The 5×3 Fishing Phenomenon
K.J. Houtman 08.19.13
“If you have the heart for fishing, you belong in the 5×3 Nation,” said Eric Page, a 32-year-old angler from Fayetteville, Georgia. “I live to fish.”
What is 5×3? It stands for five fish by three o’clock in the afternoon–the marching orders of a tournament warrior. Conceptually it resonates with any hard-working fisherman, even those who aren’t tournament anglers–yet. Eric Page has set a goal to fish as a co-angler next year. As hard-core as he is, he doesn’t own a boat. Page gets on his honey holes by hiking to them. “The 5×3 Nation is where we get to show what we do on the weekends,” added Page.
When I first saw the 5×3 No Excuses logo, I knew someone had hit the nail on the head. They found a succinct way to connect with tournament anglers of all levels.
Tammy Foshee of Big Bite Baits is the head coach of the high school Gardendale Rockets Bass Fishing Team of Gardendale, Alabama. “I have three elite pros on my pro staff and many others, too, who wear the 5×3 T-shirts and wrist bands,” said Foshee. “The high school students went crazy when they found 5×3. This is something they can relate to and they put decals on their cars and wear the logo’d shirts and bracelets. Five by three speaks to them and they respond, ‘That’s me.’”
Mostly a grassroots organization, the majority of anglers sporting gear with the 5×3 logo aren’t big-name pros, but they are out there working hard to win.
“The 5×3 Nation is the hottest thing in the world right now,” said Todd Daniel, a tournament bass angler from Valdosta, Georgia. “They give us weekend warriors a stage and sounding board. They showcase us and give us a voice.” Todd Daniel owns several 5×3 shirts, hats and wrist bands. Is it just a logo product company?
“It is apparel but more than that, too, also a lifestyle,” added Daniel. Facebook and website connections are important to this group. My guess is most of them show many signs of obsessive-compulsive fishing disorder.
“This connects all kinds of fishermen,” said Daniel. “You have a passion and desire to be competitive doing what you love to do.”
Just launched as a company a few months ago, and already boasting 10,000-plus Facebook fans, this concept is great.
I like how it unites anglers that fish hard (competitively or guiding) for a workday on the water. It puts men and women under an umbrella, whether their entry fee is $80 or $800 or $8,000, whether they fish for bass, walleye, crappie, muskie, catfish, redfish, or whatever (although they seem to be a little singularly focused on bass during this initial growth spurt). They unite hard-working anglers regardless of the boat they drive or the outboard motor they run. Solidarity comes quite easily.
“Guys like us are the driving force in the fishing industry,” said Todd Daniel. “We buy the products. This puts us on a stage of our own.”
In addition to a stage of their own, companies are stepping up to give the 5×3 Nation products of their own, like Big Bite Baits. “We just recently released a 5×3 custom-color bait that is available for sale at their website,” added Foshee. More products are in the works.
Tournament anglers, even if they are “grassroots,” are still a small percentage of those who fish. So I don’t know if the 5×3 Nation will ever get h-u-g-e, but it can become influential. Hardcore, competitive anglers fuel the industry furnace with their passion. If this organization reaches beyond bass like I think it can, then spreads across North America, it will be a nation with a flag of its own.
K.J. Houtman is the author of the award-winning Fish On Kids Books series, chapter books for eight- to 12-year-olds with adventures based around fishing, camping, and hunting. Her work is available at Amazon and local bookstores. Find out more at fishonkidsbooks.com.
Houtman writes books embracing the great outdoors for children and adults. Available as paperbacks and e-books at Amazon, they are: A Whirlwind Opener (#1), Driving Me Crazy (#2), Spare the Rod (#3), Duck, Duck Deuce (#4), Born to be Wild (#5) and A Second Chance (#6) as well as K.J.'s Reflections Under the Big Pine with Bill Miller, a non-fiction devotional for adults.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Fish On Kids Books series – Houtman has a wonderful talent. I'm engaged in the life of Gus and when one book ends, I want to find out what he is up to in the next.” Sharon Rushton, Outdoor Writer and author of No Paved Road to Freedom
“From cover to cover the best series of chapter books I've seen in years. These books are wholesome with a focus on adventure. Wish I had them when I was a kid. I'm still a kid at heart and prolific reader. These are my kind of books.” Larry Rea, host, Outdoors with Larry Rea, Memphis, TN
“I’ve read them all and think these books are great.” Jim Zumbo, professional hunter and outdoor writer
