Whashashore, Heavt Duty, and Penatrator

[thirsty]

All of the great giant fishermen, past and present, don't spend a whole lot of time on some sportfishing website working up a bunch of recreational guys. They're to busy fishing. But you guys must be different...

[canyongear]

I, personally find this thread, and all the others associated with it interesting.

I personally, think Buddy Nick hit the nail on the head, however he did not finish his thoughts as to the juvie/giant issue.

Perhaps he will....as it becomes an interesting point, from an old salt..targeting exactly the right size fish to bring to market..right?

[Albiemanmike]

This old salt finds some humor in the fact that many of you define "sport" as dragging the same squid bars around and around, in the same places, weekend after weekend, catching the same juvenile fish. Kind of like shooting a fawn on a salt lick. Every picture is basically the same. Exciting! Look at me, and the prespawn fish I slaughtered, over and over and over again. it does get a bit redundant, no? It's basically the same story over and over and over again. You call that sport, and you have every right to do that. And you are doing this on a public internet forum. guess what? its a big internet, with lots of participants.

There are other folks who might define sport as something entirely different. For example, take a guy like "Tuna Meltdown"...he started this thread. He talks about how he'll "do whatever he wants on his own boat", likes looking at pictures of himself on the internet, enjoys sticking the poon into juvie upon juvie, has "made friends" on the internet...etc etc. He vehemently objects to anyone having a different view of life, and especially life offshore, than the view he has.

Clearly some folks find it "sporting" to take aim at a fellow like this and make sure that for every opinion he has...there is a valid counterpoint. And now he complains about the fact that he himself has become "sport". Put yourself out there, and someone is gonna take aim, guaranteed. Its the same for Eric- self promotion is a double edged sword.

For as much joy and profit as you get killing juvenile fish...someone else gets a degree of pleasure poking you and your ilk with a stick. The only real solution to this is to quit paying the electric company....but then how would you see yourself on the internet? How would you continue to promote your sustainably questionable business and recreation? tough one to solve, in the eyes of this old salt.

Used to be that fishermen were humble and private, and really only kept company with a small cadre of like-minded practitioners. Clearly the game has changed.

That was a very interesting and intelligent response that is different from the Penetrator/Heavy Duty posts only in that it is written in an articulate and politically correct fashion. You are saying basically the same thing as the other less articulate proponents of not killing the small fish.

As you state this is a public forum and as such you have every right to post your opinion like anyone else and i for one appreciate your manner of doing so much more than the in your face "go F your self" type of approach the others have chosen to take. I really enjoy and appreciate hearing the "old salt" mind set regarding any and all topics. You have a very unique view of things as a result of many years on the briny. This is an asset to the community and if voiced appropriately as you have done it will get significantly more attention than the name calling and swearing approach.

I won't respond to the "look at me" idea as I can't really defend that statement as i think it is basically true and I have been guilty of doing it myself, not sure why but I have. Maybe to get some acceptance from fellow fisherman??? I have curtailed that activity greatly due to some of these posts opening my eyes to what I was doing and the absurdity of it. I really don't have to prove anything and I am comfortable with my abilities as a sportsman and fisherman of 35+ years. I don't think that posting pics of your catch is inherently a bad thing but doing it constantly over and over is a bit overkill no pun intended. There is also nothing wrong with sharing your pride at accomplishing something while enjoying your passion. But everything in moderation.

As far as the juvenile fish debate this is where i will respectfully have to disagree with your view. There are regulations put in place to "manage" these fish by the powers that be. These regulations are quite clear on the recreational take concerning fish in the 47"-73" size class. I believe that the vast majority of the licensed permit holders abide by these regulations and bag limits. So the beef is not with us who purchase our permits and follow the regulations. The people who you should be yelling at should be those that govern the resource and put forth the bag limits and regulations. You are right, coming onto an internet site and bitchin' is only going to put you square in the cross hairs of someone who has an opposite view to yours and will get you nothing but trouble no matter which camp you are in.

Thank you BuddyNick for making me think a little deeper about this than I had previously and for being significantly more intelligent in the way you presented your case.

[amarshall]

just have an admin look at the ip addresses, I bet they are all the same person.

[Deep C]

I don't understand the malcontents that cant let other people be happy doing what they're doing....

Down where I live in Florida... We have a wide variety of fish and fishing styles even in a small area... Some guys look at snook as Gods. Some guys are into Kings. Others feel the world revolves around sailfish. Yet a different group feel the sun rises and sets on swords... There are differences of opinion but ... They don't shit on the others for enjoying a different style of fishing.

Me, I've been at the game so long some things bore me. Even sails. I'd rather go pull a spread of big marlin baits for that outside shot at connecting than just fly a kite. The fact of the matter though is if I put that kite up, I'll most likely score and yeah I'll probably have a great time doing it. Still taking the risk of comming home emptyhanded is the game I choose some days.

I don't shit on those unwilling to do it. Nor do I understand guys who belittle others because they choose to go for quantity over quality. I sent enough toro to tokyo over the years to sink a ship. I just fell out of love with it when our Jersey Mudhole got slower and slower to the point of not enjoyable. Today, hell I love swattin a rat and get the same charge laying a dink on the deck as I do a slob.
Some guys get a kick out of standing in streams catchin 10" trout. More power to em. They're havin a good time. These guys that are giant purists? Fine... Same thing...
But do not come on a site dedicated to people having a good time fishing for what they like to fish for and shit on them with a wholier than thou bullshit attitude. Keep it civil and understand that an opinion is welcome as can be but don't direct it as a bash toward others here.

Try something like this: " Wow... You caught a 60 pounder... Great. Me, personally PREFER giants... But thats just me..."

Leaps and bounds better than, "Thats a baby you asshole..."

[codfishshark]

OK OK... Dan I like you and all but it wasnt really called for to say anything. You went to their level no offense. On the other hand I am pretty sure one of these guys was crying to us on the radio last year when we drifted past him cause we were stealing his fish.....The same guy who couldnt catch one without bringing some true Ahole out on the boat to mate. Whatever I know in this game not many people are liked for there practices but its only the internet so really???? who the F cares?

[KP161]

As long as we're talking about absolutely nothing...I'm tired of people declaring themselves "old salts". Kind of like begging for a hall of fame vote. I know alot of old salts I wouldn't let give me a dingy ride to my mooring.

[BuddyNick]

anyone who keeps a 65' Hatt on a mooring pretty much speaks for themselves...

I did round the Horn in 1960 though. Right about the time your dad was getting the business started, right?

[storm petrel]

Anyone who hugs gunnels- oh wait, that's just a silly blurb put under the signature by the site. I'd look like a fool if'n I was to respond to that as if the person himself were saying that. Look, this is a site for sporties. If you are some kind of saltier-than-thou Great White Hunter high liner, maybe there's a site for that somewhere. I don't need to wake up to bad language & insults with my coffee. If you can't keep it civil, find a place where they like that kinda thing. This is not that place. (this is a hint)
those who talk, don't know; those who know, don't talk.

[BuddyNick]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/wo...ef=todayspaper