What do you want on a fishing site?

[JohnR]

What do you want on a fishing site? What suggestions do you have to make S-B better?

Not too much joking pleeze but I want to take the next step with S-B to make it better for all of you and I'm looking for suggestions and advice - thanks!

John

[hyefisherman2]

free plugs?

[Joe]

What kind of budget do you have to take the site to next level?

[The Dad Fisherman]

Less and less and definietly less

but seriously...I would love there to be a technique section....maybe once a week pick a lure and have the members write in the thread the ways and where's (Type of areas, not spots) they fish it productively.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Joe

What kind of budget do you have to take the site to next level?

Little money and lots of sweatequity

[Circlehook]

Good suggestion from TDF. I think articles on different aspects of fishing would be a great addition also.

[fishbones]

John, understanding that you have a full-time job and a family, I think you already run a great site. It could remain the same and still be the best Striper fishing site on the net.

But, since you're asking for suggestions... I'd like to see some articles from some of the very accomplished writers who are members on the site. I know there is an article section already, but maybe post a weekly or monthly article from some of the guys like Basic Patrick, Zeno, etc.... Techniques and tackle stuff would be great, but even short stories like the ones DZ has put up before are excellent. There is so much knowledge and interesting history on this site, I think it would be nice for it to get out there for the members to read more.

[rjinhull]

I would like to have a network where (not spot burning) but know were they are on their trip up and back….. you know something like they are in RI or at the Cape , Plymouth, Boston, Maine etc. just so we can follow and know when they are coming around on their travels

A lot of people don’t put were they live…… so post that say their here from someone who lives "on the water…..in a house" etc. doesn’t help much unless they say were they live… i.e. Boston, Maine, etc.

[hq2]

Like to have a separate thread on what's catching.
As noted earlier, this may have to be edited to prevent spot burning. However, allowing general info on areas (near the Canal, Duxbury, south side of Martha's Vineyard) would at the very least help avoid trips to areas that aren't producing, and maybe guide folks in the general area of those that are.

[piemma]

fewer nitwits

[Joe]

It's hard to expand and improve without resources. I think a site that paid people to contribute content and paid them well - could become big. The magazines pay so poorly it would not take that much money to become the first choice of contributors. You could then cull the best content from the top contributors - but only if the site had a budget sufficient to do that.
There really is no content-rich striped bass saltwater fishing site yet. Free articles from members can be good - but I don't think you can expect to become the premier content-driven striped bass site via articles and videos that were contributed for free.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by piemma

fewer nitwits

So you're leaving Paul?

Yeah, I second the articles by Patrick etc.
More awareness stuff.

Kinda shocked nobody has mentioned the Bush bill to make a bunch of marine sanctuaries.

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Less and less and definietly less

but seriously...I would love there to be a technique section....maybe once a week pick a lure and have the members write in the thread the ways and where's (Type of areas, not spots) they fish it productively.

Thats a great idea!!!

[Circlehook]

How about a "TOPIC OF THE MONTH" thread, where a certain theme or technique can be discussed and disected, with everyones input. We can learn alot from each other.

Off-topic or BS posts can be deleted.

[Clueless]

How about a dedicated rookie forum where no question is too "uninformed". Those "sharpies" who wish to suffer the stupididity can help out, and those who can't deal with it don't need to look at it.

Another cool thing would be to give folks the ability to post links to/vote for articles, threads, etc they've found that were helpful to them, kind of like Digg.

[Swimmer]

Just like we do at the m.s.b.a. meetings. Everyone pick a prize to raffle, say high-end VS 250, Stella, or a custom rod or even a two person boat trip in Chatham. Tickets cost $10.00 a piece and when the last ticket is sold the name gets pulled, the prize is awarded. Same amount of tickets sold every time, or the amount of tickets sold to each raffle is agreed upon prior to the raffle. Exess funds go to site. And I'm sure there will be many posts tweeking this post to fine tune it. What do you think?

[fishaholic18]

A lot less jealousy and hate would be a good start. How can ya share info and show your sucess if the whole crew jumps down your throat??
Some moderators with balls would help too,,,(I'll volunteer)
I've heard one too many times mods say they should have, could have but DIDN'T... WTF good is that....???
Not tryin' to offend anyone..just being honest....

[BW from AZ]

As a non expert I would like to see a map of the east coast with our quarry shown as a blob in the water as they migrate north and south. Fish reports would be given to the web master to correlate and update the map. No spots being burnt, but real visual information. If i don't catch it's because there are no fish here, not because I'm a lousy fisherman. That excuse wont work with the map. Trips could be planned better knowing where their at.
I'm not to jacked about the cute home locations. You're not in a witness protection are you? You never know who could be be close enough to talk to in person. I could be next door to you and never know it when wanting a fishing/boating buddy.
Sorry, but you asked.
BW

[Adamfishes]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Less and less and definietly less

but seriously...I would love there to be a technique section....maybe once a week pick a lure and have the members write in the thread the ways and where's (Type of areas, not spots) they fish it productively.

[cow tamer]

video section

s-b hat pins by which to recognize members

[fish4striper]

More things on the off season. The couple of clinics you got going were a great idea. I couldn't go to them but the idea was great. I think one was rod wrapping, forgot what the other was,long distance casting?

Plug fest is great, I don't build I go just to drool as but it's also a clinic.

Other clinic ideas in addition to above to get people together to teach and learn:

reel maintenance/rebuilding/magging
lure modifying/tweaking
knot tying, rigging different rigs
offshore rigging
kayak rigging
boat/motor winter maintenance
jig/weight making

[vanstaal]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Just like we do at the m.s.b.a. meetings. Everyone pick a prize to raffle, say high-end VS 250, Stella, or a custom rod or even a two person boat trip in Chatham. Tickets cost $10.00 a piece and when the last ticket is sold the name gets pulled, the prize is awarded. Same amount of tickets sold every time, or the amount of tickets sold to each raffle is agreed upon prior to the raffle. Exess funds go to site. And I'm sure there will be many posts tweeking this post to fine tune it. What do you think?

I second this

[RIJIMMY]

Not sure if this will be interpreted incorrectly, - i think the site is fine as is, and is only as good as what we contribute to it.
I'm not sure any more structure or content will add value. This site provides me with inspiration when I am busting my butt and getting nothing and then see pics of guys with fish and knowing they fish in similar areas as I do. Its the moral support of a community of fisherman that I value most.

[HookLine&Sinker]

a review section for rods/reels/plugs/boats/and ect.

[niko]

the clinics are a great idea. it's one thing to read a how to but actually watching someone skilled and being able to interact w/ them and have them tell what works for them would be cool. fishing manners forum. adopt a rookie program - just take a guy or two and give them a few pointers for a day. back in the day i would have killed for some one on one help.

[1dozenraw]

Write-ups on different plugs and how to fish them, where and when and why... written by guys from the site who build them... (F-18 perhaps on round nose metal lips, etc.) I know certain guys build their own and prefer certain types. Or by guys who use a particular type... like Steve McKenna's sluggo info.

Regularly updated reports with specific guidelines that are enforced keeping the reports to general areas (Narragansett, SoCo beaches, Mesquamicut area, etc.) with info about what was caught, what bait was around, what conditions and what was used.

Articles on reading the water, structure etc. with no specific locations mentioned.

Vintage photo section.

However, the site is pretty darn good just the way it is. Thank you JohnR.

[niko]

reading the water -excellent idea

[Bishop169]

A thread just for spot burning but you have to know the secret password and/or handshake

[johnny ducketts]

Cooking the catch..Similar to the segment in OTW magazine

[stars'nstripers]

what about an:
Out of state report section
Photo/video section
Fishing Rendezvous Section
and sections for specific areas IE: Martha's vineyard, RI, cape cod, etc