Why Are Our Forums Different Than The Rest?

[Glenn]

Hey folks,

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you coming here to participate in the forums when you have so many choices to go elsewhere. But that has me wondering, what DO you like about our forums the most and why? What sets our forums apart from the rest?

I'm not looking for gratuitous comments here. I really want to know, so that I ensure we continue making the members #1 by focusing on what they like, and on what keeps them coming back.

Thanks for your help!

[SirSnookalot]

BR has more membership activity than any other forum and most times one can easily participate, I do enjoy the Every thing else section. There is quite a bit of feedback in regards to equipment, techniques, articles and all around bass related information,

I'm a member of other forums as well and they have their strong suites too, but the information is limited, many times no more than 1 or 2 posts in an entire day on a particular area of interest, on BR feedback sometimes is almost instant.

[Bassn Blvd]

I don't know of any other fishing forums, honestly.

[Fishing Rhino]

I couldn't say about the other forums. This is the only one I'm on. If you ask my wife, I spend too much time on this one.

It has everything pretty well covered from local to worldwide, at least as far as freshwater fishing, mostly bass, goes.

[Grey Wolf]

I belong to one other fishing form which is really more product oriented than BR but BR is a more well rounded forum with a family like atmosphere. BR has definately a more personal setting than anything else that I've seen so far and I believe that's what seperates it from all others.

[Lund Explorer]

Having been an active member of several different forums, my conclusion on what makes Bass Resource stand out to me isn't so much what you'll find here, but the things you don't. What I don't find on here are the smattering of cliques, elitists, trolls, and divisive subject matter that pollutes most other forums.

A person who visits this site a few times and spends some time cruising the various sections and threads is going to come away with the thought that this is a friendly site where members are treated with the same respect they show to others. That's pretty much how I found and decided to become a member here. Having been a member of other forums, I had decided I wasn't going to waste my time joining another dysfunctional internet family.

I think that is the real key to how successful this forum is. It seems like all of the members here have somehow decided that crazy Uncle So-So just isn't getting invited to the next family get together. It would be nice to say that you and the moderators were responsible for all of this, but I really think the lion's share of the credit goes to the forum's members. Members here just don't put with them. No long term member here tries to elevate themselves above even the newest rookie. It doesn't happen because nobody seems to makes it to becoming a long term member with that type of attitude. While some long term members drop by the wayside (for whatever reason), the forum always seems to recruit quality members to take their place.

The forum thrives because it is capable of maintaining this solid core of long term and newer active users who carry forward these same civil principles.

[B@ssCrzy]

I have never been a member of another forum for anything, but what made me want to join this forum was several things. 1. People genuinely seemed to want to help people out and rarely talked down to or about someone else's post. No question was a stupid question, so for a novice fisherman it was a good place to ask questions. 2. Seemed like a very active forum, so it made me want to check it constantly. 3. The website as a whole offers a lot of informative articles, resources etc., and is being updated on a regular basis. Makes it feel like something is really happening with the site.

Thanks for making this a great site!! I have definitely become a better fisherman because of it.

[Hyrule Bass]

i would have to say the membership sets this forum apart, everyone is willing to help others and offer information when they can. the level of maturity here is outstanding as well, you dont see posters squabbling and bickering on a personal level, only fierce fishing debates in which the posters are attacking the subject matter and not the other poster. Also the layout and the last upgrade was great and enhanced greatly the userability of the forum...

[tholmes]

I'd say that it's a combination of several different things. First and foremost, it's the members here and the atmosphere that they create. The vast majority are friendly, willing to help or answer a question, even the ones that seem simple or have been seen a thousand times to the more experienced on the board. The absence of vulgarity, personal attacks, spammers and other such junk goes a long ways toward making this forum feel relaxed and welcoming. The moderators also deserve a lot of the credit in that regard.

The vast amount of useful information, both from the members and the library of articles. I've learned a lot here, even though I've been bass fishing for nearly 50 years. There's always something new to learn.

I visit a couple of other fishing forums and a couple of guitar-related forums, and very few can measure up to this one.

Tom

[Jim_M]

As mentioned, it's not so much as what's here (though the content is outstanding), it's what's not. That is a tribute to the owners/administrators and moderators. A simple vision that's diligently maintained. Very noticeable. Great interface too.

I "belong" to one additional forum, a locally run bass fishing site here in AZ. Requires thick flame resistant garments. Obscene and contentious. Just stupid funny once you develop natural immunity's. No value past getting to know some good local folks and fishing spots. That's important too.

j

[Gangley]

Though many of the members are really nice, its not the personalities of the members that bring me here. Its the knowledge available if you choose to tap into it. With such a large amount of active members, you can get reliable answers in a timely manner to just about any question you could imagine that is fishing related.

When it comes down to it this site as a whole is a tool for me, a database of ideas, experience and knowledge. This board has enough depth in those areas to satisfy any fishing need I could imagine and so I try to draw from it when I can and add to it when given the chance.

[senile1]

This is the best bass fishing forum, in my opinion. There is one other very large bass forum that isn't bad, but it doesn't touch Bass Resource. I don't think it is our membership that makes this one better. That is like the mantra of companies that say "Our people are the best and make the difference." Sorry, but there are good and bad people everywhere, in every organization, and in every country. We are no better than any other group of people.

What sets Bass Resource apart is the leadership of the site and the direction and format they have provided for it. The leadership is why this site is civil and has a good atmosphere, because they have taken the site in this specific direction. The format and the outline provided by the forum titles prompts our minds to think of interesting subjects to discuss. The other site I mentioned above just doesn't seem to have the interesting subject matter that I find here, but then, I guess that is all in the eye of the beholder.

This isn't meant to butter up Glenn or the moderators either. I have butted heads a time or two with them and won't hesitate to try to respectfully express disagreement if we don't see eye to eye. And they are willing to do the same. That kind of honesty is also a great attribute of the site. It is embodied in Glenn's welcome on the introductory threads, "Welcome Home." We are like a family. We celebrate, agree, disagree, support each other, and butt heads with each other but we are always welcome at our home.

[Dwight Hottle]

Discipline

Wealth of knowledge

Helpfulness

camaraderie throughout the membership

Friendliness

[A-Jay]

All of the previous responses here do a great job at describing why this site thrives.

I believe that the atmosphere created at BR is a reflection of the fine people who run / moderate the site. It's good. The vast amount of moderator pride and ownership routinely displayed is adopted by virtually every BR forum member.

Members are encouraged to share their knowledge and opinions in a constructive and respectful manner. This makes it easy to access information shared by the long list of Very experienced and successful men and women, in both angling and life, who chose to post in the BR Forums.

A-Jay

[Siebert Outdoors]

Its the people imo. I've made some good friends from Bass Resource forum and fished with some great people.

There is a great knowledge base for all around Bass fishing.

[mikeeasttn]

The number one reason I belong to BR is the members here. They know what they are talking about and do not berate you for what is a stupid question to them. I have been out of bass fishing for 25 or more years due to professional responibilities and have only restarted fishing since my retirement so I know I have asked questions that most fisherman know but the members have always answered my "stupid" questions and have improved my fishing abilities ten-fold. I have been a member since a long time before the crash and I wish I could contribute more to the board and maybe some day I can but for now I am just trying to learn all I can.

I can honestly say that I have not been given any bad advice on the board. You should be very proud of this board and its members. The members of this board are a credit to the sport of bass fishing.

[Mudwalker]

Although I do not post often, I find that BR is the best place to find information that is useful. Other forums I have been to have too much B.S. to filter through to get to the information I am looking for. I even went as far to print out several of the articles from the site and I read them over to keep the info fresh in my mind, plus it makes the train ride each day go by faster.

This site also has the best atmosphere among its members. On other sites I have found that if you are not part of the "grou" and post a question or response you get slammed or dismissed.

[rboat]

I have tried other forums but always return here. To be honest I can't remember my passwords for the others, because I never use them.

I think the participation here is the best thing we have. You can get an answer to a fishing question in a couple minutes by someone who is very knowledgable. We have a vast array of people on here from all over with different experiences and backgrounds. From a young kid who fishes farm ponds to a tournament pro. If you listen and participate you can usually learn something from all.

To sum it up, experience and knowledge readily available by good anglers and decent people willing to help.

[Under the Radar]

Tho I too am not a frequent poster, Bass Resource is the only forum I recommend to beginning anglers and their parents.

[dulouz]

I really like the way the site is organized. I have tried looking at sites devoted to other fish species and boating, but have found the sites were very disorganized. On BR I know exactly where to look for information and advice.

[preach4bass]

I think what sets BR apart is that it isn't the "boys club" that many fishing forums are. There is more of a family atmosphere here. Women, and especially children, are encouraged to participate. While BR is always going to be predominatly a group of grown men, the family atmosphere leads us to protect the forums in much of the same way we look after our homes. Yes, the mods have to step in from time to time to police the forums, but for the most part, us average Joe members fight for the family we have grown to love. The leadership, vision, and guidelines for use of BR make it clear that this is, and will continue to be, a family forum.

[J Francho]

Think about it....when there is the rare debate, it's usually over what the best advice is. We all look out for each other, and genuinely want to help others be successful.

[bassin is addicting]

as many have said.... it is the members... the sponsors...and not so "patronize", but the administrators too.

i have learned so much in the past couple years and it's because there is genuine willingness to share info and ideas. the feedback is amazing!

i'm sure i have asked some "mr. obvious" questions but no one has ever come back with a demeaning response. truly only helpful answers.

everyone has been really nice and i have been able to get some good deals thru the flea market too.

i have been able to really expand my techniques and i can definitley see an improvement in my results.

i have recommended BR to many friends....but only to a couple in my club...only because i don't want them to learn as much as i have from here...lol!! there are some secrets that no one in my club needs to know

[detroit1]

I go to another site on occasion (somewhat local), but hardly anyone participates, so theres not much that i can get out of it. At BR, you get alot of participation, from novice to "expert", which keeps it interesting as well as informative. And i like how the staff keeps it clean so that any fisherman, at any age, can enjoy their visit. I like the mods, (even you RW), and like it when they chime in. This is where i go to talk fishing with my buddies, even though we have never met. Some year i'll have to make it the annual trip, so please keep having it....

[slonezp]

I would have to agree with everything said.

Also for the most part there really aren't any cliques here. It doesn't matter if a poster has a week of fishing experience or 50 years, or if they're young or one of the old farts. The members treat most everyone with respect.