Hey John, if you want a single board that is dedicated for REPORTS only, it runs the risk of becoming a desert if the current feeling of "why bother to post if somebody's ready to pounce on me" doesn't change. I and many of the guys I know, especially up here (and you know a few of 'em too) in the CIH/SB/Avila/Morro area just won't post trip reports anymore because of the fact that we get fed up seeing guys get nuked for keeping one turdroller, an under limit of checkerboards, or posting about a fun fishing/relaxation vacation and getting threadjacked and called on the carpet because THEIR fun wasn't fun enough for others. And, let's not get into the gory mess when thresher season rolls around!
I'm not saying that a reports only board is a bad idea, I'm just saying that there's often a sanctimonious (with regards to fishing, not religion) tone out there that dissuades people from sharing information. I believe for a PB Reports Board ONLY to succeed, that has to change. And, I don't know how much of that is a moderator's job; after all you can't monitor the board 24/7 and you'll always get called a censor. Rather, it seems to me that it needs to be a change in etiquette, attitude, and self restraint exhibited by the members. In other words, some people need to think more before they type.
I'm fairly active on a NorCal board (no, not Coastside) because that's where I grew up and still fish often...and I must tell you...these guys post reports and share information. They take pride in being buddies...they understand the value of what they have and I've never seen any of the flaming and holier-than-thou chit that seems to be more and more of a common thread around here. The sense of community is solid...it's one of the things I enjoy about that site. That's why we up here north of you know where have the CIA Allcoasters, thanks to Frank and Hugh, and our "Safety Meetings", which may sound like simple Bacchanalean festivals of overindulgence, but really have brought many of the crew up here together into a tightknit bunch of very good friends.
Dave
My Three Sons