreast sunfish, bass, bowfin and more as they paddle down the blackwaters of the Upper Satilla complex in search of all. James makes his “Colt 45” spinner bait to entice “roosters” and bass in the winding dark stretches of the river. Beautiful scenery and locations are a highlight here. And for my money, James is one of the funniest, “on water” characters on any YouTube channel as he constantly jabs his son on his fish netting skills, or lack thereof. Another good one for the soul.
Ty Pig Patrol
Ty Kleeb has been catching huge fish in Texas and way beyond for a long time. Some of his bass, bluegill and crappie excursions are epic and among some of the craziest fishing viewing out there. He goes to the Amazon for giant peacock bass and aripiama. He fishes urban creeks for 80-pound alligator gar and 50-pound blue catfish. He even hooks up with local kids who put him on giant bass, carp and crappies at local sediment ponds that everybody forgot about. His Lake Havasu red ear sunfish vids will astound. This man is, indeed, crazy about fishing.
Honorable mentions? Yes, Uncle Larry Outdoors, Jon B, Wisconsin Fisherman, North East Slab Hunter and even the modest production of Fishin’ With Jim Gronaw. There is a ton of good viewing out there but check content before having children watching them as some language issues do emerge. This winter check out what the other guys are catching.