When people copy you on the water flattered or annoyed

[Cgolf]

Every year I vacation on the same lake and have the lake dialed in. I fish out of a little 16’ deep v I have dialed in for bass fishing as much as possible, but probably don’t initially look the part if you come off plane in a bass boat. Seems like each year at least once a boat full of anglers will be struggling while I am catching my fair share. Not too long after they notice me, I notice they have borrowed my pattern and start throwing similar baits if they are close enough to see. Thankfully none have ever tried to push me off my spot, but man their catching my fish lol. There are folks that don’t communicate at all when fishing smaller cover that can be shared if people work together and communicate, probably my biggest annoyance on the water. I try to be courteous when I can.  
 

Should I be flattered or annoyed that people are essentially being lazing and jumping on someone else’s pattern?

[Born 2 fish]

I fish some smaller waters and if this happens to me I grab a decoy rod with a different type of bait on it no joke. I try to keep my secrets to my self.

[roadwarrior]

I usually stop to chat,  suggest a few techniques they should try, other areas I have been 

having some luck at and give them a few baits.  I fish for fun and hope other guys can catch

a few, too.

 

 

 

[BridgerM]

It’s rare that I’m the angler catching all the fish. But when people do ask or need help, I’m happy to share what I know or offer a plastic bait if that’s what the fish want. 

[Shimano_1]

As long as they don't try to cut me off or act like I'm supposed to get outta their way...I usually try to help other anglers. Offer up any advice if I'm doing wny good and have given a bait or 2 away. I have no problem with someone copying me...kinda flattering.  It should be about fun and if someone is struggling why not help them have fun too? It's become way to much of a cut throat sport so any time we can offset that i say do so!

[soflabasser]

Throughout the years I have had countless people observe me since they like to follow the bent rod pattern. It can be annoying at times (especially the ones that don't even introduce themselves and watch like creeps) but they can watch all they want since it will not guarantee them the same success I have. 

1 hour ago, Born 2 fish said:

I fish some smaller waters and if this happens to me I grab a decoy rod with a different type of bait on it no joke. I try to keep my secrets to my self.

LOL!

[Yakalong]

If they copy me then they are not catching anything 

 

Actually, if they copy me then no big deal to me, I'm going to continue to fish and enjoy it. 

[Bluegillslayer]

I haven't had anyone really copy me, but I hate when people are lazy and ask me on the social media post of the fish, where I caught the fish, what bait I was using, what lure I was using, how I caught It. It annoys me because I had to work and learn how to figure out the little bit of spots I fish and their just being lazy and not putting the work in.

[lo n slo]

most of the time i fish a smaller lake near the house, from a jon boat. aside from the spawn, i’m mostly offshore for much of the season. many of the guy’s i meet on the water think of me as “that crappie guy” (pun intended), and that’s just fine with me.

[GaryH]

I'm always willing to help a fellow angler out. The main reason for this forum is to help others and to get help from our fishing brothers and sisters. 

Just now, GaryH said:

I'm always willing to help a fellow angler out. The main reason for this forum is to help others and to get help from our fishing brothers and sisters. That same attitude should be shared on the water

 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Born 2 fish said:

I fish some smaller waters and if this happens to me I grab a decoy rod with a different type of bait on it no joke. I try to keep my secrets to my self.

Ah the ole red herring..........

 

 

if someone is trying to copy me on the water, they better pack two lunches because it’s gonna be a while! But seriously no one ever tries to copy me except little kids trying to learn. Adults know better than to follow my example 

 

[Cgolf]

57 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Throughout the years I have had countless people observe me since they like to follow the bent rod pattern. It can be annoying at times (especially the ones that don't even introduce themselves and watch like creeps) but they can watch all they want since it will not guarantee them the same success I have. 

LOL!

This, the folks that have came and chatted I have given advice too and maybe even a bait or two if plastics. I would say most get close enough to figure out what I am tossing and then replicate it. If it puts them on fish good for them. Heck I have heard pros do this too when they are having a rough day. I like the decoy rod idea. 
 

I just wish I could figure out my featureless hometown lake like I have our vacation lake dialed in and I would be good. 

[DitchPanda]

I'm very fortunate that I live in an area where not many anglers know how to target bass. So chances are even if somebody is close enough to me to see what I'm throwing they are probably wondering what the heck it is.

[Michigander]

If I'm not in a tournament then I don't care at all. If I am and people are copying me then I have failed to obscure what I'm doing, lol. But at least I am doing something worth copying!

[Mike L]

If in a tournament and they follow me around or jump ahead then yeah, I wouldn’t like it. 
 

If just messing around them no, I don’t care 

 

 

 

Mike

[Cgolf]

42 minutes ago, Bluegillslayer said:

I haven't had anyone really copy me, but I hate when people are lazy and ask me on the social media post of the fish, where I caught the fish, what bait I was using, what lure I was using, how I caught It. It annoys me because I had to work and learn how to figure out the little bit of spots I fish and their just being lazy and not putting the work in.

This is where I am at a bit with this lake. I have 20 years worth of weeks on this lake and I learn something every year. Did my first early fall trip and got schooled by a warming trend. I put in a lot of time and work to get these fish dialed in, and I guess it bothers me a little if others don’t and take the easy way. 
 

At least it’s not like some musky lakes where if word gets around that a fish was raised somewhere boats magically appear to try and hook that fish lol. 

[scaleface]

I dont mind them copying me but I'm not to fond of the folks who move in on me .

[Munkin]

If this bothers you then never fish the Lower Potomac River! Around here we call it the bent pole pattern or "Ducketting".

 

Allen

[Bird]

Wife and I vacation on a clear water lake each year and an older guy helped me solve this lake......drop shot candy cotton chartreuse. 

I always show everyone what he showed me, actually rewarding. 

[Cgolf]

30 minutes ago, Mike L said:

If in a tournament and they follow me around or jump ahead then yeah, I wouldn’t like it. 
 

If just messing around them no, I don’t care 

 

 

 

Mike

I don’t tourney fish, but I track my catch and the baits that caught them. I have a spreadsheet going back a few years. The baits used helps keep my tackle purchases in check, and looking at the fish counts I can see where my fishing skill blew up. I just want to improve each year is my goal, knowing that number of fish isn’t the best measure for that, because Mother Nature is unpredictable and cruel. 

 

4 minutes ago, Munkin said:

If this bothers you then never fish the Lower Potomac River! Around here we call it the bent pole pattern or "Ducketting".

 

Allen

Overall I think I find it amusing, unless I had been struggling and just put it together, but yeah I wish people weren’t so lazy lol. At least they were in the right area so they had that much figured out. This year was like that though the plastic and crank bite died and spinnerbaits were the only consistent bite. It was a lot of time and work to get the bite figured out.
 

When I river fish on the bank, I try to help folks out a lot. Best was getting a guy to try the Ned rig and scent for the first time and seeing him land a 17-18” smallie. Local lakes can be nuts, so definitely used to fishing a crowd. 

[WRB]

I will start with lake Castaic during million $ reward time in the early 90’s for catching a world record bass. 

Motor homes from all over the country were parked in the parking lot and on every lake look out with 200 power spotting scopes watching every bass boat.

I put my bass boat in the garage and fished out of my Minnesota tagged 14’ Lund with 9-9 hp engine just to fly under the radar. 

Even fishing from my Lund in disguise the locals soon recognized me, the out of state spotting scope guys never watched me as far as knew. Fishing in my bass boat was like the pied piper leading boats around the lake. Horrible experience. I feel for the Elite  Pro’s trieng to fish. With a million dollars up for grabs people go nuts.

Tom 

 

[Williep99]

I say it depends. It’s all in the approach. If they come off plane a 100’ feet away, buzz right up and ruin my spot than no. Most of the time folks don’t have the tackle or gear I’m using so it’s not even a concern. Tell most folks your flipping trees with a Sweet Beaver and they leave thinking you are messing with them. I will offer to those who are struggling and just trying to catch any fish.

But frankly, learning fishing on these highland lakes around Idaho most folks don’t share anything and you often get to know who’s who over time. I busted my butt learning since I moved here and I don’t offer them tips if they ask, much like they didn’t. Buts let’s be honest, most of us mark a spot or just try to see what technique they’re using at least. But I wouldn’t go near it if they stay there. I agree with other posters though, don’t follow me around all day. That is irritating.

[soflabasser]

30 minutes ago, Williep99 said:

I say it depends. It’s all in the approach. If they come off plane a 100’ feet away, buzz right up and ruin my spot than no. 

Reminds me of a guy that I went fishing with who acted like he knew how to fish inshore yet his PB redfish is less than 25 inches. He saw another fisherman catch a big one and he quickly drove his boat to fish where the other guy was fishing in. This guy didn't catch a single redfish that day. We where fishing in one of the best places in Florida for redfish. A couple months later I put my time on the water and caught a trophy redfish from land. This guy hasn't beat his PB since the last time we spoke. Also had some boaters get close to me when they saw me catch the trophy redfish but they left when they did not get a bite. Goes to show you the bent rod pattern does not always work and a land based fisherman can do quite well if they know what they are doing. 

[ATA]

For me I always announce that LOL, I tell everyone around me so they can catch also, but I hate someone cast on my head haha...

[Bankc]

I don't care if people copy me.  So long as they don't crowd me out, cut in front of me, like when it's clear I'm working an area along a straight line, or run their big motors next me, churning up the water and scarring away the fish, I'm fine with whatever.  As long as it doesn't directly effect me, then I'm not going to be offended.  The way I see it, the fish in the lake don't belong to me until after I've caught them.