By: Mark Romanack
As Fishing 411 TV begins a new TV season, it’s the perfect time to reflect and also to trudge forward in the goal of producing educational and entertaining outdoor content. The father and son team of Mark and Jake Romanack bring to the TV screen the unique mix of family and adventure that going fishing makes possible for so many.
As the broadcast of our first 2025 television episode draws near, I’m reminded how long Fishing 411 TV has been at the task of producing original television episodes. Back when we began this journey there was no way to predict how long the “411” series would survive or how many people we would touch.
Back when we started television itself was a different animal. It’s hard to imagine, but in our early days satellite TV was the new kid on the block. Thanks to satellite television those of us who live in rural areas got the first taste of accessing countless television networks and endless programming options.
The direction of outdoor television continues to evolve. Besides cable and satellite TV we have almost endless options for “streaming” our favorite shows to our television sets, computers or personal devices. There is little doubt that streaming services have changed the face of outdoor television and will continue to do so in the future.
As of 2025 Fishing 411 TV will broadcast on three national networks including Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network and Sportsman Canada available on a host of cable and satellite providers. Cable and satellite viewers continue to be the core of our viewership. Every week Fishing 411 TV will broadcast 11 times on these networks or 286 times during quarters one and two. In quarter three and four, Fishing 411 TV will broadcast nationally on World Fishing Network. Each week Fishing 411 TV will broadcast 10 times or a total of 260 additional broadcasts. All totaled in 2025 Fishing 411 TV will broadcast nationally 546 times, a record we are very proud of.
In addition to these national television broadcasts, Fishing 411 TV will also be available at a host of streaming services, with MyOutdoorTV being the flagship for on-demand viewing. Owned by Outdoor Sportsman Group, the people behind Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network and Sportsman Canada, MyOutdoorTV is a premium streaming service that expands the reach of Fishing 411 TV to all corners of the globe.
Of course, you can also watch Fishing 411 TV full episodes on the Fishing 411 TV YouTube Channel. Also, at the “411” channel you’ll find hundreds of shorter videos aimed at helping anglers to be more successful on the water. Every TV episode is broken down into shorter videos and in addition, Fishing 411 TV produces a host of stand-alone videos in any given year.
You may have already noticed Fishing 411 TV is also producing a growing number of social-media “Reels” and other short video clips. As more and more people turn to “on-demand” video sources we are adapting to stay in the driver’s seat when it comes to providing educational based outdoor content. While “on demand” video clearly isn’t television it does serve an important purpose and moving forward Fishing 411 TV will produce as many of these short videos as possible to provide our followers insights to what we are doing, why we are doing it and where we are doing it on a regular basis. These video shorts are aimed at being our “reel time” adventures at Fishing 411 TV.
Clearly Mark and Jake have deep seated roots in walleye fishing, but at Fishing 411 TV the goal isn’t to promote one species over another, but rather to encourage others to get outside and walk in our footsteps.
The problem with traditional television broadcasts is they are typically filmed months before they are released to the public. The outdoor TV networks like this model as it builds anticipation and encourages folks to sign on for outdoor television packages.
On demand TV and video production is timely and does a better job of getting folks involved right now while the iron is hot. Still, there is a need for both traditional TV and on-demand entertainment.
For me, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on where Fishing 411 TV began and how we have evolved. At the beginning Jake was just a kid tagging along while his Dad fished waters near and far. Now Jake is a grown man with a beautiful wife, two amazing kids a wonderful home and the vision to guide Fishing 411 TV moving forward. No worries, Mari and I aren’t ready to retire or even slow down for that matter, but we are ready to provide Jake a growing interest in our blossoming little TV production company.
In the outdoor TV business if you’re not charging forward, you’re likely to get trampled by the hordes of newcomers. Jake has the energy of youth, coupled with the wisdom of experience, making him the perfect individual to take Fishing 411 TV to new heights.
2025 will see some changes at Fishing 411 TV. These changes are aimed at the same overall goals we had at the beginning. Our goals will be to continue producing credible and cutting-edge outdoor content.
Be that content come in the form of nationally broadcast television or social media, the end goal is the same. We simply want to continue providing our followers a steady stream “no pun intended” of content that encourages others to get outside and walk in our footsteps. Thankfully, fishing is a one of those outdoor pursuits people can participate in at many different levels and throughout their lives. No matter if you’re a beginner or seasoned veteran of the outdoors, Fishing 411 TV invites you to jump on our train and share the ride with as many as possible. Happy New Year everyone. I think you’re going to agree with me the 2025 season of Fishing 411 TV is the best content we have ever created.