OTW episode 3/31

[bassballer]

Great episode this morning. This new season has been really good. Selfishly, todays show is exactly what I want to see. Local waters, with a local capt using techniques that I/we use daily and hammering fish. Puts the spring fever in full effect.

[TheSpecialist]

I thought it was a good show, but I think they should have a serious how to segment talking about rigging , tackle and techniques used during the show. Most shows are just guys catching fish, if I want to see that then I could just stroll down to the canal and watch...

[niko]

they were into some nice fish. for a local show they do a pretty good job. i've never fished BI for bass - but i will be

[tysdad115]

Todays episode almost made me wish I had a boat. Maybe time to become a boat ho..
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Clammer]

yep Billy is Good * not just bass ><><>

[Mr. Sandman]

It is entertaining to watch but all this advertisement of where, when and how to is directly overcrowding our local waters (boat and shore). IMO OTW pretty much single handily destroyed the solitude of CH. Before the year 2000, you could fish that place and never see another angler, if you fished it mid week in the fall, you would not see another person for your entire stay. Now you can't get a nights stay at the club because it is jammed with beer drinking weekend warriors.

This media blitz on fishing has gotten out of hand ...too many guys on the beach where there use to be none. Guys travelling in packs. 6 guys fishing a spot that can accommodate 2. For me its more about having a place all to myself, I know that sounds selfish but hooking up when you are all alone in a semi-remote location is what makes it so special. If you have to work you way thru a picket line or move out of the zone just to make a cast...I would rather stay home.

That show about the S side of BI and sw ledge ... OK it is no secret spot but it becomes a flotilla of boats out there. Shows like this (there are several others too) will not make it any less crowded.

I would like to see a little more enforcement out there. The EEZ near SW ledge is a joke. If they pulled a couple charter tickets and rec lic's for life, word would travel and that would go a long way to helping tame the crowds

[FishermanTim]

Maybe they should look into producing a show called "Off The Water" for the shore-bound angler?
I enjoy fishing shows, but if every show is geared toward boat anglers and charter trips, it bores me to the point that I just change channels.

I guess they focus almost entirely on the boat aspect of fishing because after they've burned so many spots they can't get a place to themselves for filming???

One other observation I have is that they tend to show the wrong shows during the wrond season. At least during the winter months, that is.
Sure, you want to spur peoples memories of striper fishing when they can't get out on the water, but why not balance the programming to include just as much ice fishing shows during the winter, to spur on those that enjoy being out "on the water"?

You sure as heck don't see ice fishing episodes being broadcast during the summer, do you?

Sorry for the rant, but this is one of the reasons I don't subscribe or read their magazine (when you get past all the ads) and why I rarely watch their show anymore.

[spinncognito]

I happen to catch a bit of the show and agree with some of what is being said on this thread. Too much catching and not enough of how it is being done. While I do not own a boat, I would NOT want to see them fish anywhere from shore as there are way more shorebound anglers than boaters and any place they showed on TV would absolutely be swamped with every googan this side of the Mississippi... Perhaps an exception may be the canal as from what I understand that is already ahappening down there

Why not a show on how to read the water, make an extra long cast and some info on the latest gear and line types? Or something to get folks like myself interested in other species like blackfish or fluke instead of bass and blues.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by spinncognito

While I do not own a boat, I would NOT want to see them fish anywhere from shore as there are way more shorebound anglers than boaters and any place they showed on TV would absolutely be swamped with every googan this side of the Mississippi...

They did that to a shore spot a couple years ago. It hasn't been the same since.

[bassballer]

I think the internet have had more of an impact on spot burning than TV shows such as on the water.

[bassballer]

Theyve definitley had their incidents in the past, but i think theyve tried to calm down on being so specific.

[DZ]

I'm not a boat guy but I watched the episode because Capt BJ Silvia is a long time friend of mine. Great guy and still a very avid surfcaster - he fished with me on Block. He knows his stuff and its too bad they didn't talk rigging with him because he's always helpful with that type of stuff. And for those who were attentive one of the most effective and lesser known methods in the last half dozen seasons was revealed by both Captains.

DZ

[Sea Flat]

They do shore shows a decent amount and I know that they struggle with it in terms of Spot Burning which, to me, is far worse than if you were on a boat. They did a shoot a few years back during the epic mackerel run in the canal. They worked very hard not to give away the exact location and did a good job. Others shows I recall are a show in the surf in RI, and also fishing for Brown Sharks. Those shows were at night and I can appreciate how difficult it is to shoot an effective TV show at night. They did do another daytime surf show on the North Shore too, last season.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by bassballer

Theyve definitley had their incidents in the past, but i think theyve tried to calm down on being so specific.

They definitley try to be vague, but fishermen are pretty good at finding spots with very little information. Especially when it's on tv and you can make out structure in the background.

[Uncle Rob]

Why do you think that all fishermen are so closed mouth about everything. I find myself watching what I say even to my wife. She has no idea what a fish hook looks like or plug is used for. Watch Hill is now over run thanks to Yankee Mag.. I love talking to and reading about fishing on this site, but we are going to have to tone it way down, sad but it has to happen.

[Clammer]

I,d love to have someone invite me to shark fish from shore ..................I,d gladly return the favor ><><><

[niko]

i'll give you a heads up when i go mike - you can take the hook out.

[Mr. Sandman]

OFF TOPIC

I know I am straying here but...Let's talk spy tactic's to on how to un-earth hotspots off the internet and on the water...that is more interesting. I'll start: (I jokingly thought about writing an article for the fisherman about this topic)

Today's smart phones offer all kinds of features As you know many have GPS capabilities and you can even use it as a mini chartplotter.


I am sure you have seen internet braggarts post a pic of fishing yesterday or in real time holding up a trophy fish and the background is just water and you can not id the location... This happens a lot on Facebook and some other sites. If you download the picture file and open it up in the photo editor and explore the "properties" tab. .. many times you will see the GPS position of where the photo was taken. Many people have this feature turned on and don't even know it. The GPS data is embedded in the photo. I have used this twice last season with success.

Another trick offshore is to get a hold of a VHF-RDF or ADF. You can sniff these out used, they don't seem to make them anymore, kind of old school now. However, I have been on boats that have these (they have odd looking antennas) and when someone says they are into fish on the radio and will not say where...you do not have to ask because you get a range and bearing (within a few degrees). I spoke to one captain and he said it is the most valuable electronics he has on board because it has found more fish with this any anything else he has. I know today they have DSC but you may not be selected to get this over the air info.

Have you got any tricks?...

[bart]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

Guys travelling in packs. 6 guys fishing a spot that can accommodate 2. For me its more about having a place all to myself, I know that sounds selfish but hooking up when you are all alone in a semi-remote location is what makes it so special. If you have to work you way thru a picket line or move out of the zone just to make a cast...I would rather stay home.

Couldn't agree more...

[Sea of Atlas]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

OFF TOPIC

I know I am straying here but...Let's talk spy tactic's to on how to un-earth hotspots off the internet and on the water...that is more interesting. I'll start: (I jokingly thought about writing an article for the fisherman about this topic)

Today's smart phones offer all kinds of features As you know many have GPS capabilities and you can even use it as a mini chartplotter.


I am sure you have seen internet braggarts post a pic of fishing yesterday or in real time holding up a trophy fish and the background is just water and you can not id the .....

I had this happen to me, luckily it wasnt much of a secret, and I figured it out, it was just a pic of a fish on the sand. The easiest way is to download Firefox and add the Exif add in, right click on a pic and view GPS coordinates and voila google maps comes up with pinpoint accuracy. Ive since gone back and deleted any Iphone photos with location. Good lesson to learn I guess.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Moses]

Originally Posted by bassballer

Great episode this morning. This new season has been really good. Selfishly, todays show is exactly what I want to see. Local waters, with a local capt using techniques that I/we use daily and hammering fish. Puts the spring fever in full effect.

Getting back on topic, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode also. I predominantly fish lighter gear from my boat and use similar techniques so I could relate.

Plus I'm spending a week on BI this July and have already reserved dockage. I am psyched!!!

[HugeDinghy]

Originally Posted by bart

Couldn't agree more...

in terms of the specifc post...95% of the time I agree with you and sandman, but sometimes it is fun to go to a spot with a crew of a 1/2 dozen guys and have a less than serious outing...1/2 BS session, 1/2 fishing trip...dont want to do it "often" but sometimes its fun as hell..