Anyone else kind of a jerk?

[.ghoti.]

22 hours ago, Sword of the Lord said:

Sounds a whole lot like "I can't find them, help" but I digress.

 

I don't think it would be obscene to you if you've seen people around your spots just cut the line on gut hooked bass instead of try, harvest illegally, or bring the whole neighborhood down.

Your spots? Do you own the land? If not, they are not "your" spots.

[Sword of the Lord]

8 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Your spots? Do you own the land? If not, they are not "your" spots.

This reply reminds me of people who scold people for saying "we" in regards to their sports teams. Nonsensical.

[.ghoti.]

Please explain just what is nonsense about the legality of owning real estate.

[Russ E]

10 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Your spots? Do you own the land? If not, they are not "your" spots.

I must be lucky to live where I do. there are several good places to bass fish within an hour of my house. 

I have trouble understanding the secret hole mentality. I don't fish just one spot on any lake.

the Smallest lake I fish is 400 acres.

 a normal day on that little lake, there are at least 3 dozen different spots I fish. 

if someone Is having trouble catching fish, I have no problem showing one to them and  to look for similar areas around the lake.

hopefully if I am having a bad day, someone will do the same.

 

[3crows]

There are no secrets anymore. 

[ohboyitsrobby]

They are not "my or your" spots. But if I have to put in the time and effort to find them then figure out how to put fish in the boat there so should everyone else. There are exceptions. If I find a spot holding a ton of Kentucky's in the 12-15 inch range I'll be real open with anybody. If I come onto a spot holding a school of 2-6 lbers my ole lady would be lucky if I took her there lol

[The Bassman]

I fish smaller waters such as creeks and retention ponds. This summer has produced the best largemouth fishing I've ever experienced in both size and numbers. I can attribute a lot of this to what I've read on these forums and from a member introducing me to some prime spots.  That said, I tend to be very protective of my "honey holes".  In reflection though it occurred to me that lots of big fish isn't the essence of our sport. (Did I just say that?). As hard as it is to believe, one can become bored catching 3-5 lbrs. all morning. It gives one pause to open up a little. (maybe)

[frosty]

22 minutes ago, The Bassman said:

As hard as it is to believe, one can become bored catching 3-5 lbrs. all morning. It gives one pause to open up a little

Yeah, catching 3-5 pounders all morning is my idea of absolute hell also 

[TnRiver46]

I eat some of the legal keeper fish that I catch so I guess I am the jerk in this whole scenario. I don't ever ask other people what they were using or where, I just say hello or how's it going. I also share legal keepers with the less fortunate. In general it is my opinion that not being a jerk is always the best play. Who wants to be known as someone who doesn't share fish with their fellow man?

[Jerryj33]

There aren't enough bass enthusiasts in my area for sharin' info to be a problem, it seems. Being new in town, I've spent the last weeks fishing every pond in town, putting in several hours every day. A few key pointers, vague ones but pointers nonetheless, have really helped me find a few crucial spots. I've met a few serious anglers, but no real bassheads so far. As someone who enjoys camaraderie, I never hesitate to chat it up with anyone who seems like they know what they're talking about. 

[Sword of the Lord]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I eat some of the legal keeper fish that I catch so I guess I am the jerk in this whole scenario. I don't ever ask other people what they were using or where, I just say hello or how's it going. I also share legal keepers with the less fortunate. In general it is my opinion that not being a jerk is always the best play. Who wants to be known as someone who doesn't share fish with their fellow man?

I should definitely clarify that I refuse to share in a pond or a small lake because bass can easily become pressure, spots can be ruined, illegally harvested, and it can, just become a nightmare. Now a river, whatever. I'll tell ya, and I don't even care what you take. My spots on small waters are sacred. That's my enjoyment.

 

And again for certain people, me saying "my spot" is like saying "we won" when it comes to my sports teams. I know I don't own the spot and I'm not part of the team, but I'm invested.

[rosshilk]

I’ll tell anyone what I’ve been doing. I figure fishing so variable that even if I slaughter then one day or even consistently for awhile things will change fast. I also think patience and technique plays such a big role that the information doesn’t hurt, because success is not guaranteed.

[.ghoti.]

Life is too short to hang around with jerks, and way too short to be one.

[3crows]

I believe it is the sporting (and proper) thing to share quality information with other sportsman.

 

There are no your or my spots.

 

If another boat is already on a "spot" and it is a small or confined area then it would be rude to bust in on them. Like a four way stop that befuzzles many, the first boat there is the spot owner until they move off or invite you in. In a large area, like a broad open point or shelf or linear drop-off, no point in being a jerk, it is their spot too as long as you do not need to put the fenders out to keep them off your boat. Boarding parties will be repelled, lol.

[geo g]

I have no problem sharing spots or saying what I'm using.  Just because you know a spot or a bait doesn't mean you can catch fish.  Over the years I have had plenty of friends and people who became friends, help me with locations and hot spots.  I have no fear of company when I go fishing.  If you want to know where and how, just ask!!!!!!!

[scaleface]

I do have a couple of secret spots on a heavily fished lake that I dont think get fished real hard and I am mum about them . They hold fish spring , summer and fall, I dont fish winter . One of the places I have yet to identify why it is so good and I'm not taking anyone to it .

 

I'll always tell what lure , what depth ...and leave it up to them to figure out for themselves . One time I sold a couple of fellows  a package of watermelon chartreuse Jelly worms and let them have the spot . I already pulled about fifty bass off of it and they were being skunked . They trolled out to ask how I was catching so many fish . As I was pulling away I glanced   back and they were both hooked up .

[ohboyitsrobby]

Kind of off topic but on the point of "spot" sharing, come January they're removing the length limit on "spotted" bass here on ouachita. Any of y'all make it this way a lot of us would appreciate ya taking some of these "spots" home to eat. They are WAY too many. If ya make it this way and are bank bound I'll even share my boat with ya to help fill your freezer. ?

[DINK WHISPERER]

I usually tell if I'm asked (rarely happens). Doesn't mean anything to me.... I could give you all my gear and show you my waypoints but if ya ain't got it ya just ain't got it. 

[Koz]

I don't mind sharing info with people that I know and I appreciate it when they do the same for me. But if a random person comes along and asks how the fishing is going or what baits I've been using I keep it pretty generalized.

[Troy85]

I rode up behind a older guy on Saturday, he was trolling down a canal not fishing.  I asked him if he was good, he said he was broken down.  I asked if he needed a tow and he said no, he had a friend on the way.  

 

I idled next to him for about 10 minutes just talking, come to find out he was practicing for a big state BASS tournament that is coming up this coming weekend. I explained that I was still pretty new to Bass fishing, but would like to try some bigger tournaments one day.  He told me one of the best ways to learn is to sign up as a co-angler and try and learn from the angler.

 

We talked about where and how we had both been fishing earlier in the day, he told me a few of the areas where he had been doing well and how to fish them. 

 

Overall he was really helpful and friendly(even given his current situation), its people like that that give the sport a good name.

[SuperCorona]

Earlier this year an older(older than me and I'm 63) gentleman shared a good spot and technique with me on a lake that my wife and I were getting skunked more often than not.  Using that info, I was able to locate several other similar spots on the lake that produced good results.  Now I've shared those new spots with a couple of others.

 

As far as being a jerk goes... Am I a jerk for telling a ramp hog he should have prepped his boat up in the parking lot before clogging things up at the water?  These guys that roll into the lot, immediately back down the ramp and then take 10-15 minutes to get their boat ready to launch really get my blood boiling.  I'm on and off the ramp in less than 3 minutes when I'm by myself, so it sets me off when some inconsiderate clown does this.

 

Here's something you don't see every day.  "Admiral Halsey" launched his boat "THE BOSS" and then discovered he had a dead battery.  The truck was there to jump start the boat.  There were 6 boats waiting.  

[jbmaine]

I think I am easy going, I'll wait for ramp hogs and never try to crowd other fisherman, boaters, etc. However one time I totally lost it. We were fishing and a big thunder storm started coming up the lake. We booked for the ramp, as did everyone else. It was working well. We all queued in line and got our boats out in a orderly fashion. When our time came my wife held the boat at the dock while I ran to get the car. While I was gone a total jerk pulled up and tried to launch. When I pulled up to the launch he was on the dock yelling at my wife and trying to push our boat out of the way. My wife is hearing impaired , didn't know why he was yelling, what he was saying, and was scared to death.

I lost it, ran over, tore him a new one,  threatened to have him arrested, and told him to back off. Luckily he did, and we loaded up and left. I didn't realize it at the moment, but Every one else still waiting to load up heard us, and two other guys had jumped on the dock to back me up. It was ugly, but thank goodness it didn't get worse. That's the angriest I have been in 20 yrs.

                                               Jim

[geo g]

1 hour ago, SuperCorona said:

Earlier this year an older(older than me and I'm 63) gentleman shared a good spot and technique with me on a lake that my wife and I were getting skunked more often than not.  Using that info, I was able to locate several other similar spots on the lake that produced good results.  Now I've shared those new spots with a couple of others.

 

As far as being a jerk goes... Am I a jerk for telling a ramp hog he should have prepped his boat up in the parking lot before clogging things up at the water?  These guys that roll into the lot, immediately back down the ramp and then take 10-15 minutes to get their boat ready to launch really get my blood boiling.  I'm on and off the ramp in less than 3 minutes when I'm by myself, so it sets me off when some inconsiderate clown does this.

 

Here's something you don't see every day.  "Admiral Halsey" launched his boat "THE BOSS" and then discovered he had a dead battery.  The truck was there to jump start the boat.  There were 6 boats waiting.  

 

 

 

I agree with you 100%, nothing worse then the ramp hawgs.  Over the years I have had to wait for long periods of time for these thoughtless guys.  It doesn't happen that often, but these guys have no respect for others.

[bigfruits]

you might be. just lie and you wont come of as one though.

[PECo]

A lot of people seem to fish for ego gratification. I don't have any time for that.

 

I fish for fun. I'll tell anyone exactly where I fished and what I did.

 

I often post reports on a local forum. Recently, I ran into a husband and wife fishing in one of "my spots". They recognized me from my reports and told me that they've been enjoying catching fish there because of them. To me, knowing that I helped someone else enjoy fishing as much as I is gratifying.