NORCAL fishing GIS project.

I have recently started collecting and mapping fishing data for NORCAL.  I have noticed that many of you use GPS and make some cool paddle paddle maps, and was thinking some might be interested in my GIS¹ project.  I do realize that many people wish to keep their fishing hot spots a secret, however if you do not wish to keep your fishing spots a secret and would like to help me make some cool maps send me your data (as a message so we don't clog up the forum)!  So far I have been recording:

Long/Lat
Date
Fish species
Fish size (inches)
Fishing platform (kayak, pb, shore)
Fishing method (troll, drift, fly, jig, cast/retrieve)
Terminal tackle (live, cut, spinner, spoon etc.)

I use GIS professionally for epidemiological cartography, so if there are some other GIS guys working in a field closer related to fisheries maps I am open to suggestions.  If anyone would like to join the project that would be cool too.  I use ArcGIS 9.3.

¹ GIS: Geographic information systems: Program/programs for making data backed layered maps.

Id be interested in doing some gps maps to help you out. When i get home sunday ill work on getting some data together for you. Jeff

Great!  You don't need to give me all the data I listed, that is just what I am recording for each fish I catch.  That being said, the more info the better/wider variety of maps. 


Oh, btw.  I plan to post the maps on NCKA (even if I am the only one supplying data).

Horrible idea.  I hope this fails.

Horrible idea.  I hope this fails.

Care to elaborate?

It wont fail, as I would be satisfied if I were the only contributor.  If you think this idea will have a negative impact, I am all ears.  I don't presume that all of my projects are good ideas. 

Horrible idea.  I hope this fails.

Care to elaborate?

Not really but I will cause this topic will go on for pages on end in which alot of newer guys to both the site and/or fishing will say, "I learned alot from this site and I want to give something back," which is cool but alot of the older guys or guys who've been on other sites and seen the results of too much info will say, "You're putting additional pressure on an already pressured resource."  Or something to that effect.

The older guys are right and once the newer guys get a little time under their belt they'll come full circle and agree.    There's maps out that will tell you where the fish are, they're called nautical charts and learning to read them will make you a better fisherman.  There's also common fishing areas that are pretty readily shared or written about where people can cut their teeth getting to know their quarry and their kayak/gear.  The high pressure in these common areas will result in good times but small fish in limited quantity, eventually pushing the angler into looking elsewhere in off the beaten path places for bigger fish in better numbers.   Once they find it they'll have put in enough time to appreciate it and let others figure it out instead of offering a free ride to one an all turning a honey hole into the same spots he just abandoned.  We also have excellent spots that are either shared or written about which produce but are weather sensitive or way to far for the masses to repeatedly hammer. 

This site readily gives up intel but going as far as mapping it out and adding all that other info for every tom, dick and lurker ( ) to see is asking for trouble.  You want to know how to catch bass or where to chase stripers then post up in the hook up section or read the reports and ask for intel, most likely someone will help you out. 


my $.02

Horrible idea.  I hope this fails.

Care to elaborate?

Not really but I will cause this topic will go on for pages on end in which alot of newer guys to both the site and/or fishing will say, "I learned alot from this site and I want to give something back," which is cool but alot of the older guys or guys who've been on other sites and seen the results of too much info will say, "You're putting additional pressure on an already pressured resource."  Or something to that effect.

The older guys are right and once the newer guys get a little time under their belt they'll come full circle and agree.    There's maps out that will tell you where the fish are, they're called nautical charts and learning to read them will make you a better fisherman.  There's also common fishing areas that are pretty readily shared or written about where people can cut their teeth getting to know their quarry and their kayak/gear.  The high pressure in these common areas will result in good times but small fish in limited quantity, eventually pushing the angler into looking elsewhere in off the beaten path places for bigger fish in better numbers.   Once they find it they'll have put in enough time to appreciate it and let others figure it out instead of offering a free ride to one an all turning a honey hole into the same spots he just abandoned.  We also have excellent spots that are either shared or written about which produce but are weather sensitive or way to far for the masses to repeatedly hammer. 

This site readily gives up intel but going as far as mapping it out and adding all that other info for every tom, dick and lurker ( ) to see is asking for trouble.  You want to know how to catch bass or where to chase stripers then post up in the hook up section or read the reports and ask for intel, most likely someone will help you out. 


my $.02

I have to agree here with art. I'd post some maps but never my greatest spots. Ill post maps and reports of where I got skunked  . Ive shown a lot of NCKAers my proven spots but never posted on the board. But yeah. Lurkers  I learned that 2 years ago on Fishsniffer. Posted exact spots and descriptions. Next day I went. A huge group of boats all around my spot. Not cool. Theres a great way to help without giving up too much useful information.

Jeff

I have recently started collecting and mapping fishing data for NORCAL.  I have noticed that many of you use GPS and make some cool paddle paddle maps, and was thinking some might be interested in my GIS¹ project.  I do realize that many people wish to keep their fishing hot spots a secret, however if you do not wish to keep your fishing spots a secret and would like to help me make some cool maps send me your data (as a message so we don't clog up the forum)!  So far I have been recording:

Long/Lat
Date
Fish species
Fish size (inches)
Fishing platform (kayak, pb, shore)
Fishing method (troll, drift, fly, jig, cast/retrieve)
Terminal tackle (live, cut, spinner, spoon etc.)

I use GIS professionally for epidemiological cartography, so if there are some other GIS guys working in a field closer related to fisheries maps I am open to suggestions.  If anyone would like to join the project that would be cool too.  I use ArcGIS 9.3.

¹ GIS: Geographic information systems: Program/programs for making data backed layered maps.

[/glow] locate me a liqour store and a good hawaiian restaurant

Horrible idea.  I hope this fails.

Care to elaborate?

Not really but I will cause this topic will go on for pages on end in which alot of newer guys to both the site and/or fishing will say, "I learned alot from this site and I want to give something back," which is cool but alot of the older guys or guys who've been on other sites and seen the results of too much info will say, "You're putting additional pressure on an already pressured resource."  Or something to that effect.

The older guys are right and once the newer guys get a little time under their belt they'll come full circle and agree.    There's maps out that will tell you where the fish are, they're called nautical charts and learning to read them will make you a better fisherman.  There's also common fishing areas that are pretty readily shared or written about where people can cut their teeth getting to know their quarry and their kayak/gear.  The high pressure in these common areas will result in good times but small fish in limited quantity, eventually pushing the angler into looking elsewhere in off the beaten path places for bigger fish in better numbers.   Once they find it they'll have put in enough time to appreciate it and let others figure it out instead of offering a free ride to one an all turning a honey hole into the same spots he just abandoned.  We also have excellent spots that are either shared or written about which produce but are weather sensitive or way to far for the masses to repeatedly hammer. 

This site readily gives up intel but going as far as mapping it out and adding all that other info for every tom, dick and lurker ( ) to see is asking for trouble.  You want to know how to catch bass or where to chase stripers then post up in the hook up section or read the reports and ask for intel, most likely someone will help you out. 


my $.02

    Amen....   WoWyOuGeTItIT!

oh brother, here we ago again with teh "too much intel, not enough intel" rants...

Go for it- do whatever you want I think it would be a fun project, and some guys would actually use it.

.......
This site readily gives up intel but going as far as mapping it out and adding all that other info for every tom, dick and lurker ( ) to see is asking for trouble.  You want to know how to catch bass or where to chase stripers then post up in the hook up section or read the reports and ask for intel, most likely someone will help you out. 

my $.02

I'm relatively new here, but agree with Art. There are years of topics on locations, techniques and experience on this site as well as links to other sites with additional resources. It's also a lot of fun to read through the posts and get an insider's sense of the species targeting, the launch particulars and more. If you spend some time with that, you will get so much more than simply identifying the long/lats. Happy reading!

That's my $.02     

Fair enough, I wont be posting maps on the NCKA forums.  If anyone wants a map or wants to contribute, we can do it privately.  It is a shame about lurkers.

I never intended to "give back" to the NCKA forums, I simply like to share information.  I have fished all over the world and have always been amazed at the amount of information fishermen are willing to share.  While fishing in Norway I learned a killer jig presentation method for cod, in Hungary I learned how to tie some great bait holding knots, fishermen in Mokpo taught me how to catch squid and in East Timor I was shown some very unconventional fishing methods .  It was in this spirit of information exchange that I wanted to post these maps.

I can appreciate the localism of commercial fishermen, but I am not fishing to feed my family.  I enjoy the challenge of fishing (which is why I don't use a fish finder or go on charter trips).  Though I post my spots on this site and others, I have never found my spots to be over fished, probably because my favorite spots are a pain in the arse to get to, or they are not easy to fish.  That being said, as a guy who grew up surfing So-Cal I can understand localism of recreational fishermen.

i have no problem with your mapping project dude. the fact that you have the skills and are willing put them to work for your fellow fisherman is cool. i personnaly, would love to have a map of the norcal coast with all the put-in spots,local species available for harvest, best time of year to harvest,local campgrounds and parking.                                             

                                                 good-luck,  jack

ATF
Ive no doubt that you have the best intentions and it might be a fun project to watch as it evolves, but you may have just put yourself on the "not invited" list of some members that may have taken you to their sacred waters.
I know that you are now on mine.

ATF
Ive no doubt that you have the best intentions and it might be a fun project to watch as it evolves, but you may have just put yourself on the "not invited" list of some members that may have taken you to their sacred waters.
I know that you are now on mine.

Thats cool, and I completely understand.  You however are always invited to fish with me in my sacred trout spots.