Hello Members
Well I do a post like this every so often.
What I would like to know is hows things going around here ? your opinion is needed for me to know.
Do you have suggestions I would like to hear them.

Please break your comments into two responses so I can clearly read and follow.

Purpose is because I am just checking to see if we need to make changes and that we are doing a good job and that most are satisfied.

I think that the site (and the administrators, moderators etc. ) are doing a great job. This is definitely a fishing site above all else, but also a fun way to meet new people, even if it's just over the net who share the same love of fishing, even if they disagree on almost everything else. You guys allow plenty of leeway for people to speak their minds, but also keep enough control to make sure things don't get totally out of hand. The majority of the people who frequent this site (members and non-members alike) are adults, and are treated that way by the moderators, even when some of them act like little children ( a minority). It's also great to see some of the kids on the site who have alot to contribute, not just to the site, but also to the future of the sport.
My only recommendation would be stickies with more species specific FWC rules and regulations with pictures (timed to coincide with that fish's season), and maybe a brief tutorial on targeting that species. Who knows, you may even be able to publish a book from that info once it gets to be well rounded.
All in all Tommy, moderators and others behind the scenes, Kudos for a great job , and a wonderful site. I for one have nothing to complain about .

I really can't think of anything and compared to some forums, this one is running pretty good.
The mods let everything play itself out and everybody isnt going to see eye to eye with each other at
times, you will also have people that you or anybody else here will never please.
And you know what i think about that

But as far as how the forum is doing....I enjoy it here, there is a wealth of info here and along with that
also blicking at times...
But hell thats what a family is suppose to do...I have three main fishing forum that i visit everyday and
each are run in their own way.
One is more tightly knit and small (and thats nice)...one is huge and has all kind of opinion and BS, but it
still a good site to go too and laugh and learn..
and then we have boatless...its a bigger forum, but in a way tightly knit also...with a little spice at times

IMO the forum is running pretty good....

You know... Ive known Tommy for a couple of years now and can tell you that if he sat down and wrote a book with the wealth of information he has gathered throughout his years he would become a millionaire, if not a best seller... His techniques will work not just down south, but just about anywhere tropical to subtropical in our wonderful globe. Keep it up Tom, and look into the book thing, so u can move to the keys and give us fishing seminars ^_^!

-sword

From the ruling standpoint I believe that everything is there and incorporated to run this site successfully.
From the mods side I believe it is handled fairly well considering they have a life and cannot be 24/7 on the forum to sort things out. Of course they have their own interpretation of the read word and act according to their understanding and personality which is absolutely fine. I believe that can be quite a burden at times.

Looking at the members I think that in general the members are mostly coming along fairly well. The main tenor I am seeing here is conserving wildlife and I personally like that very much.
Of course there are things that can be improved.
I believe that once and a while the one or other member that makes a mistake gets hammered on just a little to much and also the level of respect or the way it is being talked to each other goes to a level where it should not be.

I am not taking myself out of that. I do make mistakes myself and am willing to improve. Do not know how things can be improved but believe that if you treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself all should be fairly fine.

That is my own personal goal not only on this forum.

x2

Love the site, everything is finer than a frog hair split four ways.

This site is top notch and i am proud to be a part of it. I think it offers a wealth of information to both novices and old salts alike never stop learning and meeting cool people from here.

All things considered, things are going well.

I would like to see more of:

1 - Posting fishing reports. Honestly, do you really believe that your posting will cause thousands of people to show up?

2 - Sharing of techniques - whether it be casting, knot tying, rigging, etc. We can always learn from each other.

3 - Use of stickies - to Bruce's point, timely stickies noting limits, size regs etc would be very useful. As a mod, not sure I can post stickies....

I would like to see less of:
1 - Bickering. Let's try to get along. I know we're like a family and all families have their moments, but take a second to read what you type and "taste the words", before you post...

2 - Slamming of folks that made a mistake. Note, I said "made a mistake", not deliberately broke a law/regulation.

Just my .02, ymmv.

Tommy, I would like to congratulate you for setting up this forum as well as say THANK-YOU!! While I haven't been a member all that long and don't feel like I can contribute very much as far as helping others with fishing tips (being I'm somewhat of a newbie), I do try to post reports of my fishing excursions every time I get to go. That is something I would like to encourage everyone to do.

As far as suggestions for improvements, I'm not sure I have a lot to offer along those lines. I love the forum but do a lot of selective reading here. Guys can say what they want....as in express their opinion.....and I never let it get under my skin! If I don't like it, I just let it run off my back and move on to the next subject I'm interested in....hence the "selective reading".....everyone is entitled to their opinion!!

I look forward to meeting more of the members here in the future!!

we need to recruit more ppl from all over Florida cuz most of our reports are usually on the east coast and down south.

would like to see different tournaments like from piers, beaches or bridges of non shark catches.

and it would be great to have a photo of the month picture posted on the main page.

an update on photo's for the piers on the B.F main page for visitors.

Going well, and if it ain't broke don't fix it

I think everything is running great. More new members are participating in the day to day conversations and that has to show you that this Forum is doing something right. I love the sticky idea for whats running and how to target.

I can't come up with anything negative to say.





I would like to see more newbies post in here and say exactly what their first impressions are though. For those newbies who may be a bit stand offish just jump on in. The waters fine. The more participation from everyone the better.

I have only been on this site for a few months and I enjoy it Its very helpful and run very well

I just joined this forum a few months ago and I love it. One thing is I find more BS topics about news and stuff then fishing. I think its just because the fishing hasnt been great lately and everyones inside on here instead of fishing. Maybe when fishing turns up there will be more topics about reports and stuff then news. Just my imput.

Overall, I would say that this site is doing a great service to the average boatless fisherman. Personally, some of the instructional pages (the rig diagrams!) really helped me out. Now if this darn wind could just die down....then it would be time for !!!

I like the concept of this site, i wish i could see a few more pics of fish caught, it's easy enough to disguise your background if you have a fear of your spot getting burned.

Tommy, this site has been a godsend for me. I've been reading the BF site for about 3 years and I can attribute any luck I have fishing to articles in the BF forums, especially your fishing the Keys articles you wrote way back.
With very little effort anyone can find a wealth of knowledge, experience, tips, etc. on just about any aspect of fishing. There are so many very experienced fishermen involved in this forum.
The one thing I would like to see would be a Topic area set up and request that the experienced members put in their opinions. For example, you could have the Topic "What hooks do you use for what fish?". Members with experience could explain why Owner bait hooks work well with shrimp.........etc. Other topic could cover which leader material works best for you, etc. I know the information is in the forums already, but a new request for feedback would bring in some fresh ideas and really help us new guys trying to learn something.
All in all, the BF website has always helped me, and I try to report my humble fishing efforts in return. Thanks for a great site Tommy and all the moderators, administrators.

I am going to keep this thread open until weds or thurs and then I am going to answer the suggestions and act on your observations and suggestions that I feel we can do at this time.

So if you want to be a part of this post here

I love the site. It has helped me tremendously.

I think the people on here are very helpful for the most part.

I am on a couple of other forums and this one is one of the best by far.

One thing I would like to see that I see on other sites is the ability to read part of a post by rolling the mouse over the thread title without having to actually click on the topic...................Just a suggestion. Thanks for a great site.

From my point of view, Boatless has beem for me at least a wealth of information. But more than that it's been the source of meeting some of the nicest people on the planet. It seems like every time I go fishing I meet more Boatless members and /or their families. That for me is the true value of this site. Some of the friendships made here will last a lifetime. To that end I agree with Rob. It's up to us the members to improve the site by posting more reports and showing restraint in our post's. As far as what you can do Tommy, All I can say is it ain't broke don't fix it. JMHO

Hi Tommy and fellow members:

Overall the site works just fine. I try to post useful information, throw my opinion in where I think it counts and do not bash anyone for a slight mistake. Now, that being said, be sure to send Tommy a few bucks if possible as i ahve done to keep the the site one of the best outhere in the cyber world.

Take Care,

Me too.

Works just fine IMHO.

I agree with Crash, if it ain't broke don't fix it. All and all the best site I have seen. Being a West coaster, I can't add much to your east coast reports, not having much experience there. I try to post reports and pics when possible and try to stay out of the pissing matches. Still read them and usually get a laugh or two. Keep up the good work Tommy and others, maybe someday I will have the good fortune to meet you in person.
Jack

I have nothing really to complain about, this is a great forum, and all the mods do a great job as well.

I like these 2 ideas from fixed80, it would be cool if something like this could be arranged.

PIc of the month sounds good

Every once and a while I see the yahoo server error message, and also have phantom posts identical to the occurring problem that was happening alot awhile back. Does anybody else have these problems throughout the day ?

I get the same thing once in a while.