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I have given this alot of thought and closing the board would turn off some people but real muskie men would join us. I have followed other sites and nobody shares like us alot of people are just to nasty and I found plenty of stories of foul hooking and killing fish to scare me. I want to learn and share but at what cost we could keep things the same but add a private room for members. I am not an elitest but I don't want a fish killed because I posted my spot. Spreading the catch n release is a must and we should do everthing to get that message out. The people who view us and don't join aren't contributing to our main cause. Tom <<<<><<<

I'd love to get feedback from the guys on this board who are not members.How do they feel and would it turn them off to our cause?Bob <<<<><<<

There was a lot of emotion on that post and i think thats what this subject brings.But the fact still remains,its an issue that needs to be addressed.Hopefully it wont get as ugly as that one did.I think that person was sorry for letting loose but he must have felt strongly about his feelings.i'd like to know how all of our members feel about this and i'm sure we wont all agree.Thanks Mike,and GO EAGLES.Bob

Muskies Inc is our group I thought we were all togher am I wrong ? ???

i didn't read all the replies. here is my 2 cents

why should the world see where we are fishing - EXACTLY. someone is putting down mileage and places to fish down to the spot. that is major b s in my eyes and I am not even fishing those places. I just don't want it to come to my lake or river. maybe we should have a course on "how to read water" so we can find our own fish.

some of these fisheries can't take an increase in boat traffic let alone 2, 3, 4 or 5 extra boats on any given weekend. besides, who wants to pull around the lake or river corner to see non member boats from all over because they saw our site. If they are paying members, that is great but why should cheap bastards profit from us(muskies inc). look at it this way - how many of use will travel hours to muskie fish. personally, i have gone as far as ohio but on my own research. that is 9 hours of driving. who is to say that some person isn't spying this site and picking off YOUR/OUR spots to come fish. I guarantee it - Death to a fishery for sure.

i also believe in reading water and finding your own fish. Reading water and experimentation is how someone gets better. not by showing up where everyone else is and taking up space like drift wood on a river bank. just calling a spade a spade!

if this seems harsh, i am a little sorry. i just don't want to see another fishery destroyed by a message board. If you think this has anything to do with me being a guide and that I don't want my spots out, then you are missing the picture entirely. some things need to be kept amongst good friends and fishing buddies.

my soap box broke plus a couple keys so time to get off

yeah you are right mike. i guess it hard to build or help build something knowing that freeloaders are standing by to capitalize, especially on spots. i really think that non members should either join the club and benefit or get BLOCKED out.

it costs 25 bucks. if they can't fork up the dough then they shouldn't be fishing. i guess i see to much freeloading going on and it disturbs me since i pay MY BILLS.

chris

Hello all,

Here is my "two cents" on this whole deal. I have been in the musky industry for many years, and I frequently post in the Fishing Reports section of this web site. The whole purpose of the Reports section is to share information with other anglers. No one has a gun to their head to give away the exact spots. I have been a frequent contributor the the Musky Hunter message board and the Muskies First message board over the years, and those boards are a great place to learn new tactics, lures, and other information. The purpose of the message boards are to broaden an angler's knowledge, not to give away exact spots or bodies of water. I fish the Susquehanna River, both the West and North Branches along with a few area lakes. I do not give away the exact locations (though I have been asked this very often) simply because nothing comes for free, so to speak. I have invested my time and money and effort to learn these areas, and have been reasonably successful on the water. I believe that there is no such thing as a "free lunch", and anyone who takes offense to someone not giving the exact GPS coordinates of their fishing spots is wrong, period!

You guys have a great web site and club, and by no means should you shut down this valuable information sharing resource due to a few individuals who cannot or will not take the time to learn new water or explore new places. Fish killing is a major concern here in Pennsylvania. The club, along with the Three Rivers Chapter (of which I am still a paid member) truly needs to triple it's efforts on catch and release education as well as pushing for higher size limits with the Fish Commission. The current PA 30" size limit with a bag limit of two is absolutely apalling, in my opinion. We need to emphasize this shortcoming, rather than eliminate good informational sharing found on this and other web sites. My vote is to keep this site as is, and re-focus your efforts on making positive changes in the state of Pennsylvania's (and New Jersey's) laws regarding musky management practices and stocking efforts. From what I see, there are serious flaws here in these areas.

I appreciate any feedback you all have in regards to my post, and I plan on continuing to post on here and share my knowledge and advice with any of you. You can certainly work through this, and in the end, focus on the more pressing issues at hand (ie:proper release methods, size limits, etc.) Thank you for letting me add my opinion, and I hope this all works out!

Sincerely,

Tom Dietz

O0 (I always thought this was Randy Moss!!!!) LOL!!!!

I have been reading these posts with interest. It seems like everyone is coming to the realization that a website is a real contradiction to our natural insticts to protect our favorite spots. I believe that the board should remain open for the following reason:
I have learned a LOT from reading the posts of others who have the opportunity to fish more frequently than I do. I'm not talking about where to go specifically...that's nice to know, but obviously I can find out where muskies have been stocked through other means and narrow the search from there if I want to. Things like weather patterns, fish behavior, fish handling, lure selection & tuning have all been noted on these reports, and I 'd hate to lose the opportunity to gain this knowledge. These reports keep the whole board interesting.
Am I a freeloader (to quote Mr. Gatley) ? I supopse I have been. I finally got around to sending the check in after reading and posting to the board since its inception. But I can say for sure that I would've been less likely to join had I not found the board interesting, educational and relevant.
As someone else pointed out, there is nothing forcing any of us to post. The amount of detail you choose to include is your decision. Should Archie create an "Anonymous Body of Water" spot in the reports for those who just want bragging rights?

Done.

Steve

I'd like to thank everyone for their imput and replying in a civil manner.There is no right or wrong on this issue.We'll take all your sugestions and put them to use.Chris,sorry for the headache.Also,give me a call.you've got my cell#.i'm looking for yours but cant find it.Thanks everyone.Bob

Sorry to here about your pal.I've been there and i feel your pain.Call me friday if you can.If not i'll talk to you when you get a chance.Bob.

Hello All,

I just read this thread concerning non-members a-k-a "freeloaders." Since I am a non-member at the present time I guess I fall under the "freeloaders" heading, at least to a few of the posters concerning this topic. Most of you have been more than hospitable and friendly and I thank you and respect you for that.

Now, after reading some of these posts I sort of feel like I am trespassing here. I had intended to become a member and to attend one of your meetings first, but had thought I would do so in a month or so when the weather was a little better. I'll have to do some thinking on that now.

I would just like to make a few comments here, which of course are strictly my personal opinion and certainly not something that anyone else has to find value in. Anyway, here they are:

1) There are non-members who I am sure scan your boards to retrieve as much info as possible about specific spots, lures and techniques that are productive. Some of these do not practice catch and release and most perhaps do not contribute anything back to this message board. Other non-members (myself presently) enjoy your message board and scan it for information, but also contribute. I think I have demonstrated that more than fairly giving all of you information that I have always held quite close to the vest, yet did so knowing that most of you practiced conversation and valued musky fishing as I do. Yet, due to some of the posts, I now feel like I am considered a free-loader. OUCH!

Yes, there are unscrupulous non-members, but not all of them... and you know what? There are also some regular members who might leave a lot to be desired. You know that as well as I do as I have started a few B.A.S.S. Chapters over the years and can attest to the fact that not all paying members are assets. So, where do you draw the line? That of course is up to you.

2) If the wisdom that information of locations should be kept "secret," and there is some wisdom in that... then perhaps even the members should keep their hot spots secret from one another, and of course you should close membership so too many people don't know what you know. Where do you draw the line on that? That of course is also up to you.

3) As one who has been assigned to the "freeloader" section I would make the suggestion that you keep the message board open to non-members so they can access the general types of information, but restrict them from any category that gives specific locations.

4) Use your membership to lobby for increased stocking, lobby for legislation to up the minimum size and also try to heighten public awareness of the need for catch and release. It really works with some effort.

5) Your message board, while "used" by some people also serves the purpose of attracting new members who also value the resource. Is restricting the board worth the price? Again, your choice.

Sincerely not trying to be anything other than thought provoking here. It is your club and what you decide to do is your business, no one has a right to complain or to be hot-headed about this. I respect the right all of you members have to decide how you feel it best to limit this message board.

Perhaps you should discuss this in-depth at your next meeting and make a decision.

I wish you all luck and tight lines! Al B.

Bob,

Thank you very much, I sincerely appreciate that. I really do understand where some of your members are coming from in their posts and more than understand the need to safeguard the resource, and yes, without a doubt there are those that constantly take and never give so it is a valid concern.

Since the first day I found your club board you guys have been nothing but great and the debate about the board being open to members is a healthy thing actually, it shows the concern that first attracted me to this group. So yes, I am still interested in joining your group if you guys will have me. When are your meetings and where are they usually held? To become a member what steps should I take?

Thanks Again, Al B.

Hey Al,go to club information and scroll to the bottom.That will get you to the international site and you can jion there.Bob