Wow -- that last post of mine was very revealing.

[Fish_Eye]

I posted the top 17 spots to catch fish in RI. I closed the post by saying, "Do you know how I found these spots?"

Too bad the post isn't up there anymore because I was about to reveal the big secret to those top 17 locations. Each of the super spots I highlighted were the arbitrary spots where a loran line ran into shoreline. And guess what, they were great spots. RI has 400 miles of great spots.

Another way to determine where to go fishing today is take out a road map of RI, go down to the area in blue (the water) and start at Napatree Point (only used because that’s about the first shore spot in the state and it’s already been given up) then mark off an area one half inch to the right, then another spot one half inch to the right, then continue until you run out of Rhode Island shoreline. Guess what, you’ll have nailed a bunch of great spots where cows can be caught.

As far as jumping on the site and trying to stir up trouble; quite the contrary, I’ve been reading about all the spot burning posts and I was trying to simply point out that there are no secret spots, there are no spots that can’t be discovered, or should I say rediscovered. You guys need to lighten up. Like many of you folks on this site, I’ve put my time in…over 45 years of diving RI. You would be hard pressed to come up with a spot I’ve not seen from both the top and the bottom.

What are you guys doing to protect access? What are you folks doing to protect the stocks of fish you so desperately want to catch? Are you going to the ASMFS meetings? Are you supporting any conservation groups. Did you send in a letter on Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring?

Quite frankly I can’t believe some of the remarks that came out of that thread. I’m just sorry I didn’t get the chance to deliver the punch line before the post got yanked. Lighten up. Let’s start talking about ways we can get access opened, organize area clean ups, etc.

I guess I made my point, there are a lot of people here ready to flame someone for trying to share a point of view they might not like.

Get over it.

[JohnR]

Mike - you knew the precise reaction you would get by posting that up. So by intending to yank the collective chain of the site, stir up the controversy, and then, toss in the "punch line", you KNEW you would stir up the people and start another flameage war. You are not dumb so please don't say that you knew something like that would not happen. You know that we are keeping specific location information to a minimum here. Is it the best way? Hell no, but there are not a lot of alternatives at this time and that right balance is still trying to be found.

I fully support that thread getting pulled, if for no other reason, than on the surface - unaware of any wonderfull "punch line" - you were posting contrary to our issues with spots. Unfortunately, solving issues at my real job precluded me from getting on and seeing it first hand. Now as far as spots, you ARE in that other camp, the one that will promote locations, aren't you?

[BigFish]

Lets hear more about what Fish Eye is doing for beach cleanups, protecting the stocks and protecting/preserving access other than just blowing his own horn here abouts! Do you attend those meetings that you speak of? I bet not! Up front I do not but it is not that I do not care....its because I don't have time due to work and getting my new home squared away. I do not preach it because I do not practice it Mike....do you practice what you preach?

[Fish_Eye]

John,

My post was ment to first get a reaction, but then with a quick follow up post (obviously not quick enough) make people realize that there are thousands of great spots, some involving more work to fish than others.

I just wanted people to realize that their knee jerk reactions are often over the top and that they are too quick to jump down someones throat. I DID NOT INTEND ON STARTING A FLAME WAR, the list of spots was nothing more than arbitrary areas where Loran lines met the shore.

I can remember when only a small tribe of people fished Beavertail, when Sachuest point was open to the degree that you could drive all the way around to Third Beach. I'm also aware of areas being closed to the public because of the trash and disrespect shown by others, i.e., Newport Causeway during squid run, URI dock, Sachuest Point, etc.

As far as my being in the camp of "tell all" writers, I think my record speaks for itself. All my lectures and videos deal with generic areas other than when they are common knowledge. A list of lighthouses in New England would be a good example of commonly known hot spots. I work harder at trying to give people the skill sets necessary to find their own productive water -- after all, that's the most satisfying feeling isn't it.

I've been quick to share details when it comes to areas like Cuttyhunk because I know the area is remote and there is very little shore based fishing taking place there.

I have nothing to gain by insighting a flamewar...on the contrary I was reacting to the posts that were starting to slam OTW for a show they didn't even air yet.

[Fish_Eye]

Big Fish,

FYI, I was at the Menhaden meeting in RI this summer speaking on behalf of myself and representing the Recreational Fishing Alliance. I was also at last weeks herring meeting in Fairhaven and before that I was compiling all the statistics that pointed to a corralation between our loss of river herring and the relatively new mid-water trawlers. After the meeting I worked the phone trying to get press on the issue in many of the local newspapers from Maine to New Jersey. Maybe that's why you haven't seen me on this board as much as in the past.

I spent a year and a half on a documentary against longlining that was sent to every governor in the US and to the members of each house. It was helpful in getting time and territory closures in Florida swordfish nursery areas...a move that has allowed for rebuilding of stocks.

I was honored by Save The Bay as the volunteer of the year for my efforts in creating a video to help teach children about the importance of Narragansett Bay.

I've also produced all the STB TV commercial and did so for free.

I'm currently working on two documentaries, one to advance shark research and put an end to shark finning and another one looking at problems with the forage fish (menhaden, herring and mackerel).

Next time you see me next to the shoreline you might just see me raking up the cigarette butts and trash left by others.

I was hoping to motivate others regarding this access issue. I know it's serious and it's not going to get better by itself.

What do you think we should do to improve the situation?

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by Fish_Eye

Big Fish,

FYI, I was at the Menhaden meeting in RI this summer speaking on behalf of myself and representing the Recreational Fishing Alliance. I was also at last weeks herring meeting in Fairhaven and before that I was compiling all the statistics that pointed to a corralation between our loss of river herring and the relatively new mid-water trawlers. After the meeting I worked the phone trying to get press on the issue in many of the local newspapers from Maine to New Jersey. Maybe that's why you haven't seen me on this board as much as in the past.... Snipped

I guess that was a big F'U in spades...

[MakoMike]

Mike,
Kudos! I do agree that a lot of the folks around here get waaay too carried away about "spot burning." It smacks of elitism.

[Duke41]

I agree with Mike, A lot of guys have ruined this site and run off members by going over board about spots . I am pretty sure some of you guys don't even fish that much. The shoreline is full of fish and you should go and enjoy the process of finding your own places. But the spots that are so well known that they have become generic, does it really matter if you post a report...really? So go ahead and piss and moan and you all can hang out with whoevers left after this latest crisis.

[MotoXcowboy]

Originally Posted by Fish_Eye

I can remember when only a small tribe of people fished Beavertail, when Sachuest point was open to the degree that you could drive all the way around to Third Beach. I'm also aware of areas being closed to the public because of the trash and disrespect shown by others, i.e., Newport Causeway during squid run, URI dock, Sachuest Point, etc.

FYI, The URI dock got shut down b/c its now a federally protected Coast Guard peir/dock. (even though, I always thought the Endeavor was a URI research vessel?) This place has been off-limits since the 911 tradgedy, at least this is what I was told by the security guard 2 weeks ago. It is now a federal offence to fish off it. I was also told if I was caught on the peir again, that a swat team would "take me down". I wasnt even on the other side of the fence, just the pier if ya know what I mean...another one of my favorites taken away.

[iluvspots]

it's all George Bush's fault.

[Fish_Eye]

MakoMike,

You hit the nail on the head:

The more fishermen there are the more funding we can get for keeping access and even expanding it. The more fishermen there are the more we can fight for better fishing regulations. Two things give any interest group power in our society, votes and money.

That's why I support the RFA, they lobby on behalf of my interests as an angler and the interest of the fishing industry as well...and that spells jobs, votes and political clout. They keep their membership informed when there is an issue of concern and they make particiating in the effort of letting the politicans know that we fish and we vote a very easy task...as easy as filling out a postcard, putting on a stamp and then dropping it in the mail.

Instead of going to war over who's burning what spot, we should identify one or two access areas that are being illegally blocked by nearby property owners and fight to get them re-opened.

MotoXcowboy,

I think that the access situation at URI was an on-again, off-again situation even before 9-11. It had a lot to do with the hords of bait fishermen that would make a pigpen out of the pier. The same folks that would trash the Newport causeway.

[JohnR]

MakoMike - we'll discuss this over a beverage soon at you know where . SpotTalk is a touchy subject and a real P.I.t.A. online - but it needs to be resolved...

On that other thing, still waiting to find out...