Good Sportsmanship

[WRB]

This came up in a recent topic about too many fisherman. The topic got me thinking about where we have been and where we are going as bass anglers.

CATT (Tommy)  and me WRB (Tom)  a couple of Tom’s have shared what we know to help other bass anglers without worrying about giving up any secrets because there aren’t any. We both grow up in very different environments but share the love of the outdoors and the animals we have hunted bad caught. Sportsmanship is part of our heritage to respect both man and our prey.

I grew up in SoCal San Bernardino mountains at Big Bear lake. Our family in the 50’s didn’t have running water or electricity, we had a cabin with a ice box for refrigeration, fuel oil heating and yes an outhouse! We were free to roam, fish and hunt with the knowledge that if we killed it we ate it. When you killed you did it humanity with respect. My brothers and I hunted ducks, geese, quail and deer. We fished for all types of fish both fresh water and later salt water species. We did it all as the good sportsman we were raised to be.

I truly believe living a humble simple life prepares you for the more demanding life as an adult because you learn to respect everyone who deserves it and know the difference from those who don’t.  

Tom

[slonezp]

I think a lot of it is generational. Also, a lot has to do with trust. @WRB, both you and @Catt are my senior by a few years. I don't think there are any secret spots, so to speak, as far as bass go. There might be secret lakes off the beaten path, but no secret spots. Someone has fished there prior to me and someone will fish there after I'm dead and gone.

 

I'm very protective of lakes where I harvest fish for food. Once the bucketheads discover a lake they will decimate it.  

[Bluebasser86]

You can have good sportsmanship without giving away all your spots. I saw it a lot in the kayak tournament I fished this year. The last tournament I fished, the guys I was staying with struggled on day one while I got a limit and was in the top 10. I told them the type of spots I was fishing and showed them the exact baits I caught my fish on and the area of the lake I was fishing. Even got into my tote I had my extra baits in and offered my spares when they didn't have any.

 

Those same guys had saved my tournament when they helped me change the alternator in my truck when it died on my the first day of practice and left me broke down at the entrance into the campground. Could have just shrugged their shoulders and told me that was too bad, but instead they helped me rip my truck apart (which was way more time consuming than expected), while another ran to town and picked up a new alternator for me. Worked for a couple hours in the dark to get me up and running again just so I'd have a chance to compete against them the following days, true sportsmanship. 

[schplurg]

Few years ago I was parking my truck on the side of the river on a dirt road. Stanislaus River I think. The road under my rear tire collapsed into a hole that had been formed by whatever, all the way down to the axle. I was stuck good!

 

All I had was a small pneumatic jack that came with the truck (Tacoma). Waaaay too short to get me out. I hiked a half mile maybe and borrowed a second similar jack from some guys. Walked back.

 

It was about 95 degrees that day. I'd jack the truck up a little, then fill the hole with rocks, stick the second jack on a chunk of wood, got it a little higher, filled it with more rocks, repeat. Cussing much of the time. I should have recorded it.

 

I was making slow progress but I was worried. People drove by and looked at me and kept on going, until Travis came along.

 

"Hey man I got a big rope I can drag you outta there", and he did. I left the truck on the jack and said just go for it. Pulled me right out, and it was getting a little late by then and I was worried about that.

 

Thanks, Travis! I dunno if this is related to this thread much, but whatever

[Catt]

Most states have a law on the books called Wanton Waste.

 

In general, the term “wanton waste” describes behavior that intentionally wastes something negligently or inappropriately. ... Because a state's wildlife is considered a public resource, behavior that results in wanton or needless killing of wildlife should be opposed by all.

 

As outdoorsmen we were raised to abide by that law not only because it was law but because it's the right thing to do.

 

Pretty much everyone knows I started a thread, So Y'all Want To Learn Toledo Bend?. With 1.4 m views I can safely say I'm not worried about giving up spots. A lot of my friends ask how can i do that, am I not afraid of someone else fishing my spots. I answer not really, just because you know where I'm fishing doesn't mean you know what do once you get there.

 

A good example of poor sportsmanship is a lot of guys spend their time looking for anglers instead of looking for bass.

[geo g]

On sportsmanship, I always try to stay 100 yards away from another fisherman, but I have had a few pull up 25 yards in front of where I’ve been fishing.  It really doesn’t bother me.  I will follow them and when I am catching I make sure they see it.  Nothing better then catching from an area they have fished through already.  Have confidence, and do what you do best.  There are plenty of fish in those waters.

[Catt]

On 12/13/2021 at 10:02 PM, slonezp said:

I don't think there are any secret spots, so to speak, as far as bass go.

 

Maybe not secret spots but the number of anglers who know about em is very limited.

 

Just because someone knows about spot doesn't mean they know how fish it effectively. I know of an island on Toledo Bend that everyone says is not that good, I just grim & ?

Edited December 15, 2021 by Catt
Operator Error

[Tennessee Boy]

It's one thing to know where a good point is.  It's another thing to know the sweet spot on that point.  Several times I've watched a pro tournament where one of the leaders was fishing a spot I knew about.   It's usually one of the most well known community holes on the lake.  What the pros usually have figured out is exactly were they need to position their boat to cast to the exact location that's holding fish.   A great example is the Haynes Lambert FLW Controversy on Kentucky Lake in 2018.  They were fighting over an obvious place that anyone could find on a map.  There was plenty of ledge there for both of them but they both knew the sweet spot which is why their boats were so close together.  After the spot became famous I'm sure plenty of people fished it in the days following the tournament but how many had the skills to find and catch the fish?  This is not a good example of sportsmanship but it does show that there's more to fishing than secret spots.

 

 

[fin]

I'm just happy whenever I see anyone who is considerate. Sportsmanship is another whole level above that. Many people are only concerned with their own experience, and the experiences of those around them don't matter at all.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Last time I broke down on the side of the road with truck and boat, I lost count after the tenth person pulled over and tried to help. Lots of good sportsmen still out there on the water 

[ajschn06]

22 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

It's one thing to know where a good point is.  It's another thing to know the sweet spot on that point.  Several times I've watched a pro tournament where one of the leaders was fishing a spot I knew about.   It's usually one of the most well known community holes on the lake.  What the pros usually have figured out is exactly were they need to position their boat to cast to the exact location that's holding fish.   A great example is the Haynes Lambert FLW Controversy on Kentucky Lake in 2018.  They were fighting over an obvious place that anyone could find on a map.  There was plenty of ledge there for both of them but they both knew the sweet spot which is why their boats were so close together.  After the spot became famous I'm sure plenty of people fished it in the days following the tournament but how many had the skills to find and catch the fish?  This is not a good example of sportsmanship but it does show that there's more to fishing than secret spots.

 

 

 

I had to go look into this situation and all I can say is WHAT!?  What a clown...

[geo g]

14 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Last time I broke down on the side of the road with truck and boat, I lost count after the tenth person pulled over and tried to help. Lots of good sportsmen still out there on the water 

I too broke down with a tire failure.  A guide pulled over on his way to the lake, and went to work changing the tire.  He would not take any money, saying he had been in my situation several times and people stopped to help him.  A guardian angel was sent that day!

[T-Billy]

On 12/14/2021 at 4:44 AM, Catt said:

Pretty much everyone knows I started a thread, So Y'all Want To Learn Toledo Bend?. With 1.4 m views I can safely say I'm not worried about giving up spots. A lot of my friends ask how can i do that, am I not afraid of someone else fishing my spots. I answer not really, just because you know where I'm fishing doesn't mean you know what do once you get there.

 Roger that. I often tell folks both where and how I caught 'em during conversations at the ramp, and occasionally gain some good info in return.

 The little lakes in my neck of the woods get HAMMERED from April-October. If y'all ever meet Fletcher or Hunter ask them about fishing the MWCD reservoirs. There are few if any secret spots, and no unpressured fish. If you're fishing Sat or Sun you're fishing used water by mid morning at the latest. Most people are anyway. I look for the fish most are missing.

 Pressure will move them into the thickest stuff they can find to get into, or out to the first break. That's where I spend most of my time. I'm either putting my bait where most won't dare, or I'm fishing structure around that first drop down to the thermocline if there's one. The vast majority can't fish either place very well.

 Sportsmanship applies to every aspect of life, so I just do my best to love my neighbor as myself, just like my wise friend from Nazereth told me to do.

[FishinBuck07]

12 hours ago, T-Billy said:

 Roger that. I often tell folks both where and how I caught 'em during conversations at the ramp, and occasionally gain some good info in return.

 The little lakes in my neck of the woods get HAMMERED from April-October. If y'all ever meet Fletcher or Hunter ask them about fishing the MWCD reservoirs. There are few if any secret spots, and no unpressured fish. If you're fishing Sat or Sun you're fishing used water by mid morning at the latest. Most people are anyway. I look for the fish most are missing.

 Pressure will move them into the thickest stuff they can find to get into, or out to the first break. That's where I spend most of my time. I'm either putting my bait where most won't dare, or I'm fishing structure around that first drop down to the thermocline if there's one. The vast majority can't fish either place very well.

 Sportsmanship applies to every aspect of life, so I just do my best to love my neighbor as myself, just like my wise friend from Nazereth told me to do.

You aren't lying when you say they get hammered, our lakes are mud puddles compared to most others around the country.  I have no problem telling folks where and how I caught them either, but that was the way I was raised.  But I also understand the guys here in Ohio that keep their info to themselves because they have worked hard to find those spots.  

[Cgolf]

I don't tourney fish, but have given people advice on the water and even the soft plastics and scent I am currently catching them on. On the river I have caught a nice fish and proceeded to cut that lure off and give it to someone that broke off and watch them catch a PB fish. I do stop short on locations though. That can get dicey, I just pass on tactics and baits.

 

I will help people if they ask, the only thing I don't like is people that will cut me off without asking because they see me catching fish and they aren't For those folks I change my path a bit, but really admire the next fish I catch so they can see it when they still aren't landing them;) 

[Darth-Baiter]

People have gotten strange.  PreCovid. I had a big mtn bike crash. I was knocked silly and was thrashing around on the ground in pain.  Eyes scrunched shut. I know I was moaning loudly.  Big wide  fire trail.  I open my eyes and I see mountain bike tires going by!  They had to dodge my bike gear and body to get around me!!    Two guys sneak past me so they wouldn’t need to help.  I manage to get up.  Bleeding.  One guy did show up to help. He checked my bike. Aimed me down the hill and I ride to my truck slow.  Nobody else offered any help. At home my wife took one look and drove me to the ER.  
 

haha. I don’t let others bug me.  I do my thing.  Help when I can. Help when I should.  I’ve made great friends this way.   Very little bothers me when I’m fishing.  I’ve had tournament bass boat guys s-talk me.  I just ignore them and pray for a giant bass to hit while they are yammering at me.  Once it worked out.  Divine intervention timed perfectly.  Silence from the boat afterwards. Hehe   

[Zcoker]

I think it's important to understand that most of these up and coming anglers today get most if not all of their initial information off social media. YouTube is wide open on the topic, as is various webpages and fishing sites, including this one. And I'm not saying that that's a bad thing, either. I'm saying it's just the way is nowadays in our modern times. Social media is certainly not the vast outdoors where the laws of nature imply a more robust learning curve on sportsmanship. We really need to look and understand our current information sources if we are trying to understand our current fishing behaviors.