Oct. OTW

[Crafty Angler]

[Duke41]

I just got the issue today. Those that know me know that I do 95% of my fishing by boat. I read your posts with nothing but respect for the knowledge and love that all of you have for surfcasting. I have meet some pretty cool people on this site. I for one can't imagine climbing over rocks and logs and crap in the middle of the night to catch a striper. BUT I RESPECT IT. I read all the BS you guys put up with for the love of the surf and it kills me that Steve did this, I don't get it, he is a good guy and is very skilled. WTF I think that he may have had a brainfart. Hang in there you bastards and I will wave to you as I fish thsoe sites from my boat.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by bassmaster

Gene Im gonna tie up up and put u on the RR tracks on monday
Burn RI Haw HaYou all preach BullSh!t
Your all worthless info spot suckers

toothless sand sissy.

hows your barbie jeep

[Arno]

<first post>

Hi guys. Someone left the back door unlocked so I thought I'd mosey in.

'Just happened to stumble on this site and found it to be very interesting. Especially this thread. I'd like to make a comment or two - if it's okay.

I can certainly understand the anger some of you feel because of Mr. McKenna's article. However, it's done. It's over. And if I felt as strongly about Mr. McKenna's article as some of you do, I'd get together with him for a sit-down, and ask him to explain why he would reveal this kind of info' to the general public.

For the most part, it sure sounds like Mr. Kenna is well respected not only for his knowledge of the sport - but for his willingness to help others as well. For that alone, I think he's owed an opportunity to explain himself. I say, "explain himself", because it's doubtful that Mr. McKenna didn't know his article would spur a controversy among the die-hards. On the other hand, Mr. McKenna doesn't sound like a malicious individual. All the more reason to have a face to face discussion with him and urge him to be a bit more discreet in the future. Just my opinion.

For what it's worth, this is my first time back into SW fishing after a several year absence. And I recall vividly how an old fishing buddy of mine was rippin' because he confided in Dave Pickering by telling him of a favorite spot - figuring Mr. Pickering would keep it close to his vest. As it turns out, the very next time my buddy visited that spot, Mr. Pickering was there with 2 of his buddies. My friend went ape. Word of this spread very fast, and of course with predictable results.

I read all the posts in this thread. And I thought the idea offered by 'redsoxticket' was a good one. Signs in bait shops about littering - and in other languages as well. There is absolutely no reason for people to behave like slobs. I'll say this... I make no bones about telling someone who I just saw throw trash on the beach or where ever to pick it up. There were times when they looked at me as though I had 2 heads, but it doesn't matter because each time they picked up their trash. Sometimes you just have to do what you got to do. And yes, it's a pet peeve of mine as I'm sure it is with most of you.

Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to voice a couple of opinions.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Arno

<first post>

I'd get together with him for a sit-down, and ask him to explain why he would reveal this kind of info' to the general public.

I'm up for that. Are you and anyone else?

[Arno]

Quote: "I'm up for that. Are you and anyone else?"

I don't know any of the players at this point, but I'd still be glad to join in. Provided, of course, that the discussion is designed to prevent future problems - and not intended as a bash-fest.

[*LB]

If OTW is going to publish spot burning articles perhaps they could also include companion articles or an obligatory disclaimer that will help their googan readership understand the finer points of surfcasting that often get overlooked in the stampede to the latest "hot spot".

As many posts have already pointed out, sharpies aren't concerned that the googans will catch all the fish, the main concern is that they will conduct themselves in such a way that they will be a nuisance to fish around or they will honk off adjacent property owners to the point that our shoreline access will be threatened.

It's been my experience that the googanesque "bucket & lantern" brigade is made up of mostly guys who want to catch some fish and be good sports in the process, they just don't know the ropes yet (I'm speaking as a former googan myself). I'd like to get the ball rolling by suggesting a few breaches of striper etiquette that OTW can use in their effort to educate their readership on the finer points of our delicate obsession.

** Don't litter! That means don't leave behind ANYTHING that wasn't there before you got there, i.e. bait containers, beer cans, balls of mono, coffee cups, butts, plastic bags, etc. In fact, maybe you could even grab some crap that isn't yours and take it out with you.

** Be quiet! Believe it or not, most of the world wants to sleep at 3:00am. Ocean front property owners deserve the same respect that we give our own neighbors. If they don't hear you, chances are they won't know you're there.

** Leave the lanterns at home! Too much light spooks fish and pisses off your fellow anglers. Get a headlamp and use the "red" setting. If you're driving on the beach go easy on the headlights.

** Give people some elbow room! If a guy's fishing in a spot don't crowd him out, cross his line or hop in his spot while he's changing lures. Use a rotation if fishing on a breachway. If you want to chunk come back in the morning or head down to New Jersey.

** If a guy's into a big fish stay out of the way or help him land it.

** Introduce yourself and ask what the protocol is when you arrive at a new spot. Don't just muscle in and start casting. Most locals will be happy to give you the low-down if you show some respect.

** Don't park in spots that will attract the ire of property owners and the law. Sometimes you have to walk a bit to get to the fish.

** Don't leave a mess when cleaning fish. It attracts vermin and puts up a stink for guys who fish there regularly.

** It's one thing to have a beer after a long day at work, and another to get s***-faced. Know the difference.

** Don't fish beyond your ability. Korkers and waders are the price of admission at some spots. If you have to ask someone else to land your fish or un-stick your plug find a gentler place to fish.

** Watch your language! Some guys bring their kids fishing with them and they don't need you introducing them to the low-rent world of redneck profanity.

** Respect size limits, and don't kill fish you don't intend to eat.

** If you're driving on the sand be prepared and go slow.

Hopefully, some more experienced sticks will add to this list as well . . .

[fishaholic18]

Unfortunately, most people won;t follow those rules.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

I'm up for that. Are you and anyone else?

I know Steve well. I believe he would welcome a chat. I'll get the idea to him.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

I think the postman must be reading my copy because I haven't got mine yet. and while reading this I wonder what is really in print.

I have not got mine either. I had a problem awhile back when someone from the Post Office was stealing my fishing mags and reading them. One of my OTW showed up 2 weeks lake with spagetti sause all over some of the pages inside the mag. I filed a complaint and I started getting them on time again. If I don't get mine today....another complaint!

[Pete F.]

Well, mine showed up last night. I'm not impressed by the article because I learned noting from it other than what to do at a certain time in certain spots. A great article is one I learn from and there have been some in OTW.
Then again they burnt some of my spots here in VT, but not the best ones.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

Just curious,did the traffic at these spots increase in the last month? I haven't seen the article, but if it is speaking about the 5 spots to get a 40 lb striper,Steve gave that same seminar at the last RISAA meeting in August.There were a couple hundred people at that meeting Iwould say . If you haven't already noticed an increase in fishermen there ,maybe there isn't so much to get all worked up about.

yes.

[STREETFIGHT]

WISH MY COPY WOULD GET HERE....

[Back Beach]

I think everyone seriously needs to get over the "spot burning" issue with Steve's article. On at least,say, ten occasions and perhaps more each season you will see how to and where to articles in the various publications. There is usually an immediate impact on the mentioned spots that leads to a short term overcrowding followed by a loss of interest in the mentioned areas, mostly by spot chasers. Confronting the author on this issue would for me seem ridiculous. There is plenty of reference material out there both new and old that fits the same bill as Steve's article, which was an informative piece, to say the least. It was not and will not be the last one you see, for sure. Since the inception of the internet and surf fishing related web sites, I have seen much greater impact on areas previously overlooked due to the net, not info that comes in print each month or week. Consider this: Everyone here likely has at least one or two close confidants that they share info with, myself included. Each of your confidants has one or two others they likely share info with. Get the picture? One seemingly innocent PM could possibly create overcrowding with as little as three or four people at a spot that can only support one or two people. Look at South County last fall for example, or the back side of the cape a few seasons back. Pointing the finger at an author is for the most part the pot calling the kettle black. As little as one month ago here some of us were bragging and boasting about the great fishing in spot x, and guess what, the next night there was no place to park or fish.

[bassmaster]

Originally Posted by Nebe

toothless sand sissy.

hows your barbie jeep

its nice with out you out siders here thanks and have a great day
ha ha

[Clammer]

HOLY CHIT

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Clammer

HOLY CHIT

sounds like clammer just read it over breakfast

[SeaWolf]

i still am waiting for my otw to be delivered and have tried to wait until it has come to post my comments, but i want to add some general input on this issue as i have done many times before. i will not condemn or applaud mckenna's article until i read it first.

that being said, i have tried for years to ask the internet media to ease up on posting detailed and "right-now"-types of reports or spot explanations by posting my input. as has been mentioned once already, there is a culture change with the newer generations. i've sent pm's, email, talked to people that have done posting of reports or spots. sometimes it's worked and helped, other times, it has not.

years ago one would never brag at a tackle shop, in front of a few unknown anglers or in a magazine about a particular spot or last nights catch. for some, it was due to commercial fishing (from shore) and others were brought up respecting what was told of them. that has changed it appears. people do what info today and now. if one posts about last night's big catch and now has a dozen more people fishing this spot (that may only comfortably fish say 15), how much good has this person really done? what of the 4-6 others that were fishing the previous night and are now trying to fish again that night? what will the property owners think of the added traffic, lights, noise, trash, blood, scales, mono, etc.? what have those that are coming to this spot learned about fishing it? do they sit back, watch, and learn to fish it? or are they jumping on someone else's success and to cash in themselves? now, will that same person/group go back to the internet and read more posts to go to spot "b" tomorrow night and do the same? what is that person really learning? are they developing as a fishermen or just doing what they can to catch fish and not caring about any repercussions? i have little respect for the person that does think like that. i have seen those that want the glory of saying they caught this fish, that size, here or there, but only exaggerate their catches or sizes to promote their status as a fisherman. if that's what you chose, so be it, but dont expect much respect from me. i know others feel the same. "give a man a fish and he eats for a day.teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." those that do post details or reports about a spot have taught a new angler nothing that they can learn.

now, as far as a magazine selling more copies due to an article such as this because anglers want to here it, that's their choice. if i'm an editor, i want to sell magazines and make money too. i want the best articles and authors. but, are you hurting your magazine in the long run by publishing articles such as this (again, have not read it, but have read similar ones by otw)? do you care, or are you simply trying to sell more magazines? i will not cancel my subscription because i want it to be able to comment on issues and articles such as this. there is also other information by authors i really enjoy reading that is vital to our sport, such as conservation issues, coastal cleanups, fishery stocks data/reports/meetings, etc. just because i buy it, doesn't mean i endorse it. maybe otw may get a spike in sales this month, but will their subscriptions go down over the next year?

now, to say it is ok to write up or post about a spot because YOU dont fish it anymore is pretty poor taste. then to say you fish a private spot so you dont care about the other spot is even worse! as was mentioned, just because you dont fish it anymore doesnt mean others do not as well. respect those that still do fish this spot or spots. dont be mad when others start fishing your private spots because they are following you around now. one thought too, there is no such thing as a private or "new" spot. someone at some time has fished it before you.

for a thread that has 10 pages, almost 200 replies, and 5900 reads, how many of those are not even members but just guests? how many look just for threads like to go cash in on?

now, a question for those that have read this or posted - how many will do something about it, or will you just complain as so many do on the net all the time? i laugh everytime the asmfc changes the rules on a fishery and people go mad on the boards after reading it, but were told in these same magazines, forums, papers about PUBLIC meetings on the issue. how many rec anglers show up to show/challenge the issue(s)? 2, 6, 10? that's pretty sad. if you do try and do something about this or another issue, i applaud you. if you dont, you have nothing to say, but accept what was done. be a leader, not a follower.

[jimmyCT]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Steve is my partner and best friend, I cant sit here and see you rip the guy apart for something you all know you want SPOTS ! The spots he talks about are very well known and in now way "secret" or more importantly PRIVATE.

They all have public access and public parking and are for the most part already over crowded, I think his thought process on this was whats the difference? if there are going to be a hundred guys at a spot , they may as well at least fish it right. Sure some people are going to get pissed off, pile on the crap, look cool by saying what a spot burner he is etc, etc, etc..

Does he fish these spots anymore? nope, very rarley, would he have mentioned them 10 years ago? no way in fact he was pushed out long ago from overcrowding, you may occasionaly see him at the river but thats it.

The number one question he gets asked in the baitshop is about spot, 24/7 all people want to know is spots, spots, spots... So he gave them some, as for the kowledge he gave, If your smart, you would read it 10 times and apply what he has written, you may just get yourself a dream fish, If I was new I would take it as a blessing, you may end up shaking his hand.

So if your this unhappy and dramatic over this then be straight up and go see him at the shop and tell him to his face, stop knocking the guy on the internet when he has no defence here as he does not have a computer.

Steve has helped many people improve there fishing, he is nothing but helpfull at the shop, and does whatever he can to better someones experiance on the water....Lay off and take a time out , I think you will all see that those are spots that every googan with a surfstick has already fished... Its crap like this overblown thread that make me stay away from the boared

It also makes me sick that some of these people will smile to his face and then rip him here you, know who you are.

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, dont know you are.. Can tell you are someone who has been fishing the surf a long tim and pretty intelligent. I like reading what you write on this site and your one of the few guys I will take the time to read. .Stuff is well thought out..

okay..

is this something really that new about on the water writing articles about locations? Isnt that what they have always been doing but yet, poor Steve gets the blame? Out of all the people to complain about, why start with someone who has helped some many people on this site out? Give him a call or something if you feel so strongly about it..

On the water also publishes a shore guide to rhode island, its advertised in all their magazines. I blelieve Joe Lyons and some other names were contributing authors. Its covers alot more then the daingault guide.

On the water also has weekly fhsing reports available online...

Why just blame on the water though, there is the fisherman magazine. Also, there are about a dozen newspapers that give out weekly reports too...

There are tackle shops. Some list hot spots on their websites and give daily reports. Some other shops wont readily give out spots, but if you drop 50 on a new reel and tell them you will buy more gear if you start catching fish, they will start singing.

Why even blame public sources of information. Its not hard to log onto here and get a dozen emails of hot spots to fish. That actually goes along way, people tell other people, they tell other people.... It goes on and on. I can tell you where Steve Mc fishes and so on from about the 5th person down the ladder on a random screenname I made up.. I hear alot about putting in time to catch fish, but yet, the information is still just as available to newbies.


I generally agree about posting locations. Ive definately had some bad experiicnes from it, and learned not to mention spots limited in parking access or by private property. Even the best of intentions can go wrong in some types of spots. Most of those issues though have bene resolved but its not something worth going through again. What seems to happen is you get a crowd that will come in and it takes a week or more for it to disapear. Most of the people who come, are people who dont catch a lot of fish on their own, and then, dont have the skills to catch fish, and then give up. I feel this is what will happen with Steves article. One article does not make a fishermen catch fish.


As of now, I have more problems the amount of disregard I see toward fellow anglers. I feel these types of threads are what brews up a lot of this attitude and the world would be a lot better without the itnernet fishing sites. I keep hearing stories from fellow anglers about people who get harassed by others. One example is when a person, say one of the top posters on this site, starts intentionally casting over someone elses line just so he can push the person away. I see stuff like this and just have no respect for anyone anymore. Its just happening way to much and to do many people and feel a big part of it resides here and that if you want people to abide by your wishes, you better not tick off your fellow fishermen.

What Id like to hear are some personnel expericnes from someone whos "spot" got burned. Someone mentioned stories from 1999 but I cant seem to find any old reports and the person only registed in 2000 for the site. Can someone link in some old topics, thanks.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by jimmyCT

is this something really that new about on the water writing articles about locations? Isnt that what they have always been doing but yet, poor Steve gets the blame?

On the water also publishes a shore guide to rhode island, its advertised in all their magazines. I blelieve Joe Lyons and some other names were contributing authors. Its covers alot more then the daingault guide.

On the water also has weekly fhsing reports available online...

Why just blame on the water though, there is the fisherman magazine. Also, there are about a dozen newspapers that give out weekly reports too...

There are tackle shops. Some list hot spots on their websites and give daily reports. Some other shops wont readily give out spots, but if you drop 50 on a new reel and tell them you will buy more gear if you start catching fish, they will start singing.

Why even blame public sources of information. Its not hard to log onto here and get a dozen emails of hot spots to fish. That actually goes along way, people tell other people, they tell other people.... It goes on and on. I can tell you where Steve Mc fishes and so on from about the 5th person down the ladder.. I hear alot about putting in time to catch fish, but yet, the information is still just as available to newbies.


I generally agree about posting locations. Ive definately had some bad experiicnes from it, and learned not to mention spots limited in parking access or by private property. Most of those issues though have bene resolved but its not something worth going through again. What seems to happen is you get a crowd that will come in and it takes a week or more for it to disapear. Most of the people who come, are people who dont catch a lot of fish on their own, and then, dont have the skills to catch fish, and then give up. I feel this is what will happen with Steves article. One article does not make a fishermen catch fish.


As of now, I have more problems the amount of disregard I see toward fellow anglers. I feel these types of threads are what brews up a lot of this attitude and the world would be a lot better without the itnernet fishing sites. I keep hearing stories from fellow anglers about people who get harassed by others. One example is when a person, say one of the top posters on this site, starts intentionally casting over someone elses line just so he can push the person away. I see stuff like this and just have no respect for anyone anymore. Its just happening way to much and to do many people and feel a big part of it resides here and that if you want people to abide by your wishes, you better not tick off your fellow fishermen.

What Id like to hear are some personnel expericnes from someone whos "spot" got burned. Someone mentioned stories from 1999 but I cant seem to find any old reports and the person only registed in 2000 for the site. Can someone link in some old topics, thanks.

Before I say anything, I'll state again that I still haven't seen the article. This also more of a general post as opposed to a direct response to what I quoted.

As a shop that puts out a report, we're always very careful about spot burning. To me, there's a very fine line that separates putting out a helpful report and pissing people off . If I say "Brenton Point has had good fishing on Pencil Poppers at sunrise", it's still a very general description, especially since that good fishing at that moment probably won't last. Even if it brought 6 people down there, I'd probably still be able to fish my spots during the day and without question once it got dark. If I named a specific spot on Brenton, complete with where to stand, that would be dangerous, in particular if I stated how, when, etc. I get heated if I find somone on one of my prefered spots, mostly because no one is normally there. If that particular spot I stand on got burned I'd be a long time getting over it.

Take a look at the OTW Shore Guide's description of Brenton. It's actually VERY vague and the map doesn't even point to a lot of the best spots.

Most of our reports list several very general locations, with some specifics such as what to use or any tricks we've noticed running charters in the past week. Short of tracking down our boats or the guys fishing from shore, you're not going to figure it all out but it will point you in the right direction.

And that is what I think has everyone so excited. Specific rocks within spots. Again, I STILL haven't seen this article, but if that level of detail is included it would concern me. I guarantee our email box would be full and the phone would be ringing with angry people if we ever went into that sort of detail.

I've been stalked before, people think that since you work in a tackle shop you MUST know what's going on at all times...

I've encountered people in the dark while fishing and found them there a few days later. It's rare, but it's happened. Sometimes they move, sometimes they don't. Either way I get irritated. Hiking a mile to find my spot occupied tends to do that.

[Pete_G]

One more thing about spots:

Someone probably knew about your "secret" spot or a spot you consider "yours" before you. I'm really don't think there any "new" spots being discovered. Just spots that have become hidden over time or are such a long walk to reach it discourages people from going.

People love to say "my" spot but it really doesn't mean much.

[jimmyCT]

pete - hey, thanks for quoting me. Sorry, wasnt trying to say anything personal toward the saltwater edge, really never heard of it? What town?


I will admit I use to be a spot slut at tackle shops along time ago, before the internet and field guides came out. I bought everything from the shops that put me on fish and ignored ones that failed. I still am loyal to those same shops today, even 15-20 years later, and buy almost all my gear there. I dunno.

[Pete_G]

I definitely didn't take it as a personal attack; when I saw it I just felt like adding to the discussion what my experiences with reports had been.

No offense taken, whatsoever.

[choggieman]

Ctjimmy - we know each other, don't we? You want examples...How many breachways will have a few extra lanterns for the fall run this year? How many times will the increase in trash be evident this year. You kow the spot I have had beef with you over on your site ctfisherman. You know the spot that krispy is taking exception to posting over. Both spots have seen an influx of new faces and lots of these new faces aren't upstanding fishermen like yourself. Public access is not a problem at the spot you and I battled over, but the trash, the poaching-herring and undersize fish, and the general disreguard of these new faces for what we have is deplorable. The spot krispy is angered over is subject to loss of access at a moments notice and the disreguard for that place is running rampant. When we give super explicit details to anyone with a computer or anyone who can read a magazine, we suffer. How would you like it if I followed you a couple of nights with my camera and ensured that every person that ever picked up a rod and reel knew the spots you fish, when to fish them and what to fish with? You post about public places with access to all, but how about if I made sure everyone knew about the places you fish that you do not post about. Can you see where I am coming from? You could just as easily teach a few solid individuals from the plethora of knowledge you keep, and give back to fellow fishermen that way, instead you choose to post for all to see, including the individuals that are the reason we see the litter and lose access. This article is just like your posts on the other site, and you see the majority of fishermen do not care for spot burning, the way I do not. Yet you keep going.
I could go on and on , and I seem to be picking on you alone, but that article reminded me a battles from the past over to burn or not to burn and your face is one I will never forget.
I apologize if I have mistaken you for someone else.................but I doubt it.

[jimmyCT]

choggie - There are quite a few spots that are provided for public access and are generally common knowledge. If someone is looking for that type of spot, it wont take them long to find one of these public spots. I just listed quite a few ways to find reports and location in my first post.

Im not necessarily saying i support all these sources of information, but Im not going to complain about places like tackle shops giving out information or an on the water article. Its taken me almost 25 years of constant work to use these sources of information to become a better fisherman. Yes, on the water has always had articles like that. Its pretty funny to say, okay, its 2005, you cant do that anymore.

I just feel this is not helping your cause. Do you think that on the water or fishing magazines are going to stop giving out information? You need to pick battles more carefully if you want to keep places quiet. You might not think there are actual private places out there, but if you dont look, you just wont know... Ive brought a few select guys on this board to some private spots, they know

The fact is that alot of spots other then breachways have been crowded. In your case, I believe I rember you complaining about a place (trying not to be to detailed) on the CT river that was overrun with alot of people. Yet, do you remember ever seeing a report or article on that location? It just started by word of mouth by a group of friends.. Am I correct?

Even the breachways, like charlesotwn are not that bad. If I go there on a weekend when its croweded, I just fish the back channels and generally end up with more fish then anyone out front. If I fish the thames river, I go downriver and have areas and unlimited fish to myself. I dunno. Its hard to give examples without naming spots.

I dunno, there is a bit of balance needed and there are more ways then one to make a place crowded. But when you guys start challenging the very basic spots, ability of OTW to write an article about a well known place, you take a step backward in getting the privacy you want. In the scheme of things, Steve Mckennas article will have almost no inpact. The only thing you that was burned was a relationship with a great fishermen, Steve.

If anything, for your own cause... the spots mentioned here so far bring attention to them... Someone reading this is going to think.. If the "breachways" are so great that we have to keep them quiet, then.. obviously its going to be the first spot they want to see.. I dunno.

I just really think this is out of hand. The large majority of decent fishermen out there have no opinon or care about this type of topic. Its just that they wont participate in threads like this, or even in this site. Alot of the best anglers I know wont spend any time on this site because of threads like this. Even guys like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& have made hints questioning why they would spend time here when its like this. This thread is like the same 30 guys over and over for 10 pages...

Another thing you need to look into is why someone would post a spot, maybe there are reasons out there.... This site has quite a few ill behaved individuals if you encourter them on the water. Its safter to have other people around with these clowns out there.

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by rickhern

,,,My concern is the parking issue,,,,

...Parking which is a big part to Access.


Illegal parking ...along with trash, campfires, a bloody/scaly causeway, etc... all add up to one thing . . ... LOSS OF ACCESS. How close it the closest trash barrel? Obviously, it's NEVER close enough for everyone.

No, they won't close it permanently. It will stay open during the summer months during sun-bathing hours, it will only close from sunset to sunrise...they will replace the existing fence with a much higher one and one that extends past the rock-edge not allowing passage at all...but then who needs to go there during the night-time anyway ? The fish are only there from 8am to 5pm... ...

Like someone else stated, there aren't really any secret spots. Someones' fished there before at some point. Whether they've become forgotten or are now on someone's property, they've been fished. Anyone with a brain and map can do ALL this legwork themselves. With computer technology it can almost all be done from home. Aerial images with depths and structure points. You can't track a sandbar as closely but you can get the gist of where to try. It's not rocket science.....finding the better tides/times to fish them is the science, per say.

This thread is too long to search for it, but someone else stated the question, not exactly like this...but this is how I interpreted it..

..."did you find all your spots yourself, or did someone show you a couple?"....

Of course people have shown me spots...and I've come to learn that you can't share all those spots with everyone or sometimes ANYONE. There is an etiquette about fishing when you take it seriously. Like my other post stated, we don't all look at fishing the same way. Some of you will be collecting baseball cards again in a year or so...or perhaps even antique Barbie Dolls perhaps, to each their own....but some of us will still be wading the large boulders that cover our shore lines in search of that last fish. Unfortunately, a couple of seasons (trash-wise,parking, etc..) could seriously impact just one more fishing spot...and I've seen WAY too many spots lost.

QUESTION: By losing just 1 legal parking area, do you realize how many actual fishing spots you lose?

ANSWER: ...take a walk on the beach and start counting each step through the sand.....hop from rock to rock and count each rock.


There are places in Newport that to this day, I will drive by and think to myself.......WOW, I remember when we used to be able to fish this area.... .....hopefully my child will own a boat and won't have to worry about access.....

[Nebe]

THERE ARE LOTS OF FISH ON THE BACK BEACHES OF THE CAPE RIGHT NOW!!!! \\\ LOOK FOR A JEEP AND A TOOTWESS GUY FISHING MENTAL ALL BY HIMSELF>

hehehe

[choggieman]

Wrong river, bud. You know where I am talking about.
If someone were to find out about a public spot through research and not hot posts, I would applaud them. Learn from trial and error, not someones big mouth.
Luckily I do have spots I can fish without worry of bumping into people who are there because they read about it on the internet, but the list dwindles with each post and every article.
If I burn a relationship with a great fisherman its because I do so in choice. It is my morals that make me beleive in something and if my best friend and I do not agree on something, then I will stand up for what I beleive.
I have always had respect for Steve Mckenna, to me he is one of the best. But I do not beleive what he wrote was proper for publication. And apparently I am not the only one.

[JoeP]

The posts are getting very long on this post.

This is my 3rd and last post on this, I'll sum it up short & sweet:

Public ... Spot ... Burning ... is ... bad ...

and

Where ... the ... he!! ... is ... my ... magazine.


I also sent a "corrective" e-mail to On The Water and have NOT gotten a response.

[bloocrab]

The sad thing is...the more attention we give this thread the more people will think there are really fish at those spots.... , which the reel fishermen already know............FISH MOVE, and you gotta keep moving withem' if you plan on cathcing any....

I don't bash the Steves' of this world. Sometimes it makes for interesting reading...he was a little too detailed, but the milk has already been spilt...life goes on.

As a matter of fact, there was 1 X on his map that I haven't casted too...