WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND MORE PEOPLE TO FISH WITH or other ACTIVITY

[RandyG]

If you’re like me, fishing alone is not as enjoyable as with someone, however, because of my schedule and my families I find it hard to team up with someone to go fishing, as often as I would like to go, or for that matter other outdoor activities: hunting, sporting clays, golf, etc.

As a result I am considering creating some software to run on the web like a message board that would allow users to get together for a sporting activity.

Since I’m fussy about who I share my time with I would like to know that the people I choose to socialize with are compatible with my preferences: non smoker, non polluter, conservationist, etc. I’m sure you have your own preferences.

The goal would be to establish profiles on each user that describes their preferences in a sporting partner and setup a scheduler that would allow user to post their intended activity, like a fishing trip, and solicit a partner for that time frame.

Do you think this is something you would use:

If YES please say why!

If NO please say why!

Thanks for your feedback,

Randy

[BlackSilver]

Never had a problem finding a fishing buddy! Ask one of your kids, your neighbor, a friend from work, your wife, your mom, your wifes mom.

Hope I never need software to do that! Not trying to be a smart aleck, but such a thing just seems awful "cold" to me.

SET the hook!!!

Hans

[RandyG]

When the kids leave home and move out of state and the sun isn't shinning for those fair wheather types or you want a serious tournament partner what do you do???

Cold?? How about adventurism???

I find it very interesting to experience new people especially if they participate in my hobbies. You never know what you might learn
or how a new diminsion may be added to your enjoyment.

I APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION AND NO OFFENSE INTENDED!!!!!


Thanks,

Randy

[no name]

Hans, if anything comes across as "cold" it is your response. How lucky for you to be blessed with an endless supply of adoring fans.

Randy, I think your idea has merit because I can relate to the problem of finding a fishing partner (locally) who shares my passion for walleye fishing. I don't want to fish tourney's and I don't want to join a club.

[dkooser]

I think it might work with one caveat. It sounds alot like (not that I have ever used it, hope to never have to use it) the "date finder" software. As such, once a hunting or fishing friend(s) is successfully located, that user will probably not need the service any longer. Of course, if the user decides to change or add to his friend list then he/she will return. But - I guess that is what the software is intended to do, be used until success is attained then stop or slow the useage.

Personally I dont need such a service as my kids, neighbors, relatives and friends keep my trips full of partners but could work.

Before spending too much time and money perform a market analysis. My assumption is that your target market is pretty small. Outdoor types, looking for partners, internet access, willing to gamble on internet introduction...

[RandyG]

You see some activity on TV and say I'd like to try that, Oh say
sporting clays. You go to a website, find someone in your area that
likes introducing people to there sport and you hook up and get a
guided trip. Possibly you may like introducing people to your sport!

Take forinstance today, the weather is sunny, 45 degrees, very little
wind and I'm 35 miles from the Detroit river with the kids in school, wife and neighbors at work. Fish alone or stay home!

I agree you could always end up with some looser in your boat, however, what is the worst that could happen. Put them on shore at
the ramp and go fishing alone.

The website would have to express some guidelines for starting and ending a joint activity and sorting out the abusers.

The site could be an extention to a site like this one where users get to know each other and could self police the participants.

This is all speculation and a market survey of sorts.

Do you still feel like you would never use that service or feature.

I will be reposting this with a different subject due to the lack of
viewing.

Thanks,

Randy

[waterfowler]

Randy,

I've had pretty good success at meeting new fishing buddies on the web, place just like this. It may have some usefulness to guys like me who recently re-located and don't have friends or family close and noone at work fishes.(what a bunch of weirdos) Just kidding!! Never know, the boss might read this. Good luck!!

[Dave G]

Yes, I think this is a good idea. As a person about to retire, I plan on doing a lot of fishing during the week to avoid the crowds. But most people can not get off during the week, especially with little advanced notice. Therefore, I will probably go out alone many times and would enjoy the company of any fellow fisherman. I am comfortable fishing with strangers and like having many different fishing friends. If we had a website where we could post an example message like:

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Want to go Fishing June 17th on Mississippi Pool 4?

e-mail Dave Gulczinski at twoguls@yahoo.com if you would like to come along. I have a boat or we could use yours.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Where I live we have a local fishing website to post messages like this, plus our local fishing club has an e-mail list of everyone in the club. These can also be used to team up with others.

Dave Gulczinski

[dkooser]

Don't get me wrong. I would give something like that a try if I did not have so many other mechanisms/opportunitues/friends to fill my boat when fishing or truck when hunting.

Like I said, your application will be alot like the "date finding/matching" software currenlty on the web. Including disclaimers, liability issues, etc.

One other market segmet limiter would be ...,is this other person within my geographic area, interest match (meaning that person wants to fish today, or hunt today) and availabilty (time/day) matches...

Although the below target market segment limiters is not complete and would take more thought, lets put some example numbers (percentages are a SWAG) to the test.......

Outdoor types?
(say 15 million)
Looking for partners?
(say 30% of 15M so 4.5M)
Internet access?
(say 30% of 4.5M so 1.26M)
Willing to gamble on internet introduction?
(say 50% of 1.26M so 630K)
Same geographic area?
(say 10% of 630K so 63K)
Interest match (fishing, hunting, whatever)
(say 25% of 63K so 15,750)
Availability (time/day) match
(say 25% of 15,750 so 3,937)

So from this example - you might have 3,937 people (I believe this number to be extremely high) on any given day that could meet up to go fishing, hunting, whatever. I feel that the limiters (%'s) above are probably tighter than what I have SWAGed. But hey, if you can make it work, I say go for it. I'll even be a tester for you once you get it up.

[Mr. Cold]

Hey Hans,

Every example you mentioned to go fishing with is a bust for me. It must be for Randy too or he wouldn't be posting this. If we could all have the ideal life that you have Hans.

Good luck Randy,

Chilly Willy

[Jess]

Not a bad idea . Especially for someone who has been out of circulation for a while. Some people seem to know everyone and have a million friends and family in the are but there are those that don't. Possibly a older person who might live alone and has noone to fish with anymore, or a younger person who really wants to fish but has noone to take him/her , or maybe somone who has not been around for many years and dose not have any friends or family in the area who fish.
I got out of the Marines a few years ago and it was like being an alean on another planet or something. I still fish alone.
Thats one reason This site is so great. All us fishermen can get together and share info etc.
With all that being said I must admitt I don't see myself making up a profile to be posted online for a fishing partner. I think fishing is like a religion and fishing buddies are like family. They are also hard to come by and ya don't know how great they are till they're gone.
Just my 2 cents on both sides of the fence.
Good fishin,
Jess

[BlackSilver]

Hey, sorry if you don't like my answer! The guy asked if we'd use it (or not use it) and why. So I answered his question.

You may have equally good reasons for a different opinion than mine. I can live with that.

SET the hook!!!

With all good wishes,

Hans

[RandyG]

Profiles could be about things other than personal things.
As an example, prefer to troll or jig, describe your equipment like boat, prefer night fishing as to day, prefer a weekday outings to avoid crowds and pressure, can only fish on Sundays( work, family). I'm sure there are others.

As for personal preferences, I'm sensitive to tabacco smoke so that might be a deal breaker, I would not want to fish with someone who chews tabacco, uses alot of profanity, doesn't take no polute to the
extreems, I like stuff stowed when not in use so I or it doesn't get damaged in the heat of the fight.

The goal is to set some expectation up front to avoid any tension
or discord on the outing. I agree you could take this to extreem and if so that will be the person alone in the boat.

Thanks,

Randy

[WAeyes]

Sounds like you might be able to find the perfect fishing partner. My question is would there be one after all the criteria is met? Might have to put up with a few bads to get a bunch of goods or you might not have anyone to fish with...which is what you are trying to fix. Good idea, just don't get to specific with your search.