making our forum better

I love this forum and have been shown and taught a lot since I joined I am concerned about the lack of participation. I usually check this forum a couple of times a day and see threads that were read 800, 900 or more times with 8 or 10 responces. I know we can't know everything, however I feel we are missing out on the knowledge that others are reluctant to share. I read the electronics forum . Believe me when I say my knowledge is limited. You have to be willing to share,sometimes be wrong,and sometimes be humble. This is a great forum for crappie fishermen. We can all learn together. In order to do this we need people that will join,share knowledge and post to help fellow fisherman.... Thanks....crappie1133

Feedback from a new member. I am new to crappie fishing, caught my first one in July. I have fished all my life, mostly trout, and salt water in the South. I end to be all in when I like something, and love to eat what I catch. I met Depet on my home lake, and he turned me on to the website. I have learned volumes on here, I was a novice and still just starting to learn. I haven't had a chance to attend a group event, but I am really looking forward to going the next time. The value to helping someone enjoy a passion by sharing what most members are willing to share should not be taken lightly.
THANK YOU, crappie.com members

I have noticed things have changed, not what it used to be, no one is posting reports like they used to,I hadn't been crappie fishing the last few months, so I hadn't had anything to post. I check the site everyday, really like reading the reports, they are way down, on the NC page anyway.

The site does seem to take a small dip in activity, especially during this part of the year.

You can't really judge how much information is being passed along, or just consumed, by the number of hits a post or thread has vs how many people respond. Normally speaking, the volume of people "looking" at the site, at any one time, is mostly made up of "guests". Now, some of those may be members that are not logged on at that time ... but, a lot of them are just curious people, lurkers, and possibly even the same person coming back time & again to check on that thread.

There is, also, a reluctance on the part of some members to divulge a whole lot of information about where/when/how they were fishing. Some of that is due in part to the fact that there are so many non-members viewing the site's forums, just to glean that information. Some state forums have even taken the step of having a password protected sub-forum, specifically designed to keep this information among the participating members and away from the view of the general public.

This site is HUGE ... and not all members participate in all the forums, whether that be reading, posting, or replying. Do you realize there are 67 different forums, and nearly 50 sub-forums :yikes ... and that's not taking into account the Main Page content !!

Trust me ... when someone wants to know something, share something, or simply discuss something ... it's going to "looked at" by a much greater number of people than the number of people that are going to "respond". That's just the way things are, and in no way does it mean that information isn't being passed along. :twocents

... cp :kewl

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Originally Posted by crappie1133

I love this forum and have been shown and taught a lot since I joined I am concerned about the lack of participation. I usually check this forum a couple of times a day and see threads that were read 800, 900 or more times with 8 or 10 responces. I know we can't know everything, however I feel we are missing out on the knowledge that others are reluctant to share. I read the electronics forum . Believe me when I say my knowledge is limited. You have to be willing to share,sometimes be wrong,and sometimes be humble. This is a great forum for crappie fishermen. We can all learn together. In order to do this we need people that will join,share knowledge and post to help fellow fisherman.... Thanks....crappie1133

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Well said. I look forward to reading your contributions.

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Originally Posted by shipahoy41

Well said. I look forward to reading your contributions.

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Thanks Ship for the kind words. I also love reading your post. I have never felt like the fish belonged to me . They belong to and were put here by God. I was just lucky enough to find and catch a few.I only clean them occasionaly, mostly give them to people who can't or don't fish. I have no problem telling anyone where I caught them and what they were biting.I have caught my share over the years...... I just love to go.... Thanks again for the nice words.....crappie1133

I love to read posts about how different folks catch their fish, and how they located them in particular. However, I totally understand the reluctance to tell WHERE they are catching them. There's just so many people fishing now rather than doing other sports due to all the posted private land, that it's almost scary to post the where. Either way, I wish there were more posts with the WHERE left out but the HOW put in. I've learned a lot from the forum in the couple of years I've been on it, and lots of folks are willing to help and try to share info if possible. Thanks to all who do participate....
JMO,
JBJ

deer season ends JAN 31 , then the Mississippi folks will perk up for sure .:ThumbsUp

Folks will get back to posting more ....right now its deer season, and duck season. Also for some that do not hunt the weather is too miserable for them to fish right now. All the fishing sites get slow this time of year.

Haven't been out in over a month. Yea, I know I'm slipping. Dang work & weather sure are hurting my time on the water. Still lots of good reading on the site though.

Thanks everyone for the deer and duck hunting reminder. Since I gave it all up to fish , I forget. This is my learning site and love to read everyones comments... Looking to read more, keep posting..... Thanks..... crappie1133

Don't forget about the archives...there are countless posts and threads that people forget about...just do a search.

Thank you also for the statement you made to ship. That is one of the things I do love so much about this site. Many individuals of faith and no one scorns them for it either.

Let the temps and other seasons heat up and die down like what was spoke of above and it will roll back in again. A lot of great info here and even better guys and galls who all enjoy fishing for crappie. As spoke of above more folks are turning to the water and fishing so I can see where the tighter lips come into play...but I can also say if you post a need help Q on here there are still those more than willing to lend a hand and point you in right direction.

Good luck on the water :cheers2

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Originally Posted by crappie1133

I love this forum and have been shown and taught a lot since I joined I am concerned about the lack of participation. I usually check this forum a couple of times a day and see threads that were read 800, 900 or more times with 8 or 10 responces. I know we can't know everything, however I feel we are missing out on the knowledge that others are reluctant to share. I read the electronics forum . Believe me when I say my knowledge is limited. You have to be willing to share,sometimes be wrong,and sometimes be humble. This is a great forum for crappie fishermen. We can all learn together. In order to do this we need people that will join,share knowledge and post to help fellow fisherman.... Thanks....crappie1133

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Wow! Agree totally. I'm definitely for making CdC better. There are hundreds of us on here logged in or as "guests" at any given time. Although there are members that post frequently (some almost every day or more), calculations show that less than 5% of those reading the threads contribute to the threads.

We may feel... why share what took a long time or lifetime to learn? "Worldly thinking" will make us become concerned only about ourselves not others.

The Greatest Teacher teaches us to go about things from a unique position of sharing and treating others how we would want to be treated & avoid conforming to the ways of this world. The Good Book tells us that selfish acts are considered "sins". Even if you aren't a believer, you can still contribute and promote good will by helping others.

It's taken unselfish members to bring CdC to where it is now. Let's think about it... If no one shared and was selfish with their knowledge, how would this website have any value? Everything from fishing tips, mechanical assistance, sharing trips, clubs, projects, recipes, etc. This website holds much shared information derived from its members.

When it comes down to it, whether others know your "secret"; it only matters what the reader is able to do with it- can they recognize the situation, can they remember what to do with it, are they motivated to employ it, can they employ it successfully, can they... Also some members seldom fish and experience fishing vicariously through the posts.

Finally... Why share with a community of fellow anglers? Sure, it's the right thing to do, but it also keeps CdC the best site on the web. If you've ever gained anything (tip, location, friendship, etc.) via CdC, it's a helpful way to give back that fits everyone's budget. If you've been holding back here or in life, challenge yourself to see things through eyes of abundance rather than scarcity. :)

There has been many good comments on here and I will admit I am one that views many more posts than what I comment on, but that does not mean I am withholding information. Many times the info has already been posted by another member. I do comment more on the site with the members I am familiar with.

There is such a huge diversity of members on this site that they have knowledge on nearly everything.

I know I thoroughly enjoy reading posts from all states, they entertain an enlighten me for hours at a time.

Thanks to Ed Moes for this site and to all the moderators that help keep this site family friendly.

Sincerely; Dave

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I feel at 73 most of the fish I have caught are in the past. I could care less if someone in some other state or area uses my help to catch more fish .I am always glad to help a fellow fisherman. What have I done if I know the answer to someone elses problem and keep my mouth shut. I joined this forum because I liked everyones willingness to share. I have learned a lot reading and putting others ideas into practice. If everyone can put up with my commemts. I will keep doing so .....Thanks again.....crappie1133

There is a wealth of info past and present that helps all of us. Im in Illinois so the weather is not all that great for fishing. Come spring to fall there will be more than enough info being given willingly. Some state forums more than others. No one is gonna give you there honey hole but they will share what tactics produced for that given time. Time on the water is the best teacher. If I tell you what worked for me does that mean it will work for you. Dont know. This is the best site hands down for anything crappie. Won't find any better. Lurkers should join. They will benefit more by joining than by other means. Whatever way you want to fish you will find a thread or a post dedicated to it. So enjoy and build up some friendships and go fishing

I will admit up front, I read, lurk, or what ever you want to call it, more than I post comments. Yes I learn from others on here and am grateful for it, Thank you everyone. Because of some recent health issues, I haven't been fishing in the last year, but that doesn't mean I can't store that info in the back of my pea sized brain to try on waters where I might go fishing the next time. And trust me folks, I seriously doubt I will get to your lakes and rivers any time soon. As was stated before, there is a lot of info not being said. I'm not interested in where you caught the fish, ( i.e. honey hole, or necessarily the body of water ), as much as the technique you employed. That's what I joined for, was the sharing. And when I return to the water, then I can and will post of my adventures, both good and bad. Thank you for your time n reading this. Didn't mean to rant so. Eric

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Originally Posted by eric 3501

I will admit up front, I read, lurk, or what ever you want to call it, more than I post comments. Yes I learn from others on here and am grateful for it, Thank you everyone. Because of some recent health issues, I haven't been fishing in the last year, but that doesn't mean I can't store that info in the back of my pea sized brain to try on waters where I might go fishing the next time. And trust me folks, I seriously doubt I will get to your lakes and rivers any time soon. As was stated before, there is a lot of info not being said. I'm not interested in where you caught the fish, ( i.e. honey hole, or necessarily the body of water ), as much as the technique you employed. That's what I joined for, was the sharing. And when I return to the water, then I can and will post of my adventures, both good and bad. Thank you for your time n reading this. Didn't mean to rant so. Eric

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Not what I'd call a "rant", Eric ... and I doubt you're alone in your pursuit of knowledge about techniques & how to's, above the exact "where" people are catching their fish.

Just remember, folks .... the "where" can change pretty quickly, but the "how to's" remain constant. And while the "how to's" don't always work EVERY TIME, they will work at some time ... just like where you caught them yesterday, might produce nothing today or even tomorrow. First order of business is to FIND the fish ... then, when you do find them, you have to figure out what they want & how they want it presented to them -- that's called "Fishing". When you figure those things out, and start sinking hooks into the mouths of those fish & bringing them into the boat (or onto the shore) -- that's called "Catching". If you're not having FUN doing BOTH, you're missing out on the true nature of this sport. :twocents

... cp :kewl

Thank you Crappie Pappy. There are three reasons I go fishing. One I relaxation, two is enjoyment of being outside enjoying what the good Lord has given us, and three meat for the table. If I don't catch anything, then I've still had a great day. Eric

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Originally Posted by eric 3501

Thank you Crappie Pappy. There are three reasons I go fishing. One I relaxation, two is enjoyment of being outside enjoying what the good Lord has given us, and three meat for the table. If I don't catch anything, then I've still had a great day. Eric

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That's the spirit !!

... cp :kewl

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Originally Posted by eric 3501

thank you crappie pappy. There are three reasons i go fishing. One i relaxation, two is enjoyment of being outside enjoying what the good lord has given us, and three meat for the table. If i don't catch anything, then i've still had a great day. Eric

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amen