HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - While people are fishing for things to do during the coronavirus pandemic, it's the sport of fishing that's become a popular option.
Bait and tackle shops, in additions to fishers, have noticed an increase in participation the past few months.
“Probably is the most fishing I’ve ever seen out here,” local fisher Raymond Olsen said.
“Way more people fishing," local fisher Michael Allen added.
“We have seen an upswing and it’s been cool seeing more families come in," Oceans East Bait and Tackle Shop regional manager Mark Lozier said. "I think some of it’s probably getting the kids out of the house from driving mom and dad nuts.
"A lot of people have come in, 'I haven’t fished since I was a kid and now I'm an adult, but I'm ready to go fishing again.'”
Lozier says he's seen an increase in both freshwater and saltwater fishing as people of all skillsets continue to be lured to the sport.
“Fishing is definitely something everybody can do," Lozier said. "It's fresh air, it’s outdoors. You can make it as simple as you want or as complicated.”
