Gator
New Member
Posts: 1,534
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Post by Gator on Dec 31, 2014 19:45:02 GMT -5
I actually started putting my logs onto the computer. PIA! But my son has already got dibs on it. Lol. If anyone knows of a good software program or app where you can just fill in the blanks for a logbook please let me know. Tried a few and they kinda suck. Will do gator. Sent from my SM-G900R4 using pro boards No sure of an existing app or program that would satisfy your need but I know of a reasonable solution. Send me ALL of the collected data and I can transcribe it, in code, for you and the next generation. All onto floppy discs. Floppy discs would insure the secracy. Perfect. Or not. |
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Post by yellowdog on Jan 1, 2015 7:53:24 GMT -5
The Bay was different this year for us too. The first time I've ever been and not caught fish. We had 3 boats up there too and only one fish was caught-a 52 lber. Only one other strike. We did find some big schools of bait but no fish around them. In years past, schools of bait the size we found normally held fish. They are cutting the rec limit back this year to one fish, but I doubt thats the total solution. The menhaden fleet is very good at what they do and it definately affects the fish. They operate so well of the VA coast that the striper fishery off the Outter Banks is practically non-existent now.
I post the days I plan on being at the Bay each year on this forum with my cell number. Me, and the group I go with, freely share our knowledge of what is going on when we are there. We share info throughout the day when we are up there hoping to get on fish. You are welcome to call me anytime when I'm up there.
I too keep a log book with my trips and SML is one place it pays off. The fish are pretty predictable year to year. I don't fish the lake as much as I used to due to the boat traffic. Mainly only fish it in the winter. The times I have asked for advice(privately) it has been given freely.
The relationships developed thru forums like this really make fishing the lake much more fun. There are numerous "characters" on this forum(as my grandmother used to say) and lots of very good fishermen. Get to know them and I think your succes rate will go up and you'll have more fun doing it.
My $0.02 worth.
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Post by catfishking on Jan 2, 2015 2:29:30 GMT -5
Yellow dog is wright about sharing information we did that last year he even sent me a pic of gps codarnets of where to start looking for fish. I also talk ed with sea Jay. And Will carpenter we shared info. I love the bay I went down 2 weekends in 2012 and we did really well brought home some fish too. Then in 2013 we went down 2 weekend s and fish in some rough weather both time and got skunk ed and in 2014 I had to set at home and see all the pics on Chris bait and tackle. Web site because need to get a computer fixed on my boat so hopefully i will catch that 50 pounder this year  |
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Post by dewayne on Jan 6, 2015 10:01:11 GMT -5
Sue reel..not sure who ur sml contact was but most striper fisherman will throw u a bone. It may not always be gps cords but line behind the board...general location...bait marks and weather forecast on whether or not to come is always things that most of us give. And don't even get me started on time and expenses. At $2000 room and board..$900 in boat fuel..$600 in live bait..$500 in diesel..$1000 in food...I find it hard to believe that u spent anything near that not to mention the countless hours of looking and searching for fish. When looking for info be careful at the fingers u point and the bridges u burn..cause that is no way of getting in a network of cell phone contacts. Early in the season...who do u think gives us that info??? NO ONE...we have to go figure it ourselves. So to sit back and want something on a silver platter handed to ya really gets my goat and then to call out the sml group that was up there was just overboard. How bout going out and looking for the fleet of boats...local bait shops...or if u know what our boats look like fish around us. The fish don't sit still in the ocean...they have nothing to hold them to a area but bait...so go looking for bait balls. My phone rang off the hook while I was up there...now I wasn't able to take everyone that wanted to go this year but I gave out a lot of info. So don't be so quick to throw us all under the bus. Sorry for the rant.
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Post by striperjohn on Jan 6, 2015 11:30:53 GMT -5
You are right on Dewayne. Hard work gets results. Spend time on the water and learn.
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using proboards
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Post by Wingnutt on Jan 12, 2015 9:04:33 GMT -5
I fish both bays pretty much year round and I can tell you that sue is correct about the declining numbers of fish at least  . The commercial guys have decimated the bait supply and the stripers (as by-catch)in the bays. Personally, I have seen a huge difference in both the numbers and size of the fish caught over the last 5 years. However all is not lost, if you go out past the 3 mile limit (and dare the wrath of the coasties and the fish & game guys) there are still large schools of stripers just past the 5 mile marker. The trouble is that the problem causing commercial guys are fishing out there just over the horizon after dark without lights and soon even those fish will be gone. Sadly even the recreational people are contributing to the problem. There are too many (older usually) people who think that because the limit is two fish a day...every day; that they are entitled to keep two fish a day...every day. These folks are usually retired and out on the water three to five days a week (just a personal observation). Multiply that by the number of people fishing hard then multiply that by two quality fish a day and the numbers get huge real quick. As we all know striper mortality is exponentially higher in the summer when the water is over 75°, but people insist on catching their limit and/or tossing back exhausted legal fish in the quest for larger ones. Speaking of large fish its amazing how many people target and keep the large cows moving into the rivers to spawn. There older fish are egg laying machines and for everyone that is put into the cooler, the result is millions of eggs that will not get laid. Sadly I can see another complete moratorium on stripers in the very near future simply because most people do not understand that the supply is not limitless. |
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Post by greenmonster on Jan 13, 2015 16:45:59 GMT -5
Hey, I want to chime in here. I have NEVER bragged on this board! I have tried frequently, but since I absolutely suck at actually catching fish, I have to resign myself to trying to be funny. I'm not good at that either!
All teasing aside, I'm on a lot of forums and they are like anything else in life - if you are willing to put in your time, earn a reputation not for your fishing prowess but for your kindness, generosity, and goodness to others, you find quickly that folks want to help you. The "good" info you need is generally shared via PM, not because we don't want to share it broadly, but because we've all witnessed what happens when we do. I don't think there are many on here who wouldn't HAPPILY give up a good spot to someone who has demonstrated that they are willing to work at this, try hard, put in their time, and respect the information. Unfortunately, there are a lot of folks who want a quick way to get a great spot, but are not willing to respect it. It doesn't remain a good spot/tactic/etc for long.
In my experience, you get three things out of forums:
1) AT THE VERY LEAST - you get a chance to "live" your hobby when you can't actually do it. 90% of the time, this is what keeps me on the forums.
2) IF YOU ARE LUCKY - you meet some great people online who become virtual friends and sometimes even actual friends. Comraderie, humorous exchanges, fun banter, don't underestimate the value of it.
3) IF YOU ARE PATIENT: you will get a lot of information. In some cases, you have to wade through a TON of BS and misinformation, in other cases you have to wring it out of a rock, but it's there if you are patient enough!
Hang in there Sue Reel - that's a frustrating trip. Believe me, I feel your pain - this past year has been the absolute WORST for me personally - I have never had a year where my luck was so rotten. The grand total # of stripers I have LANDED since last April is . . . . ZERO. I've had a lot of bites that never connected, I've hooked 'em and lost 'em, I've broken off, they've come mysteriously unbuttoned. My fishing buddy has caught at least one striper on every trip. On a Fly Rod! I come back to this forum though to commiserate and laugh, and drive myself crazy by watching everyone else catch fish.
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piper
New Member
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Post by piper on Jan 13, 2015 17:27:58 GMT -5
Ok Ok... Ive tried to stay quiet. While I dont (nor care to) fish the bay I did want to chime in on "sharing info." Ive gotten spoken to a time or two about my expectations of a board like this. I sympathize with the folks that get out 2 - 3 times a year and want an easy trip and a good time without a huge expense. Sure it is fishing after all , I get that but we're talking a large body of water, not an old farm pond. Reality is not everyone can afford to hit the water as frequent as others. I dont think its fair to become defensive when your reality is different then someone elses.
Im still in favor of a "pay for access" option on this site where true members can pay for information and guests are given limited or no access. Am I saying GPS coordinates, NO but a brotherhood collective of sorts would go a long way. Not sure many would be on board but thats my 2 cents.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 13, 2015 19:11:39 GMT -5
Piper - this forum in all its previous incarnations have been free and in my view must remain so. I understand your points, but if we had a fee structure, who would benefit from the funds? The value comes from the input of the members. I guess you could do a "profit sharing" with fractional pay-outs based on # of reports of something but who's got time for that..... and as soon as you put a price on it, many folks would go away - including those who contribute that you want here.
The reality is those "brotherhoods" do form among those that are highly active and helpful and participate. There is a ton of info shared publicly - and even more so private among those who have shown the willingness to provide valued info. And I'm not just talking about any specific "inside club" - but when folks show they've "paid their dues" with time on the water, and turn around and contribute their learnings, it gets paid back to them in other ways. I've also seen it time and time again where folks go out of their way to help folks they really only know from their posts here - and I don't mean just in terms of offering a fishing spot - I mean in other ways much more personal as well. It's a weird sort of community we have here - we have our disagreements and our tiffs from time to time - like any family or group of folks do - but hey - that's OK - the next day comes and we're all having fun again....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 20:53:00 GMT -5
Personally, if I had to pay to get information on where to fish, I would bypass this board and hit the local pay lake. Both seem boring to me.
On the other hand, strategically devising means for eliciting information from others who know more than I is just as fun as catching big bait. The harder it is, the harder I will try. And complaining would never enter my mind as a good strategy.
Fishing for info, a job, some nookie, whatever it is... I think one needs to decide if they want to be a fisherman or just bypass the challenge and pay for a hooker!
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Post by striperjohn on Jan 13, 2015 21:52:50 GMT -5
Well said Yam. In this entitlement society that we have witnessed the last 6 years a good work ethic is beginning to disappear. I guess they feel we must redistribute our knowledge as we are being forced to redistribute our wealth.
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using proboards
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 23:18:31 GMT -5
Well said Yam. In this entitlement society that we have witnessed the last 6 years a good work ethic is beginning to disappear. I guess they feel we must redistribute our knowledge as we are being forced to redistribute our wealth. Sent from my SM-G900R4 using proboards In my opinion, technology has been a much greater enemy to our youth's work ethic and desire to solve problems than any political force. I would add standardized testing and parents who have turned into wussys as close seconds. But I am cognizant that all older generations look back on the youth with a general distaste. Most likely it is because us older folk are jealous because they have more time left on this earth before they start peeing on themselves. |
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Jan 14, 2015 8:09:11 GMT -5
I'd say if you want a members only forum to join the SML Striper Club. They have the exact same thing over there but little to no participation compared to this form.
Yam, I couldn't agree more. My boys were raised to work first and play later. They have amazing work ethic and that will take them far in life. I will admit they had video games and the like but it was not the main focus of their lives. Education and hard work were and are. One is a enviromental engineer, one in law school and our youngest is at northwestern studying bio-medical engineering and riding a occasional bull. I was tough as hell on them and have no regrets.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2015 7:17:30 GMT -5
I'd say if you want a members only forum to join the SML Striper Club. They have the exact same thing over there but little to no participation compared to this form. Yam, I couldn't agree more. My boys were raised to work first and play later. They have amazing work ethic and that will take them far in life. I will admit they had video games and the like but it was not the main focus of their lives. Education and hard work were and are. One is a enviromental engineer, one in law school and our youngest is at northwestern studying bio-medical engineering and riding a occasional bull. I was tough as hell on them and have no regrets. That's awesome Gator. I am trying to do the same with my son. As of now, he wants to do everything for himself. For example, he gets mad at me if I try to help him zip up his coat. He's 2. Time will tell but I know it will be a struggle given the fact that his mother helps him out a bit too much and the education system is becoming more worried about getting sued and passing standardized tests than teaching raw thinking skills. Video games are the least of my concerns. In fact, I think they help kids become better problem solvers. My concern is automation. Using technology to solve our problems is similar to having someone else throw your net all the time. They both work great but we as individuals do not become stronger if we let others do our work. I would rather use a shovel and an ax. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 9:25:15 GMT -5
You will never be who you want to be tomorrow, if you keep blaming everyone else for who you are today......
saw this yesterday....thought it was awesome.
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. The commercial guys have decimated the bait supply and the stripers (as by-catch)in the bays. Personally, I have seen a huge difference in both the numbers and size of the fish caught over the last 5 years. However all is not lost, if you go out past the 3 mile limit (and dare the wrath of the coasties and the fish & game guys) there are still large schools of stripers just past the 5 mile marker. The trouble is that the problem causing commercial guys are fishing out there just over the horizon after dark without lights and soon even those fish will be gone. 
