Talking to the locals

[Scott F]

I know the pros do it. I spent a day walleye fishing with a guide on Rainy Lake in Minnesota. I know very little about walleyes, but the guy I was with wanted to so we hired a guide. At the end of the trip, we saw Al Lindner coming to the dock after a day when he was filming for his TV Show. He was being guided that day by the owner of Rainy Lake Houseboats, Billy Daugherty, who I know. We went up and met Al who was extremely friendly and had our pictures taken with him. He was asking ME about the walleye fishing that day. I could converse without looking too stupid as I had just spent 8 hours in a boat with a walleye guide. A short time later, we were walking near the boat ramp when a truck was pulling a boat out of the water, he stopped next to us, rolled down the window. It was Al Lindner wanting to talk to us more about the walleyes.  I got a real kick out of that because I know as much about walleyes as I do brain surgery. Even the best there is doesn't know everything and some are not so proud that they are above asking others for advice. 

[quanjig]

I want everyone to have fun so I'm pretty liberal with info that I have! If you are a "come lately" guy that wants to know particular baits and locations......... You probably won't get the time of day from me, but if I know you have been putting in the time, you will get my best stuff!!

[Nitrofreak]

I have been in your boat, I know what kind of guy you are, what kind of angler you are, I can certainly vouch for the above statement, one of the best IMO to ever converse with on any given day.

[quanjig]

Sonny, thank you!! We had a great time and look forward to doing it again sometime soon!!!

[Robeng]

I talk to others coming off the lake, though, I definitely talk to the local bait shop when picking up live bait.  

[Catch 22]

I have about 4 friends that I exchange info with.I trust about 3% of the general population who are mostly engaged in "one upsmanship" and bs.

I too have been known to tell little white lies  As stated its part of the game.

C22

[Last_Cast]

I just go to the local fishing anything, start conversation, and just ask. Somebody always knows someone who fishes.

[Nitrofreak]

4 minutes ago, chris7390 said:

I just go to the local fishing anything, start conversation, and just ask. Somebody always knows someone who fishes.

I think, or at least I would be willing to guess that there are areas in this country that tend to be a bit more liberal with the information given, in my area it depends on how you approach local bait shops and the anglers who frequent the bodies of water, if you just come right out and ask, you can pretty much bet your going to get some very bad info. 

 

[Last_Cast]

1 minute ago, Nitrofreak said:

I think, or at least I would be willing to guess that there are areas in this country that tend to be a bit more liberal with the information given, in my area it depends on how you approach local bait shops and the anglers who frequent the bodies of water, if you just come right out and ask, you can pretty much bet your going to get some very bad info. 

 

I tend not to ask right away.
Usually I BS with the person, shop around, etc.
Ease my way in.

[N Florida Mike]

Sometimes it works if you say something like "man the bass love these____" Then they usually can't help but tell you something that works for them.I don't mind sharing info.with other fishermen,esp.if they practice catch/release and have kids with them.

[RichF]

I'll chat with locals, just not about how, what, and where.  I'm a firm believer on finding your own fish.  I thinks it's far more rewarding when you figure something out on your own.  It's made me a much better angler for sure.  I'm certainly not opposed to sharing some things though.  I often get asked about baits and patterns if I do well at a tournament, which I'm always willing to share....just not down to the fine details.  I never lie though.  I just speak in more general terms... "I caught them flipping a 1oz jig in grass 6-10ft deep." 

[Phil_NH]

For me, I will chat with some of the people I see repeatedly, and share my info. But as a rule whenever people past by while I'm fishing or ask me on the way out I always say " Caught nothing". 

[Nitrofreak]

3 hours ago, RichF said:

I'll chat with locals, just not about how, what, and where.  I'm a firm believer on finding your own fish.  I thinks it's far more rewarding when you figure something out on your own.  It's made me a much better angler for sure.  I'm certainly not opposed to sharing some things though.  I often get asked about baits and patterns if I do well at a tournament, which I'm always willing to share....just not down to the fine details.  I never lie though.  I just speak in more general terms... "I caught them flipping a 1oz jig in grass 6-10ft deep." 

I think that is about the best we can hope for, speaking as one who likes to converse, one, would be to meet an angler like yourself, two, the general knowledge should be a big help in eliminating a lot water, I believe as you do and agree that the fine details are one of many aspects that we worked hard for and should be ours to keep.

[HardCider]

Dock talk is great, just take it with a grain of salt because guys like me that tear 'em up on pressured mini-lakes won't tell much to a stranger.  Sometimes I take a liking to someone and share good stuff.  Mostly to broken down old farts or single Mom's bringing their kids to the lakes (bless you Mom!).  Most of the time I'll tacklebox the hot bait before coming back to the dock and hide any dead big fish that couldn't be released due to gill hook bleed out or exhaustion (e.g. big Stripers in Summer).  However, it is impossible for me to hide my best spots and baits when on the lake so discreetly follow me around, use binocular, take zoom pics.  I may not like it but its legal and smart if you think I have knowledge that you must have to better your fishing.

However, I have met people at the ramp that over time became friends, good friends.  Those guys and I share almost everything and help each other.  So talk at the ramp but more to make future friends, fishing buddies, drinking buddies, smoking buddies whatever...

 

[Nitrofreak]

58 minutes ago, HardCider said:

Dock talk is great, just take it with a grain of salt because guys like me that tear 'em up on pressured mini-lakes won't tell much to a stranger.  Sometimes I take a liking to someone and share good stuff.  Mostly to broken down old farts or single Mom's bringing their kids to the lakes (bless you Mom!).  Most of the time I'll tacklebox the hot bait before coming back to the dock and hide any dead big fish that couldn't be released due to gill hook bleed out or exhaustion (e.g. big Stripers in Summer).  However, it is impossible for me to hide my best spots and baits when on the lake so discreetly follow me around, use binocular, take zoom pics.  I may not like it but its legal and smart if you think I have knowledge that you must have to better your fishing.

However, I have met people at the ramp that over time became friends, good friends.  Those guys and I share almost everything and help each other.  So talk at the ramp but more to make future friends, fishing buddies, drinking buddies, smoking buddies whatever...

 

That's a great approach !