How do we take back the control?

[FishinBemidji]

In response to "heres the truth's" post in the wrapped boat thread.

How do we weed out the internet talkers from the people that really know what they are talking about? I have never fished a hand line. I have read all of rick's articles about handlining though. I could even come on and write a whole article on handlining based on what I've read and say this is my experience. How would you know if I'm telling the truth?? I could even throw out some manufacturers name so that once it's on-line I could approach them for a sponsorship. How are they going to know it's true? Would they even care? I've won $40k fishing tournaments. Would you question me? $40k isn't that much, it's believable. Maybe I have never even set foot in a boat. Maybe I'm just really good with computers. How would you know. I could search the internet right now for fishing pictures and post one saying it's me. Would you believe me? Why not? Unless the picture I pull was yours or someone you knew, you wouldn't know the diference.

See what we are dealing with. Yet I can not come on and say my real name because I'm making waves. If I want to approach a sponsor someday, I have to be careful. Many Pro's are reading this and applauding right now. This game suck$!! You can not be truthful in the marketing world!!! It doesn't sell product!!! That's the name of the game "sell sell sell"

[FishinBemidji]

And another thing. These forums are not user specific!! I just clicked on my own post 15 times. To the novice, that means that 15 diferent people have looked at my post. If I was selling something, I could click on it a 1000 times and show the sponsor how well I've promoted their product.

[FishinBemidji]

Don't get me wrong. These forums are a great place to share and learn information, as well as sell product. They are however, susceptible to being abused. Thats all I'm trying to prove here.

[K Gonefishin]

You can't fake success in this industry regardless of how much you pound your chest on walleyecentral.com or anywhere else for that matter, in order to do well with sponsors you have to deliver and well in more than one way. Anybody can say they did x y or z but if they don't see you at dealers, tourney leaderboards (bingo), Gander or Cabalas doing shows etc, for years on end you will end up with nothing or not much

I think alot of it is who you know, to a certain degree.

[Juls]

>And another thing. These forums are not user specific!! I
>just clicked on my own post 15 times. To the novice, that
>means that 15 diferent people have looked at my post. If I
>was selling something, I could click on it a 1000 times and
>show the sponsor how well I've promoted their product.

Umm... no you couldn't. Selling/Advertising isn't allowed on the message boards. Some user would hit the alert button, like they do now (thank you helpful users!), and a handful of Mods would discuss it. If it is agreed that it is indeed selling/advertising one of the Mods would delete it, and send it off into cyberspace.

Juls

[dutchboy]

You haven't convinced me of anything with this babble or rant or whatever the purpose was. Most of us, and I stress most have some common sense, and believe it or not we can see through someone pumping product or stirring the pot.
Post relevent info, ask serious questions or tell a great joke. Thats the purpose of the web site.
Wanna pump product? Go stand at a boat show. :-)

OK, that's my opinion. :thanks2:

Brian Hoffies
Born in Minnesota, land of slot limits and monster taxes.

[fishhogg]

What is the alert button?

[Juls]

At the bottom left corner of every reply window, there is an alert button. Anytime a user finds a post that breaks the rules, or he/she finds offensive for whatever reason, they can hit the alert button.
That sends an email to all the Moderators and Scott, who take a look-see and take the appropriate action.

Juls

[WOW]

Juls,
Ok, I never new what that was for (alert button). It sounds like it is time to go fishing to me. Can you say cabin fever? Can you say Waahh? Boat wraps, sponsors, new marketing plans, free stuff, new timers, old timers etc. I'm ready to just go fishing. See you in Detroit.
Andy

[ChadM]

I never knew either. Here I thought that was what you hit if your boss all of a sudden shows up.

[Gary Korsgaden]

Juls, a question. You say one can't advertise or sell on this message board. Does promoting particular tournament event fall under the same scrutiny? Secondly, what about the many posts about products, boats rods and reels. How do you draw the line and make a decison it stays or goes because it violates the rules you just stated. Thanks GK

[Juls]

>Juls, a question. You say one can't advertise or sell on this
>message board. Does promoting particular tournament event fall
>under the same scrutiny? Secondly, what about the many posts
>about products, boats rods and reels. How do you draw the line
>and make a decison it stays or goes because it violates the
>rules you just stated. Thanks GK


Ya know...I'm going to start running a million word disclaimer under each of my posts. Sheesh!

What do you think the tournament board is for Gary? No one is stopping anyone else from being a "cheerleader" for any of the other tournament organizations. Want to hear more on the PWT, MWC, LEWT? Go for it. Post it.

A lot of people fish the FLW Leagues and Tour events. When I find FLW information to be put out there, it's going on the tournament board. That's what it's for.

I am not a journalist for Walleye Central. It's not my JOB to make sure every organization has equal coverage in terms of posts.

I fish the FLW. That's the tournament organization I'm going to talk about. Don't want to read it? Don't open the link! I also know that there are other people out there that appreciate the info I put out there, because I hear from them privately. These same people read the boards, but won't post on this site, due to the kind of nasty remarks we often have to put up with from people hiding behind their keyboards. Surprise, surprise...go figure.

You want more info on the PWT or other organizations, feel free to post it. No one is stopping you, or anyone else. Bashing or name calling will be stopped though, you can count on that.

As for your other questions about the way Scott runs his site, email him at scott@walleyecentral.com If he's in a good mood he just might be inclined to tell you his business.

Juls

[Gary Korsgaden]

Juls,

First, I ask a very sensible series of questions. Funny how asking reasonable questions creates somewhat defensive replies. Did I imply anything here but ask some simple questions? I have a long history in the fishing business good or bad I have seen alot. I remember the first articles I did for the In-Fisherman and Fishing Facts it was drilled into my head product mentions were to be keep to a minimum. In later articles, media and Tv we were told to only mention products that were advertisers. My manuscripts were changed to promote advertised products. I feel this is the downfall of the printed media besides web sites like walleye central. So who and what does the everyday angler believe anymore. We see noted anglers
fishing walleyes on a lake that is closed and many feel that is ok. Not a big deal. We hear of anglers that boast of taking reeling in a hundred walleyes a day on this site. Isn't that really stretching the
reason we have "catch and release" is that how we want fishing to be promoted. Because it is legal doesn't necessarliy mean it is right for the resource. So that is why I asked the simple questions I did, my intent was as posted in my questions. I ask these questions because "many" I come in contact with feel Walleye Central has gotten very prejudiced to certain boats mfgs, events etc depending on who is promoting them. Do I agree, not my views necessarily, non the less I can post the way I do because I do not need to be politically correct why, I don't ask for free products, you see I am a consumer, I am one that in way helps pay your wages or expenses,I plunk my hard earned cash on the counter. So I ask again where do you draw the line? What is good promoting or what is selling. If you want to post infomation about tournaments events I never implied I had problem with it. Just don't critcize a no-name for doing the same. I have seen more times then I care to admit.

[Juls]

Funny how a defensive reply gets you to change your "intentions" and your "questions".

Sorry Gary,
I'm not up for the games.

G'nite.
Juls

[Gary Korsgaden]

Perhaps you could clarify what you see my intentions are? I don't feel I am playing games. It is difficult to determine what is good promoting and selling. Consumers are by "nature" skeptical. Like I said in my second post I don't necessarliy agree with some of these comments none the less mentioning them has merit and hopefully offers food for thought. The infomation on sites like "Walleye Central" has provided tips and tricks that years ago were only shared in magazines and bait shops, it is the evolution of the information age some may call it good or bad. Tournaments are a valueable marketing tool, I would never deny that. Lets hope that they continue to be the marketing tool they are today. I post in the fashion that I do, because like stated I am a consumer. While I don't expect alot of people to see things the way I do and I know they don't, but it should be clear, what is fair for one is fair to all and lastly I am concerned about the future of fishing, whether it be the resource, competive angling or the marketing of the sport to all anglers including the youth. Lastly, rest assured, this will be my last post ever on Walleye Central. You have my word on it....so you Juls, don't have to be concerened with me playing games or having phoney intentions.

[pwrfshn]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

[pwrfshn]

Gary,

As Juls explained above, the alert button is for removing posts as well as alerting us if you think someone has done something wrong.

There is a tremendous amount of effort from the moderators to keep WC open adn UNBIASED. Yes, I was yelling...it still amazes me with moderators that are Lund guys, Ranger gals and whatever else everyone runs...not sure about the other mods, but I can bet there are more non-Ranger mods than Ranger mods...how about all the other products that we as moderators have personally used and have an opinion on. Try pulling the wool over the eyes of people that can factually refute a claim...it is cyberdust.

What about the phone calls to Alumacraft, Crestliner, Tracker, Ranger, Lund, Mercury, Evinrude, Yar Craft, Patriot, etc...that we have made on our own time out of our own pocket to verify FACTS.

Please let this go and lets stick to the posts that someone mentioned above...a new fishing lure, technique or anything else generally informative. Fishermen helping fishermen...I can't tell you how many times Scott has reminded me of the reason he started this site.

Gary, if you feel there is some conspiracy occurring at WC, please let Scott know, he will want to put a stop to it. With moderators constantly watching and reading...I find this conjecture hard to swallow.