How do you share information

[Shad_Master]

I belong to a local club that is full of terrific guys and great fishermen -- we are not a "money" club, but more of a "learning" club.  However, it seems like every winter we start bickering about something.  (it must just be the winter weater).  This year, one of the issues being "discussed" is the level and types of information shared in the club.  Our usual format is for the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd and Big Bass) to say what they caught 'em on and where.  But is seems that there should be some way to explain more so that if somebody is on to something that I have not figured out, I can be prompted to ask more questions or somthing.

would appreciate you input on this.  Thanks.

[LrgMouthCatcha]

IN A NO MONEY TOURNEY - I don't have a problem sharing what I caught the bass on, but I would have a problem telling the exact location where I caught them.  Next tourney would be a frenzy and there would be alot of traffic around "your hole"

[tenaciousd]

We are more of a learning league than a money league, but some teams like paying something, so they feel the drive to show up each week. In the end its about fishing.

We have had the same discussions about how much is to be shared. It really comes down to the anglers since they could just give you a bad story that sounds good. And how do you really know? You don't. So what we have come up with is that the winners must share the technique, lures, baits, etc. and describe the location fished. For example, shallow wood in mucky back bays in 3-5 ft of water, keys being cabbage and sand.  

That means that no one can just go beat up their spot, but gives you the technique and enough to find our own spots. In the end we are all learning a lot more and fishing a lot more. I don't know what the answer is for your group, but this has worked for us for 8 years and the teams love it and are all learning every year from each other and time on the water. It shows in their scores, numbers of fish caught and in the end, we are all winning. The important part, is that no team feels burnt by working years for a good spot, then being forced to lie or give it up. Hey if they are seen fishing it, someone will try the spot, but we all run that risk everytime we choose to fish a spot in a tournament anyway.

Our goal is always to keep people fishing, learning and having fun. I am sure yours is too. Good luck and great fishing.

[jdw174]

When I belonged to a club in NW Pa., at the end of the day after weigh-in the winner always told HOW he caught his fish, but never WHERE.

[Sam]

At our next meeting after our tournaments the top three guys tell us what they used and how they fished it.

We don't care where they went as there are fish all over the places where we fish and we all have our "double secret" places that we don't tell anyone but that we all know anyway.

The top place finisher will tell us he fished the pumpkin seed Senko wacky style along the bank or in the wood.

The second place finisher will say he fished his spinnerbait parallel to the grasses.

And the third place finisher will add that he used a Zoom Red Shad 4 inch worm and fished the shoreline.

And that's about it.  If you want more details then you go up to the guy at the end of the meeting and talk to him about what he did and where he went, etc.

Then, if you are smart, you write it down and put it in a folder for that body of water for next year.

[squid]

I ASK THOSE WHO CAUGHT BIG ONES...NOT REALLY SACK FULLS, CAUSE I NEED TO KNOW HOW THEY GOT THE BIG TOADS TO BITE.  THEY WILL GIVE UP EVERYTHING BUT LOCATION..... : 8-) THAT IS WHEN I HUNT THEM DOWN TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE ON THE LAKE...LOL....BUT NEVER GO THERE WHEN THEY ARE FISHING AGAINST US....FISHING ETIQUET(sp?).

[flechero]

Can't you just ask them questions either before or after they weigh?  I assume you guys are all friends since you are in the club together, right?

Seems like they should be open to sharing info if it's a club...  if not, they should be just fishing tourneys. That's just my opinion.

I'm not one who believes in "My holes" or "my fish" unless I happen to own the lake.  ...lol  

[cart7t]

Our usual format is for the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd and Big Bass) to say what they caught 'em on and where.  But is seems that there should be some way to explain more so that if somebody is on to something that I have not figured out, I can be prompted to ask more questions or somthing.

Here's the part I don't agree with.  You're talking about the guys who are onto something, letting that out while the tourney is on (in the case of a 2 dayer). I disagree.  Part of the learning cycle of successful fishing is using your own noodle to figure out what the fish are doing.  If it turns into a deal where guys who are onto fish have to divulge where they're catching them, you'll never be motivated to really think for yourself nor have to think outside the box to try and catch fish.  If you're using the same approach each time you're on the water and not catching, you'll merely wait till the leaders have to divulge their secrets of location and presentation.

Most clubs have a group of guys who seem to consistantly catch fish regardless of the conditions. They're usually at the top of the leaderboard consistantly.  Those are the guys you want to fish with to learn their processes.  If your club doesn't have this rule in place, I'd suggest that at least 50% of the tournaments, an individual must participate in a draw for a partner.  This way you and others who aren't quite so successful can have the opportunity to fish with someone who is and learn from them.

Regardless if your club fishes money tournaments or not, a tournament is competitive. Asking guys to divulge what they're doing while the tourney is going on isn't fair to them.  Having them explain what they caught them on and where after the event is a better deal.  

If you need to find out more, just ask them.  Most guys in a fish for fun club tourney enviroment are more than happy to divulge more about their technique and thinking system that put them onto the fish.

[Brad_Coovert]

Our club has a rule that no two boaters/non-boaters can fish together twice in the same year until each boater and non-boater has fished together at least once.  This insures that all of our nons get top fish with all of our boaters and that they get exposed to a lot of different techniques.

Brad