Mercury Marine partners with Skipper Buds to promote fishing to kids

Mercury Marine and Skipper Buds are teaming together to promote the fishing lifestyle through a partnership intended to highlight the benefits of the water through a program called Tomorrow’s Anglers.

See what the kids are saying about their love for the water in this new video.

“There’s nothing like seeing the smile on the face of a kid after they catch their first fish,” said Michelle Dauchy, Mercury Marine chief marketing officer. “Boating, fishing and family – you really can’t beat it. We love nothing more than to know that we played a small part in bringing a family together with their love for the water.”

“It’s very important to get kids out on the water at an early age and there’s no better way than to introduce them to fishing,” said Mike Pretasky Jr., Skipper Buds owner. “At Skipper Buds, we sell the boating lifestyle but fishing is such a major part of that lifestyle. If we can get kids to enjoy the water at a young age, they’ll grow up to be boaters.”

According to a new report from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, fishing remains the number one activity of boaters, with more than 10 million kids aged 6-17 who fish each year. In 2015, nearly 40 percent of new fishing participants were kids ages 6-12. The fishing lifestyle continues to grow year over year, sparked by new technology from boat manufacturers that makes the sport engaging and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

“Once kids are hooked on fishing, it’s something they continue to take forward,” said Mark Kuzniewski, Tomorrow’s Anglers secretary. “Whether it’s fishing from the shore or if they endeavor into the sport in a professional level, it’s all good for the industry.”

“When you get in that boat with your child, it’s some of the best one-on-one time you’ll ever have,” said Jeff Boutin, Tomorrow’s Anglers president. “There’s not a computer, there’s not any video games, all that stuff is gone – it’s just you and your child and I think some of that stuff is missing today.”