Boaters, what kind of fisherman are you?

[Needemp]

If you have a boat that has a gas powered engine,how do you fish? If you don't have an engine, you can still answer some of the questions.

[Cajun1977]

well at one time or another im gonna fall into everyone of those catagories

[Needemp]

well at one time or another im gonna fall into everyone of those catagories

I know. I do too. But I am looking for the answers that best describe what you do most of the time.

Thanks for your answers

[Catt]

First you must understand I've fished Toledo Bend for 35 years therefore I waste little time searching. I put the boat in, fire up the big engine, and make a short run to high percentage areas where I rely on electronics to put the boat exactly on deepwater structure where I'll sit far a certain length of time boating both quality and quantity.

[BoroBass]

I have a jonboat with a paddle, so I'm a 'stay in one place for a long time' fisherman. I'm too lazy to paddle myself all around the pond.  ;D

[Gatorbassman]

If I know the lake I will always check the high% areas first. Then go from there. If I find fish, depending on the weather and time of year I usually stay put for a while.

[Brian_Reeves]

I like to run and gun once I establish a pattern.  To establish a pattern, I try to go somewhere in the lake that has a little bit of everything.  Once I find out the what kind of structure they are around and why, I'll start hitting similiar areas throughout the lake with fast lures, if possible.

[jdw174]

I decide where I'm going to fish on the way to the lake.  Launch, make the run there, fish, and seldom leave that area (although I do on occasion.).  Since I always start early AM, I'll make the run down the banks first, then move out if necessary.

[cart7t]

Usually, I'm fishing familiar water so I'm hitting the high percentage areas.

Yesterday, I fished an electric only lake for the first time.  I was relying on electronics.  Caught a 4lber in deep water on a C-rig.  Then I got off the lake before I got cajun blackened style.

I suppose, depending on the time of the year and where I'm at, I could mark all of those.

[senile1]

well at one time or another im gonna fall into everyone of those catagories

I know. I do too. But I am looking for the answers that best describe what you do most of the time.

Thanks for your answers

What I do most of the time is fish the high percentage areas and keep moving . . . . and sit in one place for quite awhile.  It would probably be close to 50/50.  I also rely on my electronics.  As many have said, though, I do just about everything in the list at one time or another.

[5bass]

Run and gun 90% of the time. Other 10% spent sitting over deep holes.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If I know the lake I will always check the high% areas first. Then go from there. If I find fish, depending on the weather and time of year I usually stay put for a while.

Same here.  The thing about high % areas though is sometimes, you never leave the first spot  

[bassmaster8100]

In lakes or rivers that I know well I go with the high percentage areas. If I dont know the body of water Im on in a lake I depend primarily on electronics, on rivers I usually try and find some backwaters and rely on the electronics once I get there.

[Rebbasser]

well at one time or another im gonna fall into everyone of those catagories

Same here.

[Taliesin]

Very difficult poll here.

First off, I only answered for my main bass destination: Truman Lake in missouri, 55,600 acres, so...

After I put the boat in, I almost have to fire up the big engine (that and it's fun to boat around).

I tend to stay put more than some people, but I move more than some people too. I have a tendency to stay in one spot too long though. I know this, but I keep thinking the fish is there and I WILL get it to bite. It faild too often though.

I don't know the lake well enough to pick out the high % places (and they change very quickly here). My lack of knowledge also leads to a dependence on my electronics.

If I'm not fishing a tourney, I often switch gears in the middle of a trip. Last Friday I headed out wanting to target black bass then switch to hybrids in the evening. I found a couple of smallies (non-keepers), but then found a school of white bass. Since I was out fishing for food, I stuck with those whites and brought home a limit (15) and a nice 11" crappie.

[Jeff H]

Over the years I've learned to be patient. I did pretty well during my tournament years but I know for a fact my fishing ability has improved 10 fold since then. Now that I no longer fish tournaments (but can't say I never will again) my main "style" has become deep water once summer patterns establish. When I fish deep, I am COMPLETELY dependant on my electonics and my lure to create the mental imaging I depend on as my focus. I am a wretch to fish with because I get so focused. I really enjoy letting my mind "go to the lake" but I would say I'm not the greatest host to my companions.

Like some others, everything on that list will apply at some point. I can go either way, shallow or deep, and camp or run. I actually hate to "run and gun" as that approach has always been the least succesful for me. If I have to state "in general" then I am a deep water fisherman for most of our season here. It's just nice to fish stuff that the average guy won't even find in his travels along the banks.

[Bankbeater]

well at one time or another im gonna fall into everyone of those catagories

Same here.

Same here.

[Daniel My Brother]

Tough question. I used to try to time it so that I hit my favorite spots just as the sun was going down or coming up, problem is my favorite spot wasn't always open when I was ready for it. Now I'll hit my favorite spots as soon as I hit the lake.  If the bite is tough, I tend to linger on spots I think should hold fish.

[chris_m]

On my home waters, I like to fish tiny spots that I know fish feed at.  Knowing that, I can sit there and wait them out.  Gas is too expensive to be running and gunning all the time.  I have found that patience in key areas produces some trophy fish a lot of the time.