if you come across a fisherman struggling..do you help?

[Darth-Baiter]

i have helped two in particular and now we are friends.

 

i showed them dropshots, gave them worms and terminal gear and we all got fish that day.  arguably, now they both seem to be better fisherpeople than myself now. 

 

i cant help myself.  i dont like seeing sad faces on the lakes.  probably torpedoing all my secrets tho.  

 

thoughts?

[Mobasser]

Yes I've helped a few over the years.

[Catt]

So You Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

Started August 7, 2008

1.5M views

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131 followers 

 

Hopefully helped somebody ?

[Johnbt]

I thought you meant help them when they were tired of treading water. 

 

I once gave a guy our last iced tea and our next to last bottle of water. The dog got the last bottle. He'd left his cooler in his truck and was a couple of miles from the ramp.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I do, I've also been on the other end of that needing help and received help.  When I first started fishing Lake St Clair about 20 years ago a gentleman let me shadow him for a day.  He taught me more in that day then I learned in the couple years before fishing it.

[WRB]

Offering help on the water depends on the circumstances, usually a dad with his children who ask for help. Doesn’t occur often because tend to keep out of other people’s space. Few times I have offered help is at the dock, not on the water fishing.

Off the water I try to help anyone interested in fishing via fishing forums and in the past doing seminars.

Tom

[GaryH]

Yes. On the water and at the ramp. Whenever I see kids shore fishing I usually asked them how they’re doing and usually give them some soft plastics. Their smiles are worth any effort it takes. 

[Mike L]

Sure!

If an actual need is there I always try my best. 
 

 

Mike

[gim]

I would help someone on the water if they needed it in terms of equipment malfunction with their rig or something relatively serious like that.  I don't approach people on the water that are just minding their own business fishing though.  People tend to get a little uptight when you "invade" the buffer zone, and I kind of feel the same way about others getting too close to me.

 

I used to offer help at the access too, but the last person told me to fu** off and mind my own business, so I'm done with that too.  I just patiently wait my turn now.

 

Quite often I'll take my dog with and that seems to draw some people in at the access.  A lot of people like to pet dogs, whether they fish or not.

[Deleted account]

As  far as fishing, only if I am asked, as far as having an issue with gear, most times I'll inquire if they want help, if I see something that is unsafe to themselves or others, I'm very likely to say something.

[Bankc]

If someone asks for help, or if through our conversation I come to believe that they would appreciate it, sure I'll tell them everything I know.  I don't believe in keeping secrets.  Or maybe I just don't believe any of my secrets are worth keeping.  Hmmm...  Either way, I'm nice, but not friendly.  I don't go fishing to make friends and meet strangers.  But I also don't go out of my way to avoid people.  

[ATA]

I do that for sure, Sometimes someone shy and you feel they need help, Also I step forward and offer help, Show them how to rig and what to use and if they dont have it I give them any tackle they need.

I even gave a spinning combo and tackle to a kid when he saw people fishing and he wanted to fish, So I was so proud to give little man starting combo and tackle to start fishing at that day and that was one of my best days I ever had. 

[Susky River Rat]

I generally don’t give fishing advice because I do not have any good advice to give. If someone needs help with something I will generally gladly do it. I don’t go out of my way because I like to have my space to fish and do my routine. 

[Bird]

I will gladly help anyone on or off the water.

[Jigfishn10]

With kids; all the time. 
Grown ups; only if they ask. 
Always share techniques, gear and spots on the water with friends. 

[stratos4me]

Of course. I'll help anybody who asks until they give me a reason not to. Teaching someone to fish is far more rewarding than any tournament win.

 

New fishermen often see bass as almost unattainable. The look on their face while thumbing a solid fish like they saw on TV is priceless! It also is a good opportunity to teach ethical angling right from the getgo.

 

Believe it or not I've even seen people radically and permanently change their lives for the better after a single fishing trip. One guy was a super screwed up tweaker who credited a half day deep sea trip with turning his life around. I don't think stories like that are unusual. Teach someone to fish. It's good.

[Deleted account]

8 minutes ago, stratos4me said:

Believe it or not I've even seen people radically and permanently change their lives for the better after a single fishing trip. One guy was a super screwed up tweaker who credited a half day deep sea trip with turning his life around. 

 

[DitchPanda]

I've been asked for help but never really freely offer it as far as the fishing side is concerned. I've helped people lots of times when they are having boat or vehicle issues.

[scaleface]

Sometimes.

[Woody B]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

I will gladly help anyone on or off the water.

 

I'm with you Bird.   (I'll get to the actual fishing help later) I've helped people in bad situations a couple times.  I've also jumped off a few tow vehicles at the ramps and boats on the lake.  (Noco should give me a few bucks if all the people who said they were going to buy a jump box actually did)  

 

If I catch a fish that's hooked in a way it isn't going to survive I keep it and give it to the people fishing at the landing.  When it's cold I use disposable hand warmers.  If they still have some warmth left when I'm loading up I'll give them to someone at the landing.   A couple times I've backed peoples trailers for them, and even coached them.  (I don't volunteer, but have been asked a few times)

 

Regarding helping with actual fishing advice.  Only if I'm asked.  I make sure they know that I'm NOT an expert.  I see the same people over and over at the boat ramps.  We often ask each other how we done.  I usually have some pictures to show.  I've been approached a couple times for advice.  

 

 

 

 

[king fisher]

I give all the help I can.  Most of the time, the only thing I can do is tell them where they are not located, and what they wont bite, but I'm still trying to help.

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

because I do not have any good advice to give

 

I call B/S ?

 

I've read your posts!

[BrianMDTX]

I always help. 
 

“Hey bud, there’s no fish here. Try Lake ****.  It’s a much better place than this crappy lake! ?

 

Just kidding. I always offer help if it appears they want it. It’s instant karma. 

[Catt]

1 minute ago, BrianMDTX said:

“Hey bud, there’s no fish here.

 

 

[Susky River Rat]

19 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

I call B/S ?

 

I've read your posts!

Those who can’t do teach!

 

Thank you for the kind words.