You never know who is monitoring these public forums.

[amarshall]

This has relevance to the fishing community

Brief background: Townies in Hingham have been hunting on the Hingham Bathing beach for generations. Recently a local preacher and the town council has tried to put a stop to it. (another bag of cats) A few disgruntled hunters have taken to the forums to air their grievances.

You can view the Hingham police report online. Today it says this:

11:39 a.m. Otis St., Environmental Police reports early goose season. Environmental Police reports male from last year’s goose hunting at Bathing Beach area has been posting via the web that he will be videotaping/recording all encounters with the police.

The Environmental Police called the Hingham police to let them know they will be videotaped. The Environmental police are monitoring the hunting forums. I'm sure they're monitoring the fishing forums as well. Who else is monitoring these public forums ? Not that I've ever even remotely seen something illegal on here. Careful what you say on here.

[Fortunate One]

So I guess I shouldn't post pictures of the seals I clubbed last spring for their skins and video of the great white I caught to leader?

[backman]

If you haven't by now figured out that anything you post, send, click, or view on line is completely visible to *everyone* as opposed to friends or friends of friends....and it lives in the public domain forever......and its ultimately traceable back to you no matter how clever or cute you think you might be....then too late.

[heynow]

On this site for the most part people seem to be smart about what they post. Down here on long island there are a few sites that have way too much information on them. Guys posting about catching giants on ultra light tackle and using spinning rods for medium bluefin. I think that posting report after report eventually creates a data base for enviormentalists and government agencies. Putting all sorts of info and reports on the internet is like shooting yourself in the foot, not to mention that now the newest craze is seeing how big of a tuna you can catch on a spinning rod. In a fishery that is HIGHLY regulated but you can catch and release why on earth would you use light tackle and post it all over the place. I Like this site because there are some real fisherman and real topics get discussed.

[Gadaluvit]

On this site for the most part people seem to be smart about what they post. Down here on long island there are a few sites that have way too much information on them. Guys posting about catching giants on ultra light tackle and using spinning rods for medium bluefin. I think that posting report after report eventually creates a data base for enviormentalists and government agencies. Putting all sorts of info and reports on the internet is like shooting yourself in the foot, not to mention that now the newest craze is seeing how big of a tuna you can catch on a spinning rod. In a fishery that is HIGHLY regulated but you can catch and release why on earth would you use light tackle and post it all over the place. I Like this site because there are some real fisherman and real topics get discussed.

Is there a rule about what Rod and reels your supposed to be fishing with??

[heynow]

But with the way fisheries management is going ( already fighting for tuna) I dont think pictures all over the internet with and stories of busted off fish and broken rods is what you want people to see. Think of it this way If i was some enviromentalist f**git making a case against recreational tuna fishing, how easy with my giant database of info ( internet ) would it be to make a case. Especially when the newest trend is guys targeting medium to giant tuna with spinning rods. I think the internet is great but when there is tons of detailed reports one day i think we may regret all the info we have posted hope not

[WeCatchEm]

On this site for the most part people seem to be smart about what they post. Down here on long island there are a few sites that have way too much information on them. Guys posting about catching giants on ultra light tackle and using spinning rods for medium bluefin. I think that posting report after report eventually creates a data base for enviormentalists and government agencies. Putting all sorts of info and reports on the internet is like shooting yourself in the foot, not to mention that now the newest craze is seeing how big of a tuna you can catch on a spinning rod. In a fishery that is HIGHLY regulated but you can catch and release why on earth would you use light tackle and post it all over the place. I Like this site because there are some real fisherman and real topics get discussed.

Seems like somebody has a problem with spinning rods? Honestly its another technique, just like chunking, trolling, live baiting....not anything close to how your trying to describe it.

[Avenger]

The question we need to ask ourselves is; How can we use this knowledge to our advantage?

Maybe DEC needs to be alerted to alleged trout poaching on some upland stream.

Just kidding, of course.

[Cape Fisherman]

Seems like somebody has a problem with spinning rods? Honestly its another technique, just like chunking, trolling, live baiting....not anything close to how your trying to describe it.

I believe the 'issue' with spinning rods relates to an increase in release mortality when targeting larger fish outside of the slot. Landing a fish on a spin setup often takes more time than doing so on conventional gear, i.e. 50 and 80 class setups. The fish expends more energy during the prolonged fight, thereby decreasing the odds of successful revive and release. Spinning rods may also result in a greater number of break-offs, which may contribute to premature mortality.

Utilizing spinning gear when targeting a slot fish is exciting and rewarding, but as with any method requires some common sense on the angler's part.

[Paul/NH]

I dont think pictures all over the internet with and stories of busted off fish and broken rods is what you want people to see.

but this is no problem in terms of public relations with 'the environmentalists' ...

Think of it this way If i was some enviromentalist f**git