Fisheries across the country often say they want more full pegs but too many still rely on luck, word of mouth, and the hope that new faces will just turn up. The reality is that if they want to thrive (financially and socially) a little bit of effort goes a long way.
That effort doesn’t have to mean big budgets or complicated campaigns. Just some smart, simple tactics that make the most of what’s already there. Fisheries that think like this tend to have healthier books, busier banks, and stronger communities.
Here are a few easy-to-implement ideas that can help any fishery or fishing club attract more anglers this summer, along with how a proper management system can help make it all run smoothly.
Seasonal Offers That Fill Pegs
Summer is peak time. The rods are out, the kids are off school, and people are actively looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors. Why not give them a nudge in your direction?
Try things like:
- Midweek Specials: Offer a discount for weekday sessions when pegs are typically quieter.
- Junior Free Days: Encourage the next generation by letting under-16s fish free with a paying adult.
- Summer Passes: Bundle a set number of day tickets at a discounted rate to keep them coming back.
With fishery management software, you can promote, track, and manage these offers easily. No scrambling through notebooks or trying to remember who paid what, it’s all logged and accessible for everyone on your team.
Clear, Visible Signage
Many fisheries still underestimate the power of a good sign. Clear, visible signage with up-to-date contact and booking information helps turn casual visitors into anglers who keep coming back for more. This is especially important for venues near roads, footpaths, or more public areas.
If you’ve got multiple lakes or stretches, make it easy for people to find their way around with QR codes linking to your rules, digital venue maps, booking systems, or contact details.
Referral Programs That Reward Word of Mouth
Anglers love to chat, so set up a simple referral program: if someone brings a mate, they both get a discount on their next booking. Not only do you fill another peg, but you make people feel valued. Most modern fishery software platforms can track referrals and apply credits or vouchers automatically, so it’s one less thing for the treasurer to deal with!
Streamline Your Booking Process
You might have the best water in the county, but if it’s a headache to book a peg, anglers will give up and go somewhere else.
With fishery management software, anglers can book pegs online 24/7, pay in advance, and even choose their preferred swim if that’s how you run it. You can also send automated reminders, collect catch reports, and reduce no-shows. It’s not about replacing tradition, it’s about making it easier for both anglers and your team.
Get Your Club On Social Media
Putting a couple of photos of good catches, well-kept swims, or adult-junior sessions each week on Facebook or Instagram can go a long way. Add your booking link, tag your location, and you’ve got a mini advert with very little effort.
Looking at your booking data will show you what days and offers are working best so that you can be more targeted with future posts.
Talk to Your Members
Last but not least, talk to your members. Ask them what they want, what’s missing, and what would make them invite their mates. Sometimes the best ideas come from the person who’s been fishing the same peg every Saturday for the past decade!
In short, attracting more anglers doesn’t mean selling out or turning your lake into a circus. It means being smart, making your club more accessible, and giving people a reason to visit again and again. Full pegs don’t just happen by luck. With the right tools and a bit of effort, there’s no reason your club can’t have a busy summer and a healthier bottom line to match.
Clubmate is the go-to fishery management software trusted by over 100,000 anglers and 1500+ fishing club committee members and bailiffs. We’ll help you remove unnecessary paperwork, increase revenue and take back your spare time with our simple-to-use, cloud-based system designed specifically for fishing clubs and fisheries. Book a 1-2-1 demo with one of our experts or see what people have to say about working with us.
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