Open Seat section

[2000subaru]

I think that it would be a great way for people to get out and meet other WLers. Instead of posting what times you have available to fish and letting the boat find you (Open times idea), a boat owner would ideally post a few days before a trip that he/she has an open seat for a boatless individual. Great way for individuals to meet, learn, and the community to grow and increase the lake reports! Let me know what you think and how to make this idea better

[beresford13861]

I think that it would be a great way for people to get out and meet other WLers. Instead of posting what times you have available to fish and letting the boat find you (Open times idea), a boat owner would ideally post a few days before a trip that he/she has an open seat for a boatless individual. Great way for individuals to meet, learn, and the community to grow and increase the lake reports! Let me know what you think and how to make this idea better

i like the idea ALOT more than the fishing times idea.

[lskiles]

I like the idea of the “open times” better, because you set yourself up for practically anyone to invite themselves onto your boat with the "open seat" option. Whereas the open times calender would put the boat owner in the “driver’s seat” for the pairing.

Scenario:
There is someone who lives in my area who want to fish next Saturday and so do I…hmm…he has only posted twice and has no identifying info on his profile, maybe I will not PM him.

That way you do not have to turn anyone down you think may be less than desirable you just do not have to invite them. Less stress.

Just my $.02

Lewis

[2000subaru]

definitely a working idea, or living idea, in progress. Lewis- I can completely see where you are coming from, yet the possibility of missing out on a great time with someone new, or possibly a lurker like myself who has been a "guest" for the longest time and finally became a member to contribute is definitely there. Not that having me on your boat will get you into fish or guarentee a great time. Maybe a minimum post level, or number could be involved. I am hesitant to write that because I realize that we are all here for fun and a mental break from the real world. I could easily rack of 100 posts today if I wanted to get carpal tunnel! Would I not PM someone who was not an active member on the forum? Possibly. Do I own a boat? No. Would I randomly take individuals whom I do not know out on the lake if I did own a boat? Probably. I can really see where people would get their feelings hurt if they did not get a response, but even if there were "open Times" it would still happen.

Did I answer anything here? NO

Someone always has to be the bad guy I guess. That is a horrible fact of life.

Fishing just eases the pain of it all.

Chris

P.S.- I might join the boat owners club soon enough. I'm going to see this today! Am I Crazy or what?

[dilbert]

I'm going to see this today!

[beresford13861]

definitely a working idea, or living idea, in progress. Lewis- I can completely see where you are coming from, yet the possibility of missing out on a great time with someone new, or possibly a lurker like myself who has been a "guest" for the longest time and finally became a member to contribute is definitely there. Not that having me on your boat will get you into fish or guarentee a great time. Maybe a minimum post level, or number could be involved. I am hesitant to write that because I realize that we are all here for fun and a mental break from the real world. I could easily rack of 100 posts today if I wanted to get carpal tunnel! Would I not PM someone who was not an active member on the forum? Possibly. Do I own a boat? No. Would I randomly take individuals whom I do not know out on the lake if I did own a boat? Probably. I can really see where people would get their feelings hurt if they did not get a response, but even if there were "open Times" it would still happen.

Did I answer anything here? NO

Someone always has to be the bad guy I guess. That is a horrible fact of life.

Fishing just eases the pain of it all.

Chris

P.S.- I might join the boat owners club soon enough. I'm going to see this today! Am I Crazy or what?

looks like mine, just my gel coats shot :pale: its also an 1987

[Mike Carey]

nice looking ride

[leahcim_dahc]

I like the open times idea better, no offense intended. I have thought about asking some WL.com members if they wanted to go fishing, because I am always wanting to go with anyone I can learn something from. Plus, I am usually by myself. However, a couple issues that would keep me from asking...1. I am still new here, so just firing off a PM to someone might make them uncomfortable, 2. Have no idea what people's schedules are like, 3. Not owning a boat, I would feel guilty making someone shore fish with me and awkward if someone were to think I was just using them because they have an open seat on their boat.

No warranty expressed or implied, mileage may vary.

Chad

[michaelunbewust]

the concept is an excellant idea. ive already put it into play. i met dbaker in richland to show him the lower yakima fishery, shore fishing. hitched ride with joe heater to introduce him to the walleye fishery at potholes (got skunked and i wimped out in the rain), fishing from his boat. hooked up with another guy from another forum, and shore fished at scooteney 1 day, from his boat the 2nd day. i didnt know any of these guys except thru the wl.com site. great guys, and they got to see fishery's ive been fishing for 25 years+, with only 1 skunk day, i might add. and although heater may have wondered why i dont have raingear, and dbaker may have wondered why i waded barefoot in the yakima, i dont think they thought i was a undesirable. the open date list is ideal. and to be honest, the undesirable comment needs to be clarified. undesirable as in poor folk who may not have the big bucks for all the fancy equipment, or as in poorly dressed, non-shower'ed folks. either way i think we should leave the bias's out of the whole deal. everybody is going to be dressed/outfitted differently, but the bottom line is who wants to fish alone, lets get out and meet as many fisherpeople we can. i fish a number of waters in eastern washington, and am always open to show anybody a fishery over there, on shore or in a boat. great idea for a thread!!!!!!! and dont worry about pm'ing a person. if they are uncomfortable they will not reply. i pm'ed yellowbear, and didnt know him, and he has since, kept me a lil updated on the fishing n the potholes area, since, he lives there. just make the effort and i think people will be very suprised how many friends they will meet, especially if they have a BOAT!ha!

[cavdad45]

The concept sounds good and quite frankly that's why alot of us are on this site, but I personally don't want to fish with just anyone or a complete stranger. Use the website to build friendships. The more you communicate, the more we find folks that share not only our love of the sport, but who we like hanging out with. Finding fishing partners just naturally follows.

[michaelunbewust]

HI CAVDAD45, IVE NEVER BUILT A FRIENDSHIP ON A WEBSITE. I CHOOSE TO DO IT IN PERSON. FORUM CHATTING TO SEE WHAT A PERSON'S TRULY ABOUT IS POPULAR, BUT YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW OR SEE THE PERSON, AND YOU ALWAYS HEAR HORROR STORIES (PERSON WASNT THE SAME IN PERSON, TALKED REAL WELL ON THE WEB-TIGHT AS A CLAM OFF IT). WL.COM SEEMS TO ME TO WEED-OUT THE BAD APPLES RIGHT AWAY, SO, THE CHANCE OF MEETING A TERRORIST/ROBBERY SUSPECT/OR AN INDESIRABLE PERSON IS PRETTY SLIM. THE 3 WL.COM'ERS IVE MET ON HERE AND THEN FISHED WITH, I WOULD INVITE TO A FAMILY OUTING. GREAT GUYS. NO REAL NEED TO HIDE BEHIND THE OL' COMPUTER. LIKE MY GRANDDAD SAID "GO UP WITH YOUR HAND OUT, INTRODUCE YOURSELF, AND HOPEFULLY THE GUY WILL TELL YOU WHAT HE IS USING, AND WONT MIND YOU CASTING NEXT TO HIM AFTER HE TELLS YOU, AND NEXT TIME, SON, WE WILL ASK HIM ALONG IN OUR BOAT". IVE MET THE MAJORITY OF MY FISHING BUDDIES THIS WAY. THIS BOAT LIST ISNT GOING TO BE FOR EVERYBODY. IT SEEMS TO BE MEANT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DONT LIKE FISHING ALONE, OR WANT TO OFFER A SPOT ON THIER BOAT FOR LESS-FORTUNATE FISHERPEOPLE. THIS ISNT GOING TO BE FOR THE SHY OR UNCOOMFORTABLE. IM GOING TO BE BUYING MY NEWEST BOAT IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS (BEEN WITHOUT SINCE LATE LAST YEAR). AND UNLESS MY 21-YEAR OLD SON (PASCO POLICE OFFICER) IS GOING, I WILL HAVE NUMEROUS SPOTS OPEN, SINCE IM FISHING/HUNTING EVERY WEEK-END. CANT WAIT TO MEET ALL YOU FOLKS!!!

[MikeFishes]

HI CAVDAD45, IVE NEVER BUILT A FRIENDSHIP ON A WEBSITE. I CHOOSE TO DO IT IN PERSON. FORUM CHATTING TO SEE WHAT A PERSON'S TRULY ABOUT IS POPULAR, BUT YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW OR SEE THE PERSON, AND YOU ALWAYS HEAR HORROR STORIES (PERSON WASNT THE SAME IN PERSON, TALKED REAL WELL ON THE WEB-TIGHT AS A CLAM OFF IT). WL.COM SEEMS TO ME TO WEED-OUT THE BAD APPLES RIGHT AWAY, SO, THE CHANCE OF MEETING A TERRORIST/ROBBERY SUSPECT/OR AN INDESIRABLE PERSON IS PRETTY SLIM. THE 3 WL.COM'ERS IVE MET ON HERE AND THEN FISHED WITH, I WOULD INVITE TO A FAMILY OUTING....

I see what you mean. That can be the probelm with any thing really, Open Times, clubs, etc. The fact is, personalities clash. Some people will get along just fine, others just won't see eye to eye. The only thing you can do is try it out and see what people are like.

[Mike Carey]

My experience over the years has been mostly positive. A couple trips with guys where nothing really clicked but that's OK, they probably felt the same way. The idea is a good one and I think the next update will help move this along. In the meantime there are several spots to post a "seat open" notice and I'm sure those offers will be snapped up by fellow members.

[2000subaru]

Mr. Carey- Your thoughts and insight into this idea are both well thought out and helpfull. Currently I have two offers that were proposed to me by WL'ers and I am so grateful for peoples willingness to try things out. Should I kiss my frog this weekend and it turn into a Smoking hot Princess (read bass boat) then be on the lookout folks, because when Dilbert is not letting me be his co-angler, I will be fishing for partners. To the future of WL.com and thanks for all of the support. You've created a great place for people to meet, bull s*@t, and swap tips.

Chris Krystofiak

[dilbert]

when Dilbert is not letting me be his co-angler, I will be fishing for partners.

Shoot.. you get that boat and I'll be the co-angler.

[Mike Carey]

hey I wanna ride in a fancy red bass boat too!

[dilbert]

hey I wanna ride in a fancy red bass boat too!

We took it for a test ride/fish today on Clear lake (pierce). It's Niiiiiiice. I need to get some windproof gloves for these cold mornings cruising down the lake! Sounds like it will be in 2000Subaru's garage early next week.

[michaelunbewust]

well, i didnt get a fancy boat like mr. firefighter is looking at, but i did buy a 12 ft. alum. with a old as hell evinrude 18 h.p. (purrs like a kitten), and a small trolling motor, fish finder, ez load trailer. im going to use it to troll this winter below mcnary dam and potholes(ice-willing), and of course lake washington (just down the stree from me). anybody with a ball-n-hitch wanting to go trolling this week-end out of the tri-cities, let me know. im taking fri-sta-sun- off to go chase walleye below mcnary. my new truck wont be ready until the 3rd. i could rent a truck from enterprise 9corp. account), but anybody wanting to split gas, and troll outta my new-to-me boat, let me know. it trolls 4 comfortably. im also open to week day afternoon trips perch/bass fishing lake washington (moored near coulon park). lets get this open seat thread rolling. by the way, one very nice skeeter suburu! im hoping to upgrade as i go.....