Google Maps Waypoints and GPS Coordinates

[bd-]

Without being specific, we've had quite a few links lately to Google Maps waypoints for certain fishing spots. It has all been pretty harmless so far, but this might be a good time for a polite reminder.

The Internet is a wonderful tool for learning about fishing, but it can also take a good place and "love it to death."

For every person that posts on a forum like this, there are dozens who read but don't participate. Posting specific directions to a "good" spot can send so many people there that it gets overwhelmed.

Now, YOU may be fine with bringing a crowd to your fishing hole. But unless it's your private property, it's not YOUR fishing hole. Some other guy who has been enjoying it will suddenly find three dozen new folks dropping a line and taking out stringers of fish, and he has no control over what you do on an online forum.

A general rule of etiquette that has developed on other fishing forums is that "hotspotting" is frowned upon. Talk about how to fish, or general well-known place names, but names of specific small creeks or pinpoint directions to a specific place are bad manners.

For example, "I fished Old Hickory or the Caney Fork and caught a ton" would be okay.

"Here are the Google Maps directions to the sunken island where the stripers on Old Hickory are holding," or "we fished Doodad Creek which is behind the Hardee's in Murfreesboro" would not be.

Just a suggestion for future reference.

Thanks

bd

[Fish Whisperer]

I was going to ask people if they had any honey holes or exact coordinates for the Defeated Creek area of Cordell Hull.... Thanks in advance..

[Newbie]

Originally Posted by Fish Whisperer

I was going to ask people if they had any honey holes or exact coordinates for the Defeated Creek area of Cordell Hull.... Thanks in advance..

Well, if you have found any you still can share it via PM

I see no problem with fellow anglers sharing spots where they know that they can help out another angler to get on some fish. I thought that was what this site and others are for, to share and help each other out? I agree that nobody has a secret hot spot because that spot is probably 300 other anglers hot spot also. If I am fishing Spencercreek on Old Hickory and find a hole where fish are stacked up, I am going to share that venue! Thats fishing! So with that said If I am going to share a good spot I will be more than happy to send a brother a PM!

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Tennesseejugger

I see no problem with fellow anglers sharing spots where they know that they can help out another angler to get on some fish. I thought that was what this site and others are for, to share and help each other out? I agree that nobody has a secret hot spot because that spot is probably 300 other anglers hot spot also. If I am fishing Spencercreek on Old Hickory and find a hole where fish are stacked up, I am going to share that venue! Thats fishing! JMO!

You are probably right. As much as I fish....and the many places I go....none of them are really secret. I have two places that I have never shared on any forum but believe me many folks fish at them....well one of them anyway. I am a member on a couple of kayak fishing forums and I know on one of them...and maybe both...if you identify the so called "hot spot" you are kicked off the forum. Seems a little extreme to me but it is not my forum and I did not make the rules. But I must say should I find an out of the way creek somewhere I will probably never post even the name of the creek. So far I have not found one....LOL.


Regards

[txnative]

I think the issue is posting specifics on the public forum, where ANYONE can read them, not just members. Also, remember that there are a finite number of "hotspots" on any given fishery, and broadcasting them to the world has been the reason for the "you shoulda been here whenever" comment every angler has heard.

Share info, but use discretion wisely to ensure present hotspots remain so in the future.


Chris

[flyfish]

I've always been of the mindset even if you tell people where to go, it doesn't mean they'll catch fish. Hell, I've had buddies in my boat while fishing a "honey hole" and out fish them 5 to 1.

[Fishmanjoe]

I will respect the rules, but in my experience I have found a lot of "hot spots" that are not ALWAYS hot spots. The fish move with the baitfish and according to water temp, etc. I have told people areas, but not necessarily coordinates. I fish mostly Percy Priest and it seems like there are enough fish on there that we can share.

The longer I fish, the less I believe in "secret spots".

Again, I will follow the rules.

[bd-]

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I am a member on a couple of kayak fishing forums and I know on one of them...and maybe both...if you identify the so called "hot spot" you are kicked off the forum.

Nothing that extreme would be done on this forum. My original post was more about calling attention to an issue of etiquette. Never underestimate the Internet's ability to draw a crowd. The poster may not mind inviting everyone to his spot, but maybe the other few guys who were fishing it do, and it can cause bad blood. I'd rather avoid that.

There's no problem at all with sharing specific spots by Private Message.

bd

I Said if you want more people their post them

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by bd-

Never underestimate the Internet's ability to draw a crowd.

bd

A good example of this would be right now online. There are 22 total viewing the site... 5 are members.

sites like this have ruined lots of fishing for a lot of people. Just because you don't think its a big deal to share spots, you could easily be hurting people who frequently fish in said spots.

it is kind of annoying when you put in the time and effort to scout places out and find a good spot, that has just the right amount of other fishermen to make your fishing day enjoyable. Then all of a sudden the next time you visit, you have 100x more people fishing there. people who are mistreating the fish, and being disrespectful to the other fishermen.

Give people advice tell them ways you went about finding good spots, but don't give people specific spots. give a man a fish and he feeds for a day. teach a man to fish and he feeds for a lifetime

[flyfish]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

A good example of this would be right now online. There are 22 total viewing the site... 5 are members.

Not a good statistic. Most of the time I view the site on my phone and am not logged in. So I would be one of those 22.

Better to PM to friends

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by flyfish

Not a good statistic. Most of the time I view the site on my phone and am not logged in. So I would be one of those 22.

That's true. Didn't think about it that way.