11 Reasons Catching Fish Is Better Than Catching Pokemon.

More tackle boxes, fewer Xboxes…

That’s been one of our mantras over here at Salt Strong since we posted this viral blog post on the subject of kid’s and Xboxes last year.

But just when I thought having kids stuck inside all day glued to a screen was bad, I keep seeing zombie-looking kids glued to a cell phone running into things outside that make me wonder if they are safer inside…

Last week I saw two young girls walking over a bridge in Tampa glued to their phones trying to “catch a Pokemon,” and the one girl almost walked right into the oncoming traffic.

She was so caught up in the imaginary game that she forget that there were real cars just feet away from her.

If you somehow aren’t familiar with Pokémon Go, it is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality app that allows users to catch Pokémon in the wild and pit them against each other.

This reality game was launched on July 6, 2016 by its developer Niantic, Inc. and manufacturer Nintendo, and it has already become incredibly popular across the world.

But despite its passing 100 million installs in breakneck speed, there’s still a large group of people (like many parents, anglers, and outdoorsmen) who dislike Pokemon.

So to promote the benefits of fishing (and encourage everyone to go fishing instead of catching Pokémon), we tried our best to compare catching fish vs. catching Pokemon.

Enjoy.

1. Fishing Promotes Camaraderie. Pokémon Subconsciously Urges Violence (And Some Even Claim Satanism).

Most anglers and fishing enthusiasts would testify how fishing has made family and friendship ties stronger and closer.

Spending quality time with your friends and family out fishing is priceless.

However, it’s a different story for Pokémon Go.

It clearly supports violence (as do most of the popular video games these days), and many Christian groups are saying it is satanic…

Read the full rare interview with Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri here to know how the Pokémon creator admitted that the games are actually anti-Christian and aimed towards Satanists.

An excerpt from the interview:

Time: So those who say that the game is anti-Christian are correct?

Tajiri: I suppose so. I mean, some could say that the game supports Satanism. I don’t officially celebrate it, but I can understand why people would be attracted to it.

Now, it’s your call.

2. Fishing Strengthens Relationships, Pokémon Seems To Break Ties.

No doubt, from simple fishing trips in the afternoon to all-weekend fishing excursions, this amazing sport has the power to bring people together to have fun, bond, and to learn.

Amazing time at the cabin with my beautiful girlfriend and her family. Caught some good fish as well!!! pic.twitter.com/KbXTdk8Z5y

— Nick chapman (@NChapmanFishing) July 11, 2016

Now, see how these fellas miss their boyfriends who have been so hooked with Pokémon Go and how their relationships have been greatly affected.

#RealTalk.

Or maybe, you’re off to find or “catch” your new beau. And this is how your NEXT partner will probably look like:

Your favorite eeveelution will determine what you look for in a life partnerhttps://t.co/wtcAmFFtqT pic.twitter.com/w87GBvuekS

— BuzzFeed Community (@BuzzFeeders) July 11, 2016

3. Fishing Teaches You To Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings. Pokémon Can Actually Lead You Astray (Or Even Death)

As fishing helps us acquire discipline and responsibility, we tend to be more cautious and aware of our surroundings.

On the other hand, Pokemon has people putting their life at risk while playing.

Beware: Playing Pokémon Go can put your life at risk.

It has prompted increasing concern worldwide over safety, not to mention some reports of players straying into restricted areas, being injured or becoming victims.

Pokémon Go-related vehicular accidents as well as traffic jams and offenses have been reported in some countries like Japan, Australia and even here in the U.S.

And this friendly reminder really makes sense:

4. Fishing Encourages Communication Among Families & Peers. Pokémon Does The Opposite…

Off to go fishing with families and friends? It’s really a great way to catch up and make up for the lost time – perfect getaway on a weekend or a holiday.

RT if your favorite thing to do is get out on the water with family and friends! #safeboating @Take_Me_Fishing pic.twitter.com/KhRcE3EN2z

— SafeBoatingCouncil (@SafeBoatCouncil) July 28, 2016

On the other hand, playing Pokemon (or anything with a gaming control) does not inspire communication and good old fashioned conversations.

And since they say that the augmented reality app is addictive, it lets you hold your smartphones most of the time, which is usually unhealthy for you and your relationships.

5. Fishing Heightens Conservation. Pokémon Poses Challenges To The Environment.

Most anglers have a big heart for Mother Earth.

Sustainable fishing guarantees that there will be loads of fish, other wildlife, and protected land and water for the future generations.

For Pokémon Go, it’s somehow the other way around.

A story about this is unleashed here.

‘Nuff said.

6. Fishing Lets You Play Outdoors AND Appreciate Nature. Pokémon Lets You Play Outside AND Appreciate A Cell Phone?

Just spending time outside is good for your brain and body as it gives you an ample dose of vitamin D (but don’t forget to put on some sunscreen, please!) and enough time to be more grateful for the beauty of nature.

On the other hand, although playing Pokémon Go invites you to go out and see the “world”, it lets your attention be centered solely on your phones. And because you’re so hooked with catching them all, the “habit” can actually lead you to an accident. Just like this Israeli teen:

ISRAEL: 17yo tried to catch #PokemonGO, entered the sea and almost drowned pic.twitter.com/8wiM9XCN5Y

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) July 26, 2016

According to the report, Assaf Ben Guzi, 17, was pulled out of the water at an Ashdod beach by his brother after he collapsed with cell phone in hand. The teen was very persistent in his search for the water-based Wartortle Pokémon, and in his excitement, ran into the water while focused entirely on what was happening on his phone.

Oh, please be careful. Remember that NO Pokémon is worth your life.

7. Fishing Teaches You Values Of Patience. Pokémon Slackens Your Patience.

Fishing trains and exercises your patience more so than almost any other sport.

On the other hand, all kinds of people losing patience over this Pokémon craze…

From the actual players that are fighting over Pokemon to the neighbors that hate wandering through their yard looking for invisible creatures like this guy.

Meet the “get-off-my-lawn-please” man here.

8. Fishing Lets You Do Things Worthwhile, Pokémon Lets You Do Very Weird Things.

Fishing gives anglers “meaningful pleasure” that you could cherish for a lifetime.

And after we get finished fishing, we sit down like normal people and talk about the day.

With Pokemon, you spend all day chasing invisible creatures and then sit down to talk about it with your best friends…

9. Fishing encourages a healthy body, Pokémon puts it at risk.

Fishing has a lot of physical and mental health benefits.

It is a rewarding sport that can be very exciting (yet still relaxing at the same time), not to mention we’re also burning calories while having fun and spending some quality time with our loved ones.

Source: Fix.com Blog

For Pokémon Go on the other hand…

This guy knew it and so he just did the right thing.

I decided to quit Pokemon Go, I realized I had an unhealthy obsession and quit it.

— domi (@DomiBeats) July 27, 2016

Yes, before it gets worse.

10. Fishing Nourishes The Brain, Pokémon Actually Messes It Up!

Fishing rewards your brain by letting it relax for a few hours.

But extremely not for Pokémon Go.

Neuroscientist and professor Elan Barenholtz explains it all here.

A neuroscientist explains why Pokémon Go is totally messing up your brain: https://t.co/rwYLwOUojf pic.twitter.com/jUUaskdDLk

— Los Angeles magazine (@LA_mag) July 30, 2016

11. Fishing Gives You A Chance To Unplug And Charge Your “Batteries” Naturally Without A Phone, Pokémon Takes You To “Addiction”.

Thanks to fishing for disconnecting us from our digital lives, letting us go back to basics and enjoy nature at least once in a while.

According to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Outdoor Foundation, this hobby generally offers a way to cut back on screen time and then recharge our batteries in a natural way.

But this isn’t a thing for Pokémon Go players. Well, at least not to these peeps.

And they’ve finally realized it. Catching fish is better than catching Pokemon.

#SwitchToFishing

Conclusion

So do you agree?

Isn’t catching fish better than catching Pokemon (besides the obvious reasons that fishing is REAL and that you can actually eat what you catch)?

What’s your Pokémon experience? Feel free to share your thoughts as we’d really love to hear from you.

Feel free to share your thoughts as we’d really love to hear from you.

P.S. If you think your fishing network will appreciate this, please TAG them or SHARE this to them.

Pa-Pow!