Posting Specific Locations

[Scott F]

One topic that comes up frequently on other fishing forums that I don't recall seeing here has to do with posting specific fishing spots on an open forum. I see it done here but not very often. On a smallmouth forum where I am a moderator, we have rules prohibiting posting of exact locations. On our forums, most of our members fish small rivers and streams that could easily be hurt if a small river were hit by a lot of guys who just learned of a new hot spot. We saw a post about a warm water discharge where smallies would gather in the winter. The poster fished the spot, about the size of a pickup truck, frequently and almost never saw another angler. Soon after his post, there were as many as 8 guys fishing that same small spot on a Saturday morning.  Guys who don't agree with our stance argue that there are no "secret" spots and that we should be helping our fellow anglers. That's a valid argument. But we are a conservation group and if we have to choose a side, we are going to side on protecting the fishery and respect those whose spots may not be secret, but may not be well know either. As a group, while we won't allow posts of exact locations on open forums, when we get together on the water, everyone shares information freely.

Here on Bass Resource, there are a wide variety of fishermen who fish everything from small ponds to the Great Lakes. There are a lot of lurkers around just waiting to take the easy way of finding fish. Is it OK to get that information here? I'd like to hear opinions from the pond fisherman, the tournament guys and anybody else who has an opinion about having someone post the location of exact fishing spots. I can see both sides of the issue. I can't say one way is right or wrong but that it may depend on the type of fishery being discussed. 

[GADawgs]

I think if someone decides to share their spot it's up to them. If someone is ok with people knowing a "secret spot" then they can share if not they don't have to.

[Scott F]

I think if someone decides to share their spot it's up to them. If someone is ok with people knowing a "secret spot" then they can share if not they don't have to.

 

But how would you feel if someone posted about one of YOUR secret spots?

[Mr_Scrogg]

I Kansas, there really isnt "honey holes". Everyone knows of the lakes, KDWPT publishes a "walking map" of lakes that they lease from private owners. Bigger lakes I have spots on them that I wont give specifics about. But if you look and research, youll find them like I did.

[GADawgs]

But how would you feel if someone posted about one of YOUR secret spots?

I would love if someone posted about one of my secret spots because that would mean that I am catching fish haha. In all seriousness, it doesn't bother me too much. Someone knew about that spot before me and someone will find it when I am gone. All of the places I fish are pretty heavily pressured so I don't have much experience finding a secret spot to protect.

[Catch and Grease]

But how would you feel if someone posted about one of YOUR secret spots?

if someone posted about my secret spot that would tell me its probably not a very big secret...

[Nice_Bass]

In waters over 50000 acres there are not a single secrete spot. It just means no-one is fishing it when you are. Ponds and streams, same thing unless private. Its a small small world. Have to fish efficiently/effectively. Imo.

[Catt]

Go to Central Bass Fishing Section under "So y'all want to learn Toledo Bend", we have 230 pgs of sharing spots, tips, tactics, techniques, hot lures, weekly reports.

[slonezp]

I understand where you're coming from, being from the Chicago burbs and knowing the effect the bucketheads and the dickheads have on our river smallmouth fisheries. I've heard stories of early harvesting and overharvesting. I've also heard stories of people intentionally killing muskies. If you don't want to share your spots, then don't. I have shared some of my smallie spots on the Fox via PM's, I would not share them in a public forum. But anyone who puts time on the water and has a basic concept of current, cover, and structure could easily find these areas. Other water I fish and other species of fish, I'm not too concerned about but still won't post publicly. People who put in the time will eventually find the same "honeyholes" I fish, There is technology that can pull the gps info off posted pics taken from a smartphone. If someone really wants to find it they will. 

[WRB]

I agree with the OP's conclusion that it may depend on the type of fishery. TB is a massive reservoir over 185,000 acres with a good sustained bass population, difficult to over harvest specific spots. Reduce the acreage to 1,850 you may want to rethink sharing specific way points and further reducing size to 185 acres public fishery sharing specific spots on line could severely impact the small lake or river section.

The old saying "loose lips sink ships" could apply regarding some small fisheries.

The lakes I fish fall into the small size category and sharing areas like "east shore" or "fish arm" is about as detailed that I will give up regarding spots.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

I'll give general areas and what I was catching them on at times, but that's as detailed as I get unless you're a good friend. For me sharing specific spots and hot bites is a "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine," kind of thing. I'll share information with someone, but I expect information back or to be one of the first people you call when you get on a hot bite  

 

Shore fishing spots are a whole different animal. They're very limited around here. I might not even share pictures of fish caught from shore, let alone talk about the spot or even what lake they were caught at. 

[Lund Explorer]

Another forum I belong to has a mish-mash of rules regarding the disclosure of "spots".  You can mention the name of a river, but not a specific hole.  You can mention a specific pier head, but will catch the wrath of dozens for doing so.  You can mention lakes, but depending on the size of it, this practice is frowned on.  Guys trolling in the Great Lakes or Saginaw Bay will often mention general locations such a half of a GPS number combination, or a buoy name.  Other fishing Lake St. Clair often mention locations by calling out the "mile roads".  Specific GPS numbers are not allowed on any body of water.

 

I have often given out GPS numbers of lakes I've fished to other members here.  Mostly through PM's, and always on lakes that could handle the extra pressure.  However, there are many smaller lakes that won't be discussed here or anywhere else.

 

One last thought.

 

Wasn't there a sponsor here that provided for mapping out catches? 

[skeeter1980]

A secret spot? I guess that you have not fished in Delaware.LOL.I'd share with somebody,if I had a secret spot.Fishing here can be tough,our small ponds and lakes gets a lot of pressure.So if I came upon a good spot,i'd make someone else happy.Just don't bring all your friends with you.

[Sam]

I have two personal rules in bass tournaments:

 

1.  If I know of a spot another guy has shown me I will ask him for permission to fish it.

2.  if I have a nonboater with me or if I am a nonboater I will not share others' favorite places with my partner.

 

Only one guy has had heartburn over this philosophy and we finally caught up with another guy in our club who told us what place they caught their fish. So we ventured over there and sure enough we both ended up with three in the livewell within an hour and an hour and a half before weigh-in.

 

Now, will I share the spot with others on the Historic James River (had to get that in)?  Nope. If I fish the Historic James River this year I may venture over to that spot and give it a shot but there are so many other places to fish on the Historic James that I don't need to waste a half-hour commuting to that bank.

 

I will fish a specific area that one of the club members told me about and said knock myself out at the place. I will surely follow his advice.

[Catt]

ScottF, Give me a general area and I will find your secert spot!

Let me see what truck you drive or what your boat looks like & I got ya!

Knowing where I fish does not mean you suddenly know how to fish it. I told guys of ponds, bayous, & marshes around south Louisiana & after a trip or 2 they give up thinking I lied to em.

[starcraft1]

As far as giving info to each other in person, I have a very small group of anglers I'll tell. Not to be a "hole mounger" but I've seen the results of being the good ole' boy that tells everyone about a spot that had big fish. We have a place that we can pratice for both the Cal. delta and Clear lake in the northern part of Calif. without the exspence of driving to either one (2 1/2 to 4 hr. drive). Word got out and the meat hunters started showing up. With-in a yr. it was hit so hard we had to put the word out that it had been "fished-out". This happened 3 yrs. ago and the place is still on the rebound. It had fish to 15 lbs. in it untill the mongs got wind of it. Their style is to clean out a body of water and move on.

[SirSnookalot]

I not only tell people where good fishing spots are, I point out the exact blade of grass to stand on and how to fish the area.  On this site alone if I had a buck for each honey spot I've given I could purchase the NRX and Stella that's RW has been hawking me to buy for years.

I won't disclose locations that are private out of respect to the people that gave me permission to be there.  I also won't help any one with a swirled out background.

[Fish Murderer 71]

I fish a weekly tournament, and for the first few tournaments I was usually the last guy out (for a reason).  I watch where the winners go!  I'll pull out my bino's and see what they are throwing, making mental notes. When they leave move up and graph the area. Mark the spot on the GPS.  On to the next spot.  It's been productive in some spots and not in others.  Catt said it best in my opinion... It's more about how to fish the spot than knowing where the spot is.  I've got a couple spots that I have yet to see anyone fish, but I pull out some nice fish from.  In fact, it's won a tournament for my partner and I.  If you really want to become a better fisherman, one has to put the time in.  We can point you in the general direction but the rest is up to you and your skills!  Thats the way I see sharing Honey Holes!

[gripnrip]

Good question! I almost never fish large bodies of water from shore. Where I do fish from shore and have caught them I don't share but I do however give the technique I used. I agree with bluebasser on his view from shore.

If i fish large bodies of water, I'm at the boaters mercy where he goes. Yesterday I was invited to fish a jackpot. One which my partner and I won. This topic came up. He showed me some of his spots. He knows next year I'll be a boat owner. So I asked him when I do get a boat can I fish these spots? His reply was yes. All he asked is that I keep 2 specific spots to myself. I have always said to myself that wherever I go with a boater I will ask permission to fish any spot I've been shown out of respect of said fisherman. I just believe that is the way it should be.

Now after I get a boat and find the certain spots myself I expect that common courtesy. I will however help someone out in need of assistance. A few have asked me about spots on Grand in a PM and I have helped to the best of my ability. Just my 2cents.

[HeavyFisher]

I'll be more than happy to share what I'm using, how I'm using it, but not exact locations on where I'm catching fish. They have two legs and can walk just like me, with some time and effort they will find the spots where bass are active just like I did. 

[tatertester]

I have no problem with sharing fishing locations ,EXCEPT for smaller lakes,rivers and streams.....In my area of northern Minnesota , if I stopped at the local watering hole, in the one horse town near me ,and told about the great fishing spot on any lake nearby ,quaranteed, the fish hogs would be out in full force the next day, likely going a long way to ruining the secret honeyhole.

[gripnrip]

I have no problem with sharing fishing locations ,EXCEPT for smaller lakes,rivers and streams.....In my area of northern Minnesota , if I stopped at the local watering hole, in the one horse town near me ,and told about the great fishing spot on any lake nearby ,quaranteed, the fish hogs would be out in full force the next day, likely going a long way to ruining the secret honeyhole.

Unfortunately this is the biggest problem.  Someone to do the work and put in the time to have it blabbed to everyone and their dog..... No offense to the dogs! 

[phototex]

I wouldn't ever worry about doing so, as I fish only lakes.....and since I'm a fisherman, everyone thinks I'm lying anyway....so why not tell the truth? I usually do.

[SirSnookalot]

Most people I know have worked hard in their occupation as well as putting their time in learning where and how to fish.  My "group" of home boys are sharers, we don't protect anything.  Whether it was mentoring a newbie in my career or fishing, it's about giving back.  Someone taught me and pointed me in the right direction.

Fishing on public waters is fair game for anyone, I guarantee I'm not the only one that knows the "secret spot". Even if I was the only one I'm not going to be there 24/7, don't see any harm in turning someone on to a good fishing spot.  I don't need to ask permission nor do I need to give permission.  As Catt previously mentioned, he'd probably out catch you at your honey hole anyway.

I could take some one right now and show them where and how to catch 40# fish, or peacock bass if that's their pleasure, why should I if some one isn't willing to share what they know.  Those selfish ones are the kind of people I would never take with me.

[Lund Explorer]

I have no problem with sharing fishing locations ,EXCEPT for smaller lakes,rivers and streams.....In my area of northern Minnesota , if I stopped at the local watering hole, in the one horse town near me ,and told about the great fishing spot on any lake nearby ,quaranteed, the fish hogs would be out in full force the next day, likely going a long way to ruining the secret honeyhole.

 

The fishing news grapevine spreads fast and wide indeed.

 

Flashback to the mid-1980's when three of us went on an ice fishing trip for jumbo perch.  The lake we fished in the morning was well known for some real big perch, but the day we went there they just weren't biting.  After only catching 8 fish in excess of 12" we decided to spend the afternoon on a lake known for decent bluegills but no perch.  Anyhow, when we got to this second lake, my buddy dumps the perch onto the ice next to his holes and starts fishing for the gills.  As the evening crowd started to show up, they all spied those jumbo perch lying on the ice.  When asked where he caught them, my buddy put on his best politician face and claimed to have caught them right there in that hole using perch minnows.  When we went back to that lake the next morning there were twenty guys all grouped together and all fishing with perch minnows.

 

And we all think that women have perfected the art of gossip!