Drama Has To Stop !!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Need to clear the air about all the drama that seems to be taking place here in the fresh water section, both on posts and in PMs. I know it's been a long winter and with all the people that are now posting here there are bound to be issues and personality conflicts. I feel and I'm sure you all do as well, that the bad outweighs the good, however the negativity I've seen and the back and forth bickering has me concerned. Someone posts something up and there is a trail of negativity about questioning this or that.

I really have no time or patience to deal with drama, personalities, jealousy or negativity.... It sucks the life out of me and brings down the site and the people who want to post here. It takes what we all enjoy and makes it just another stress point in our lives. This sort of behavior will not be tolerated... If you even approach or cross over the line you will be banned from the site PERIOD.

I'm more concerned about the quality, not the quantity of people who post here. That is a choice I made a long time ago and what I believe makes it better for everyone involved here in the long run.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I'm sorry for any negative statements or problems I may have caused. I don't remember this much drama going on a year ago, or even this past fall, early winter. It's a phenomenal site in my book and I LOVE IT!!! Again, I apologize for any actions and statements that may have offended fellow NJF'ers.

TIGHT LINEZ DUDEZ!!!!!!!!

KEEP CALM and FISH ON!!!!!!!!!!! YEA BUDDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[15FOOTER]

I second Eddies statements. IM SORRY...I caught fish yesterday so ill be sane till next Monday lol. Looking forward to posting lots of positive stuff!!

[kmaty]

No offense but i highly recommend this be put in the saltwater section to! If you wana see drama and crying and boo hooing say Regulations! This freshwater form is what really keeps me around and gets me through my day!

[Kamil88]

Great site people need to relax and communicate with others to expand their knowledge on fishing.Glad I found out about this place thanks for setting up my account Gerry.

[catfishonthelake]

Sorry for any hard feelings I caused. Things definitely got a little out of hand on that thread. Not sure what else has been going on since I haven't been here that often, but I'm going to take responsibility for my part. I reached out to Eddie the next day to make sure all was cool and that the next time I see him in the parking lot of MY Shop-Rite that we can clog a whole lane in the parking lot again while we talk about fishing instead of having him trying to run me over with his cart.

[iceehot6766]

I want to apologize for my rant the other day.....Been stressing big time not being able to find work for the past 8 months, dealing w/ some personal issues as well, as well as some other things too.....I'll be fine in the end I know that dealing with all that stuff......my frustration with a few things that have been going on behind the scenes got the best of me, and I realized that AFTER I posted and felt bad rereading my posting......I apologize when I am wrong .....In recovery, they call it making amends..........I also reached out to a few this morning and some did the same contacting me to talk about things.....I hope we can all get past this nonsense and keep the focus of this site on fishing.....I've always enjoyed this site and met some really cool guys and fished with quite a few good fisherman as well....FISH ON(ALWAYS!!)

[JimmyMas]

Ditto!^^^^ Fish on! Got my first open water fish of the year this year, 22 inch Pickerel.

[kcritch]

Nicely Done Gerry....'nough said.

I've met a ton of guys from this sight this past year...fresh and salt... and I know deep down that each of them is a good person and really enjoys this sight for the great resource it is. I know I certainly do.

Looking forward to a great season and seeing many of you guys out there.

[dopderbeck]

I didn't see the drama, thankfully. Can I make another request, hopefully without provoking more drama? Some of you guys have avatars for your posts of buxome babes. I'm all for buxome babes, but I often surf this site with my son, who is only 13. He's interested in buxome babes too, but maybe he doesn't need to see them just yet in connection with our shared love of fishing? :eek:

[jimmythegreek]

Gerry what we need on this site is a private area, and before I go any further I understand that the open platform of this site is what makes the sponsors and the system work as a whole. If we had 1 area even for the whole board, that had a minimum required post count like 100 or more, where things could be protected like spots and public talk. I, for one, dont like the amount of lurkers that are on this site, if you google ANY body of water NJF threads show up in the return, and ppl are being very quiet of their fishing and their pics. I used to be open of all my catches and lots of pics, but I rly cant anymore. I share everything to those I know and many on here, but not to guys I never met and contribute zero to this site. Many of us are tight on this site, and fish and talk off the board, take a poll and see how many of us are recognized in bait shops and on the water by zero post guys, and we see them on our spots......my 2 cents

[Skunk City]

Gerry what we need on this site is a private area, and before I go any further I understand that the open platform of this site is what makes the sponsors and the system work as a whole. If we had 1 area even for the whole board, that had a minimum required post count like 100 or more, where things could be protected like spots and public talk. I, for one, dont like the amount of lurkers that are on this site, if you google ANY body of water NJF threads show up in the return, and ppl are being very quiet of their fishing and their pics. I used to be open of all my catches and lots of pics, but I rly cant anymore. I share everything to those I know and many on here, but not to guys I never met and contribute zero to this site. Many of us are tight on this site, and fish and talk off the board, take a poll and see how many of us are recognized in bait shops and on the water by zero post guys, and we see them on our spots......my 2 cents

Well said Jimmy, x2!

[iceehot6766]

Gerry what we need on this site is a private area, and before I go any further I understand that the open platform of this site is what makes the sponsors and the system work as a whole. If we had 1 area even for the whole board, that had a minimum required post count like 100 or more, where things could be protected like spots and public talk. I, for one, dont like the amount of lurkers that are on this site, if you google ANY body of water NJF threads show up in the return, and ppl are being very quiet of their fishing and their pics. I used to be open of all my catches and lots of pics, but I rly cant anymore. I share everything to those I know and many on here, but not to guys I never met and contribute zero to this site. Many of us are tight on this site, and fish and talk off the board, take a poll and see how many of us are recognized in bait shops and on the water by zero post guys, and we see them on our spots......my 2 cents

Bullseye Jimmy!!.......This sums it up nicely also with tongue-in-cheek humor(because it's so true)....

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/creepers.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/creepers.jpg.html)

[Bicey]

SPOT ON Jimmy !

[catfishonthelake]

Gerry what we need on this site is a private area, and before I go any further I understand that the open platform of this site is what makes the sponsors and the system work as a whole. If we had 1 area even for the whole board, that had a minimum required post count like 100 or more, where things could be protected like spots and public talk. I, for one, dont like the amount of lurkers that are on this site, if you google ANY body of water NJF threads show up in the return, and ppl are being very quiet of their fishing and their pics. I used to be open of all my catches and lots of pics, but I rly cant anymore. I share everything to those I know and many on here, but not to guys I never met and contribute zero to this site. Many of us are tight on this site, and fish and talk off the board, take a poll and see how many of us are recognized in bait shops and on the water by zero post guys, and we see them on our spots......my 2 cents

Agreed. Very well put.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Gerry what we need on this site is a private area, and before I go any further I understand that the open platform of this site is what makes the sponsors and the system work as a whole. If we had 1 area even for the whole board, that had a minimum required post count like 100 or more, where things could be protected like spots and public talk. I, for one, dont like the amount of lurkers that are on this site, if you google ANY body of water NJF threads show up in the return, and ppl are being very quiet of their fishing and their pics. I used to be open of all my catches and lots of pics, but I rly cant anymore. I share everything to those I know and many on here, but not to guys I never met and contribute zero to this site. Many of us are tight on this site, and fish and talk off the board, take a poll and see how many of us are recognized in bait shops and on the water by zero post guys, and we see them on our spots......my 2 cents

Thanks for the suggestion Jimmy. As near as I can tell, I have the option of setting up another sub forum and can make it a semi private forum. This would allow people who are registered to view it but non registered members can not. There is no option for me to set up it so that only members with X amount of posts can view it. It's only registered vs non registered users.

I guess we could call it The NJFishing.com Insiders Forum

To be honest, I have mixed emotions about this for various reasons.

On the negative side
- If all of a sudden everyone starts posting there and non registered members can't see it then it detracts from the content available on the site... Right now at any given time we have 5 times as many unregistered guests than registered members viewing the site. This could be detrimental to site traffic and the people who want to visit but not contribute.
- What do we allow or not allow to be posted in this catch all private section.... Is it a free for all or only fishing related entries?
- It's another board to have to monitor and manage
- If people know that posts on this board can only be viewed by members does that mean they are more apt to misbehave?
- If we do this and people want access to the private sub forum all they would need to do is register to gain access.... I guess that is better than nothing but it's not going to help with your initial issue of only giving access to to people who contribute.

On the plus side
- It does encourage people to register and if they do register I think they would be more apt to contribute.
- I think most of our members might like this feature but what about our sponsors? As you know, I have to maintain a balance between everyone's interests... No sponsors no website, no or fewer members and visitors visitors, what sponsors will want to advertise here?

Need to give this some careful consideration but what ever I decide it's sure to piss someone off :)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just put a pole up here please weigh in http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67524

[jimmythegreek]

Im glad you are open to ideas, this site is great and alot of great fishermen/women on here in all sections. I/we totally understand the balance of sponsors and the site, they go hand in hand. After reading ur post about what the forum software allows you to do, its honestly not rly going to help the situation much. Its not worth problems with the site sponsors to have a registered members only section, the issues alot of us face is of a different nature. I know and fish with most of the regulars on the freshwater section, and its not just unregistered guests that are an issue, its no post count registered members too. Its been said here time and time again, people just want free handouts to go be professional fish catchers right off the bat. Nothing wrong with sharing techniques, strategy, gear, lures, etc. but to give away hard work that a "guide" or professional would charge you for is too much. The posting and info will continue to decline and eventually new faces and names will step in. I will continue to support this site and its members but will have to be very careful what I say and what pictures I post, and I wish it wasnt like that, Ive learned so much from the guys on here and I hope they have learned from me too, thats what its all about. And great job Gerry, so many of us log in here every chance we get!!

[UglyStick]

Im glad you are open to ideas, this site is great and alot of great fishermen/women on here in all sections. I/we totally understand the balance of sponsors and the site, they go hand in hand. After reading ur post about what the forum software allows you to do, its honestly not rly going to help the situation much. Its not worth problems with the site sponsors to have a registered members only section, the issues alot of us face is of a different nature. I know and fish with most of the regulars on the freshwater section, and its not just unregistered guests that are an issue, its no post count registered members too. Its been said here time and time again, people just want free handouts to go be professional fish catchers right off the bat. Nothing wrong with sharing techniques, strategy, gear, lures, etc. but to give away hard work that a "guide" or professional would charge you for is too much. The posting and info will continue to decline and eventually new faces and names will step in. I will continue to support this site and its members but will have to be very careful what I say and what pictures I post, and I wish it wasnt like that, Ive learned so much from the guys on here and I hope they have learned from me too, thats what its all about. And great job Gerry, so many of us log in here every chance we get!!

X2 - well said...again...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Im glad you are open to ideas, this site is great and alot of great fishermen/women on here in all sections. I/we totally understand the balance of sponsors and the site, they go hand in hand. After reading ur post about what the forum software allows you to do, its honestly not rly going to help the situation much. Its not worth problems with the site sponsors to have a registered members only section, the issues alot of us face is of a different nature. I know and fish with most of the regulars on the freshwater section, and its not just unregistered guests that are an issue, its no post count registered members too. Its been said here time and time again, people just want free handouts to go be professional fish catchers right off the bat. Nothing wrong with sharing techniques, strategy, gear, lures, etc. but to give away hard work that a "guide" or professional would charge you for is too much. The posting and info will continue to decline and eventually new faces and names will step in. I will continue to support this site and its members but will have to be very careful what I say and what pictures I post, and I wish it wasnt like that, Ive learned so much from the guys on here and I hope they have learned from me too, thats what its all about. And great job Gerry, so many of us log in here every chance we get!!

Glad you do Jimmy and I'd like to keep it that way... I appreciate the fact that you appreciate the delicate balancing act and tight rope I walk here. Always trying to balance the interest of our sponsors, memebers and visitors.

It's a dirty job but someone has to do it ;)

[iceehot6766]

This is probably got you in a real tricky position Gerry..... we all know that you have to please the sponsors first and that's of course a given..... I think what it may come down to is the guys who choose to post and then again the guys that are going to choose not to post..... It's a shame that a lot of the regulars, myself included, are going be be alot more selective with out posting habits.......

[Predator]

Come on guys don't let this great site suffer because of some lurkers. Im sure every website with a message board forum has them. It's in peoples nature to be nosey. Just take a look at Facebook.. People hide behind keyboards all the time. Everyone's aware of that behavior. It's old news. Nothing wrong with some small time fame when your are recognized from your photos posted. Isn't the purpose of posting pics is for others to gush over them and dish out compliments? I understand the spot burning dilemma if you fish from shore, but by naming a lake or reservoir in your reports when fishing from a boat shouldn't affect you in anyway. I don't get it? How is it spot burning by fishing in the same body of water as you? As Eddie stated bring em on!! That doesn't mean they will catch fish. Im still a relative newbie on this site and plan on posting reports with pics this coming season. It's the best part of the site . IMO. The one thing I cringe over is when I read someone questioning a seasoned vet on how they are holding a fish. Or better yet why is there blood spilling out of the fishes mouth? If I yanked you out of your home by a hook in your mouth you may bleed also. Ive been a catch and release guy my entire life and respect all living creatures for that matter. But lets call it like it is. If you can't come to grips that the act of fishing can cause harm to a fish then you need to remove yourself from the sport and leave us alone.

[ScowardNJ]

The one thing I cringe over is when I read someone questioning a seasoned vet on how they are holding a fish. Or better yet why is there blood spilling out of the fishes mouth? If I yanked you out of your home by a hook in your mouth you may bleed also. Ive been a catch and release guy my entire life and respect all living creatures for that matter. But lets call it like it is. If you can't come to grips that the act of fishing can cause harm to a fish then you need to remove yourself from the sport and leave us alone.

x10

[gwl2oneida]

Well stated predator, I couldn't agree more.

[Rybazłapać]

As someone that relatively new to fishing, this being my 3rd season, I'd like to add to this discussion that this site can be as intimidating as it is motivating. Just because you read the New York Times doesn't mean you can write for it. A lot of the guys on here that have been at this a long time make it seem at least that they can just show up to a spot and make it rain and to someone like myself that doesn't get out as much as I like and honestly is often frustrated more than rewarded I admire these guys for their talent but like I said it can be intimidating. Reading these great posts and seeing these great catches is also what's kept me motivated to crack this nut. I love the site and will make more of an effort to add to it for what it's worth but I feel like no one is saying that the success of the site and the guys on it is getting more people informed on fishing in New Jersey which is ultimately going to bring more people to "your" spots. If the point of the site isn't to inform more people about this great sport and great place to fish then what is it.

[Mikey topaz]

Some very good points from evreyone, guys this is really a great site i joined a few years back because this site was diffrent unlike other sites full of drama hateful comments and rants. I have Met alot of good vet fishermen and some others maybe still new to the sport or rookie.... Either way whatever you experience is i wanna know how your day of fishing was was it good did it suck were conditions crappy? Good or bad lurker or not lol i wanna hear it!!! Im sure i can speak for a few others too ! As far as the rookies being intimidating by some of us vets?? Good!.... as stated from above it will push you harder to fish more and succeed 😁 just so you know where i am coming from i worked on a partyboat for 6 years and loved evreyminute of it loved helping people out teaching giving pointers and advice....there was nothing i loved more for someone to walk on the boat tell me it was their first time fishing,or i only caught small one before etc.... And for them to scream their head off omg i dont know what im doing etc... And then showing pointers and watching them land that fish and then to that smile on their face lol, what am im trying to get at if you dont know ( newbies/ lurkers /whatever)a question pm the guy nothing but good hearted informational guys on here that are willing to help!

[Moz]

As someone that relatively new to fishing, this being my 3rd season, I'd like to add to this discussion that this site can be as intimidating as it is motivating.

That's an interesting perspective. I never really thought about it that way but I always thought Andy really does a great job as moderator on this forum and has always offered encouragement for newcomers.

I seem to have missed the drama the last few weeks but think is see the gist of it. I see a lot of right on both sides of the debate but not really my topic. "My spot" on Saturday and Sunday mornings features loud salsa music starting at 8 AM so it takes a special temperment to fish it as much as I do. :p

[gwl2oneida]

I can definitely say that this site has motivated me to step my game up. I've been way more into tying different knots and smelling hooks along with really analizing the conditions when I go out. I attribute that to guys on this site. For that I'm thankful to njfishing.com

[briansnat]

Come on guys don't let this great site suffer because of some lurkers. Im sure every website with a message board forum has them. It's in peoples nature to be nosey. Just take a look at Facebook.. People hide behind keyboards all the time. Everyone's aware of that behavior. It's old news. Nothing wrong with some small time fame when your are recognized from your photos posted. Isn't the purpose of posting pics is for others to gush over them and dish out compliments? I understand the spot burning dilemma if you fish from shore, but by naming a lake or reservoir in your reports when fishing from a boat shouldn't affect you in anyway. I don't get it? How is it spot burning by fishing in the same body of water as you? As Eddie stated bring em on!! That doesn't mean they will catch fish. Im still a relative newbie on this site and plan on posting reports with pics this coming season. It's the best part of the site . IMO. The one thing I cringe over is when I read someone questioning a seasoned vet on how they are holding a fish. Or better yet why is there blood spilling out of the fishes mouth? If I yanked you out of your home by a hook in your mouth you may bleed also. Ive been a catch and release guy my entire life and respect all living creatures for that matter. But lets call it like it is. If you can't come to grips that the act of fishing can cause harm to a fish then you need to remove yourself from the sport and leave us alone.

I'm new here but I think I have this solved. Whenever I post a photo of me with a nice catch, I will Photoshop it onto a background taken at Monksville Reservoir. That will send all of the lurkers there where they will catch nothing and leave every place else for the rest of us.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I'm new here but I think I have this solved. Whenever I post a photo of me with a nice catch, I will Photoshop it onto a background taken at Monksville Reservoir. That will send all of the lurkers there where they will catch nothing and leave every place else for the rest of us.

LOL!!!! Watch out for the 25lb Nile Perch in Monksville!!!!

[jimcnj]

Please don't create private boards.
Keep the Internet free and open.
Ban people via IP address if they violate rules.
This site has helped me a lot fishing the local mud holes with my daughter
(you will see us pulling out trout,sunnies and bass in the Cranford area).
Without the advice here, we might have given up.
Lurkers aren't bad people. they are just shy.

[acabtp]

I'm new here but I think I have this solved. Whenever I post a photo of me with a nice catch, I will Photoshop it onto a background taken at Monksville Reservoir. That will send all of the lurkers there where they will catch nothing and leave every place else for the rest of us.
haha fantastic idea

[420*NightCrawler]

100% in agreement with Predator.

I've fished NJ waters for 35 years. Whenever I see anyone out on the water, I share what I know and what's working that day. I lurked for a year before joining the site, because I'm just not that social. If the site were not here, I'd get the info on the water with trial/error and from the local fisherman. I don't see why sharing of any fishing info on here is such a big deal, fisherman are gonna find out any which way if they're any good. Why join a fishing forum if you're not gonna share, it defeats the purpose. People on here need to stop talking about their spots like they own them. There's 9 million people in the state, don't be surprised when you see someone fishing "your" spot.

My favorite places- the mouth of the stream leading into Monksville, by all the trees. Spinners and worms will get something most times. I've seen and caught tons of bass and pickerel/pike there, and seen multiple muskies up in there. Also worms work great for bass by the launch ramp, cast out about 30' and just wait.

The northeastern section of Liffy island on Hopatcong. Just drift the eastern length of the island casting the shoreline or drifting with worms (live or green senko).

I just don't post much on here, as it's a bit of a pain in the arse and people jump on people for no reason. I prefer to just read. But if there's any way I can help someone who needs it, I do.

[Tightlines74]

Please don't create private boards.
Keep the Internet free and open.
Ban people via IP address if they violate rules.
This site has helped me a lot fishing the local mud holes with my daughter
(you will see us pulling out trout,sunnies and bass in the Cranford area).
Without the advice here, we might have given up.
Lurkers aren't bad people. they are just shy.

I can relate to this post completely. With family, work, etc there are people who don't have as much time to fish as they would like (like me) or are newbies to fishing ( my son other then LMB and trout) who gain valuable knowledge here and because of circumstances don't have as much to contribute as some of the main posters here who have more time and experience.

Keep the Internet free and open.
Ban people via IP address if they violate rules.

Thank you!!

[jimmythegreek]

Lets put this thread to bed please..........no offense to anyone, its just that the majority of the posts in this thread have nothing to do with why this was started, and who it was targeted at. thankx