How important are...........

[kevlar]

I see all these reports and think of running to different areas but I usually end up at the BB and it works for me.

[Slayer]

I've used reports to help me decide on areas to fish. Usually works pretty well. However, when the bite is on, it doesn't matter where I fish!

[Francis]

I don't really use internet report very much unless I know the person posting and call them and verify the story.

I do it in general terms. For instance, I am monitering the VA board on TF to see when the VA charters start catching and bragging about 50" fish on eels. So far it does not seem to be happening.

BUT I am also calling guys like Walleye Pete and asking him to keep an eye out for me for when the eeling boats are stacked up on 18.

Same thing right now for the cut channel. There are lots of report on the northern neck board about the gannets doing it, but trust me, I will call a few Reedville charter captains the night before I go to see if they were there the day before.

At the end of it all, I am more restriced by time and weather than anything else, so I just get as far as weather and time ande money allows. If I could, I would run to the CBBT every time I go fishing. . .

[goinsfishin]

Reports are fun to read but I fish from Deale and generally don't have to go very far........I rely on logs that I've built up over several years to determine a game plan on any given day or week.

[JoeDirt]

I mostly read reports to keep me entertained while I'm stuck at work. During the beginning of the fall or spring run, I place more importance on them to see when the migratory fish have reached the Solomons area.

I read them but don't believe a damn thing unless I know the person is reliable. There are guys on the other site that don't really post true reports, I know most of the guys on this site and know they are legit so I will take more interest in them...but lately I've just been reading them to see what can possibly be criticized.

I don't have the network Francis has but I have a group of #'s from reliable guys and like to talk to them before I go out, especially if it's been a long time. Part of the fun is finding your own fish, but when you've been as sporadic as I've been lately I can't keep track of where they are and then the good guys come through and really help you out...kind of the same reason I don't turn on the VHF when I'm out there, cell phone much more reliable...

[ericmagsamen]

I like to look at the reports to see "what" people are catching, but not location. As others have said, they usually don't give true info and I don't blame them. I didn't have to fish below the bridge this year (yet) and have had one of the best seasons in years. I did MUCH better than my friends that took their boats south this year, it was a nice change of pace.

But, I enjoy good reports. Especially with a bit of humor!