I am a life member and have been fishing for a long time (I'm 78) but I don't feel like I am a part of this group. I'm not a pro, no longer have a boat. I mostly enjoy salt water fishing but do go to some of the fresh water lakes when I'm in the mood for brim. I prefer to keep what I legally can(because I like fresh brioled fish). Many of those that come on here seem to know one another and I know none of you. I live in Atlantic Beach Fl where the fishing is excellent. Comments.

Hi there zeke33,
I am going to your social profile and adding you as friend. That way i can send you a private message. If you accept i can do that.
Look forward to exchanging emails etc with you. I am an old gezzer too. lowwater

seke33, most of us are not pros, not everyone owns a boat and even those who do sometimes fish from shore. Catch and release vs keeping some to eat isn't a good vs evil thing as some would portray it, I know of people who love to fish but don't or rarely eat fish (like me). I also know people who love all kinds of fish, even the "fishey tasting" types. Look through the BB's and make a comment once in a while, you may find there a lot of people who might get along fine with. Me, I'm a mere child, I'm only 65.

ZEKE33, I tried three times and didn't realize until I posted that I still had it wrong. If I practice maybe I can get my fingers to follow instructions.

I personally keep quite a few panfish to eat, but I don't think of myself as a fish hog either. Everyone of them gets eaten, none get thrown out from being too long in the freezer. I practice what you would call selective harvest. Take what can be eaten and throw the rest back to grow up, and reproduce.

All salmon in Washington are classified as FOOD FISH, so I turn them into food. Not so with trout I release some Searun Cuts. I keep all Dolly varden if they are of legal size.

a few ideas how to start to get to know other members .
One of the funnest ways to get to know other members is to see if there is a members meet near you ( a get together hosted by a another member ) some have ben going on for years.
see member meets =[url] http://www.fishingclub.com/my-nafc/...ms/aff/153 [/url]
another great way is to start or join a group .
be active in the bbs post answers or ask questions.
there is also a chat room it is not the best chat room because it don't say who is on . but if you stop in you can always ask if any one else is there and start bsing.
Most of the folks here are more then willing to talk fishing and share tips with you .
soon you will get to know others.

I fish from the shore. I am far from a pro but I know a few things I have learned through my thousands of hours of fishing. Just stay on the site and the forums and you will meet tons of good guys! And plus, I practice catch and release the majority of the time...

Hi Zeke and welcome to the forum. a great way to get to know people is to jump right in and start posting. i can see by your post count that you have already done that. I think most people who are genuine would not look down on another members methods of fishing or decisions to practice CPR or not. Like Rod tosser said if there is a meet in your area or if you are able to travel, these are a great way to get to know some folks. I hope to one day make it to the Lacross meet. also join in on some of the other fun posts(it does not have to be all about fishing) The song game or word association in the misc section are fun in my opinion. There are a few troubles or upset folk now and again but for the most part we are all part of one big fishing family here.

Brian

my e-mail address:   gzeke33@comcast.net. Thanks for all the input.

Thanks for all the input. Some people inf Florida tried to get a club going but as far as I know it didn't get started. I can't travel much, can't afford it. This corner of Fl seems to get lost from people but it is an excellent place to fish. Many places to fish from the shore and a lot of place to take a boat. Atlantic Beach is a beach community of Jacksonville.

Hey Zeke;

I live along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast, and do mostly brackish water fishing for reds, flounder, and specs. Of course the occasional cat, or maybe even a gar might decide that my offering is just what they want. LOL.

I mostly fish from shore, or a small dock the city put up near a boat ramp. I mostly keep the fish I catch, but when they get too large, I let them go to fight another day.

Florida has some of the most pristine waters I have ever seen. But then, I've only been to FLA a few times. Once to the Tampa bay area to see my uncle and aunt. Once to Orlando, to Disney World with the grand kids. While we were there, we went to Daytona Beach, and then to Titusville to see a shuttle take off. Awesome sight!

I just couldn't believe how clear the water was, anywhere we went while there. Here in the Upper Texas Coastal area, and past Galveston, the water is sandy, murky, and can only see about a foot into it.

Welcome, and enjoy the website here. Lots of good folks and info.

See you on the boards.

Salty Dan
Orange Texas

welcome aboard, zeke.. it's been said, but the bulletin boards and the chat room are the best ways to meet and get to know these guys