Do you ever feel bad ?

[gim]

More often than not, I tend to out fish the person I'm with while we are using my boat.  I run the bow mount and watch the electronics and try to stay in the right location though too.  When there is a prime casting location, I usually get first dibs at it because I recognize it and I'm first in line.  Every once in a while the person in the back will say "I'm fishing used waters" and my response is "you can come up here and be pilot anytime."  100% of the people I have offered that to have declined it.

 

We're all adults here.  We all make our own beds (or don't make them).

 

Last season, I took a friend with several times and he broke 2 of his PB records, largemouth bass and tiger muskie, in my boat.

[A-Jay]

I fish alone mostly.

The few times I have the privilege of sharing my rig with anyone, I make it my mission to put them on fish.

Whatever it takes.

I catch plenty by myself and will again when they are not there.  Never a competition except vs the fish and the environment.  Worrying about Winning, losing, beating someone else, while I'm doing something I love so much, just not my deal. 

Life's too short.

A-Jay

 

[the reel ess]

12 hours ago, Ksam1234 said:

Do you ever feel bad when you go out fishing with a buddy who also “fishes “ but then when you go out? who really is a fisherman with the gear and rods and every tackle and bait and catch 7 fish to his 1 fish.. and his are tiny lol. Do you feel bad like dang let me help or like just stop fishing so he can try and fish? Or do you just keep crushing them lol

No, because it usually happens the other way for me, which I do feel bad about. LOL.

 

I rarely fish with anyone else. But I went with my uncle to his inlaws' pond last summer. I caught several bass, including a 3 pounder. He didn't get a bite and went and sat on the tailgate of his truck while I fished. I told him you can't catch anything without a hook in the water. That's what a lot of novice anglers don't get. Some of us are better than others because of the effort put forth. Many times I've been told the fish aren't biting, but I go catch some anyway. I'll throw the kitchen sink until something works.

[roadwarrior]

My Best Year was putting twelve guys on their Personal Best.

[Boomstick]

I've been in a similar situation. The year I was on chemo, one of my friends came down every weekend and we found a spot and would grab lunch and fish until dinner time. I don't think he ever caught a fish that entire time, but I got a few. A lot of the time we were fishing the same thing etc

[evo2s197]

Nope.

[Mobasser]

I fish alone much of the time, but have an older friend who goes with me sometimes. He's as good or better than I am. I don't ever care who catches more fish, and I like to see him catch some. If I catch more he doesn't care, nor do I care if he outfishes me.  We both have a good time.

[gunsinger]

Now, in addition to my earlier comments, I have been on the negative end of being insanely out fished.  From that perspective, it can be pretty frustrating.  There's a guy I fish with occasionally who is a good fisherman, I'd say better than me.  And I've been in the back of his boat barely catching dinks while he seems to be yanking out a decent fish every other cast.  I recall one day in the spring when he out caught me at least 5 to 1.

 

But I also have been on the other side of that.  Took my brother out while visiting back around Easter.  He couldn't BUY a fish while I was making hay.  I out fished him 10 - 1 on the first day and 12 - 1 on the second and that happened to be the day I caught my PB.  I know he was frustrated with me because I pointed out a likely spot to which he replied, "Yeah, I could probably catch one there if you'd quit catching them all."  

 

But seriously, I kept trying to hint at what he could use, offered to share my hooks/worms/etc and he wouldn't listen so, secretly, I was cacklin' inside each time I'd set the hook.

[TOXIC]

My fishing partner and I are “students of the sport” so while never in a negative way we are always aware of what the other is throwing and their success rate.  Some days it’s me putting a shellacking on them, other days it’s him.  Case in point, on St Clair this year he had the best day fishing of his life and that’s quite an accomplishment.  He was out fishing me 3 to 1 on giant smallmouth.  Was I upset?  Heck no.  But you can bet I was trying my hardest to catch up.  You know you have a good fishing partner when he offers you the same setup and baits he’s throwing, knowing he has a very limited supply.  

[Ratherbfishing]

It depends upon who it is.  If it's a someone who is excessively good at "talking the talk", not only do I not feel bad but I relish in the moment.  But I don't say too much because it'll probably be me who gets the next "beatdown."  If I'm with a friend who is modest and just trying to learn, I do my best to instruct them on what to do and I may even lend them the bait I am using (unless there's a good chance that it'll get hung up and lost).  But I usually don't stop fishing as that can come off as patronizing and, well, I like to fish.

[Jaderose]

I pretty much always fish alone but there are 2 old buddies that are part of the boat brigade on the little lake I fish.  These guys gotta be in their 70's...both skilled fishermen and they are BRUTAL to each other.  It's constant smack when they are on the water.  I'm always glad to see them because I know it will be entertaining.  I'm not immune either.  They've given me hell when they've had a good day and I haven't.  They SOUND like mortal enemies but are life-long friends.  They sound like 2 13 year old boys learning how to cuss and razz each other.  They're great!

[CrankFate]

Seen this many times. Some people can’t be helped. In their mind, you need the help. And they taught you everything you know. The numbers and sizes of fish are just beginners luck. And usually they’ll be fishing 1/100th the amount of time year after year, but they have all the experience.

 

Edit: I hate to sound so negative, but it’s something guys who target fish like LMB would see in their lives. There’s a lot of guys that judge your skill by the size of your target fish. It doesn’t matter what you catch in numbers and size. They truly believe youre not as good because you target smaller species. Like a guy who fishes muskies might see a bass fisherman as inferior. Or a bass fisherman might see a crappie fisherman as inferior. As someone who, for my whole life, targets only fish where 10lbs is a trophy, I never understood that.

[senile1]

On 6/14/2021 at 7:46 AM, A-Jay said:

I fish alone mostly.

The few times I have the privilege of sharing my rig with anyone, I make it my mission to put them on fish.

Whatever it takes.

I catch plenty by myself and will again when they are not there.  Never a competition except vs the fish and the environment.  Worrying about Winning, losing, beating someone else, while I'm doing something I love so much, just not my deal. 

Life's too short.

A-Jay

 

 

This is my view as well.  I fish alone for the most part but when I take others along with me I want them to catch fish.  

 

When I played in competitive sports I always thought winners should be humble in victory and those who lose should be gracious in defeat.  Showing respect all around is never a losing proposition.  Of course, we have all had friends we could needle once in a while and they would return the favor.  I just never thought it was a good thing to make into a habit, but each to his own.

[Columbia Craw]

Read my avatar quote

[flyfisher]

I don't feel bad but I also don't fish with other people 99% of the time.

[schplurg]

The rare times I fish with a friend I consider it a good day if either of us catch. I wouldn't say I've felt bad, but there have been times I worry if the friend will want to leave. He drives himself though so, c ya!

 

I did feel bad for a fish recently though because I caught this little guy before about 10 months ago. Confirmed with video. And I worked at catching him this second time. Shallow and full visibility. There's a bigger one in there I keep missing. Anyways, his mouth is partly missing on the right side. Was like that both times. About 1.25 pounds or so.

 

I caught him in a little isolated "cove" or pool in the creek and I think he's one of few fish there. I'm gonna skip that spot for awhile now  Good news is he's still alive and healthy, and a little bigger. 

[David 7]

There’s only one person I fish with and he’s smart enough to throw what I’m throwing if I’m crushing it.

[Darth-Baiter]

I feel bad.  Last time I almost feel out of my kayak, it was because I stood up and fist-pumped the sky when he finally caught one.   I e been on the recipient end of a ass whoop before and there is no joy.  I wouldn’t want that for a friend. 

[CountryboyinDC]

With most of my friends, whoever catches the biggest fish buys the beer.  If I'm with someone that hasn't fished as much or is my guest, I'm happiest when they catch the fish more than when I do.  I'll give someone some good-natured ribbing if I think he or she can handle it, but fishing and hunting have never been something that I've desired to compete in.  Too much in life is competitive, this is one thing I try to keep from getting that way.

[Bankbeater]

I’ll be fishing alone most of the time. If I do take someone fishing it’s usually to show them how to fish, and what a typical day is like. On those days I don’t mind not catching. 

[TnRiver46]

On 6/16/2021 at 7:56 PM, senile1 said:

 

This is my view as well.  I fish alone for the most part but when I take others along with me I want them to catch fish.  

 

When I played in competitive sports I always thought winners should be humble in victory and those who lose should be gracious in defeat.  Showing respect all around is never a losing proposition.  Of course, we have all had friends we could needle once in a while and they would return the favor.  I just never thought it was a good thing to make into a habit, but each to his own.

It sounds like you were taught the same as me, “He who humbles himself will be exalted and he who exalts himself will be humbled”

[MGF]

On 6/13/2021 at 8:27 PM, Ksam1234 said:

Do you ever feel bad when you go out fishing with a buddy who also “fishes “ but then when you go out? who really is a fisherman with the gear and rods and every tackle and bait and catch 7 fish to his 1 fish.. and his are tiny lol. Do you feel bad like dang let me help or like just stop fishing so he can try and fish? Or do you just keep crushing them lol

My wife says "Keep crushing them!".

[TriStateBassin106]

 

1 minute ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

I have a friend like this, he fishes with me and wants to get into serious bass fishing but usually loses concentration/starts talking or downsizes for panfish, if I'm having a really good day he'll catch 1 or 2 to my 6 to 7 fish. I feel bad because he kinda wasted his money and always brings all his expensive baitcaster setups with him. 

 

[Frezzy]

On 6/14/2021 at 8:13 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

I love catching fish, shooting ducks, geese, a nice buck, tagging a turkey...you name it. 

 

When I'm fishing with my buddies, we are pretty competitive and talk a lot of smack. Good times. 

 

When I'm fishing with my 80 year old Dad, my kids, niece/nephew, brother, wife, etc...then it's all about "putting them on fish" (or ducks, etc.)

Pretty much exactly how I am.