Pro Guide and Forum Disappointment

BassinBama · Post by **BassinBama** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 3:42 am

I have to ask myself time after time why someone would create an open chat forum, and then try to limit its speech. Under the First Amendment speech is protected, that is unless it is offensive or dangerous speech. There are other southern California forums that tend to shut down your post and send you an email if you speak of a bait, rod, or boat/motor that they do not use. I am glad this forum allows folks to discuss topics and share their viewpoint. By the way, a growth mindset learns just as much from an asynchronous environment as they do from a face-to-face dialog. You should always be open to differing viewpoints and/or opinions--that is how you learn. Now, for the rest of the story.

I find it quite amusing when someone believes they are the pen and sword just because they sit at a keyboard. So, here is the story:
While on vacation in San Diego someone is trying to hire a guide to take them fishing. However, they are frustrated that the guide(s) are cancelling because they have to work. The date is re-scheduled for later that week but the (potential) customer is notified of yet another cancellation. The person posts the guide states he has an upcoming tournament and needs to pre-fish. At this point, the "guide" made a decision to take money out of his pocket, not anyone else by not taking the person out. Moving forward. The person logs on a fishing forum and makes this information known. I, seeing an opportunity to assist this person, inform them my calendar is free Friday and that I can take them out as long as they bring their own grub. Just a gesture to afford them the opportunity to fish, and inform them I am not a guide but am willing to just get you on the water.

Here is the post and response for the forum "administrator":
Your message (Pro Guide Disappointment!!) contains inappropriate content:
ME: I am willing to take you to El Capitan, Otay, or Hodges. All you need is some Gatorade and grub. No money,
just a passion for fish. I have every Friday off.

ADMIN: You realize you are taking money out of the pockets of guys who are paying money to advertise their
service on this website right? That would be like allowing a guy to post that he will service your outboard
for a case of beer when Anglers Marine is a paying sponsor/advertiser on this site. That is not cool, and
definitely not allowed.

"Pro Guide Disappointment!!" was the article title from the perspective client to an allegedly "professional guide." Shouldn't' this be his/her only job they have, that is if there a true guide? We will let the guides hash that one out. Per the administrator's response I am looking to gain financially from this; however, my words indicate otherwise. Maybe this occurs in Texas, but I have never seen anyone repair an outboard for a case of beer--maybe an alcoholic with not sense of self-respect. Who knows?

Your thoughts are welcomed, and I am glad that this forum allows for great open discussions, sometimes "heated," but, in the end, everyone shares their side. The sponsors of this forum are great as well, such as Anglers Marine, Mustad, and Dobyns Rods. Remember, tight lines, safe boating, and for goodness sakes practice safe eating by using your condiments.

See you at the Fred Hall Del Mar show today. Stop by the Anglers Marine booth.

-Bama

Freefall · Post by **Freefall** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:16 am

I don't see anything wrong with what you did since you weren't changing a fee.

That was pretty dang stand up of you in my opinion.

kraetzer · Post by **kraetzer** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:25 am

I also don't see a problem with what you did. You didn't try to talk him out of a guided trip or bash the guide. You just offered to help him out and get him on the water.
Thumbs up from me.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:13 am

You essentially posted a "back seat open" response which is rather commonplace. Not sure why the admin was taking it any other way. You weren't advertising services, taking a client away etc.

Burke · Post by **Burke** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:45 am

The person who was on vacation had a particular guide that he wanted to go fishing with. The guide cancelled twice. The vacation person was "on vacation" so he/she is probably not familiar with the area or any other guides in the area. The "cancelling" guide could have suggested some other fellow guides in the area that could have take the vacationer out, but HE DIDN'T. The "cancelling" guide was the one who took money out of the pocket of other professional guides in his area.

You did nothing wrong, but offer a "back seat" to a person who had only a few days left in his vacation to go fishing.

DDG · Post by **DDG** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:57 am

Did this happen on WB? Yeah I honestly don't see anything wrong with you taking someone fishing cause they couldn't find a guide. We are suppose to be exercising the generosity of our ANGLING COMMUNITY anyways. Especially since a majority of of people can not afford a 500-600$ guide trip.

SKIPER · Post by **SKIPER** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:38 am

Aha. Very interesting. Food for thought. Maybe that's why I got no response when looking for a reputable boat mechanic that would do work at my house (I was laid up for three months with medical issues,couldn't drive and needed some minor work done on my outboard). I'm not a very deep thinker and never thought about that taking money out of the pocket of site advertisers, although I don't really see the difference in my issue and allowing used items to be sold when Tackle warehouse, etc pay to advertise on the site. Then again, maybe there aren't any retired mechanics who do work outside of authorized shops to supplement Social Security. Just wondering.

split172 · Post by **split172** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 5:00 pm

Even if you did it for money who cares. That's what is awesome is people have a right to choose and spend their money as they see fit. Tell the admin to eat a fatty!

Topwater All Day · Post by **Topwater All Day** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 10:58 am

Is that you Rich, still causing trouble and stirring things up down in San Diego???

It's pretty clear that you only offered to take the guy out fishing, not be a "guide" for a day. The original "guide" could have easily found someone else to take the client out and not leave them hanging while on vacation. Why the site admin's would get involved is beyond me...you did nothing wrong brother! The politics in SoCal...LOL!

So when you coming up north so I can take you fishing on the Delta?

Rob