The full disclosure dilemma...unintended consequences

[Jig4perch]

Hi team,

I truly appreciate the information shared by members.  Most post are entertaining, educational and thoughtful.  However, I still struggle with the dilemma of members disclosing location and result details.

I understand why some people are comfortable with full disclosure of details... and can appreciate the positive intent of sharing "good news" via social media. 

However, sharing may have unintended consequences:

Your fishing spot runs out of parking
Your best friend stops texting you fishing results
You meet new people that traveled long distances to find safe ice and a HOT bite.
You get critical notes from fellow Shanty members ... explaining the concept of SPOT BURN
You get flooded with thank you messages from Shanty members
Your spot is over-fished

Please don't send messages suggesting I am acting selFISH.... because  I am selFISH when it comes to sharing information that may have unintended consequences for me, my friends and fellow Shanty members. 

Full disclosure post may seem like a generous gesture ... however being too generous will likely result in untended consequences.

BTW ...if you decide full disclosure is a good practice ... please send the GPS location of the most productive spots or attach pictures with the GPS location included.   

[rmoody79]

My favorite is : “ not looking for your secret spot just general area”.

I got a 3.5lb brook trout through the ice Saturday, general area: New England

[jigabob]

A few years back I responded to a guys post by sending the guy a personal message. He was looking for early ice. After letting him know where I was fishing on good ice this guy then post for everyone to see where it was. I don't share this info no more.

[MRC2572]

Some like to share. Some don't. Who the F cares.

[rmoody79]

I care, the internet can ruin a fishery.  Bogtrotter who very kindly shares great stories of his experiences makes my point in his post of above about Burnetts pond in Savoy.  He mentioned showing up to a full parking lot of trucks and more people on the ice than he has ever seen, that’s what the internet will do

[masspike]

I agree..I say nothing

[KillerFish]

I care, the internet can ruin a fishery.  Bogtrotter who very kindly shares great stories of his experiences makes my point in his post of above about Burnetts pond in Savoy.  He mentioned showing up to a full parking lot of trucks and more people on the ice than he has ever seen, that’s what the internet will do

This - it is unfortunately very real.

[tbern]

Cell phones add to the mix too. Nearly everyone has them and a text to a buddy about fish biting  is followed by him/her texting a buddy or two and so on and on it continues.

[NateD]

A few years back I responded to a guys post by sending the guy a personal message. He was looking for early ice. After letting him know where I was fishing on good ice this guy then post for everyone to see where it was. I don't share this info no more.

Now that is effed up. Spot burning sucks, the forum I'm on in the summer actually makes it against the rules and is heavily enforced. The ice report section is basically just spot-burn section. I appreciate any help I get from the guys around here because it is though to find ice 2+ hours from home, but I wouldn't tell a soul any information that was given to me in confidence.

[PoleJerker]

[striper50trout]

Please don't spot burn, thankyou

[jigabob]

Spot Burn!!!!

[KillerFish]

Spot Burn!!!!

LOL - making me laugh....

[Srbcee8]

What is the point of this site, if not to share information? People can share how little or how much they'd like. No one's forcing anyone to share info. I'm here because most kids my age don't waste time going outside, let alone in the cold, just to fish (or very few of them). So it's like getting advice from people still interested in the sport. Why be here without wanting to share knowledge?

[Knot there yet]

Cape Cod Canal is all I have to say about spot burn.
 It’s not what you say some time.The photos burn your spot most of the time.
 Bassquatch taught me on hear that you hold camera low and take photo so only sky in back ground. Keeps you from having to photoshop out.

[skifisher]

There’s a definite difference between sharing information and “hot-spotting!” I’m willing to let someone know what lake I’m fishing, what bait/lure I’m using, and what what technique I’m using. Past that, I don’t need any recognition or “pats on the back” for doing what I enjoy, or showing off my catch, but that’s just me, and I don’t begrudge anyone else for doing what makes them feel good. If I put in the time and effort, I think you should too! Is that being selfish?

[lowaccord66]

One of my favorite lakes was mentioned here one year when ice in the rest of the state was scarce.  I don't mind company on the ice at all, and when you start fishing the bigger lakes its expected...but there is a point where it's just ridiculous.  Seeing a 600 acre lake that normally saw maybe 5-7 groups on it at 7am have over 17 groups one morning at the same time was unreal.  I left.  I was not upset, it wasn't a huge deal to me I went elsewhere.  Do I think the mention here had something to do with it, sure.  Did it hurt the lake, no not at all.  At the end of the day the more of us that ice fish the better but like anything else people will take the path of least resistance but I don't think its here.  Do a search for your favorite lake on YouTube and see what you find.