Spot Burning

I have seen this topic before, but want to get some more insight from folks and share my thoughts. I have just started smashing the halibut this year. Having a great time and as I have always done, I post all my pictures of myself holding a fish on my social media. One.. to show off my catch, two.. to document the trip and memory, three.. there is nothing more badass (in my mind) then holding up a monster fish or a limit of fish. Recently I have been getting some blowback from other local anglers about "blowing up there spot". And the "kooks" are going to know now. Which I never am posting directly that this is exactly my spot I was fishing.. and so on. Yes you could probably figure it out with some research but at the same time you still have to go out and catch the fish. Most of the time I am miles from a launch. I spend a ridiculous amount of time, money, effort, research, and straight up hard work to get on these fish. I take it pretty serious, it is a hobby but at the same time I am trying to get on as many, and as big as fish as possible. So in my mind, I have earned these fish. There is nothing more rewarding than putting in that 12hour day and coming back with 50lbs of meat. And in my mind, I am trying to share that on social media. Show people my passion. So I also feel if some "kook" wants to put in the time and grind it out to get on fish because he saw my post, then kudos to that dude and I am all for it. I think we all have the smallest impact on our fisheries as kayak fisherman. Look at the fish taken by party boats and commercial fisherman? Or those dickwads in Japan straight up killing thousands of whales every year. Sorry for the rant but it does get to me when other guys get ass hurt about me posting pictures of the fish I catch. It is intended to do the opposite effect. Anyways, I'd like to hear some more thoughts on this topic

Newbies to kayak fishing may not realize that the parking lots and fishing grounds weren't always crowded. Showing off on social media brings an instant and short-lived feeling of satisfaction, gratification, and validation which quickly wears off. But it has the long-lasting effect of bringing attention to fishing spots and the fishery itself. We as kayak fishermen do have an impact. You can always break yourself down into such a small demographic that you as an individual are insignificant, but we as a group are not insignificant. Pacifica on Friday was an absolute shit show of kayakers. Hundreds of lines cutting back and forth through schools of fish will break up a bite.

I for one almost never post on social media about fishing or mushroom hunting, as I have seen the crowds getting bigger and bigger over the years. It's incremental and hard to be aware of if you're not paying attention or if you haven't been around long enough to see it, but it's real. Miller Park is so bad that if you're not there by 6am on a weekend you have to park up above , and only then if you're lucky. Ten years ago you could go any time and the lot was wide open. In 5 years it's going to be far worse. Every time you post online, it draws attention and sparks people's interest, which of course is the point, but it's not free of side effects.

So keep telling yourself that your social media posts don't have an effect. I am certain they do. And it's not just in relation to fishing. Parking lots, hiking trails, and campsites are all swarming with weekend warriors - and weekday warriors - who are addicted to Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook and can't help but brag and show off, no matter the cost.

That's my rant.

New guy chiming in. I've always thought that the folks who get truly butt hurt over alleged spot burning were just being selfish. I've never shied away from telling people where and how I caught my fish, and I've always appreciated it when someone else did the same. I think learning new techniques and fishing new spots is a big part of the joy, and we should all help each other do that.

I take the same approach in my professional life, but I have plenty of co-workers who have an attitude analogous to the "no spot burning" approach.

My opinion is in regards to the whole "you caught MY fish" type of attitude, not the implications of overcrowding.

New guy chiming in. I've always thought that the folks who get truly butt hurt over alleged spot burning were just being selfish. I've never shied away from telling people where and how I caught my fish, and I've always appreciated it when someone else did the same. I think learning new techniques and fishing new spots is a big part of the joy, and we should all help each other do that.

I take the same approach in my professional life, but I have plenty of co-workers who have an attitude analogous to the "no spot burning" approach.

My opinion is in regards to the whole "you caught MY fish" type of attitude, not the implications of overcrowding.

I agree with this and have also shared what knowledge I have when catching. Also, asking as much questions to fellow anglers as possible. It is us against the fish in my mind. As regards to overcrowding, I don't think that will ever really change. There are simply too many people in the world and it is only growing.

Simple

Just write :  “ Fished off  ...... Coast , got these ...
Post Wx conditions, gear, your catch

Don’t show landmarks in the background, parking lot shots , only show open ocean or your catches on the kayak, in the  rear well or on your hawg trough

Most spots are know , by regulars who frequently fish them.

The digital age is instant gratification, easy to get hooked on   

Some places can’t be helped

Fish once were thought to be a renewable resource .. times maybe changing with habitat loss , restrictions.

Protect what you love, share at risk. Know who you share with.

Just my .02

+1
10 years ago, I felt sharing my intel and experiences was in some ways a measure of sportsmanship, help others since I have learned much of what makes me successful from fishing reports, forum posts, etc...

It may be time to think in terms of protecting the resource from other anglers! Old habits are hard to break, and I still like sharing and learning from others. Change is a part of life, and as people who have been in the Sport for over a decade have mentioned, the change has already happened. The crowds are almost impossible to avoid, in MANY locations now. Just another filter to consider when composing a post, and something I can be more mindful of.

For example, was posting a hookup for the Pacifica area a good idea? Hard to say in these times. It seemed to have increased the pressure on the area. That said, my intent was safety, try and get a launch buddy kind of thing. Now that I’ve been, I know the area will have other boaters when the fish are in, perhaps no need to draw extra attention, even if it’s for the purposes of finding people to launch and land with.

I agree with this and have also shared what knowledge I have when catching. Also, asking as much questions to fellow anglers as possible. It is us against the fish in my mind. As regards to overcrowding, I don't think that will ever really change. There are simply too many people in the world and it is only growing.

"Us against the fish?" The fish aren't our mortal enemy. They're a resource that we enjoy which is in more and more limited supply.

Crowds ten years ago compared to crowds today do not correlate to population growth. More likely, they correlate to the increase in popularity of social media.

So keep telling yourself that your social media posts don't have an effect. I am certain they do. And it's not just in relation to fishing. Parking lots, hiking trails, and campsites are all swarming with weekend warriors - and weekday warriors - who are addicted to Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook and can't help but brag and show off, no matter the cost.

+1

Where's the line between self satisfaction and the old school word "bragging"?

I blame the internet for this topic as it has created a fast effective way to communicate information to those that are looking for it. 

Is it spot burning or has the popularity of the sport created the overcrowded conditions?  (Plus dealing with the powerboats etc that are in the same area.)  Also, I have seen posts on here where a kayaker looks for the fleet of fishing charter boats and heads out toward them.  Wouldn't that be "spot burning" as well?  With kayaks that are powered by more than a paddle, (Pedals, sail, or motor) our reach is getting wider and more spots are available but it has also made the sport more popular.

So many of the spots are so well known by so many people that a photo of your catch on a particular day is not really the problem.  I say congratulations on your catch and enjoy life.

EOR (End Of Rant)

It's all bragging and ego stroking.

It's all BIG LIMITZ and LIP RIPPIN' and three cameras filming yourself while you kayak fish and posting it all to Facebook, Instagram, and everywhere else you can with YOU GOTTA SEE THIS and SUBSCRIBE and all that shit.

Lame. But the same thing is happening in all natural places.

I’m not a youtuber and have a pretty stripped down social media presence, but I am wondering what the difference is between a post here with some details aimed at helping get others onto fish, and a photo for those that love their fish porn Is really that much different than a YouTube video?

Click bait titles, and the other obviously obnoxious and well chronicled behaviors aside.

Not a post designed to kick the old hornets nest again, honestly trying to get a clear picture of the line between sharing and being irresponsible.

If we all didn’t like to learn/share, there would be no need for a reports forum on this site no?

It's a big ocean and you can always get away from the crowds if you're willing to paddle a bit, if you can get in the water. Full parking lots, lines at the ramps, and lines of vehicles waiting to get down the hill at the coves are the real problems from my point of view. It makes me not even want to bother with weekends anymore at any of the well-known spots. But yeah, I hate that social media crap.

Eh, the sport as a whole is growing incredibly fast. Add all the free time people have this year due to things being shut down and you have some busy fishing holes!

The popular spots have gotten more popular, there’s no helping that. The less popular spots that are a challenge to get to are still mostly empty. I think the ease of access creates some of the pressure.

If I post that I went to a spot that had great fishing, but required a long drive followed by a long hike/wheel/drag, followed by a long paddle/peddle would many people show up? I doubt it.

Also I agree with spiffy, he does not know shit 

The less popular spots that are a challenge to get to are still mostly empty. I think the ease of access creates some of the pressure.

If I post that I went to a spot that had great fishing, but required a long drive followed by a long hike/wheel/drag, followed by a long paddle/peddle would many people show up? I doubt it.

This is exactly why I just picked up a 50lb Eddyline. Well that and it paddles like a dream compared to my old barge.

And as far as info sharing I share everything I know with others, mostly. But it’s a two way street. I’ll share info in person or privately with friends or people I meet on the water who seem open to suggestion and friendly. If I get asked directly here I will share what I know through PM if it’s somebody who has contributed to the site and isn’t just lurking and looking for a good spot to fish.

I blame the internet for this topic as it has created a fast effective way to communicate information to those that are looking for it. 

Is it spot burning or has the popularity of the sport created the overcrowded conditions?  (Plus dealing with the powerboats etc that are in the same area.)  Also, I have seen posts on here where a kayaker looks for the fleet of fishing charter boats and heads out toward them.  Wouldn't that be "spot burning" as well?  With kayaks that are powered by more than a paddle, (Pedals, sail, or motor) our reach is getting wider and more spots are available but it has also made the sport more popular.

So many of the spots are so well known by so many people that a photo of your catch on a particular day is not really the problem.  I say congratulations on your catch and enjoy life.

EOR (End Of Rant)

This guy gets it.

Do the # of lines in the water really turn off the salmon bite?

That would make me rethink being too close to the fleet of 100 boats with multiple lines out many with 4-6 lines in the water.  Stick boats with 12+ lines in the water…