THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE INTERNET
By Jim Hutchinson Sr.
As I sit here at my desk in August, there are notable videos making the rounds on the internet. One is of a whale off the coast of New Hampshire breaching on the stern of center console boat with a pair of anglers aboard.
The contact of the whale caused the boat to capsize, throwing the two angers into the water. Fortunately there were boats close by and the pair were safely rescued with no damages other than to their nerves.
Another video circulating on local fishing sites here in New Jersey shows a 100-pound plus bluefin tuna beaching itself in shallow water on the beach in Surf City, New Jersey, in the breakers.
Then there was a post with pictures of an angler catching a large bluefin tuna from a 12-foot jon boat in Raritan Bay in New Jersey.
Should all three of these items on the internet be instantly believed? As evidence developed over the days following the posting, the whale tale and the tuna on the beach were true and actual happenings. The catch in the small boat was a fabricated one, supposedly meant as a joke.
As a person who was around well before computers, the capabilities and effects of the internet are mind-boggling and still somewhat of a mystery. As a young boy I enjoyed taking photographs with my box camera. And yes, they were all black and white. To make a phone call, I used our rotary home phone or found an outside phone booth to drop a dime in.
When I was in college in the 1960s, writing a research paper meant many hours in the library, poring over reference books. Now, just a few minutes of googling on a cell phone can locate every bit of knowledge anyone could possibly want.
Whether it’s looking for directions, checking out a menu in advance of a restaurant, or finding when tomorrow’s high tide is, pick up your cell phone. Want to know where the warm water currents are in the Hudson Canyon? Start tapping.
I do not intend to demean modern technology, but this is not all a bed of roses. This thing called the internet also contains a number of very unfortunate aspects.
Let’s look first at “keyboard warriors.” These are folks who love to find fault with posts and have no shortage of ways to belittle others. They love to bully and argue. I see them on sports sites, food appreciations ones, and, most importantly, sites dedicated to fishing.
These sites are usually centered around a particular fishing location or often one species of fish. Ideally, these sites can be opportunities for anglers to show off their catches or, for others, a place to learn more about fishing. The episode of the tuna in Raritan Bay demonstrates you cannot believe everything you see on your phone.
What I find especially bothersome about online sites is that so many posts are negative and designed to stir up arguments. A large number of these comments would never be uttered in person, in a face-to-face setting.
Too often, those who post pictures of catches encounter posts accusing the successful angler of lying as to the legality of the fish or even speculating if this is an actual photo. Some lead to a battle of words.
How about the subject of “spot burning?” If a successful angler mentions fishing in an area even remotely near where he really was, he is accused of “spot burning.” Just mention the body of water where you fish, and you get hammered.
If an angler catches a fish that cannot be identified, he might post a picture of it on the internet for help determining its species. Fortunately, there will be serious posts from posters who know what they are talking about. Others will guess at the identity with no actual knowledge. There seems to always be a comic or two who term it a “banded rudder fish.”
On the flip side, there are sites one can google where every type of fish is listed. You just enter a picture of the mystery fish, and the site will identify the fish, or usually will, if the picture is clear enough.
If you want to investigate a particular technique or way to do something, try using YouTube on the internet. I refer to YouTube every time I tie a dropper loop. Unsure how to clean a type of fish? YouTube will have it. And now that you have those pretty filets home, check the internet for the best ways to cook your catch.
I have an entire group of apps on my phone dedicated to fishing and boating. I can find up-to-date weather reports including wave heights in no time at all. In less than a minute I can tell you when low tide is tomorrow.
A good friend of mine was running a large boat up the coast from the Outer Banks to New Jersey. Early in the trip his expensive GPS stopped working. Not to be deterred, he opened a navigation site on his phone and used that to complete a smooth trip up the coast.
Summing up my rambling, I pass along advice my son gave to me: “You can’t believe everything you see on the internet.” But let me add, if you use a dose of caution and good old common sense, the internet can enhance your fishing abilities.
If you would like to ask me a question or just tell me what a dope I am, please feel free to drop me a line at jamesghutch1@aol.com.
