Acts of kindness... Where do you fall?

[TOXIC]

We all "give back" in our own way.  I fish a lot of Wounded Warrior type tournaments where we take wounded servicemen out for a fun tournament.  Although I think I get more out of that than they do. Absolutely one of the MOST rewarding things you can ever do.   

 

I have given out literally hundreds of bags of Senko's and hooks while on the water and showed fishermen how to rig them.  One year I was in Wisconsin fishing after water skiing time had ended and was working down a bank.  I had a good pattern set up and the bass were cooperating really well.  I had caught around 20 down a 500 yard bank.  I came upon a Bass Boat tied to a dock and 5 guys sitting around a firepit.  Normally I would just swing wide and avoid any appearance of a conflict but sencing they were fishermen I decided to go ahead and fish.  Caught 2 right in front of them.  They got up and walked out on their dock (I had already started to move on and they struck up a conversation so I slowed down.  They said they had been there a week and caught 2 bass.  I told them that was great and that I caught 20 coming down the bank.  They didn't believe me.  I told them I could tell them the next spot that I was going to catch one, they laughed.....I proceeded to make a short cast and caught a nice 2lber.  They got quiet, then one said if I was that good, I should be able to call my next one as well......I did and caught another nice one.  They were amazed so I got on the TM and motored back to their dock tied off and proceeded to give them a little class on a Senko (they never heard of it).  Gave each one a bag of 297 Senko's and Gamakatsu EWG hooks.  Pics are from that year trip.  Smallmouth and Largemouth

 

 

[rtwvumtneer6]

11 hours ago, TOXIC said:

We all "give back" in our own way.  I fish a lot of Wounded Warrior type tournaments where we take wounded servicemen out for a fun tournament.  Although I think I get more out of that than they do. Absolutely one of the MOST rewarding things you can ever do.   

 

I have given out literally hundreds of bags of Senko's and hooks while on the water and showed fishermen how to rig them.  One year I was in Wisconsin fishing after water skiing time had ended and was working down a bank.  I had a good pattern set up and the bass were cooperating really well.  I had caught around 20 down a 500 yard bank.  I came upon a Bass Boat tied to a dock and 5 guys sitting around a firepit.  Normally I would just swing wide and avoid any appearance of a conflict but sencing they were fishermen I decided to go ahead and fish.  Caught 2 right in front of them.  They got up and walked out on their dock (I had already started to move on and they struck up a conversation so I slowed down.  They said they had been there a week and caught 2 bass.  I told them that was great and that I caught 20 coming down the bank.  They didn't believe me.  I told them I could tell them the next spot that I was going to catch one, they laughed.....I proceeded to make a short cast and caught a nice 2lber.  They got quiet, then one said if I was that good, I should be able to call my next one as well......I did and caught another nice one.  They were amazed so I got on the TM and motored back to their dock tied off and proceeded to give them a little class on a Senko (they never heard of it).  Gave each one a bag of 297 Senko's and Gamakatsu EWG hooks.  Pics are from that year trip.  Smallmouth and Largemouth

 

 

I can hear Roland Martin right now... "Any color senko will work, as long as it's green pimpkin and black flake"?

[rboat]

I believe I have towed about 6 boats back to the ramp in last few years when they broke down, and my boat was smaller than most of them. I just hope that someday someone may do the same for me if the need arises.

[Log Catcher]

3 minutes ago, rboat said:

I believe I have towed about 6 boats back to the ramp in last few years when they broke down, and my boat was smaller than most of them. I just hope that someday someone may do the same for me if the need arises.

I too have towed several boats in. I have been towed in once.

[N Florida Mike]

Ive had the privelege of teaching my 2 sons to fish, One of them now commercial fishes for a living. And teaching 5 of my grandkids to fish.

I like to teach adults to bass fish who have little experience. Also being able to host friends and assorted bass resource members at my home lake is a blessing. 

[AC870]

The stripe were smashing topwaters. Older guy didn’t have one. He’d driven from Birmingham to Guntersville Dam for a morning of fishing. He looked to be maybe late Vietnam era and had on a Marine hat. I had to give him a topwater. 

I’ve done a few nice things I guess. Took people and stuff. But life is short and I’m set in my ways. I get tired of hearing “We should do this, we should do that, blah blah blah.”

Only one who gets pass on backseat captaining now is my bride of 21 years.  

I’d like to do one of those CAST events for special kids and their families. It’s an awesome organization. 

[Preytorien]

I've given more than my share of lures out. I did some testing work with LTB for a while and have a lot of tackle that I enjoy giving to the neighborhood kids. I have the typical pegboard FULL of tackle that I rarely or ever will use, I just let them take a couple things off each time to try and if they don't like it they can pass it on to someone else.

 

One thing I like to think about is that when fishing with buddies, especially ones that might be going through some life-stuff, the non-fishing conversations are the most important, and if I can give them an ear when they just need to fish and get stuff off their chest, it's worth it to me. 

 

Also had a church mens outing where one particular younger kid took a big interest in fishing, more than the other young men, so I've taken him under my wing, fishing-wise, and stocked him up. His parents are grateful as neither of them have any fishing experience, yet that's all he talks about. Sure glad I can help that young man. 

 

I love passing on knowledge 

[schplurg]

I don't like to talk about how awesome I am - that's for other people to decide. I could be a jerk for all I know

 

But I did have one cool experience so far. 

 

I got my truck stuck in a hole, my rear wheel sunk so far that my differential hit the ground. It was 100 degrees, not many people around. It was a dirt road along the Stanislaus River here in Cali.

 

I had a puny jack and a small chunk of 4x4 wood I keep in the truck for whatever reason. I jacked it up nowhere near enough to get it out. Walked up the road half a mile and some guy let me borrow another similar jack. I used the two jacks and slowly inched the truck up, but still, this wasn't enough.

 

I started filling in the hole under the tire when two trucks came up the road. I was hot and miserable. Sweat stinging my eyes. First guy kinda glanced at me and drove on.

 

The second guy was Gary. This guy pulls up "Hey want me to pull you out?"

 

"Dude hell yes" He yanked me outta that hole no problem. What a miserable day it was until then.

 

I guess that isn't a great story but I already typed it  Plus these days you can't hear enough stories about good people I think. Too much hate, not enough Gary's!

[rtwvumtneer6]

4 hours ago, schplurg said:

guess that isn't a great story but I already typed it  Plus these days you can't hear enough stories about good people I think. Too much hate, not enough Gary's!

Thanks for the positive vibes!!

[Hower08]

When it comes to fishing i typically buy multiples of tackle to do well with like everyone else. I will give a few lures to young kids I see on the bank. 

 

  Last year I had a day I was on a hot hot hot jig bite one summer day. When I pulled up to the ramp to pickup my buddy I seen a dad watching his young son probably 10-12 years old casting for bass. After talking with them for a minute and hearing he hadn't caught anything I gave him a brand new in the package the exact finesse jig I was using. The look in that kids eyes you would have thought ole bill dance handed him a piece of tackle.

 

I try to do something like this for kids any chance I get. 

[NathanDLTH]

I was given about 30-40 worth of hooks, plastics, and two frogs by the guy who taught me how to throw a baitcaster. He showed me a lot and from that I’ve helped others. Given a way baits, sold reels below asking price. I love the reactions. Helping others is worth it. Not afraid to share tips or tricks with others. 

[J Francho]

I try to be kind always in my day to day life.  I don't need any recognition, nor do I need to advertise.  Kids make it easy to be kind.  It's the jerks out there that are the challenge.  Be kind to them, and they might surprise you.

[Rpratt]

On the water when I take someone with me, I leave spots that I know have fish on them so that they can have that opportunity to catch something. 

 

I had this one time where I had trolling motor issues and just sat in back of the boat and used the motor to putt around to make sure the guy with me had the chance to catch fish. 

 

Just small stuff but I always want the person I invite along to have a good time when they perhaps don't have that chance to go alot. 

[EGbassing]

On 3/18/2019 at 5:57 AM, JT Bagwell said:

So I tell the guy to watch out because I was going to cast my bait into his boat so he could look at it. I do a nice little roll cast and lay it up on the deck. 

I probably would've ended up hooking the guy if I tried that. ?

[NYWayfarer]

I have helped many young anglers I have come across while bank fishing. Kids come over when they see me catch something and usually ask what I am using. I hand them baits and tackle and give some pointers on what I am catching fish with at the moment.

 

[geo g]

I always share info with other fisherman on spots and techniques.  Over the years I have learned a bunch from both stranger and friends willing to share.  I fish with a number of other guys that don't have boats, and have never asked for anything in return, I would be going anyway if alone.  I have learned as much from them, as I have ever returned.  Last, I have towed boats that broke down miles back to the ramps. Never ever leave someone out on the water in distress.  I enjoy talking fishing with friends, and others on this site or a few others.  I have met a bunch of good friends from 50 years of this fishing experience.