My message to kayak fishing noobs and those that just what specific spots...

[moc]

I don't think thats a fair statement to tell others what to do. I just don't see the point of posting a report without offering a general location, time and maybe what you were fishing with. What I mean by general location is the body of water (susky flats, point lookout, weems creek, sandy point etc.) Not saying to include the coordinates but if everyone's reports were to the affect of "Here's some rockfish I caught yesterday but I'm not even going to say where or what I caught it on" I bet that would get on everyone's nerves real quick and the reports would stop coming in.

I believe that is what Kaya456 meant by the post. So in other words, you two are in agreement. I like general locations so I can learn the names of locations and bodies of water like Kitkatyaker mentioned and the type of lures, water clarity, depths, structure, no structure, ledges and drop offs, tides, moon phases, etc. are good learning tips, like other posts mentioned. It has benefitted me greatly.....Hail to Snaggedline University.... . I agree with you, without tid bits of useful information, why post a report? Other than bragging rights?

[sparky1423]

Wow, this is some heavy stuff. Me...I love the forum, this is the only fishing forum I joined. I stay out of the politics, I visit the site everyday to live and learn. When I got my kayak, I had to learn how to fish all over again. It's a different world since I did not have much quality time on boats or in/off shore in general.

I made a few good friends on the site already, if I have any detailed questions I will PM a member to respect their privacy. The fishing reports are my favorite section of the forum. If I land a big fish (doesn't happen often)...Man, I spill my guts on the report. I'll even let you know if I am wearing my good underwear!

I just have a few goals set this year and a few targeted species. I am just using personal trial and error and other members feedback. Thanks to Grilled and Stupidjet, seems like a lot of time and effort is put in to keep this site top notch.

[mytmouse]

My intentions were never to get all serious and what not... I just wanna shed light on why some folk don't like to share their exact locations. I could care less if you do or don't! Heck I even share most of the time. I just don't want new guys coming in thinking that if the "Exactly where" isn't posted that they still can't gain a lot of information from someone else's successes and even the dreaded skunks!! LOL Kayak Fishing is fun to me. But it don't pay ner'e one of my bills, so I don't deal with politics either. I fish. I report. But ALWAYS have fun! I just hope that someone new to the yak scene that like you and I Sparky haven't had a lot of boat experience understands that it won't all come together right away and that you have to put some time into not just fishing, but learning about what conditions to look for... the hunt if you will. I have learned so much from going out with guys from the board, talking with them, and even pm'ing them! This board even though we have our spats from time to time is still one of the greatest fishing forums I frequent. And that's what makes us so unique.

[AbuMasgouf]

I must have been asleep at the wheel because I didn't pick-up on the back posts that lead to this...

I read the post from a fresh slate and I really liked it! Thank you MYT for putting it in a genuine and positive way. Perhaps making it a sticky will help newcomers to understand the 'flavor' of this site. I also share MOC's sentiment about this site being a snaggedline university. Truly every single thing I've learned was because of the genuine kindness of someone on this forum... And each one has expressed their reward was for me to pay it forward. You don't find that many places...fishing related or not!

This activity is a huge learning curve and the right mindset is to have fun doing it like DOGFISH said. Unfortunately our society has programmed us for immediate gratification which is probably why some are asking for specific spots... I get that, I'm very much raised by our society. I've had to teach myself (because I want to teach my children) that life skills (which I consider fishing to be one of them) take time, and over that time you will learn exponentially, that is if you enjoy the process during that time.... key phrase here is time

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for all that you've given back to this forum, especially those that have taken me out and taught me so much. Also a big thank you to stupidjet, grilled, and others (sorry I don't know everyone) for working hard to put together a site that brings us all together.

Just my 25 dinars (which comes to about 2 cents )

[zeebyrd]

My thoughts on someone sharing "exact" locations: fish swim, they aren't stationary. I don't know how many times the fly shop would tell me exactly where the fish were biting on the Gunpowder River, only to find nothing there.

My first impression of this forum was that everyone is very friendly and shares info. Info such as general location, type of fish, and the angler's successful baits/lures is enough info for me. Any shared bits of info add to what I hope to learn along the way.

I am used to bass, panfish and trout fishing, so a lot of the fishing I will be doing from my kayak will be new to me.

[kevinfry]

I don't think thats a fair statement to tell others what to do. I just don't see the point of posting a report without offering a general location, time and maybe what you were fishing with. What I mean by general location is the body of water (susky flats, point lookout, weems creek, sandy point etc.) Not saying to include the coordinates but if everyone's reports were to the affect of "Here's some rockfish I caught yesterday but I'm not even going to say where or what I caught it on" I bet that would get on everyone's nerves real quick and the reports would stop coming in.

It does get on everyone's nerves...but only a very few guys do that. I was kinda dumb last year and did not give a location where I was catching trout because I was worried about console guys swooping in to my little rural spot...not yakkers. But trout make me crazy and selfish.....i'm working it (looking for a support group LOL).

I think MYT did not mention the #1 way to get fishing info as a noob. When guys ask on this site "Who wants to go...." respond to them and go. It's on these outings that you learn a lot. The other is going to M&G. You make good relationships there. Moc's open invitations have been a real asset to folks wanting to connect and learn about areas. Once you have a relationship you'll start giving and receiving IMs and it will get more and more fun.

[ronaultmtd]

Kevin- You and Bill reminded me to share the speckled trout bite news last year- the 20 1/2 inch fish being caught the week before you and Bill nailed them up the launch a ways- there have been a couple of trips I made where I caught fish and did not post- just got home late and was tired- next day was a work day and then the forum was active with lots of fishing reports, so I did not post my catches- they were just speckled trout, so it wasn't like they were big red drum or trophy rock- didn't think a thing about it until we were talking at the launch and it was news to you guys-

[kevinfry]

Ha Ha... I remember that conversation! I was so keen to finally catch a keeper speck on the western shore I was so happy to hear the news.....had been my #1 target since I moved to MD and had never caught ....your info sure turned out right though....a whole summer full of trout. Thanks Ron for sharing that day.

[BassMoore]

I know everyone is different. But what happened this weekend has really changed my perspective about hiding spots and baits.

I fish in a bass club and had a tourny on the Potomac this weekend. There was a bass master elite angler there practicing. My boat happened to roll within the area he was fishing. We gave the friendly wave and asked how he was doing which we always do. This guy proceeded to tell us he was crushing fish, it was a great spot. pulled over to us, threw the baits he was using in the boat, showed us how he was working the fish, and said he was leaving, and good luck tear em up. So we stayed. My partner i boated with ended up coming in 2nd place from this amazing spot. We happend to catch this guy at the ramp later on at weigh in. He was pleased my boater n I did so well. Said fishing is supposed to fun for everyone. There was no reason for him during practice to hide that spot for some one in a tournament who was looking to do well and have fun. Went on to share tatics and spots all over the potomac for everyone in the club. The key for me was fishing is supposed to be fun for everyone.

Everyone has their secrete spot they dont want 1000 boats or kayaks in . But its supposed to be fun, and if a guy can take his son to a spot some one posted on here, and have a life time memory with his son. Who wouldnt want to give up that info. This is a great sport, were all in this together to have fun. Were not making money, were just out enjoying our selves as often as we can. Hit me so hard to share anything i do well on and where so some one else can enjoy the same fun i had that day. Im not fishing every single day, or for money, so why not share as much info as i can with everyone else

[charlieru]

One thing I wanted to add to all this hoo! haa! about people sharing honey holes and what not is a bunch of silliness. Down in the caribbean where I come from, we share just everything about fishing with locals and visitors(emphasis on "specially with visitors"). We tell them about the best spots to find snappers, where to hook up with a beautiful snook or where to catch an awesome ride behind a huge silver king. We don't go around holding fishing spots like they are a national trasure, on the contrary my friends we give information and we get information back from those we keep informed. One thing I noticed here is that everybody assumes that just because someone asks a question that he (or she) is new to kayak fishing. Many of us are new to the area but not to kayak fishing. When I ask someone about a location is because I like to know where the area is in relation to my location, google it and then explore the posibilities of landing that big one in the future. Unfortunately some people want to be secretive about their honey holes (and we should respect that....I guess) thinking that the next time they go back to it the fish are going to be sitting there on a reclyner waiting tho be caught. Good luck with that! I would rather say thank you to those whose make it easier for fellow kayakers to be informed.

Charlie

[charlieru]

One thing I wanted to add to all this hoo! haa! about people sharing honey holes and what not is a bunch of silliness. Down in the caribbean where I come from, we share just everything about fishing with locals and visitors(emphasis on "specially with visitors"). We tell them about the best spots to find snappers, where to hook up with a beautiful snook or where to catch an awesome ride behind a huge silver king. We don't go around holding fishing spots like they are a national trasure, on the contrary my friends we give information and we get information back from those we keep informed. One thing I noticed here is that everybody assumes that just because someone asks a question that he (or she) is new to kayak fishing. Many of us are new to the area but not to kayak fishing. When I ask someone about a location is because I like to know where the area is in relation to my location, google it and then explore the posibilities of landing that big one in the future. Unfortunately some people want to be secretive about their honey holes (and we should respect that....I guess) thinking that the next time they go back to it the fish are going to be sitting there on a reclyner waiting tho be caught. Good luck with that! I would rather say thank you to those whose make it easier for fellow kayakers to be informed. Charlie

[Fish]

Very informative advice. Thank you MYTMOUSE. As I was reading your post about getting things wrong, I completely agreed! I have recently installed my fishfinder and you are right, it doesn't really help that much (as far as I used it). LOL

[tufnik]

Well said, MYTM. Good follow-ups from the rest of you too. Can't add much more other than to emphasize dedication and hard work to really catch good fish.

[chex]

I'm in serious need of exact GPS coordinates w/ pics to catch my first spot. Someone help!!!!!

I enjoy all reports... secret spot or not.

[Fish]

I'm in serious need of exact GPS coordinates w/ pics to catch my first spot. Someone help!!!!!

I enjoy all reports... secret spot or not.

+1 lol.