Revealing Your Secrets

[FishChaser1]

During a period of tough fishing when nobody but you can seem to catch anything, do you tell people what they're doing wrong or do you prefer to keep to yourself and let them figure it out?

[roadwarrior]

I try to always be helpful and I post all of my "secrets" right here at BassResource.com

If you are interested in ledge fishing, especially on the Tennessee River, I have a new

post in "Fishing Reports" detailing this weekend's adventure. We tore 'em up!

 

-Kent

[BiteFiend]

Only when asked by say, a dad and his kids or young people. The lakes are pretty small in my area and get a lot of pressure. Therefore I try to keep information pretty close to the vest. Is it selfish of me? Maybe but there are parts of the lakes that I fish that get absolutely pounded so I'm hesitant to reveal what I might be doing differently.

[senile1]

I tell people what I am doing, though in a smaller lake with numerous anglers, I probably wouldn't provide absolute specific detail like I would with my friends and family.  Keep in mind, though, that a pattern can last for a few days or it can change from day to day and hour to hour.  The pattern that worked this morning could be history. 

 

Also, if one or two details is left out a person may still be looking in the wrong place for the fish.  Someone might say they were catching bass by pitching jigs to trees.  Only some trees will hold bass so in a lake with thousands of acres of trees where do you look?  The trees could be on a channel bend, on a shallow flat, next to a roadbed, etc. but there usually has to be some kind of structure the bass would use to be on a particular tree.  You still have to think and experiment to figure out the details of any pattern provided. 

[Bladesmith,]

If a person zooms up to me on the lake and swamps me with their wake, they are not going to get much info out of me. However, I will readily share info with almost any courteous person. I especially like to encourage young people, or people without much fishing experience.

[WRB]

If my fishing partner is having a problem catching bass then I usually offer a few tips depending on the partner.  I try to avoid other anglers on the water, prefer to stay under the radar, don't ask and don't tell.

Sharing advice on a fishing forum or being helpful off the water doesn't disturb my fishing or someone elses.

If someone ask me how I caught bass, I usually tell them.

Tom

[Raul]

Fishing is one of those things that are similar to painting or writing music, it´s as individual as you are, anybody can paint but one thing is painting and another thing is creating a masterpiece. Telling sombody your "secrets" is telling them nothing.

[blongfishing]

I share information only with close friend anglers. I will usually call and talk with each of them see what is working for them and then tell my secrets and we compare. Something I think is important is having other anglers that you can trust and share "secrets". I usually give tips to young and considerate anglers.

[CDobber]

I am a teacher by trade, so obviously I post to this forum and our local lakes forum to give out helpful information and seek out advice.  I talked to a guy at the quarry today that was also clearly fishing bass and we shared some notes....unfortunately, he had the same conclusions I had for this particular body of water lately.....live crawlers are all they are interested in.  He was working a frog in the muck and shaded areas (much like I normally do), I was running a Pop-R over submerged trees.  

[buzzed bait]

Fishing is one of those things that are similar to painting or writing music, it´s as individual as you are, anybody can paint but one thing is painting and another thing is creating a masterpiece. Telling sombody your "secrets" is telling them nothing.

 

Very interesting perspective.... i like it!

[Swampstud]

Just depends on who and how courteous. Most kids ill gladly share info, maybe even give em a few baits to try. Ive shown baits n colors to people at dnr docks, that struggled to catch anything all. But there are some of my friends that ill try to help, but after all the whining i tend to get quiet with them.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Fishing is one of those things that are similar to painting or writing music, it´s as individual as you are, anybody can paint but one thing is painting and another thing is creating a masterpiece. Telling sombody your "secrets" is telling them nothing.

 

Pretty much what I was thinking Raul.  I've been on both ends of this.  I was once given specific baits to throw and gps coordinates.  I caught 0 fish on all of the coordinates.  Then I've done the same for people and the same has happened. 

 

For sharing info I feel I'm pretty helpful and try to help.  I think a lot of it comes down to how they ask me.  If they are in need of help I'm willing.  I just like to see people catch fish.

[Jig Man]

Fishing is one of those things that are similar to painting or writing music, it´s as individual as you are, anybody can paint but one thing is painting and another thing is creating a masterpiece. Telling sombody your "secrets" is telling them nothing.

Yep even when being helpful.  It is hard to catch the other man's fish.

[gramps50]

A lot depends on the attitude of the person asking, I have a fishing buddy that I met on a local pond we share information all the time and even trade baits. Some one who sees me catch a fish and comes over and decides to fish next to me isn't going to get squat from me except maybe an attitude. 

 

I have helped numerous people & also sought advice. Usually I will just ask someone if they're biting, which doesn't always mean anything. A lot of it comes down to throwing what the fish want and how they want to see it. My buddy and I can next to one another and throw the same bait and maybe he'll catch fish and I won't or vice a versa.  

 

I don't mind sharing when the situation warrants it.

[Felix77]

I post on this forum everything I do but in the heat of a tournament when I am competing with my boater for fish I tend to share only a limited amount.  For example if my techniques are working and he asks I will tell him what I am doing in general.  Shakey Head, wacky senko etc.  He can see the color and if he sees me putting some Megastrike or JJ's on it then so be it.  

[nascar2428]

I rarely run into another bass angler. Most of the bank anglers around here are not fishing for bass. On the rare occasion that I cross paths with another bass angler, I always stop to chat and compare notes on the fishing in the area. 

[Ratherbfishing]

If this person has a 5-gallon bucket, I tell them NOTHING!

[DILLY07]

If its a team buddy tournament, Yes we will share tips to catch bass. 

 

If its a tournament to myself, negative ghost rider. Im saying no word! 

 

Fishing for fun, it depends on the persons mood or the mood Im in.

[EmersonFish]

Man, if it's tough out there, and I figure something out, I've got to tell someone. Unless it's a tournament, and there is a weigh-in where people will see visual evidence of my genius, the only way for me to demonstrate my genius is to put other people on fish. Unfortunately, my moments of brilliance are few and far between. Most of my contribution is helping people who are closer to beginners figure out how to get a few fish hooked on a good day, which I'm very happy to do.

[Deleted account]

"Loose lips..."

 

GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!

[VegasFishing]

If this person has a 5-gallon bucket, I tell them NOTHING!

^^^^This

[geo g]

If someone asks, I will give up the information. I like helping others on the lake. If I take someone out, I want them to have a good time, and catch fish. I have been out on others boat and your always struggling for a shot at a prime spot. I try to give them shots at unfished spots.

[aavery2]

There are no secrets in fishing.

[Bluebasser86]

I'll help people out but always careful to leave out an important detail or two. Still even if you tell someone exactly where, how, and when it might not matter. I've seen more than once where either I or the guy I was fishing with was tearing them up and the other couldn't get a bite even when we were in the same boat watching how it was done. 

[SirSnookalot]

Read my signature line.