July 2026

For years, the live versus artificial bait debate has focused on one question: Which catches more fish?

There is a reason some outdoor brands have customers who eagerly open every email, while other messages end up buried in the promotions tab. It usually is not because one brand has better discounts or more attractive photography. More often, it comes down to whether the email feels like it was written for a real person or as a blast to an entire mailing list.

For decades, the fishing industry has focused on convincing anglers to try artificial bait. New research suggests they’re solving the wrong problem. According to The Bait Switch: The Live vs. Artificial Bait Debate, released today by Unruled, most anglers already use artificial bait. The bigger opportunity is helping them trust it when success matters most.

Outdoor brands can reach customers through social media, paid search, email marketing, influencer partnerships, SEO, YouTube, and retail promotions. The opportunities are massive.