Why Do You Not Want to Give Fishing Reports?

[mikec]

I can say that I have never fished in my own spot. I lurk on TF as you can see by my post count and look at the pictures of others boats to see who the real fishermen are. Somedays I drive around the bay looking for these fishomanics so I can mark the location of their mudwhistles. Some days are better than others and I find 5 or 6 of these egomaniacs and get their holes. Other days I drive around all day and never see any of these familar boats on the water so I dont get to fish that day because I just don't have any idea where to go. Sometimes my crew gets real irratated but I tell em thats why they call it fishin and not catchin! We save alot of money by not losing any gear on the unproductive days so it all pans out. What I find most interesting is the guys that complain the most about giving away certain spots were the ones that gave away the most spots in the past. I fished Saturday for flounder at a spot I found because of.....well I'm not going to name the boat because that wouldn't be fair but I limited out on flounder in short order. I'm not going to give away any specifics but I was between the 4th and 10th pylon North of the second island using spot on a bare flounder rig and 5 ounce weight.

[Fishboy OV8]

I can say that I have never fished in my own spot. I lurk on TF as you can see by my post count and look at the pictures of others boats to see who the real fishermen are. Somedays I drive around the bay looking for these fishomanics so I can mark the location of their mudwhistles. Some days are better than others and I find 5 or 6 of these egomaniacs and get their holes. Other days I drive around all day and never see any of these familar boats on the water so I dont get to fish that day because I just don't have any idea where to go. Sometimes my crew gets real irratated but I tell em thats why they call it fishin and not catchin! We save alot of money by not losing any gear on the unproductive days so it all pans out. What I find most interesting is the guys that complain the most about giving away certain spots were the ones that gave away the most spots in the past. I fished Saturday for flounder at a spot I found because of.....well I'm not going to name the boat because that wouldn't be fair but I limited out on flounder in short order. I'm not going to give away any specifics but I was between the 4th and 10th pylon North of the second island using spot on a bare flounder rig and 5 ounce weight.

[Finnicky]

Yes, secret spots exist, although they are a rarity. Some of us who fish many days have a few we have found (many of mine are through diving...and yes spearing is legit). If it isn't technically a "secret" spot why should I post that I caught a citation tog or flounder off a named wreck?! It would barely be touched and I'd have it to myself (a reward for taking a chance...long run). Ken Neill posted that he caught tog up to 15 lbs at the 4a this year right before he caught his record. I fished the 4a frequently and caught big fish. After he posted, the fishing died off and we caught only one more big fish, mainly bc tons of boats showed up that would have never attempted the trip without Neill stating his post. they cleaned it out. I don't have any hostility towards ken, but it shows of you have a wreck or hot spot, there's absolutely no reason to post here bc it will be ruined very shortly after.

[n2striper]

Well after reading all these posts I felt compelled to post.
I am new to TF, a woman, new to bay fishing, and have my own "older" Grady now. I have to say "I love love love love to fish" and have learned so much from reading fishing reports, techniques, and practice. I have owned boats all my life, and actually fished quite a bit but never owned a fishing boat or fished in the bay. I'm not very good at bay fishing yet, but I just love it. Nor am I a regular at posting reports because as I have stated I'm not real good at it YET I would assume I am one of the recreational lurker weekend fisher"man" that most of you guys are talking about and dislike so much. Unfortunately, I am not of age to retire, or even lucky enough to live on the water (YET)- I have a business, a home, and a family in Richmond. I check the board everyday to see what folks are catching and just to read different posts. When I do get the luxury to be able to fish a day or two out of the month I love to flounder fish and most of the time end up at 42. I leave the dock so excited just thinking of pulling in a keeper doormat, in the 3 days we have gotten over there this year only 1 keeper. BUT it doesn't slow down my enthusiasm for the sport, I just know we have to try again next time, figure out a different technique/bait, and then hope that the time comes to go again before 3 weeks has passed.
My point I guess is its so dishearting sometimes to get on here and see negative or rude posts because it is a sport that I am learning and love so much. Maybe I speak for others or maybe just myself, but I am not on TF to find anyone's secret spots, or to show up next to them in 2-3 weeks to drop a line. I am on TF to learn about fishing, what is biting, and any techniques about a sport that just makes me smile. Unfortunately, most of the time I am reading posts about catching fish and not posting I look forward to all the reports, and hope 1 day I will be posting all kinds of pictures of my citation flounders!

So don't quit posting your reports, and give the occassional "weekend fisherwoman" a break......

You got to start somwhere. And you are right fish'n should be fun. And when it is not fun anymore then its time to move on to something else. I sometimes get overly excited when I get a fish on. Thats fun. You will figure it out and post some reports. Thanks for sharing your views. See you on the water.

[n2striper]

Well, I cancelled my subscription to the Vagina Pilot and to Cox Cable when I stumbled onto this site several years ago. With this, it's all the entertainment that I need!! Truthfully, I visit this site no less than 10 times a day! There is always an interesting topic and discusision taking place similar to this one. Like a few others have expressed, I like to learn from others, but only to a point. I still prefer the trial and error approach. Even though I am an avid reader of this site, I rarely ever post a good fishing report because I rarely ever have a good report to give! I do enjoy reading the reports of others in hopes of learning just a little bit of something that may make a difference. The best lesson that I get from other's reports are that fish are out there to be caught and I am reminded that I am rarely in the right place at the right time with the right tackle or on the right tide in the right water tempertature. Until I figure out what all the pro fisherman here know about catching, I will just keep "motor boat-in" around in the bay hoping that some of those little aquatic bastards jump in my boat!!

i too enjoy motor boat'n. Say," You whanna go for a boat ride wid da motcho man? Ma Ma boat ride?"

[Mike Avery]

there's absolutely no reason to post here bc it will be ruined very shortly after.

I'll say it again but type slowly so everyone can understand......

You can still give a fishing report w/o giving away your precious spot.

[Finnicky]

Someone stated it well earlier Mike. Boats are very recognizable. It's pretty easy to associate a good report on here with someone's boat on the water

[Mike Avery]

Someone stated it well earlier Mike. Boats are very recognizable. It's pretty easy to associate a good report on here with someone's boat on the water

Most folks on tidalfish like CCX post reports but we have no idea what his name is, what boat he drives, what he looks like, he posts on tidalfish but is completely anonymous. I could be fishing right next to CCX but there is no way to asscociate his screen name with his boat.

[ccx2]

Most folks on tidalfish like CCX post reports but we have no idea what his name is, what boat he drives, what he looks like, he posts on tidalfish but is completely anonymous. I could be fishing right next to CCX but there is no way to asscociate his screen name with his boat.

But .but. but....I'm Center Console Clarence, I'm easy to spot , I wear Camoflage Crocks, Black Speedo's and a Columbia fishing shirt emblazoned with "cCc" "Extreem Center Console Fishing" in bold black letters on the back and over the left front pocket, sometimes I wear the matching columbia fishing hat with the flap over my neck like all the other experts do. Come on Mike cut me some slack.

[critter]

I'm still waiting on the calender CC.