When asking about baits, rods, reels, techniques, water clarity, seasons, name brands, etc., may I suggest using the "search key" in the upper right hand corner?

You can obtain a lot of information from past posts which will not only expand your knowledge base but help you ask better questions so we can give you better replies.

So for everyone asking about Chatterbaits, please "search" for Chatterbaits and see the other posts discussing Chatterbaits.

Just a suggestion.  

Actually, the search tab, to the left of the search box, is a better option. It's more robust and performs more thorough searches.

Wouldn't it be great if only 10% of the new members bothered to use that tab?  The number of repetitive questions would drop exponentially.

It would also be great if every question that started with some nitwit asking "What is the best" could be sent to a look-up table where the inquirer could answer the question himself and narrow his/her choices down to only one choice.  It wouldn't make any difference if the choice was the correct one.  It would just have to fit in with his/her budget.    

Wouldn't it be great if only 10% of the new members bothered to use that tab? The number of repetitive questions would drop exponentially.

It would also be great if every question that started with some nitwit asking "What is the best" could be sent to a look-up table where the inquirer could answer the question himself and narrow his/her choices down to only one choice. It wouldn't make any difference if the choice was the correct one. It would just have to fit in with his/her budget.

Then what you would have left is nothing. If the site is to be used as reference only then there would be no forum. Since we certainly can add very little if anything to what has already been said, then Bass Resource would cease to exist.

But sometimes a new member comes on and asks the same question in a different way in multiple posts.  Some times in the same area, and sometimes in many different areas.  That can be very annoying.  Ask once after a search is done if you can't find the answer you want.

So what's the best search button to use?

It doesn't matter which search box is the best , hardly anyone uses them just as Sam said. What a waste just because people are too lazy or ignorant to the fact on how to learn how to use this great source of information.

You mean you can even search by title,subject,or section only and go back a whole year too? AMAZING

Research is good if in fact the new person to this sport even begins to understand the format. Everyone was new once, and everyone asks the same questions.

I think the best way to answer this is to answer the new guys questions AS THIS IS WHAT FIRST KEPT ME HERE and steering them to the FAQ's and Article section. This is what Catt and Kent did for me and it really helped me in the beginning

I'm an advocate of using the search feature to the extent it helps people find answers to their questions faster than waiting for others to respond on a thread. But NOT as a means of preventing people from asking questions.

I'm an advocate of using the search feature to the extent it helps people find answers to their questions faster than waiting for others to respond on a thread. But NOT as a means of preventing people from asking questions.

Thank you!

1. The articles featured on this site are clearly not being utilized by many just judging from many of the questions. The amount of information available in the drop down menu's is absolutely astounding. It's so under utilized by newbies it's sad. I try and direct, via a link, to any article that answers their question.  I figure if I direct them to those articles, they might realize they're there and start to explore all the information available to them.

2. If a specific question is asked about a rod, reel, lure or technique, if it's been asked several times in the recent past the question poser is probably not going to get much response. It's pretty simple, how many times do we need to go over this? Example: There was ANOTHER question very recently about BPS Crankin sticks. There have been numerous threads on that particular line of rods in the past, many giving great info from owners. Simply search and find them. If you have an additional question, ask that in one of the existing threads vs. starting a new one. It adds less clutter and you'll get a response quicker.

I agree a lot of "repeat questions" and "basic questions" however we all have joined a forum to give and receive help. When I first started posting on forums, I would get the typical do a search answer, and nothing made me more aggravated. Though I am still a rookie poster, I do my research, and post when I cannot find what I am looking for. If we just refer everyone to do a search, then we are not helping the new person out much. Most of us probably had help from someone when we started out fishing. I had to learn on my own and thanks to helpful forums and their members I was able to get answers and tips.

Lets just try to be as helpful as possible That's what make a forum like this truly successful.

Well, I agree too plasticman.The biggest problem I see is when one only has to scroll back 1-3 pages to find at least one post on how to use topwaterfrogs,jigs,or flukes.The big three.We even see those same thread titles on the very same page at times.

1. The articles featured on this site are clearly not being utilized by many just judging from many of the questions. The amount of information available in the drop down menu's is absolutely astounding. It's so under utilized by newbies it's sad. I try and direct, via a link, to any article that answers their question. I figure if I direct them to those articles, they might realize they're there and start to explore all the information available to them.

Thank you!  That's extremely helpful.  

It's true that the rest of the site is under utilized, but it's not just by the "newbies", it's everyone.  Can't tell you how many times I've heard long-time members say, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that" regarding the articles.

Referencing specific articles in answering a question not only helps "the newbies", but also helps the rest of the folks as well.  

When I first joined this forum the only thing I did was use the search button and watched the forums for a bit to see what I could learn from it without asking questions. When I felt a little more comfortable to start asking and answering questions that's when I did.

1. The articles featured on this site are clearly not being utilized by many just judging from many of the questions. The amount of information available in the drop down menu's is absolutely astounding. It's so under utilized by newbies it's sad. I try and direct, via a link, to any article that answers their question. I figure if I direct them to those articles, they might realize they're there and start to explore all the information available to them.

Thank you! That's extremely helpful.

It's true that the rest of the site is under utilized, but it's not just by the "newbies", it's everyone. Can't tell you how many times I've heard long-time members say, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that" regarding the articles.

Referencing specific articles in answering a question not only helps "the newbies", but also helps the rest of the folks as well.

Hey Glenn: At my age I say I forgot about that a lot, can you tell me what button to push for that? I am leaving a huge opening here for you :