To Tell or Not To Tell

[roadwarrior]

Wow!

justfishin,

I for one enjoy your posts and hope you will reconsider. I think your fishing knowledge has helped a lot of people here at BassResource.com and I am especially interested in your insight and experience chasing big brown fish. If someone has attacked you personally, please send me a PM.

As for my personal perspective on sharing information: What do you want to know?

On the Tennessee River, my partner and I see a lot of guys struggling. We USUALLY strike up a conversation as we pass them fishing. If they are 1) pleasant and 2) interested, we will tell them EXACTLY what they might try and where they should be fishing. What is so surprising to me is that they RARELY take our advice!

[squid]

I HAVE TOLD, BUT NEVER EXACT LOCATIONS...AND NEVER HAVE I TAKEN SOMEONE WITH WHOM I DON'T NORMALLY FISH WITH TO MY SPOTS.  GET ENOUGH PEOPLE IN MY HOLES NOW...DON'T NEED ANY MORE..LOL

[Banor]

What ever happened to sharing the outdoors experience with your fellow man?  Where does this attitude that somehow an area of water on a public lake belongs to just you?  On a 10,000 acre lake what are the chances that only one 100' by 100' area is the only area that holds big fish?  Does planting a brush pile equate to staking a claim like the California Gold Rush?  IF so where do I apply for that deed?

And we wonder why fishing and hunting are declining and we are brainstorming to come up with ideas on how to get our youth involved.  

The day my son witnesses me become greedy with the wonders of nature is the day I am no longer a man.

B

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Fellas it is not ownership of a honey hole It is how I am approached. I always have some extra plastics and some hooks and If I see a newbee on the lake, particularly a kid. Me and Ron always stop , show them a Texas Rig and point them in a good direction

It is the fellas on a 339 acre lake that have to pull right up on you when they see you catch one.I always try to go at least 50 yards around a boat working an area. and I never go between the shore and a Boat working that shore line.

I can not tell you the amount of times this happens and it is boats we see all the time. Thats just plain inconsiderate so my take is SEND THEM TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE who wants that all around you anyway.

I really think I have spent a lot of time, logging patterns, trying different presentations and working hard to figure out my home lake. This has given me hours of enjoyment why can't these guys do the same?

my.02

[justfishin]

Gee, thanks RW. That means a lot. A while back on a " Everything Else Post " , I recieved some emails that I had described in general in my " Can someone get your email " post. I recieved a couple since then and I am positive it was not from anyone in here, I guess. Anyhow, it just put a cloud over my giving my opinions on subjects in here. This is a fun site for me as well as educational. I am as guilty as the next guy because in my younger years I was hush, hush about certain holes on the river. I still have a few that are my spots that I know I can go and have a good chance at a trophy. All in all though I have reverted back to putting the fun back in fishing. There are some A-holes, that I would not give the time of day to but, there are a lot of good people out there that just want to learn. I am sure we all know both types. I enjoy learning new techniques as well as listening to other peoples points of view. I think it keeps us older guys from getting too set in out ways and improves our fishing. I will always read this post, and even though I will remain low key some subjects hit home and this was one of them. Good luck RW and I hope that #12 gets on the other end of your rod !!! I would say where you are fishing you have that chance. I think the next record will come either from your area, Great Lakes or one of the western impoundments. What say you?

[senile1]

No one ever asks me about my honey holes.  I think they just assume that if they fish places other than the ones I'm fishing, they'll be miles ahead.  

[earthworm77]

The only thing that is the difference between your honey hole turning into a community hole is your mouth. I'm well beyond the time where I wanted people to see what I was doing. When I shut my mouth my fishing got even better.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If I have a good spot I fish it no matter who is in the boat with me. The whole reason I am going fishing is to catch fish, and I want my buddy to catch fish too. I will admit that it is frustrating to show up to the lake and see the same buddy fishing your spot, but you can't catch em' all.

On the other hand, I will not tell others (people I don't know) where I am fishing at. I will tell them how I am catching the fish, but that is about it.

Also, it is a give and take thing. If I show a buddy a good spot, I expect him to share with his spots also...

Hmmmm...Nunya....Bling Bling.....LOL   ;D

[senile1]

Sharing the water to encourage others to enjoy fishing as a pastime is one thing.  Sharing  a "honey-hole" with someone who can't be trusted to take care of it is another.  We all have buddies that we know we can trust, and with these people we may share every detail of the hot spots that we fish.  To share the exact details of a spot with some other people could be very naive.  To share with those who may abuse a resource (any resource) is an error in judgement.  That's why I have to know someone well before I give them every detail of the hot spots I fish.  If I don't know them, I will gladly tell them what I'm using and what types of locations I'm fishing (i.e. channel banks, rip-rap, secondary points with drop-offs to deep water, etc.).  But they will have to find this type of location.  

[FIN-S-R]

My Fishin' consists of about 75% practice for tourneys, 5% tourney time, and 20% fun w/ my son or friends.....I share good spots, I even share great spots, but I dont share money spots...if there is an outside chance I will ever fish against you- Ive been screwed by "friends" more than once. Friendship is one thing but gettin' paid is another....you dont screw your friends out of a paycheck. I do help my buddies w/ tourney info even if I fish against them, I just make sure my info is better. I work hard to gather it, and as someone else said, I dont want to be coppied off of on test day.

now as far as techniques/ patterns/ lures/ colors/ presentations and areas...I will give it all up.

2 Reasons

#1 Everyone is always looking for that special spot and "THEY" will waste time doing it

#2 You will always do better in the spots you know doing what you know works than you will in a new spot doing something someone told you about even if it is true

[Guest avid]

Justfishin'

I'm glad RW changed your mind.  you have the absolute right to your opinion, and to your knowledge.  If you want to post GPS points on this site showing all the "good spots" then so be it.  

You saw my post, I make a game out of it.  But having a generous spirit is wonderful thing.  If it pleases you to help someone else and others get angry, well that's their problem.

So long as you stay within the guidelines established by Glenn and monitored by the mods, then you go right ahead and enjoy this forum anyway you see fit.

Avid has spoken  

Psssssssst.  Just between you and me, PM me with the secret spots on Lake Fork

[Valascus]

I already posted how I feel and what I would do on this subject. But, I think it is interesting to note something here. Here is a link to a thread that was posted not long ago concerning the perceived decline in popularity in fishing and the possible ramifications of this decline. Please keep in mind that I am not attacking anyone's point of view or trying to tell them how to run or who to tell about their hot spots. These are just some observations I have made.    

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1168799464

Now, there are quite a few people who posted in the thread that I linked here that they are concerned about the state of fishing and feel they could do more to help it. Yet, I don't understand the high number of people here who refuse to allow RESPONSIBLE, TRUSTWORTHY people to fish their hot spots. For this sport to experience growth and prosperity I really believe people need to become a little less guarded with good fishing spots and be more open to teaching and sharing knowledge with fellow anglers, not just in places like this, but on the water as well. Now if the person could do major harm to the spot by not practicing catch and release or is the type who may abuse the trust of the person they are asking about the spot, then I can see why you may not share knowledge of the spot with them. I have seen some people who concern themselves more with the "getting paid" aspect of it all when it comes to sharing. What ever happened to the FUN behind the fishing and the joy of good, challenging competition? I, for one, would not mind sharing tournament info with fellow anglers. If I am confident I can out fish them despite giving them the information, then why does it matter if I share this information. And if they were to beat me, then so be it. I just got beat and obviously did not deserve the win that time. I am not a tournament fisherman...have never been in one, so maybe I don't understand that aspect of the sport. But to me when the money becomes more important to sharing knowledge and passion for the sport, then something is wrong. It is my OPINION that is one of the problems strangling the sport. I guess the point I am trying to get at is take the time to show someone the where, how, and why of bass fishing in hopes of turning someone onto the sport, even if it means sharing your secret hot spots.  

[flechero]

I'm a little surprised at how many people won't share info/spots.  I almost never fish in anyone else's boat so it's a one-way street with me.  I always fish the water i feel is best for the day and time... so if I have someone with me which is most of the time, they are going where I feel we have the best chances of catching fish... honey hole or not.  And if I see them another day on a spot I showed, I'll stop and say hi, and ask about the success.  There is plenty of water and other good spots to fish.  I like exploring new water so I guess I'm less locked into the same old spots if some get outside pressure.

Do you non-sharing people fish junk water when you have a passenger?  Why waste the gas and time to go if you don't fish what you think is good water?

Besides, fishing a good spot with a friend and catching fish is a great time.... fishing with a friend and protecting your holes is like casting practice...  thanks anyway, I don't backlash much.

[Catt]

I have 35 years experience on Toledo Bend and don't mind sharing with anyone. There is how ever one major problem I have no GPS locations, they are all in my head, so if you aint fishing with me you aint gonna find em.

I know enough locations that I can give you 4 or 5 money spots and it want effect me in the least but the way I look at it is unless you really good you aint gonna fish it right any way.

If you want to know my spots you gonna have to take me  

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

I have already posted on this subject but I would like to add one more thing.  I was fishing in a private pond several months ago and had a friend that wanted to catch some nice bass, so I took him there and we had a blast.  Well about 2 weeks after we went the land owner called me and said that I could no longer go fishing in his pond because there was trash on the banks and floating in the pond.  I asked my friend about it and he said that he told some of his friends about it but didn't realize that they went to the pond.  Now it is ruined for all of us.  I went back out there with the owner and cleaned up his pond.  I told the other guys to come with me and help but they never showed up.

Now if it comes to some good places on a lake I don't have problems shareing all the information that I have.  I had a member from this forum PM for some information about Lake Fork and I told him as soon as I finish with my research and everything, that I will send him the information.  I have been going out there for the past 2 months and have found some great spots.  I have no problems with that.  Its a big lake and plenty of great fishing water.

[earthworm77]

I don't think that sharing is bad, please don't get me wrong. I think being too specific with the wrong people is what will ultimately be detrimental to my own fishing. You have to know who you can trust. Remember that shampoo commercial about some girl telling her friend and So on, and so on and so on........until 100's of people were in the loop. That isn't good for your honey hole.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

[?quote]

Do you non-sharing people fish junk water when you have a passenger? Why waste the gas and time to go if you don't fish what you think is good water?

[justfishin]

Thanks Avid. I know nothing of Fork but, one of these years I will make the trip. I know every rock on the Susky around Harrisburg and the Upper Potomoc in MD because I have hit most of them one time or another,lol. If you are ever on the Susky look for dark gray paint on a rock and that is one of my holes. I wish all of you a great trip on Fork. It must be awesome. Is your timing on the trip due to the spawn? If it is I would bet you guys will catch some hogs. I will say one thing. I would be willing to bet that I will hear the laughter clear up here in Maryland while you all are there. Good luck.

[kbkindle]

kb here   if there is not a tourney going on i will tell the guys that will return the favor.  being iam retiered the tourney fisherman around here have got enough (BIRDDOGS) the way it is.  there always asking me or watching where we go. thats what i dont like i guess i dont know what a honey hole is  one week they will be at a certain part of the lake the next they might be up some of the side rivers you got to find them  kb

[flechero]

What is the big deal with making a choice in America anymore

Muddy,

I wasn't looking to ruffle your feathers or offend anyone, just asking a sincere question...  Like I said in my original post, I'm surprised at how many people say they hold out or hold back... that never felt like the theme of personalities in this forum so I didn't expect it and maybe I stand corrected.

You and everyone here has the right to hide every detail if you want, it won't affect my fishing, just my thinking.

[rocknfish9001]

I tell any and everybody where i was fishing, what i used, how i used it, boat position, colors, depth, time of day, day of week, etc, etc. If they ask, i tell. Even in the river. Everybody know how i caught my 10+lb. walleye, what i caught it on, and how i caught it. I tell everybody who asks. As a matter of fact, it was just north of the bridge in berrien springs below the dam on a #10 black a silver huskey jerk casted upstream, and drifted downstream, then s l o w l y reeled in. The fish hit it on the way back towards shore. Do i care? No. If there is somebody else on my spot, oh well. If there is a line of people there, thats just too bad and ill have to wait my turn. I can actually benifit from having somebody in my spot. It gives me an opportunity to try something new, maybe ill hit it big somewhere else i would have missed earlier. Now i will sound very cockey and maybe ill come off as an @$$hole, but i usually outfish somebody in my spot after i tell them every little detail. Am i a better fisherman? Id like to think so. I have fished side by side with somebody fishing the exact same lure, same color, same jighead, same everything. I outfished him 7-0. They think im holding something back, but trust me, i do anything i can to make everyone a better fisherman.

[5bass]

Please keep in mind that giving someone a guided tour of all your brushpiles and sharing info on an internet site is TOTALLY different.

And about fishing dead water with someone in the boat......I dont do that. I still fish productive areas but I wont give up much pertinent info about it...such as the big rock on the bottom,the isolated stump on the side of a point etc....

And I dont say anything when we just happen to "accidentally" float over one of MY brushpiles either.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Yo Flech I should have put a smilie on that[ I wil}l just a smart a-- quip I aint taking any offense to anything Sorry it came off that way Man

[cart7t]

Please keep in mind that giving someone a guided tour of all your brushpiles and sharing info on an internet site is TOTALLY different.

And about fishing dead water with someone in the boat......I dont do that. I still fish productive areas but I wont give up much pertinent info about it...such as the big rock on the bottom,the isolated stump on the side of a point etc....

And I dont say anything when we just happen to "accidentally" float over one of MY brushpiles either.  

Agree completely.  I'm quite happy to put people onto productive water including some hotspots but I'm not going to draw pictures for them.  Part of the learning process is in the doing and discovery.  Besides, I've spent time sinking brushpiles before, it's time consuming.  I'll save those for myself or point people in the direction of some of my slightly less productive ones or others I've found along the way.

Reminds me of the Florida Panhandle Salt Water guys.  With no real offshore natural reefs, just about everything off the coast to fish is manmade structure.  Anything from chicken coops to auto bodies and tires.  Those things are very expensive to put together and sink.  A hurricane can move them to where you can't find them anymore.  Those guys are extremely secretive of their numbers. I can't blame them.

[justfishin]

I guess ugly women and your fishing holes are similar. If you wake up with a ugly woman and can sneak out without being seen, then, its great and you don't have to explain yourself. If your buddies don't see you on a productive secret fishing hole and you can get out of there without being seen, you don't have to explain yourself either.