I think most post cause it's a rare catch to them, not knowing or realizing the implications nowadays. I can't remember the last time I posted an on the water pic.

Big lakes post away, little lakes near population centers be careful. They will get pounded. It's been so long since I have caught a big one my opinion in irrelevant on this

I can honestly say I've never been honest about where I caught a big fish. Lol. I almost always carry the fish to the other side of the lake for pics, then take it back to where I caught it to release it. I always release them.....honestly. For real.

Since I was a kid I always loved going into bait shops and seeing all the fish pics people had hung on the walls or that the bait shop had sitting on the counter. Times have changed, instead of developing the pic then taking it back to the bait shop or taking the ole Polaroid back there now we can instantly post it in places that allow tons more people to see. I can recall sending in pics to Bassmaster Magazine and Honey Hole praying I'd make an issue....

Why post pics? I suppose everyone has their own reasons, but I think its wrong to instantly say its to brag or puff out ones chest for a "look at me"... cant we just be proud of our catch and happily share our accomplishments with others? Its that reason I enjoy looking at others pics posted on here, to congratulate those that love the same hobby/sport as me on a great catch. We might overthink things a little sometimes...

And, Fish2222, you are a respectable poster here, no flames or trolling, adding value. I always read your posts. Yet, I think you sort of illustrate the capricious nature of forums like this wanting to do one thing, maybe others not so much.

Just a few weeks ago, several posts were made regarding good fishing on Lake Athens, some pics were shared, more. And, you may recall you posted "there goes Lake Athens!!!" or words to that effect meaning that the publicity would attract more boats, more anglers, diminish the lake. I chuckled at the time thinking, "Is this the Fish2222 who often publishes great results with pics of large bass from his really successful trips out on Lake Athens?"

It didn't add up. And, it shouldn't. Because, a lot of us want to share our successes, and wanting so overrides the absurd notion that someone catching numbers or a big bass on a particular lake means anyone else might.

After Fish2222's many pic-posts, and there must have been a dozen or more of them last year, he being one of the better anglers on the lake, Lake Athens is still fishing just as good now as it was before his posts were made. Yet, he was sensitive about others sharing. Human nature: his, mine, yours.

The bass fishing forum could do this: devolve into just endless, repetitious posts about: fluorocarbon, plastic color choices, "if you only had "one" posts. We'd then be literally bored to death, most of us would go elsewhere.

On Facebook's D/FW kayaking page? There is a common feeling: Posts about fish caught without photos? It didn't happen. They actually want pics over there.

Brad

Good thread!
If you take a look at the new picture posted before you enter TFF, you'll see why most of us love to fish. Two little kids holding up their perch with a big smile on their faces.
I wonder how many of us would still fish, if we had to fish from the shore line with minnows or something similar.
That's what fishing is all about.
Unfortunately, big boats with big engines have taken it to a different level. Fishing has become the popular thing to do. Running around the lake at 70 mph is how some fisherman spend their time on the water. If, you take those folks out of the equation, you would be left with about 10% of folks who would come to the lake on the weekends. That means less folks to fill up the RV parks, motels, restaurants etc,,,.
Why do I feel better about catching a 6 lb bass out of PK rather than a 6 lb bass out of Fork?
Because the one out of Fork is just a slot fish. Sometimes I feel like I've had a bad trip if I only catch a 23.5 inch fish, even if I catch 2 or 3 of them.
I don't post fish pics. I think the last one was a big bass out of Alvarado about four years ago.
It's really not that big of an accomplishment when you think about it. I would rather be known as a good family man, fairly successful businessman, and full- time Christian.
If you make your money as a guide, then I fully understand the pictures. No one wants to go with a guide who never catches big fish.
When I was younger, I fished tournaments and took a lot of pictures but at 71, I've slowed way down. If I catch a big one, I sent the pic to my wife, son, to my best friend, and neighbor. That's about it.
Sorry to be so blunt but when some fool cuts in front of me as I'm fishing a shore line, it makes me realize what my real priorities are.

Frank, since you have over 23,000 posts on here I'm guessing you enjoy the comradery, sharing of info, telling stories......of the TFF. People who post with pics are no different.

I learned the hard way on this topic many years ago. I was new to the forum and fairly new to bass fishing at the same time. Went out with an old business partner on Monticello and had an awesome day. I posted the pics with a lot of details. Not sure what my intent was at the time other than I forwarded a link to my partner and he loved seeing it. For the next 4 weeks, Monti was as crowded as I've ever seen it. I doubt that was all due to my post but my post definitely seemed to have some effect, similar to when Wilcox or one of the Youtubers post something.

Since that post, I have only posted something one time and it was when I caught my first and still only double digit I caught on Fork while fishing with my cousin and great (now passed) friend Dean Stroman. In today's world, those post do nothing but create more traffic on a lake and when its on a small lake like Monti, it can get very crowded very fast.

To answer the OP, I think some are posted for self gratification, some are for advertising a business or sponsor and some are just because some people like sharing info that may help others.

I�m more curious as to why people get so mad about it. Post picture or don�t. Who cares! However, if no one shared pictures or information this place would become a ghost town. Without the contributions of the �attention seekers� as someone put it earlier, what�s there to look at?

The answer to this is very simple. Since there's been a camera, fishermen have documented their catch. It's at the core of the sport. If it's not captured on photo or film, it's just a fish story. (fishermen lie)

Secondarily, memories (for most) are meant to be captured and shared.

Finally, if you find yourself on a fishing forum or a social media platform and you're getting spun out by people posting pics, then you need to audit yourself and your outlook on life...

I posted the pictures of Aquila. You can say it was self gratification or attention seeking.. maybe so .. but to me it was the best day of fishing in 30 years with my dad and my brother. A day we will talk about for the rest of our lives and memories for a lifetime and i chose to share that with TFF. I live in Kansas with my family, so i get to fish with my dad and brother about once every 2-3 months (they fish there most weekends and were perfectly okay with the post - heck my brother posted the pictures). Does it mean Aquila will get more pressure? maybe some, but that is what this forum (in my understanding) is about. Sharing info and making us all better fishermen. As a viewer (and very random poster) those are the type of post i like to see. I remember Armadilla used to post his updates from Aquila and Whitney and i always looked forward to them, and i never remember it being an issue. Actually, the very top topic when i posted was talking about a 33lb bag from Whitney the day before. Was it different because i put pictures?

Jonesy shoots, Jonesy scores!!

All correct about Fish2222 being a good guy, good sharer of info, photos. But, it was another good guy, Frank the Tank, who actually posted the "Athens RIP" post after some good results were shared a while back. Just wanted to set the record straight. I stand corrected.

I am obviously in the "camp" that prefers photos, sharing of ideas. It it ever devolves to a tight rotation of topics endlessly repeated, I suspect readership/participation will fall away dramatically.

Brad

Don't worry bout it bro you did good. I looked at them 2-3 times and may look at'em 2-3 more times. You get all kinds of comments on here but tak'em with a grain of salt, most of'em just give a people a chance to practice their typing. Hurry back and catch/post some more.