OK, let’s just hear opinions on Fishing reports. Although I know that a few members will take this posting personally, I am actually looking for the opportunity to open up conversation from members to find out what they feel about Fishing reports and I guess more importantly the details.
After recent postings detailing fishing trips I’ve received numerous calls from several members of this forum. With over 700 members and only a dozen positive replies, is it something that is normally accepted or the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.
I was told from a member not long ago that he felt the need to make these postings of Fishing reports was important for guides as it can be used as a marketing tool. I know of at least three guides on this forum who fish several days a week and never post the Fishing report. One guy told me specifically that the most he would do is post a photo on his own website and not the details of any trip. “ why would I”
I have spoken to a longtime member of both the old site and this one who said they absolutely hate any type of details given out in a fishing report, including, but not limited to the actual ramp that they use.
Take a moment, consider the area that you love to fish and if you would like for someone to post details of that specific area.
If I told you guys how my business name came to be you’d either laugh or cry. The guys who would cry are the ones who followed my GPS coordinates or instructions on how to get there…
I am all about reports as long as they don’t make it about “where” but the “why”.
I agree - leave the where completely out of it, but the pics and pattern info is really helpful. @BrownDog does a really good job with this. Plus, we all love a great story.
So, value of a fishing report in my mind is:
To live vicariously through the author when I cant fish. I love to see pics and hear the struggles and successes. @MikeCockman does a great job with this
2). The story - some of you guys are downright literary on here. I really appreciate the effort you put into descriptions and narratives.
3). Education - what did you use, why did it work? What are the fish doing and why?
I enjoy the pictures in the reports. Lure choice is also fun info. However, I cringe when I read references to certain areas or fishing techniques, some of which I feel some proprietary ownership, showing up in reports. Yes, I know that I am not the owner of this information. But as a certified old timer, I would like people of find their own… So I vote for the fun pix and very little actual information.
The fishing report I post (when I remember) is genuinely to help others out and show general patterns I’m seeing. They may not even be the most productive patterns to lock in on. Nor do I offer any indication of area. I promise I don’t post a report for business purposes.
In my mind if I’m lucky enough to work with a public resource the least I can do is be a good steward of it, be it through conservation, education, helping others etc. it is certainly a fine line on doing it the right way though and I’m always open to feedback. I would never say I have it all figured out.
If there is something you would like included or left out whenever I remember to post another fishing report let me know.
Posting a fishing report in a forum can be fun and helpful for the community — but there are several potential downsides. Here are the main negatives to consider.
1. Spot Burning (Revealing Locations)
Risk: Sharing specific locations or recognizable landmarks can lead to overcrowding at that spot.
Impact: Locals may become upset if their quiet fishing area suddenly gets swarmed with people.
Mitigation: Keep locations vague — use general areas (e.g., “upper river” instead of “behind the red bridge”).
2. Increased Fishing Pressure
Risk: If a report shows a lot of success, others might rush there, increasing fishing pressure.
Impact: Fish populations and the overall quality of the fishery can decline.
3. Backlash or Gatekeeping
Risk: Some forum members may criticize your post for giving away too much info, breaking etiquette, or exaggerating results.
Impact: You could face negative comments or lose credibility in that community.
4. Privacy and Safety
Risk: Posting identifiable details (faces, boat numbers, landmarks, etc.) can reveal personal information unintentionally.
Impact: It could invite theft, trespassing, or unwanted attention.
5. Misinterpretation or Misinformation
Risk: Others might misread your report or spread incorrect conclusions (like assuming the bite is hot everywhere).
Impact: Creates confusion or frustration among readers and anglers.
6. Over-sharing Techniques or Secrets
Risk: Detailing lures, techniques, or patterns that took time to learn can give away hard-earned knowledge.
Impact: You might lose your competitive edge or diminish the fun of discovery.
7. Legal or Regulatory Risks
Risk: Accidentally posting about fishing in restricted zones, keeping over-limits, or using prohibited gear could catch attention from authorities.
The best thing I could gain from a fishing report is maybe the water temp, if the fish are in shallow or in deeper holes/channels and lures that seem to be working. Not so much to run down immediately and try to find them. Instead I may be able to recall what you have shared that might narrow my chase if having truoble hooking up. I cringe when someone gives exact locations for selfish reasons. I love Ocracoke and twice voted #1 beach destination in US. That pisses me off when I get there and the mobs are pouring in. Selfish I know but that ruins the very reason these places are special in the first place. If I loved hanging out in crowds waiting in line I would go to Myrtle Beach. If I enjoyed waiting in line at the boat ramps I would go to Morehead or Wilmington. Kind of off point but same principle. I only tell very special friends and family and sometimes then only under special circumstances where, when, and hows.
I wish I had more time to post here like I did on Fight Club but I no longer get paid to kill tons of time in a work truck in the oil patch like I did a year ago. I commend you others who post a lot and do the detailed write ups. I’m spread pretty thin at the moment.
Glad y’all enjoy my adventures. The tricky thing with reports is not giving to much away, but giving away just enough. My fishing style has changed immensely since committing to the fly 100%. With conventional tackle, I could go out here and blind cast jig heads all day and put dozens on the boat, but there was always something missing, doing it with the fly connected all the dots. So I try to make my reports reflect that. The other reason I don’t mind sharing the mishaps or the hiccups is because it’s real. From Bill Dance to Billy Pate, to today’s IG hero’s, not a one of em has it as easy as the screen represents. So guess what, if ya miss a cast or drop a loop, it happens to all of us. Basically, I like to tell it like i would if we were having drinks and shooting the bull. The other thing with me is, I fish off instinct. The only tools I use is the weather forecast and the tide tables. So I couldn’t give y’all specifics if I wanted to.. When someone messages or asks me about water temp or moon phases, they get a blank stare.. Sure it matters, but I’m not chasing records or paychecks, I’m chasing memories and relaxation.
I like reading the fishing reports. And, the mission of SkiffHQ is to “share your knowledge…”, have “real conversations…”. We want this to be the place where “knowledge flows freely…”. One of our “beliefs” is that we share knowledge, not hoard it.
I post a lot of reports from my trips–not all, but a lot. I try to share information about what’s working and maybe why, without giving specific “spots” (although I find it somewhat humorous that many people are so covetous of their “spots”). Fish move–a lot. And, just because someone caught a fish in one area at one time on one day, doesn’t guarantee there will be fish there on another day. Conditions change–tides, water temperature, barometric pressure, air temperature, moon phase, etc. Still, I try to use the “portrait” mode on the iPhone to capture images so as not to show backgrounds that give away specific locations. I don’t go as far as trying to prevent a photo from being geotagged, nor have I ever tried to determine where another’s photo was taken by using that technology. IMO, that’s pretty extreme. I’m happy if a tip or tidbit of information helps any other member be more successful. Certainly, I’ve learned a ton from other members that has helped me become a better angler.
We don’t anticipate having any “rules” about fishing reports on this Forum, other than the same ones that apply to any post: be courteous and respectful; if you don’t have something nice to say–don’t say anything at all. Like someone else posted, I enjoy reading the reports and seeing the photos. I wish more members would post reports.
I can’t help but laugh everytime I hear or see AI. My wife has horses and works at a vets office and in our world AI means artificial insemination. It still applies either way thats why I laugh. Our minds are being artificially inseminated by this technology.
For my money, this guy gets it. If you’re interested in having a half dozen guys join you or keep their eyes out for where you’re fishing, post a fairly detailed fishing report. If you like fishing semi-alone amid peace and quiet, post a recap of your fishing day while leaving out the location details. Talk about techniques, frustrations, successes, patterns, etc… but don’t share any location info. Believe me, locals to your area are reading and listening. It’s the way of the world today.
Lol. I made my post before reading this. I don’t know ■■■■ about AI or how to spot it. Some of the Radi’s AI comments hit with me as noted in my post, which I stand be.
When someone messages or asks me about water temp or moon phases, they get a blank stare..
Sure it matters, but I’m not chasing records or paychecks, I’m chasing memories and relaxation.
