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Also, a few of the surfcasting forums I use to visit had strict anti spot burning policies.
Everyone thinks they have The Spot and are so worried it will be burnt. Additionally try asking for help about ice conditions you’ll get lectured about how you need to drive to check spots on your own and burn your own gas. somethings been lost. Kind of thought that was the point of the site to share information and help each other out
I think the discussion in this thread has drifted from the OP's question "where did everyone go?".Now it's kinda becoming an example of why they may have gone.Lots of harsh talk about entitlement and the way people are raised and when they were born and what their politics are.I wouldn't say this about the entire IS community but some of the regional forums have become unwelcoming to downright hostile to anyone who isn't part of the "old boy's network". I get the spot burning aspect and the "where's the safe ice" problem but that doesn't explain why there's an atmosphere of "who can be the biggest dick".Obviously it's all personal preference. Not everyone has the patience to see thread after thread derailed into 8 pages of hotdog jokes.If that's what the forums are going to be, that's fine. Whatever helps you kill all that time ya'all got on your hands.But like it was said above, the door ain't locked from the inside. Guys that come here hoping for some mature discussion on ice fishing or newbies hoping to learn from experienced fishermen probably aren't gonna stick around if all they get is sophomoric dick jokes and rude ballbusting.
first i would say no ice..no posts. i bet within 10 years, Mass will not have winter ice except for a few spots.site has become more of a chat room with fewer fishing pics.too many people looking for spots that do not want to put in the effort. took the 'older' crew years of driving around to find good ponds...newbies nope. did you know you phone pics provide GPS location in the embedded code? i have been on the ice for 50+ years as have the other G.O.D.S. old school rules do not apply anymore, spot burning especially. we shared our spots amongst ourselves, we would never bring anyone else there. we still go fishing after all these years..some of the best group of guys i know.my fav bass pond was ruined decades ago meeting up with a newbie on this site. next weekend he was there with friends, posting pictures and pond name. next week there were 10 guys out there.caught few big fish last year..did not post here..not worth it anymore. burp
It seems like this is an ice fishing site where you aren’t allowed to talk about ice fishing. A few major turn offs of this site are how archaic this forum interface is. Posting and viewing pictures here is ridiculous. Also there’s a core crew here of self proclaimed experts that think they are above everyone else and take their ice fishing way too seriously. It’s supposed to be fun guys. Also there’s nothing wrong with helping people out with ice thickness reports as long as it’s not some tiny pond with limited parking. If more people helped out no one would have to waste their own time and gas driving to check ice.
I don't understand why you are even ON this site then. It works well for myself and a lot of us, and I plan on stickin' around. Your last 2 lines say a lot..."tiny pond with limited parking?" Some fisherman LIKE small ponds without a Walmart sized lot full of buffoons that are gonna storm the ice like the Big Red One. Not for me."Waste their time and gas having to check ice.." Wow, I thought that was part of the sport...note, keyword "Sport". Seriously, does everything have to be instant/easy gratification? Sounds like you just want it all handed to you, on your terms. Whatever works for ya, though . Some of us do feel differently and approach it differently though. Again; whatever works for ya. Bassquatch and lenz....totally agree with your posts. Make me X 3.
Did you skip the “NOT” part of my comment about small places with limited parking. Try reading my post again. Also I’ve been ice fishing for around to 40 years. I don’t need anything handed to me and I’m not looking to steal anyone’s secret spots. Why do you automatically assume you know more than others?
All the noobs from FB poking around here sure stick out...
I don't assume anything. It just wasn't hard to read yer gripin' about the site being archaic, pic posting, spot fishing, wasting time and gas looking for ice.... Simply pointed that out. Steal secret spots? Where did that come from? Try reading your post again in a different light. Kudos on your 40 years. I've been at it for over 50.
At least we know where the fish are internet warrior.nobody has got you chained here,move on.