Bass Pro Shops: “Trade in Your Video Game For Fishing Gear”

This exciting news from Bass Pro Shops called “Gone Fishing” really has me smiling.

Why?

Because our Mission here at Salt Strong is to teach the world how to fish, to create amazing and memorable experiences for kids, families, and friends out on the water, and to get kids outside (instead of stuck inside connected to some gadget, tablet, controller, or phone).

In other words, we want to:

• Replace Virtual reality glasses with Polarized Sunglasses
• Replace Video game controllers with Fishing Rods
• Replace Internet and Xbox addictions with Fishing and Outdoor Obsessions…

And thanks to Bass Pro Shop’s “Gone Fishing” initiative, it is making our overall mission easier.

The fact that they are encouraging kids (and parents) to trade in their video games for fishing gear at Bass Pro is epic. (Oh, by the way, they are taking it one step further and donating the video games to disabled veterans at Amvets… #AwesomeSauce)

More on that in a second.

First, if you didn’t get a chance to read my two hard-hitting (and somewhat controversial) articles about the long-term harm we are doing to our kids by not creating experiences for them outside, then I highly encourage you to read them. It couldn’t be any more closely related to why Bass Pro Shops is doing this “Gone Fishing” push.

Here they are:

• “Why America Needs More Tackle Boxes and Less Xboxes” (read that article here)
• “12-year old Xbox Addict vs 2-year old Fisherman” (read and watch that article/videos here)

Bass Pro Shops “Gone Fishing”

So here’s what Bass Pro Shops is doing with their “Gone Fishing” program, that is introducing people of all ages (especially urban youth and children hooked on devices and video controllers) to use fishing as a gateway to discovering the great outdoors:

1. In-store fishing events at participating Bass Pro Shops across the country where kids can learn to catch fish in the Bass Pro catch and release ponds
2. The ability for kids (and parents) to trade in a video game for fishing gear: Anyone can bring a game to participating Bass stores in the United States on June 13, 14, 20 and 21, and receive a coupon for $5 off a new rod and reel combo costing $19.99 or more (with a limit of one coupon per person). And as I mentioned earlier, they are donating the video games to veterans in need.
3. Catch fish in the ponds and lakes around Major League Baseball stadiums and Triple-A parks across the country. The participating baseball teams include the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle Mariners, Springfield Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds.
4. Bass Pro Shops has also teamed up with some professional athletes to make this event an even bigger splash. Familiar names such as the following have all pledged to take at least one person fishing over the next 90 days:
   • Kevin Vandam (Bass Master)
   • John Isner (Tennis Master)
   • Mike Golic (of Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN)
   • Kendall Newson (Former Miami Dolphin and founder of Teach a Child to Fish)
   • Willie Young (Chicago Bear’s bruiser)

Bass Pro Shop’s Vice President of marketing, Stan Lippelman, said it perfectly…

“Fishing offers kids and kids-at-heart the opportunity to put down our devices and experience the outdoors together to bond with our families, connect with nature and get some exercise.”

Bass Pro Shops understands the power in the experience of getting kids outside. And they know that it’s not about saltwater or freshwater… or the most expensive rod and reel…or having the nicest boat… or having a boat at all.

It’s about the experience that counts.

How YOU Can Help “Gone Fishing”

To begin, make the pledge to take someone fishing over the next 90 days. Here’s what to do next:

Support Teach a Child to Fish

Make sure to snap a photo of your catch for this “Gone Fishing” promotion. If you catch a fish, whether it’s at a Bass Pro Shops catch-and-release ponds, or out in nature, take a #fishie (a selfie with your fish), share it on social media and challenge five of your friends to take a #fishie along with a donation to the Teach a Child to Fish program.

Teach a Child to Fish is dedicated to providing underprivileged youth and children the opportunity to experience the joys of fishing and nature through outdoor activities and educational programs.

Additionally, stores across the country are collecting and donating a combined 21,000 rods and reels to youth programs including the Boys and Girls Club and the Boy Scouts of America.

And of course head over to a local Bass Pro Shops to wet a line, buy new fishing gear, and to trade in your kid’s video games!

Finally, for more information about this Bass Pro Shop “Gone Fishing” campaign, visit http://www.basspro.com/GoneFishing.

P.S. – Thanks to Rich Lazarra for shooting this over to me. If you are into checking out the coolest boats and yachts in the world (all in one place), make sure to check his site out – www.OceanOfNews.com

P.P.S. – If you think your friends would find this article interesting, please share it with them – I’d really appreciate it. And do your best to get your kids out fishing. Take them to a Bass Pro Shops, a pond, a lake, a stream, a bridge… anywhere there is a water and a chance to catch a fish.