Improper to use the same lure as someone else?

[scaleface]

Not only will I switch, I might even take his.

[Mike L]

44 minutes ago, Functional said:

 

All jokes aside....until we start catching fish we always use something different and at a different part of the water column. Once we start catching we usually switch up to the same lure, sometimes same color, sometimes similar color to test if they hit better. Even when there is a lunch wager on the line there is still how you work the bait and spots you cast to so we never have issues sharing info. Its a good time. 

 

 

Exactly!

 

Why is this even a thing?

No, it’s not improper, unethical or rude. 

If you’re friends or in a blind draw tournament the smart play is to do what @Functional just said. 
 

Take it from a mostly tournament co angler. I’m doing my own thing in the back and don’t care what he’s doin, but I keep an eye on what’s happening up there for sure. 

As long as I’m not getting back boated I will absolutely throw what he is if he’s out fishing me (keeping in mind he’s casting into virgin water with 3 angles to attack where I have 2 that’s he’s already hit)

What I’m doing is not effecting him at all, he already had the first shot and moved on. 
There are many times when the opposite is true. 

 

I have never been refused or refused to give something to someone else. 
Most times one of us is offering something even if we’ve never met before and before the question is even asked. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[MN Fisher]

Unless my partner was a heel, I'd have no issues switching to what ever they were using if they're catching more fish than me. It's part of the partner's code - you help each other, and that includes sharing info on what's working.

 

If my partner was a heel - they wouldn't be my partner very long.

[Reel]

Changing over to what the other person is using is the biggest compliment you can make. It means that person has figured it out.   If my partner does it or I do it, I don't see any problem, quite the contrary.

[DaubsNU1]

@gimruis, yep! I try to keep duplicates of lures...that way if I'm catching fish, I can offer up the same lure to my fishing partner. It is usually my Brother and/or Dad.

 

Drop shot...L O L !

 

I've caught some hawgs on a drop shot. Pitched a DS - wacky green pumpkin Senko next to a dock in 4' of water...very nice 4lb LMB hammered it.

 

Home lake is relatively new, opening in 2017. NE-G&P left all the timber standing. I like to DS near the trees. Good fun, but I do get hung a lot, and lose to snags here and there.

[Zcoker]

Hey, what they are hitting is what they are hitting. If you have the same lure or something similar, tie it on and start casting. If you don't, well, just do the best you can with what you got or ask your "friend" if they have a spare. Simple solution. 

[Bluebasser86]

I’ll always offer but I’ve seen enough times that 2 people in the same boat are fishing the same thing and one is catching while the other is blanking that I would really have to be struggling to go to the exact same thing. Happened Tuesday in the tournament with my buddy. I had struggled all night with a couple shorts while he had 2 solid keepers in the box. Instead of tying on a bluegill bladed jig like he was using, I went to my solid blue and ended up added 2 keepers of my own behind him. I doubt I would have caught those fish if I’d gone to the exact same thing because he never got another bite after I switched. Something changed and they wanted the different color.

[Bankc]

It depends on you and your friend. 

I think as a general rule, no.  It's not improper to fish the same lure as someone else.  If it were, then they would outlaw that in tournaments. 

 

But on the flip side, if you and your buddy are having a friendly competition, and you keep copying his or her ideas, then that doesn't really honor the spirit of competition, does it?  But, if you and your friend are both out there to have a good time and catch some fish, and they discovered something that works, then wouldn't they want you to join in on the fun? 

 

So yeah, there aren't any hard and fast rules.  It's just something you'll have to work out with your friend to know where the boundaries are. 

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

Why is this even a thing?

 

👍

 

I fished a lot of Team Tournaments where both anglers are only allowed to weigh 5 bass total. One angler is allow to catch 4, the other has to catch 1. A key to winning is having 2 anglers with similar skill sets. Once a pattern is established the 2 switch to the same lures & hammer on em.

[Spankey]

If I’m not fishing alone (majority of time), my grandsons are with me. We sort of team it to see what they are hitting. I’m more interested in them catching than myself. I’ve had gals green as grass fish with me. They question my passion and enthusiasm for doing it. I take them on the river and set them up with my stuff. My fishing is only for demonstrating (for the most part). They enjoy the time and catching their first bass. 
But I completely understand if you are out there you want to catch fish. Persons new to fishing need to catch fish to keep their interests. I would encourage someone to use what seems to be working experienced or new. 
Tournament fishing do what you have to do. Keep your eyes and ear open. 

[dytmook]

had a buddy struggling on the river this weekend. We were heading different directions but I gave him a couple of my flukes since it's what I was getting them on. Told him how I was catching them too. We were in a low stakes derby, but I want my buddies to have fun. 

[ike8120]

If I had the same bait I would use it. I still may not catch anything.

[roadwarrior]

Well, if I am doing all the "catching" I cut my lure and retie it on my buddy's rig.

 

[Bazoo]

I suppose the reason I ask is that up until recently, I've fished with very few other people.

 

I grew up fishing in the pond behind my house, then after we moved, a pond up the road. I didn't grow up in a fishing family/culture.

[DinkDonkey30]

The only time I can understand some getting upset would be in tournaments. Like if I’m smacking them in an area and another boater moves in and starts doing what I’m doing that’s not sportsmanship in my opinion. Now if I’m fishing for fun and someone asks I’m more than happy to show or tell them exactly what I’m doing.  If it’s someone in my boat I absolutely want them trying it if they want to. I don't care who catches them in my boat as long as were catching thats whats up. 

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

9 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I'm turning the boat and not giving them clean water. I'm keeping all of the juice for myself. 

 

-"Majority of boaters I've had in tournaments"

[BigAngus752]

Several times I have "donated" an identical lure to someone or, more likely, have tossed someone a small handful of plastics that are working that particular day.  If I see someone catching and I keep doing the same thing that isn't working...isn't that the definition of stupidity?  I think what your asking is "should the guy that I'm copying be mad?" and the answer to that is, what he chooses is his choice.  You be you.  If it means pretending to be him for a day then go catch some fish.  

 

Big disclaimer, I've never fished a real tournament.  Just competitions with friends and I tell them my spots and techniques when we do that so...

[RRocket]

If someone was mad I was using the same lure as them? 

 

Sounds more like their problem than my problem....

[MN Fisher]

17 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, if I am doing all the "catching" I cut my lure and retie it on my buddies rig.

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just hand them the rig?

[ironbjorn]

It wouldn't even cross my mind to want my friends to catch less fish or none at all. I could never imagine being upset that they changed to what was working for me or someone else. We have had made fishing a team effort when we're together. I didn't even realize normal people would view it differently, but humanity will never stop being surprising.

[TheSwearingAngler]

On 8/27/2024 at 12:16 AM, Columbia Craw said:

The other perspective is, would you, if you’re wacking them, cut that bait off and offer it to your buddy?

I’ve given hot lures to strangers on the bank when I’m pulling the canoe out.. so yeah I’d definitely share with a buddy, if I had one.

[Swamp Girl]

18 minutes ago, TheSwearingAngler said:

I’ve given hot lures to strangers on the bank when I’m pulling the canoe out.. so yeah I’d definitely share with a buddy, if I had one.

 

I was on a pond last year and a guy in a kayak was failing to catch bass with his spincast outfit. I tried to make it as simple as possible for him, so I gave him a brass Mepps and told him to troll it around the middle of the pond, where smallmouth roam.

 

"It's yours to keep. Pay it forward," I said. 

 

Ten minutes later, he called out, "I got one!"

 

That made me smile. 

[FrnkNsteen]

On 8/26/2024 at 7:41 PM, gimruis said:

This happens when my Father fishes with me frequently.

 

The difference is that he regularly refuses to change his approach because he’s old and stubborn.

I'm that way too sometimes! I've been fishing with someone slaying them on a particularvplastic and refused when they offered to share because I was too stubborn!

 

It's silly! But I'm guilty of it!

[Bazoo]

So... next time my buddy is getting bit on a ned, I won't have any shame in tying one on! Thanks all.

[J Francho]

20 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

So... next time my buddy is getting bit on a ned, I won't have any shame in tying one on! Thanks all.

Unless he's missing them. In that case, have a good follow up bait ready, like a senko. I've poached more than a few bass that way, lol.