What are we doing wrong ?

Florida is probably has highest number of
Freshwater licensed / retired fisherman
in the continental USA - number one reason, we can fish year round - no ice- snow-
consistent cold weather, yet on this
Crappie.Com forum we can't come close
to the number postings of other states regarding pros & cons of how to fish and whats happening in our state & local area.
We rank (11th) 53,765 - Mississippi(1st),
436,963, (2nd) Missouri 250,108, (3rd)
Arkansas 153,308, (4th) South Carolina
141,328 -Note just read post on SC,
about long-lining that took up 23 pages,
about 1 1/2 hrs to read - at no time was
there a negative remark - 125% all positive and helpful reading.(5th)
Louisana 139,530, (6th)Virginia 123,372
(7th) N.Carolina 115,806, (8th) Georgia
93,511, (9th) Tennessee 69,355. (10th)
Illinois, 64,885.
Slabfest meets have dropped off -
Tournament fishing is a 150% struggle
to get interest - We have some of the
best Crappie Fishermen living in our state
and are willing to work with and assist
new commers and old timers on how
what & where to find fish. Participation
is the key to anyting - get involved -
bemore than a "lurker" Work, Work is not
the only means of survival - get out and
enjoy your state and what it has to offer.
Fishing is or should be number one fun
think. WE are the one of largest states
in Union. 159 mi wide and over 475 miles
long.

I think the reason no one talks because people will cover you up and most of them should not have a boat and have no respect for others prime example the shrimp forum's oak hill is so screwed up you have to take a gun to go shrimping all because one person is trying to make money and be important just my thoughts

Multiple issues,
Demographics, the older retired folks you speak of do not want anything to do with the internet. Its the devil, steals your identity and soul. South Florida has a huge population that could not read this site if they wanted to and that also mixes in the rest of the state as well to a lesser degree. Most people here fish for Specks for food, not as a sport fishery or glamour. Most could not give 2 cents for tournaments or organized fishing of any sort. Dont believe that, go to Lake Monroe ramps in Sanford and ask the locals to fish a tournament or any organized event.
Favoritism, most everyone has a certain area they fish and are comfortable, I fish Monroe and even when other areas are on fire I know I can go to Monroe or the river 10 minutes from home and be entertained. Why travel an hour. In Baton Rouge, everywhere I fished was a minimum of an hour away, so traveling was the norm.
Diversity, Start traveling to fish in Florida and a whole other world opens. An hour from home puts me at Port Canaveral. Cobia at the channel bouys and following rays along the beach, redfish and trout inshore, Tripletail on the markers and crab pots. Mosquito Lagoon, know the area and redfish and trout abound. Same money for a fully rigged new tournament bass boat can put you in a mid tier Center Console boat that will get you to the stream, dolphin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Grouper, Amberjack, Red Snapper the list goes on and we still have not trailered more than an hour from home.
Now on to the great Tourney guys here. How often do you see them post on here? Don and Terri Collins? Darrel Cole? George Parker? Tim Eberly? and many many more. Where is all the FCC guys? Sam Adams? John Peyton? Wendell Connor? Larry Witt? When you read other states there are some pretty stout competitors posting. I Know many do not care for all the BS that gets posted, and all the hijacking. But if only 3-5 people post all the time it goes stale as seems to be the case here. I can not post much lately as I believe I have only fished 3 times since Thanksgiving maybe a total of 4 hours. Have nothing to add, but do post and help when I can. I read daily and get and answer a slew of pm's.

There's an awful lot of things to keep you busy here. How many real hobbies-- orchids, garden, grandkids,cycling, salt and freshwater fishing, birds native orchids and all that other stuff, kinda keeps one occupied, and yes some are not in the least interested in tournaments and it's easy to change directions not limited to seasonal fare, BUT speck fishing and Crappie.com i'm hooked.--shu

As for myself, I do love fishing with the Orlando based guys, and the Slabfest, and Slabtogether Tournaments, and get togethers.. Though it's a haul for me as most of the get togethers are 75 - 125 miles plus for me...

Best of it are they are free, or low cost...

I would fish more of the West Central Tournaments with you guys Harold.. But the $50 per boat for me, tends to be a factor most of the time.. Not saying there's anything wrong with it..

I just don't fish Crappie consistently enough, or can commit to fishing enough with a partner to spend the money on top of other expenses involved.

That's one thing that I do like about the Slab Tournaments, it's more of a good time, get together with a good group of guys, teasing and joking with each other.

Anyways, I do plan on fishing in a few of your get togethers, it just hasn't worked out for me as of yet..

And I definitely want to get together again with the Slab guys, but it looks as though those events are declining somewhat at the moment..

Gentlemen: please don't get me wrong - i am not promoting tournament fishing,
my main concern is get and build interest in our Florida CdC forum. Tournament fishing
will only interest a certain competitiive group. I am wanting Florida forum to comparable
to other states on CdC, if not better. We have all the good things in our favor.weather,
Freshwater - Saltwater - year round fishing from Keys to Talguin..........We have the
largest boating registrations on file in the continental US, Yet we cannot hold a candle
to some of our Brothern States regarding fishing. We must be doing something a miss.
Everyone should be looking to us as to whats happening in the fishing world. Granted
a lot of the big national groups, also film crews involving Crappie Fishing do not - make
films in our state - main reason, fishing is different in this state than say Indiana-OHio
etc. We do not have the structure, the water clarity nor the depth to promote the
sale of fishing equipment compared to other states. Things that most of us learned
growing up - up North are totally different in Florida waters.
I personally have never attended a Florida Slabfest, not that i didn't want to, just always had a conflict of interest vs Tournament schedule. Have tried over past 5 yrs
or so to promote CdC whenever, possible - this is a very good source of information
and products advertised.

The differences between Florida and other states waters is my thoughts on why the top tourney guys dont post. The miniscule changes or adaptations they make is the difference between a check and no check. Easy to slip and let the cat out the bag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishin813

Everyone should be looking to us as to whats happening in the fishing world.

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Everyone does look to you as to whats happening in the fishing world, but crappie is a tiny niche in the fishing world. Years ago, I was in Hungary talking to an Englishman. (It's a long story.) Anyway, he said to me, "You know what I like to catch? Bonefish!" And he caught 'em when he visited ... Florida. For all the fishing they have, they all dream about fishing in Florida. (The trout guys dream about Montana and Colorado.)

As huntinslabs noted above, y'all are sitting on a fishing gold mine. I'm going to Florida in a few weeks, but I'm not fishing for crappie. (I wouldn't even consider it.) I'm fishing for snook and tarpon and redfish and whatever else I can catch.

I will be blunt with some by saying what i personally have heard - Things started to
go down hill about 2 yrs ago..........When someone would post pictures of catch and
number caught how they had a good time..........and they did not turn the fish loose.
They ate them.....but we had a few on here that started to make snide remarks, about
fish caught and not turned back. Than more and more people started posting how the
catch was and how many they turn back to the water. I know personally of one
posting person that after he was ridden hard about his catch - has never, never posted another thought. Another frequent poster -posted pictures, catch, lakes fished and
jigs used, But the various people in
group made fun and sarcastic remarks as to his english langauge, wording such as
the mispelling of words. No one checked to say or ask: -that he had a problem with
2 keys sticking on laptop..but lets ride the horse on negetive side.
I have many problems with my typing- mostly because my mind is moving faster than
fingers, but if don't ride or make remarks so be it.........I have myself in past stopped
looking at forum because of something or someone said ..........its my option to pass
or read.....move on and consider the source. Everyone has a decision and a choice.
This forum will either come together and discuss to improve or become -A "Has been".
Presently i present results on FCC forum, write for 3 newspapers and 2 magazines.
Don't receive any negative remarks but am asked the hows- whys & thoughts how to
catch & improve. I don't hold a candle to the "big boys" but i love competition and the opportunity to learn, become a better fisherperson and possible help someone else..
Maybe Skiffin16 is on right track - saying that he really enjoyed comming to Slabfest, fishing,
shooting the bull, comradship - people bringing a covered dish or just having a
good time. No fruit jar, no raffle, no trophies for positions etc, etc. Some people
are intimidated by competition - same as they will lurk and read all posts but not
get involved, but try and use what information they could glean and try it.
I have said my piece....done - have at people. Personally if i catch a big one heavy
2 or 3 pounder - that baby is going on the wall beside the other 2 i have. - or if i night
fish and limit out legally - i will post pictuers etc, tell how we caught them and move
on. Thats my choice.
Several of FWC people have their hands tied to some degree - because of the
Tourism Trade involving this state. Tell me something might be amiss - when every
night at the Kissimmee River bridge, Okeechobee has pontoon boats with 30-45 rod
holders on them stacked up nose to tail -lit up like small city for a least 1/2 mile either
side of bridge........ and they only keep 25 fish per person, might have 8-10 on board.
Does the FWC get involved after 7pm - ?

Good job putting it out there Harold. Everyone should be nice to everyone especially since this is a friendly forum. Respect others choices about fishing and do what makes you happy regarding keeping or returning caught fish. As mentioned before, Some of the other states don't have all the activities that Florida offers. Being born and raised there, I was involved in different activities but fresh water and speck fishing is what stuck with me. I have really learned a lot since I joined CDC and FCC. Thanks to all for the informative posts... they really do help. I think the Florida forum and FCC should invest in our future and have a youth division to either fish with us or have youth tournaments or both. We need to share this love and knowledge of crappie fishing with the next generation. Just my thoughts.

I agree with some of your points Harold. I love your passion and enthusiasm for this forum. I probably will not post any public reports again, but what can I do to help? I am well versed in most crappie techniques and patterns. What are the needy areas of information? When people ask questions I try to post advice. I could maybe type an article from time to time?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Everyone does look to you as to whats happening in the fishing world, but crappie is a tiny niche in the fishing world. Years ago, I was in Hungary talking to an Englishman. (It's a long story.) Anyway, he said to me, "You know what I like to catch? Bonefish!" And he caught 'em when he visited ... Florida. For all the fishing they have, they all dream about fishing in Florida. (The trout guys dream about Montana and Colorado.)

As huntinslabs noted above, y'all are sitting on a fishing gold mine. I'm going to Florida in a few weeks, but I'm not fishing for crappie. (I wouldn't even consider it.) I'm fishing for snook and tarpon and redfish and whatever else I can catch.

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Where ya going to DBD? If anywhere close I would love to buy you a beer. I have read numerous posts of yours and have gained a lot from many.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Where ya going to DBD? If anywhere close I would love to buy you a beer. I have read numerous posts of yours and have gained a lot from many.

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Thanks!

I'll be in Naples (not sure if that's anywhere close to you.) It's my annual mangrove swamp fly fishing trip. I love it!

4.5 hrs is a touch far to buy you a beer. But enjoy your trip. Naples is a fantastic fishery. My grandmother lived down there. Spent a lil time that ways.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

4.5 hrs is a touch far to buy you a beer.

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Agreed, but thanks for the offer anyway. :cheers2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

But enjoy your trip. Naples is a fantastic fishery.

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I will, and it is! :biggrin

The FCC has always had an opening for youth fishermen.... Many times over the years
Tournament events have had entries with youth's accompaning the Father /Grandfather
etc. and at end of year the Club has acknowledge these youths at the Classic.
They are considered are fisher people of the future.


Item comming up for discussion at the Lochloosa Tournament on Saturday, May 9th.
Just posted on FCC forum & our e-mail site, to make it possible for more to get
involved - WE are looking into an Amateur Div. Costs of event will be $25.00
per team plus $10.00 for big fish -(not normal fee of $50.00 plus $10) which will go into the total Big Fish pot of all have a chance to win.
$5.00 dollars of the $25.00 will go to the club for the Classic at end of year.
Only the money in Amateur Money will be shared by the Amateur's entered and
this will be restricted to 2015 entries forward. Any new entries of 2015 that have
won monies, will not be allowed - thereby, keeping it to amateurs.

I've read the entire thread and have my own frustrations about the way things sometimes turn. Not to hijack the topic but having lived there for over half my life I'd like to poke my nose in. Groups have begun to gather with the intention of Fun, Friendship and Fishing. I thoroughly enjoy the interaction between everyone, and enjoy the little time I get for the fellowship. As things progress they change, as they always do. In my case it was tournaments that entered the picture. Once money became involved things moved in directions that I didn't and don't care for. Not throwing stones at tourneys but they aren't for everyone. One statement that was made was that someone couldn't fish with others because they would know their spots for the next tourney. That shoots the 3 f's in the butt.

Huntinslabs touched on many different things that attribute to non-participation, all good points. I love being around different folks, and everyone brings something to the table. But human nature really kicks my butt sometimes. We have a good site with lots of good folks on board. Over the past 8 years i've seen many come and go. We can't fix everyone but it sure is worth the effort to get along with everyone and do what makes you happy. I've made 2 resolutions in the past 3 years that helped me a lot; Stop stressing about things I can't change and to step back from what bothers me and get closer to those people and things that make me happy. I'm lots happier and as a result I enjoy that little bit of time I spend with friends.

Not trying to point fingers or start anything, but it isn't just in the FL forum that things like this happen. Hope to see everyone at one of the gatherings soon.

Well written and explained Skeet. Tip of the hat. i believe you may have hit on it
totally, possibily the starting downfall of Slabfest group.
One competition entered into picture - things within the group changed unknowingly
but it did happen. A lot of people love just being around other people with the
same interest. Some of the best times a few of us have had is going nite fishing with
3 - 4 other boats and just havin a blast. Super friendly rivaly and helping each other
catch fish.
I spoke last week with a couple that when they first moved into Florida about 4 yrs
ago - they were looking to meet other crappie fishermen - so they went to a Slabfest.
Upon arrival they found out they and arrived to late - people had just finished eating
and most everyone was paired off into their own personal clicks..............they recd
somewhat of cold reception...........They never went to another...........

Maybe taking a hard look at ourselves and going back to what got us to into the 3 F's...........Fun- Friendship & Fishing - is the real deal...

GO BACK TO BASIC'S

Interesting: A post such as "boatless" and "here she is"
get more hits (looks) and responses -
These type of posts seem to generate more interest than anything else, along with
maybe a hot thread telling someone they are a "Guber"
No harm meant in what i am saying - just pointing out my thoughts about this
particular site and what people seem to put importance on.
Seems no one wants to get involved and get or put together a plan to improve and
make this the outstanding state that it is. With are variable fishing resources .
Maybe we should have Slab set up a Saltwater forum inaddition to our Freshwater ! !

I for one do not have the real time needed to get totally involved:
Am on to many outside programs presently: FCC - 3 newspapers - Pres of one HOA
sitting on board of another (2 different cities) Committeeman on GOP voter prectinct
In process of rebuilding a boat and getting ready to fish out of:
Not bragging - just tapped out..