Lurkers

[Crestliner]

Just wondering what the impact would be to this site, if members were "required" to "participate" with a minimum amount of posts each month, bi-annually or yearly Question1. This might reduce the number of folks who just "lurk" here - benefiting from the site - without contributing anything to the site's well being. I see mostly the same people devulging information, contributing their knowledge, as well as entertaining the rest of us. I mean, I know that a lot more members were out there fishing this weekend, than those who posted anything here. I, for one, would sure like to learn something more from those folks, as well as the value I get from the regulars each week. Such a requirement would not be nearly as severe as what CTFisherman.com did, yet might encourage those wanting to "get" information to "give" some too! What do you all think? Notsure

[seabass]

Question1 are u thinkin that members would be required to start a thread with a report or just reply? i agree that there are people benefitting from the site and not contributing...but i wouldnt want to turn people off...especially the ones that contribute each week. Thanks1
its a fine line to walk and im not sure its even possible...but it sounds like a topic we will need to get together, drink beer and discuss!!What1

[Crestliner]

I agree with you seabass. I'm not proposing anything at this point. I think we'd need a lot more feedback from the folks here that do contribute regularly. It bothers me when someone recognizes me at a launch, but when asked who they are, they just respond...."well, I check out the site, but I'm not really an active member". Meaning they don't report or discuss or anything. They just "take". Maybe that's what this site is meant to be? But I really think those that do contribute, financially or via the site itself, would be better served by proding those that don't....just a tad! IMO only!

[ray]

So for someone like me who is a paying, non posting member, I would be turned off?

[Crestliner]

BTW....seabass....if you think a meeting is warranted, then you just name the place and time and I'll be there! And I'll bring a couple of cases of Coors :)

[Crestliner]

ray - why would you pay for a site that's free to anyone, anytime, anyway, unless you want to support the end result: a better, more informed fishing community? Which, in turn nets better profitability for the sponsors, etc.. How can you achieve an improved community if you can't get regularly increasing active participation? (I'd guess we have less than 10% of our memebers actually contribute anything in one form or another.) Financing this site is fine, but wouldn't you feel better financing a site with an increasing participation level? This is what I believe we should maybe discuss? And I'll be the first to say that I may be way off in left field here. If so, I'm sorry. My expectations and dedication may be set too high? What is the "Mission" of this site anyway?

[ray]

I don't post because i don't fish much any more due to a very demanding work schedule.

I pay because i do get some good laughs at the banter that goes on around here. I love the stories and the reports and pictures. It is a very nice escape for a guy like me. And by paying don't i support the site in some way?

[YOTE BUSTER]

What i would like to see is some type of response from the lurker's after they read a post at least.even if its one of theseYuck1 Agree1 Fishing1 Grinning1Smoke1SmashheadNotsureBow1Thanks1Cry1 get my driftEmbarassed1Bash1

[fishinbuddy]

Let me put in my 2 cents. I don't ever do any reports because I do not have a digital camera, but do have an older camera, but am not sure I have film for it. You see, camera's don't excite me, just as jewerly doesn't excite, fishing however does excite me. Someone wants to see any fish that I catch would either need to be with me or just take my word.
Thereare one other things to consider and that is the fact that are a number of people that belong to the site that just are not that comfortable using the computer, let alone writing an article that many others would read and would feel uncomfortable just as many of us would feel the same way if asked to make a public speech.
Now if you would require certain things from each member are you looking to have an elite membership by design or as a result of these requirements. Is that what you want? I had the feeling that it was designed for fisherman primarly and the sportsman in general. Am I saying that I am against it? No. I simply want you to think about want might happen if you enact and enforce those sorts things discussed earlier.

[moi]

Chill1 It's the same in every organization I'm part of or have ever been a part of. There is always a core of members/people who step up, do the work and make the organization function. Thumbsup You can try to coerce involvement but that can be very counterproductive and result in an overall decrease in participation. Particularly in this virtual world. Notsure

But drinking beer and discussing is a good option!! Beerchug

BTW, There are plenty of websites for "lurkers" to mine for info.

[Crestliner]

fishinbuddy - please understand, I'm not proposing anything. If someone posts saying they went fishing down to perfume pond and caught a few bluegills....at least I'd know that if I took my kid there to fish, he might catch a bluegill. Is that too much to ask? Share some knowledge! I agree with you on one point....pier presure to get people to post pics should not be a criteria. And no one here would expect someone who is not "into" computers to be excited about posting. My whole point here is that there are a lot of people on this site that 1) do not contribute anything, financially or otherwise 2) take the "free" information and do who knows what with it (the 5 gal. buckets of yellows taken each fall after our posts prove that!), thereby reaping all the benefits and 3) have the resources, knowledge and capabililities to do more. If we can encourage another 10% to do more, just think of the possibilities! Asking a "member" (look the word up in the dictionary) to post once or twice a year to share some knowledge to the rest of us - and/or contribute some financially - doesn't seem to me to be a bad thing? Again, maybe I'm way off base here? I don't know. I just know that a few are benefitting the many. And it's just not right. I will say no more. Sorry I even brought it up!

[tacoma]

I think we are all right here in one way or another. Its tough because we have many people who come on and just "lurk" and reap the benefits of some great reports by regular members. But you are going to get that from a non-profit site! I don't think paying a membership is the way we want to go...not right now.

Cresti- I understand your frustration but its tough to mediate the 85% of members who don't contribute...just gotta take it for what it is!

We have a great "core" of people that contribute to this site and I am thankful for that. The way I try to look at it is I have more with this website as a sportsman than I would without it. I have met many great people and it is due to this site!

Just sucks about the lurkers...but its worth it with the great people I have met!

[moi]

Nothing wrong with bringing up your concerns/ideas.........you got some action on this post!!!

[Jackie-T]

Hey don't be sorry you brought it up I am sure it got a lot of people thinking. And that can be a good thing, Or maybe a very bad thing. Personaly I do learn on here and I share anything I learn. I am that kind of person. If you ask me for some knowlege I might have you can have it. I think I am going to buy a Spro bronze eye frog but that thought came from someone else. I only wish ,like you that there where even more information available. I realy don't mind if someone uses what information I give them to do with as they please. Only keep it legal. When I use someones information I realy try to tell them thank you and that they have helped me. In the past I have tried to get people to post telling them that it dosen't have to be a big fish or a lot of fish. Didn't seem to work. I don't know why people don't post. Maybe they are afraid of sounding foolish? This is a subject than many of you should get together and discuss in depth,peobably at Seabas house and remember to bring the refreshments.

[Crestliner]

ray - please re-read my posts here. My bone of contention is with those who never post or contribute nothing financially. I thought I was clear enough on that? Either/or would be fine in my mind. Both would be fabulous! :)

[Crestliner]

Jackie.....thanks :)

[JEEPSW1]

Promise guys, more posts by me during Ice season...just don't fish open water much due to work. Hopefully i'll have a nice report from Alaska in about 4 weeks when i get back from my honeymoon.

[tacoma]

Thanks for bringing this up Cresti...

Maybe a lurker or two may read this and feel guilty about utilizing the resources here without giving back...and in turn contribute alittle more. It never hurts to get concerns/comments out on the table. Thats what makes this site great!

Thanks again.
T

[JeffA]

it's funny, as i read this thread, i look at the bottom of the page where shows how many people are on, ( 24 members and 41 guests) thats about a 2-1 ratio, it's like that A LOT!
so.....someone may have a point.

[JayW]

I think it takes some time for these people to catch on and start posting. How it worked some of our more bigger posters started slow then attended get togethers/tournies with other members and had a good time. After this they gained new friends/fishing buddies and post alot. I dont think there is anything in the software to limit a person because they dont post. Its something people will either do or not do. I guess time will only tell.

[ray]

ok. Just let me know if i am allowed to visit the this site anymore.

And an other thing maybe some of use don't have as good a command of the english language as others.

If it seems that i am being defensive i am sorry. But i feel like i am being insulted and accused of things i need not be. I don't feel i'm a lurker.

[S Duke]

I've been a "lurker" in the past, but mostly because I had nothing to share. I spent the majority of my time being jealous of the guys that were getting out and posting results. It didn't make a lot of sense to me to post if I really didn't have anything to share.

I recently purchased a boat, so am finally getting out to fish. The depressing part is that all of the reading I did when lurking didn't payoff. I went out both days this past weekend (2 new threads started) and was pretty much skunked both days.

Pretty soon you guys are going to be complaining that I keep posting about nothing! So - in the mean time - I'll post until you tell me that you prefer I "lurk".

[YOTE BUSTER]

Hmmmmmmmmmm interrestingYuck1 Laughing1Laughing1Laughing1Laughing1

[Crazy Joe]

I look at it this way.if you are legal to fish ,and you read posts to find where the fish are hitting ,fine.Posting is up to you.Some people don't know how to post pics and are not PC savy.Thats OK. It.s the ones that go and hit a spot and take everything,and use this site for that.Example.I posted our Bass catch last week at Forge,Saturday morning the place was packed.I talked to several people who read it on this site who I have never heard of.OH well,my mistake for posting where I fished.I will post pics and results from now on ,and if any of you that I know want to know where and what I got them on PM me I'll tell you. Just my 2 cents. Notsure

[S Duke]

Joe - I understand your concern. I remember reading about the "buckets of fish" before. The way you described how to handle that problem makes sense, post the report and leave out the location. I've also seen posts with Pond F, etc. That may be another way to share location without giving away specifics.

Yote - Thanks for the positive feedback.

[YOTE BUSTER]

Glad i could help Beerchug

Joe said it all

[Toad]

"To each his own."......let members do as they wish. Some will come around Tongue1 Thumbsup and others won't. Eyeball Roller Embarassed1 Just let it be.

"CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!!!!" Laughing1 Laughing1 Laughing1

Smoke1

[Fishstory]

Oh boy!!! These are tough topics without insulting someone, but here it goes. I was a Lurker on Ct Fisherman for many years, only because I was intemidated by the close clicky group of people on there, also these guys were catching numerous and huge fish, and I felt my reports with my measly little fish would bore them. The only time I would post is when I had something significant to post, like a 400 pound shark or big striper, albi ect....But eventually I felt comfortable enough to contribute, and felt like I was helping people out with my reports, enough that I am now invited on 1 or 2 offshore trips a week....We all have to start somewhere.

Then this site was developed and my measly fish seemed like giants next to the pumkinseed and yellow perch that were being postedLaughing1 JOKE!!!! But honestly I did think to myself at first why would someone post pictures of pumkinseed, something anyone could catch at any givin time at any givin pond? Then it dawned on me, it not about what kind of fish it is, its about the post, reading about two or three people that met on the site and went fishing together for the day who are now friends. The pictures of the fishing trip only help you feel like you were part of the day, give you a sense of what happened and have the chance to enjoy what they enjoyed.

Most of us were Lurkers at one point or another, there will always be people that will never contribute, but then there will be those people that start off slow and when the feel comfortable they will contribute.

Everyone has there own type of personality, some are outgoing, some are timid, shy, nervous ect...Let people get to their comfort level, it may take time but it will happen.In the mean time, if people that are contributing on a regular base don't want the non contributers to know where they are fishing, start a Thread for the over 500 club. This is were we could post locations ect, and you can only view it if you have made over 500 posts!!!

[seabass]

more beer!

[tacoma]

Well said fishstory!

[moi]

Beer all around!!!!

[ray]

Well one good thing about this thread is that it bumbed my numbers upThumbsup

Bar keeper, a round of Corona's on me. Hell i'll even spring for the limeBeerchug

Thanks guysThanks1 .

[Jackie-T]

Hey I guess I will have to be the designated fisher with all the drinking going on. My son has a shirt that says "designated passenger"

[S Duke]

Fishstory summed it up very well. I like the idea of a 500 club. Of course, if that's the case, I'll have to start doing a separate reply for each word if I'm ever going to reach 500!

[Crestliner]

Well, I'm happy that at least I'm not the only one who thinks about this topic. I really didn't intend to "go after" anyone, so please, forgive me if anyone had/has that impression. This certainly did kick the "dog days" of summer in the keister didn't it? :) Thanks for any/all input from everyone! Oh, and I do like the idea of that "500" club, Fishstory. Maybe after it settles down a bit around here, we could arrange a meeting on the subject? (S Duke - you'd be amazed at how fast it happens!)

[S Duke]

I'm noticing how quick the count grows - I believe this is around number 24, which is about double of a week ago!

[cnc13sm]

Crazy Joe and Fishstory, excellent posts BTW!! Fishing is not only fun but it is a sport. You have all types of people who have there views on how fishing forums should be. The best thing is SHARING and promoting the sport. We all pay for a liscense which entitles us to fish where ever we want in the state that we got the liscense in. Another important concept is to keep posting reports, show people how active you are, someday those cliques will realize what you do and they will get jealous when you catch those big fish. Then they start PM-ing you about where you caught the fish and thats where I laugh and dont reply back. The best thing is to keep posting no matter who replies or views your report. I look at the views more then the replies because its shows me that how many actually looked at it. Thats what gets my attention! Let the lurkers be, there just learning after all but if your worried about them just be more carefull when you post reports and pics. Sometimes its best not to say where you fished and also take pics that wont give away a familiar background. If you look at my threads you usually see a basic pic with a background hard to distinguish where I fished. Unless if its a well known spot , I try to post pics that are harder for lurkers to figure out. So many good waters out there, discovering is a huge part of fishing.

[noresman]

The way I look at it most of the ponds and lakes we fish aren't a secret to most people. I have no problem with people who have a honey hole or two they don't want to reveal the name or location.( I have a couple myself) I just wish that some of the lurkers would post and admit that the info they got here is what let them have a good day of fishing. You're going to get the few who don't give a damn about license's or size and creel limits no matter where you go. I thought it was required to sign up to be a member to view the posts so how do you log on as a guest? Is there any way to eliminate being able to log on without becoming a member this may stop some of the problem.

[fisher16]

Then they start PM-ing you about where you caught the fish and thats where I laugh and dont reply back.

Please let me know if this is happening on this site. My view on this is that the author of the report is allowed to put as much information, or on the other end less information in their report as they wish. If anyone is getting harrassed by what we term lurkers then please let me know thru pm. We can sort out the issue off site.

Thanks for all the great reports this season, and keep hammering away at those fish.

[trophy11]

its a fine line. i think more social events would be a way to encourage members to participate other than just on a computer. but i am in for the drinking beer meeting and discussing the dilema.Beerchug

[Gary P]

Here's my take, 50 million people read the newspaper but how many send letters to the editor? not many! Yep it bothers me that the meat eaters can learn hot spots and ruin them, I have seen it on CT fisherman.com countless times and a few times here in Mass, If you read my posts closely, I don't give out alot of information but try to entertain with my funny (but true) misfortunes on the water ( which there will be another later!). People in general today are lazy and want everything handed to them. Get out there and learn and spend every waking day on the water that you have open and you might learn something! If you made it mandatory to post, all the guys would do is put alot of posts that say "way to go" or "nice job". I like to see what others are doing on a weekly basis and would like to see 10 times more, even if it is just panfish or even (yuk) trout!

[SmallieHunter]

I don't post alot because I view this website from work and it is a No No to even use the computer for personal use. I'm on the water as much as I can. I like Gary have seen some holes get exploited from th epower of the internet. A couple of years ago you would find noone in the chicopee section of the CT River now the ramp is full on a regular basis. They are still chasing the stripers. I try not to lurk to much but viewing this website from work is my main excuse for not posting more. I'm working on getting a laptop for my personal use and hope that I can contribute more in the future.

[EMT4040]

Maybe it's been said already but, what do you plan on doing when the ice/fall/hunting season comes. I notice a couple of hunting forums here, not everybody hunts so are they going to be deamd lurkers because they litterally have nothing to contribute?

[cnc13sm]

What Gary said about the meat eaters is one reason of being somewhat protective of what I post. Carp are one of the fish that get eaten alot by certain ethnic groups. On top of that I've seen carp remains on the bank which is really aggrevating. One of the best swims on the charles has been so pressured by these meat eaters that I can't even fish there anymore. I could go there and catch up to 18 carp in a day with a few close to 20lbs. Now if I go there I catch maybe 4 - 6 and they all weight up to 10lbs. They all spread out and cast over or near your lines which i had to call the EPO to tell them off. Also these guys are using death rigs meaning mutiple single hooks staggered on there rig which is illegal to use I believe. I've tried to talk to them but they dont give a rats butt they just look at it as free food and theres nothing I can do about it.