Fishing posted HOT spots (poll)

[First Light Bite]

When you see a Hot Bite posted on ifish with the exact location and method are you most likely on your next opportunity to fish to do which.

[ 01-13-2004, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: First Light Bite ]

[Mojo]

It all depends on where the hot spot is, and what type of fish we are talking about. Salmon and Steelies migrate pretty quickly. Schools of Crappie don't.

[First Light Bite]

Ok lets make it Salmon and Steelhead

[Siwash]

Hard to pin the response down as narrowly as the choices offered--I'll definitely factor a hot report into the equation, but that's still only one factor along with the weather forecast, driving distance, and so on.

[Mark Vickers]

I'd have to say that it never influences me to go to a certain spot as I already have my favorites.

In fact, in some cases, I'll probably give the reported area a wide berth as all the goombas out there in Internet land will be showing up.

[FishinFinatic]

now if we can poll all of the lurkers.

[West Linn Wader]

Most of the hot spots I've ever seen posted are well-known (and high competition) places that I avoid anyway. I still appreciate hearing where people are finding success bit it doesn't alter my fishing plans.

GS/WLW

[RichH]

My experience has been that someone posting a hot bite here can have a huge impact on the number of people there the next day. Last year I was fishing a small river that can tolerate a limited number of boats. That was on a Sunday and I saw a total of 4 or 5 boats. That night someone posted a hot bite story here and the next day, a Monday which was not a holiday, there were over 25 boats on the same drift.

I personally would rather see these smaller, less traffic tolerant areas not mentioned here for that very reason. I certainly enjoy success posts and the pics that go with them. I'll even share what I used to catch them but you won't see me post lesser known spots. If I wanted to fish in a crowd I'd elbow my way into some of the more hatchery involved fisheries.

As an aside, I've heard some of the locals in the areas I fish complain that this website will be the ruin of these fisheries. Food for thought.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Fish my own spots and have fun :grin: , rather than fish there and...

[reeldick]

Word of a hot bite doesn't just travel by internet. Listen to what is being said at Fisherman's or Joes. The guys at the counter seem to be right on top of it. Word of fish being caught travels like lightning. There are no more secret spots. Live with it and try to enjoy the day.

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Have you heard of the "Should Have Been Here Yesterday" syndrome...

Very familiar when fish tend to move like Salmon & Steelhead...

[fishnpray]

Just remember- neither self-report data or anecdotal evidence have ever shown enough credibility within the statistics community to be used for causal inference.

-Luis

[West Linn Wader]

Reeldick is right-on. Communication of a hot spot is (of course) going to get some people to go out and check it out themselves. I'm just tired of people who think iFish is the only place that communication is going on.

GS/WLW

[Dakotan]

It seems that by the time you hear about a "hot bite" it is too late. These fish migrate up and down river day in and day out and are so finicky depending on the many variables: how much sun, rain, snow, ice, barometer pressure, river level, etc. The masses definitely do follow this site though so more often than not a "hot tip" will attract the masses....which can spell a lot of people on certain holes on certain rivers. Larger rivers have no problem accomodating the upswell of people. However, it can certainly ruin a nice quiet peaceful day fishing on the river and add a whole lot of stress to one's life. I like to post pictures when I have them to post but try not to get into too much detail and reveal too much about a certain river. I believe in the old adage: THE JOURNEY IS IT'S OWN REWARD!

[Jennie@ifish]

The thing is to me, is that the same thing has happened, via whatever communication was popular, at the time.

I remember fishing, wherever I fished. If it wasn't hot, we had it to ourselves. However, the minute it got hot, word spread. And, this is BEFORE the internet.

Pretty soon, the banks would be lined. People talk. People use phones. People go with guides, and go home and call their friends.

There's no way to keep things to yourself. You can try, though! :smile:

Jen

[First Light Bite]

Thanks to all who participated and although this is very unscientific as Fishnpray points out.

Results from respondents would indicate that:

1. Posting your fishing Hot Spot will only attract 5% of respondents to your secret spot.

2. 76% of respondents will rely on their own knowledge and conditions when deciding where to fish.

3. 50+% of respondents own experiences tell them if you are seeing it here on ifish its already too late as truly hot bites rarely last more than a day at best.

4. ifish is not to blame for overcrowding on any particular Hot Spot of the day.

We all keep some secrets on fragile places but keep in mind most of us love to see and hear your success stories. Keep posting them as most of us will make our own Hot Spot based on our experiences no matter where you are fishing.

[DanS]

There are no more secret spots

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Sure there are. Of course, it's NOT mentioning them that keeps them that way.

[RichH]

DanS [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Grizz]

Good topic and an intresting poll. So much so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in on this one......since that's what this deal is all about right?

I personally LOVE to see hot bite posts and TONS of info in the Oregonian/IFish...etc. It helps me decide where NOT to go to avoid those missing chromosomes. :grin:

If you haven't picked a few local rivers that you enjoy and learned them like the back of your hand your wasting your time. From reading IFish it's apparent to me that most of the people know when and where to target fish runs.....besides....when these buggers come home and where they go is NO secret. The Columbia and it's tribs are the 2nd or 3rd (use to be the 1st) largest salmon/steelhead highway on the planet!!! It's also a mathematical fact that 80% of the fish are caught by 20% of the fisherman. I'm still trying to bust into that 20%. I think it's comical that people have all these secret spots and zipperlip this and zipperlip that. I have rivers I fish and do well in but they aren't any secret. I don't post my results for 2 reasons. 1. I don't want anymore pressure then these spots already get 2. I don't feel the need to broadcast how many fish I catch..(not that I have a problem with those that do....congrats to you...it just isn't me). My humble experience has taught me that you can fish behind 100 guys on a river and STILL get fish. There are always those "easy biters" but sometimes a different presentation is all it takes to get fish that have been beat to death with a pink/pearl corkie to bite......just some food for thought.....see you on the ????? ZIPPERLIP!!!

[jr sherwood]

Did anyone see the latest F&H News ?? Look out Jennie, their all heading your way. :shocked: jr

[TAILOUT]

I normally dont fish the wilson, but this year there is no doubt that I did and that was a direct result of the info on this board. I recently had a son and dont get out as often as I used to, but after reading some of the reports on the Wilson I went down to optimize my fishning time during fall chinook, and it paid off. I have my own spots, but that doesnt compare to having your own spot and using your own info as well. In my opinion, posting on this site does make a difference, my .o2 :grin:

[duckcall]

I fished Cedar Creek for over 20 years; didn't this past season because you couldn't get near the parking lot. The spot on the Wilson that has been mentioned, I have fished for over 30 years. Now I can probably kiss that one goodbye also. I think it is time that we act like sportsman and and enjoy the adventure of finding our own "sweet spots" and keep them to ourselves. This is going to be a point that we can argue and discuss 'till the cows come home. I think we will appreciate those memories of finding a new spot where there is peace and quiet and solitude. That is more important to the sport than a full tag.

[Wood N' Fish]

And---Survey Said--------

[Fourteen]

These are excellent posts about what fishing is all about and not where you go. It's not in the catch but the experience of being there.

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

one season a buddy of mine and I fished this section of lake creek not a soul was around for weeks on end. no one but a fish checker that is.
she checked us day in and day out. she knew about what time would would be taking off the river.

after about 3 weeks with no one around we showed up to fish mid week to find 25 boats had put in before daylight.

so much for fishing and enjoying it. that place was a zoom from that day untill the present.

sorry I I dont say where the hot bite is lrearned my lesson about that a few times that was just one of them.

am I going to run to a river someone else says is hot? not a chance in the world. I dont like crowds and I like boat racing hole creamers that have to stay in front of you even less.


Quasi


.

[HeavyMetal BankFisherman]

I never fish posted hot spots. In fact when and if I do get out and fish I definately avoid any places that would have a crowd. I have my favorite places on the clackamas, sandy, and wilson. They are not the most popular spots and I rarely catch fish. But I am usually alone or almost alone. I do venture out to the battlegrounds occasionaly, but my last experience at bonnie luhr awhile back proved to me that going home with a fish was just not worth it if I had to deal with a circus. Talk about needing valet parking. At least at the hatchery you can hike and find a secluded spot. And the hike is half the fun!

So don't worry about me showing up anywhere there's people. In fact I think that I am going to switch to fly fishing. Catch and release of course. I just like being out and away from what I do everyday. And fishing Rules! If you have the time to go.

[drhall99]

I have proven that a positive fish post will bring them running. No one there the day I fished. Posted a positive report and the next day there were at least 30 ifishers and ifish lurkers. If you value the spot, keep it quiet.

D.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

fishnpray, [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] well said!

[fishbait]

Kinda like Fishing and hunting news....

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