On Being Reader-Driven

Ever since we took over Gene Baker's old Gulf Coast Connections in April 2001 we have been striving to deliver a saltwater fishing publication that was made-to-order for Texans. The orders, of course, came from readers. Their ideas and suggestions helped transform a tiny 24-page free-issue tabloid into the magazine you are reading today.

Yes, there have been many challenges, and sometimes we found it impossible to deliver instantly, but the content we provide today reflects what thousands of readers have told us they wanted. Looking ahead, the purpose of this message is to send assurance that we remain very interested in what our readers want to see in this magazine, and also to give a heads up for some things we currently have in the works.

A big part of my job has become reading and answering stacks of email and letters. Some of these are published in the Letters to the Editor section, most however receive a simple reply and then get filed by type and category for reference. At the end of each year I build a tally sheet. Through this process, it has become very clear that our readers are hungry for technical advice. Some of the more frequently requested topics are boat, motor and trailer maintenance; reel maintenance; knots and rigging; lure selection; and lure presentation. Questions regarding where to stay, where to launch, and where to start a fishing trip show up quite often. We also receive a fair number of requests for live bait fishing assistance; how to catch bait, where to buy bait, how to keep bait alive; how to rig live bait; and how to fish live bait.

Now I can understand the requests for maintenance related articles, and the lure selection and presentation queries will likely head the list for a long time to come. I have to admit, though, I never expected the number of live bait related correspondence that I have been receiving.

During 2008, we are going to increase the technical content in each issue. We are going to launch a Guide to Coastal Texas section and also some hopefully helpful content for live bait fishermen. When I announced the live bait decision to a group of our writers during the Houston Boat Show I found several instantly furrowed brows.

But here's how I explained it. A large percentage of Texas anglers use live and natural bait. Some use it all the time, others use it part of the time. Even the hardware purists and fly guys had to start somewhere; where we start in fishing has a lot to do with the fishing style of those who get us started, and we grow from there. Some anglers regress to live bait not in a lazy or backsliding kind of way but because of reduced physical ability, and sometimes in the effort to get kids and grandkids hooked. So there is a legitimate place for live bait content in our magazine.

Another project we will undertake very soon will be a detailed Reader Survey. We want to know more about our readers and give them a chance to be heard. The survey will do just that. We will provide opportunity to correspond via mailed hardcopies of the survey form and also via our website and the electronic version of this magazine.

Good luck and good fishing, and please remember that reader comments are always most welcome at [email protected] and via USPS at P.O. Box 429 Seadrift, TX 77983.