Do you love fishing as a hobby and want to know how to make money fishing? There are plenty of ways you can make money fishing and you can find some of the most popular ways below.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting your fishing journey there’s something for everyone.
Get hired as a professional fisher
The most obvious way to make money fishing is by hiring on as a professional fisher. This includes working for a boat or commercial fisher. You can find these types of positions by searching for them online and on job board sites like Indeed. These jobs are typically open to those who have the credentials and experience necessary, so check the requirements before applying.
The average yearly pay for a professional fisher is $40,000 with some positions earning upwards of $80,000 per year . If you’re just starting out as a fisher you can expect lower wages. Your wages should increase depending on your experience level and expertise.
How to get started: check out job boards in your area.
Compete in fishing competitions
Looking for fishing side hustle money? Check out fishing competitions. There are plenty of local, regional and national fishing competitions that offer cash prizes. Depending on the competition you may also receive gear or other gifts.
You can check out some of the most popular fishing competitions here. Because these competitions are popular, they’re going to come with stiff competition. You can find more opportunities by searching for them online. Many of these contests have no entry fees so you can participate for free. You can only start smaller by finding smaller competitions in your area.
How to get started: search online for local, regional and national fishing contests that offer cash prizes.
Participate or start your own fishing guide tours
There are plenty of people who will pay good money to learn how to fish. Businesses like fishing guide tours provide the opportunity for people to learn to fish without the knowledge or equipment required.
If you already own your own boat or have access to one, you can get started by offering your own one-on-one guided fishing tours. This requires little money and time because you will be using your personal boat, gear and skills while offering personalized lessons tailored to each customer’s needs.
You can also offer group tours or fishing lessons in classrooms with your own gear or rented equipment. This typically requires more effort and time compared to one-on-one tours so be ready for long days on the water.
If you don’t have access to a boat then consider joining an established fishing tour company to get your feet wet.
How to get started: start your own fishing tour business by setting up a Facebook page advertising your services. You can also post about your services in local group boards.
Teach people how to fish
Similar to starting your own touring business which typically involves giving a one-time tour, you can start your own fishing lessons to make money fishing. This includes offering one on one or small group lessons on a regular basis.
Classes like these can be offered in your local area or online depending on the type of lesson. If you’re teaching a physical location then you’ll need to own the necessary equipment and supplies to provide the lessons. If you’re teaching an online lesson then you only need the essentials.
How to get started: start your own booking page to advertise your services, sign up for a service like Paypal and Square to make accepting payments easier.
Write books or ebooks on fishing
If you’re interested in writing, you can make money by writing books about fishing or how to fish. This can be done independently or through a publisher. There are plenty of people who will pay for information about fishing so there’s no doubt that this money making opportunity is worth exploring.
If you decide to write your own book then crafting an ebook might be the best option because it doesn’t require you to front any printing costs. You can easily self publish through Amazon.
How to get started: check out a few fishing books to understand what customers are looking for and begin writing an outline for your book.
Create a fishing blog
Blogging can be a great way to make money if you know how to provide valuable content. You can do this by starting your own fishing blog that features articles, tutorials and other helpful information related to fishing.
There are plenty of people who will visit a fishing blog for online advice, so it’s important that you keep your visitors engaged. To increase traffic to your site consider adding advertisements, affiliate links to products like fishing lures, and utilizing social media to promote your blog.
How to get started: register a domain name for your blog (like www.myfishingblog.com), upload it to a hosting site like SiteGround, install WordPress onto the site and start writing articles about fishing.
See related: 6 Types of Blogs that Make Money
Start your own fishing YouTube channel
Millions of people flock to YouTube to learn new skills and be entertained. This means that you can make money fishing by creating your own YouTube channel to teach people how to fish.
Channel topics typically include instructional or entertainment videos, so don’t be afraid to have fun while making your videos. It’s important that your content is high quality and well diversified. To increase revenue from your channel consider adding in-video pop-ups to try and sell additional products, link to affiliate offers in your descriptions, and promote your channel on social media.
How to get started: start recording fishing videos with a tripod or smartphone, upload them to YouTube and embed them onto your own site for improved SEO.
See related: How to Make Money on SnapChat
Get paid to test fishing products
You can also make money by testing and writing reviews of fishing products. This typically includes anything that’s specifically made for fishing like products, gear or lures. Companies will pay you to test their products because it means they get an honest review.
You can then post your reviews on your blog or social media to promote the products. This will also lead to more product testing opportunities taking advantage of which can be a great way to make money fishing for many years.
How to get started: If you’re willing to be paid for your thoughts then try reaching out to companies in your area who are looking for people in your demographic to test their newest line of products. Find people that are already reviewing products and reach out to companies that they’re promoting.
See related: How to Make Money Advertising for Companies
Work at trade shows
If you like fishing and traveling, you can make money by working at trade shows. This involves being a part of a crew that sets up and promotes products at these events. The pay is typically decent and you’ll get to be around fishing all day, every day.
You can volunteer for the actual expo itself or work with specific companies within to sell their products. Already have your own products? You may be able to set up your own booth.
How to get started: search Google for local trade shows like sports expos or outdoor industry conventions that relate to fishing then reach out to the organizers.
Start your own fishing store
Starting your own fishing store can be a great way to make money if you have a knack for business. You can purchase inventory, find suppliers, and set up your store whether it be brick and mortar or all online.
The amount of things you’ll need to run your own fishing store will vary depending on where you live so do your research beforehand. Your local area may have specific ordinances that need to be followed in order to sell certain types of products.
How to get started: reach out to suppliers and other fishing retailers in your area about how to get started, check with your local municipality for regulations and meetup with like-minded people within the industry.
Start a fish food truck business
Love fishing and cooking? Then take a look at starting your own fish food truck business with your great catches. You can purchase a used or new truck and stock it with your delicious seafood dishes.
The logistics of this type of business can be difficult first time around so expect to study up first on how to start one. Your customers will most likely come from word of mouth – setting up at the right locations helps!
How to get started: check out local regulations and permits in your area to see what’s required for a food truck, take cooking lessons and learn how to make simple seafood dishes. Set up a business plan and talk to others who already have food trucks to get an understanding of the financial costs.
How much money can you actually make with a fishing related business?
The amount of money you can make can vary greatly depending on what type of business you run. The businesses listed above are the ones that typically have the best chance for success however there are other options out there that may be more appealing to certain individuals.
For example, hiring on as a fisherman for the company may be the best chance for a steady income but it’ll be on the lower end of what’s possible. This could be in the $40,000 per year mark. This is similar for other for hire positions like working trade expos, etc.
However, if you’re able to start your own business like a blog, boating guide, or food truck then the ceiling can be a lot higher depending on how well you set up and run your business.
Fishing has become a very popular sport over the years, which means it’s also becoming more lucrative! If people are willing to spend the money, then there’s always an opportunity for you to make it.
How profitable is the fishing industry?
The fishing industry as a whole supported 1.2 million jobs in 2016 and generated over $140 billion dollars. This includes harvesters, processors, dealers, wholesalers, and retailers. There’s money to be made in fishing no matter where you’re at in the chain of sales.
New to fishing?
If you’re new to fishing you’ll want to make sure you get a fishing license. This way you’re able to fish legally and protect yourself from a fine. There are a few different options depending on your local area that range from a one-day license all the way up to an annual fishing one.
You’ll also want to make sure you have the right gear. While some people opt to go on a fishing trip with friends and use their gear, if this is your first time you’ll want to purchase your own. There are plenty of small portable rods on the market that can fit into a backpack or folding up in a suitcase for travel!
Get out there and make money fishing
As you can see, there are tons of ways to make money fishing with different levels of commitment. Whether you’re looking for a fun hobby, something part time or even a new career, these are just some of the options available.
If you’re still looking for your first job as a fisherman it’s important that you keep on learning new skills, maintain a positive attitude about working outdoors, and continuing to practice your passion for fishing.
There’s money to be made in fishing but you’ll have to put in the time and effort first. Choose a business from the list above, put a game plan together, and get started!