Gotta blow off some steem!

[Dalton Tam]

Yesterday I'm in a local marine store and I meet Jeff Canella if you didn't know he is a professional in the Elite series. Everything was going great. I didn't know but he lives locally here in Pineville. Then I meet a man who is an absolute A*$.  He downs everything I say about bassfishing and everything that Canella had to say.  I hate it when someone with a cocky attitude tells you that everything you are doing is stupid.  That was yesterday.  Today I go fishing this afternoon and the fishing was terrible the wind was blowing about 25 mph and we only caught one LM about 2lbs and about a 10LB leapord Gar.  I wasn't upset over the fishing trip.  I was just happy that I got the chance to go fishing because that's just the way I am.  Then I get to my friend's house to drop him off and get to talking to his dad.  I tell him that my dad is about to make me put all my fishing gear up for this year and do some hunting which is fine...Everything needs a break.  When I tell his dad that, ine the spring, I want to enter some open tournaments against grown men (which I already knew would be a challenge), he acted like I wasn't good enough and that his son (my fishing partner) better not be showing me any of his spots during the spring.  I take criticism to heart and his dad is a very good fisherman and I listen to what he has to say but it upsets me when someone acts like they're better than me.  I'm not tryin to be conceited but I know I'm pretty good but I don't boast about it.  I keep my mouth shut and let my fishing do the talking.  I guess the only way I can solve this is to show them in the spring.  But as for now I needed to blow off some steem that's been building up the last couple days.  If you took the time out to read this far, I appreciate the time and effort to read this thread. SO ANY COMMENTS AND ADVICE FOR THE SPRING? lol ;D I want to try new things and hear some different advice.

[Bassn Blvd]

Opinions are like donkey holes, everyone has one and most of them stink.  The guy in the store sounds like a know it all goofball that should just be ignored.

As far as your friends dad goes, I could understand him telling his not to give up their good spots.  Perhaps the dad plans on fishing the same tournament and doesn't want you in his spot.  I personally wouldn't mind helping you out since you would be my friend but everyone is different.  I can't really blame him though if that is the reason for not sharing his spot.

[Needemp]

Hey man, it's a lot easier to say don't worry about than it is to do it. I hope getting it off your chest helps. The guy in the fishing store has no idea how to fish, so he criticizes. Even on this forum, people will say things are dumb and wrong. But if you know it's not dumb, then you can make a category for people who you know not to listen to. If you see that guy again, be nice, but don't engage in any fishing conversations.

As for the father, he should have told his son not to show you his spots in private. He could have told his boy not to share those spots and you would have never known the conversation had taken place. Usually when someone acts better than someone else, it is because of their own insecurities.

[Elite Image Fishing]

Stay at it man, people say things all the time. I am all about, " show me, don't tell me." I hope blowing the steam off helps good luck in the Spring. If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to, fish what you are confident in and do not second guess yourself. It's an uphill battle and the only way to show em is to do it. Don't speak.... FISH.

[Lund Explorer]

Fantastic Vent!

And now for some of that advice you asked for.

First off I'd like to congratulate you on finally getting to meet Mr. Know-It-All the other day.  Actually, his family is all that way, and there's 100's of them.  There isn't much you'll ever be able to do better than them, so just bow to the greatest and ignore them.  A great lesson for a happy life is that "actions speak louder than words".

Having said that brings me to the next subject of SECRET SPOTS!!!!

If you decide that you are going to enter the world of tournament fishing, you are going to face an issue that every other tournament fisherman does.  And right off the bat, I'm going to tell you that there is no such thing as a secret spot on any public body of water.  But there is an easy and fair way to approach this issue, and it deals with respect.  Respect is not just a word, but to me it is lifestyle choice.  If you decide that you will treat everyone you meet in life with it, you'll earn a lot of it back.

Anyhow, the subject of spots is an ongoing frustration to a lot of tournament anglers.  In some ways it is understandable, but in many others it approaches the ridiculous.  So I suggest that you adopt the two basic rules that I've always lived by.  It may not make others happy, but then again, you can't please everyone.

Rule #1 - Don't Act Like A Seagull:

Quite simply, if you see someone sitting on a spot that is just hammering the fish, resist the urge to sneak right into that area to join in on the fun.  If someone is working a shoreline, or a line of docks, don't jump in front of them.  If you really want to fish that same area, you really need to start way behind them, or start behind them and work the other way.  This is a really simple rule to follow because all you have to do is to think about how you would feel if someone was doing it to you.

Rule #2 - Respect Your Teacher!

If you go fishing with someone else and they take you to an area that they tell you something like "This is one of my favorite spots!", then you need to show them a little respect when the day comes that the two of you are competing against each other.  Before the tournament, go up and ask the guy about it.  If they say that they plan on starting somewhere they showed you, or if they say they plan on going to a spot at such and such a time when they expect the fish to turn on there..... LEAVE THE SPOT ALONE!  And that includes any prefishing time before the tournament.  Resist the urge to go back to these places the day before the tournament just to find out "How's my buddy going to do?".  This is another easy rule to follow.  Imagine that you introduce your girlfriend to your buddy, and when you get home from the lake he's at her house sparking with your gal.  Does that sound outrageous?  Of course it does, but with a lot of guys (regardless of age) think their spots rank one or two spots above the woman in their lives.

Rule #3 - There Isn't One!

Aside from either of the above, anyplace you fish, is going to be something that your knowledge, your time spent in map study, or your time spent on the water searching, is going to be the result of your efforts.  It doesn't matter where you find to spend your tournament day, someone has been there before you.  If you get to that spot first, then fish it.  

You may have someone tell you that this is their spot, but you have the simple reply: "How would I have known that?"  On a public body of water, no one "owns" their spot.  And you can trust me that you WILL get to the point where the tables are turned.  You'll pre-fish for a tournament someday where you find the "perfect spot".  And the morning of the tournament you'll draw the dead last blast off number.  That's the way the cookie crumbles, and unless it is a friend of yours sitting there, you will just need to move on.

My final piece of advice deals with your buddy's Dad, and maybe with everyone else as well.  In a very respectful way, you tell them that some wise Ol' Yankee Know-It-All took the time to read my really long vent, and then took the time to write an even longer reply.  Explain to him the rules (and these don't have to be it) that you plan to live by when you become a tournament fisherman.  

And now go out and make your own magic..... Good Luck!

[ValkyrieRider]

Hey man, chill out. Listen, I'm a professional musician. In my line of work talk is cheap. REAL CHEAP. I mean, I meet folks all the time, everyday that will TELL you how much they know, and TELL you how good they are, but can't apply anything because they spend all they're time TALKING about how great they are.

Don't pay attention to folks who are professional advice givers, pay attention to folks who can show you.

Just be polite, nod your head, say "thanks a lot." and go about your way. In one ear out the other. Don't be rude, and don't take anything personally.

I'd rather fish with a good fisherman who's a great guy than a great fisherman who's a jerk.

[D4u2s0t]

Lund explorer gave some great advice.  It's frustrating when you spend time on the water searching for good spots, and then share that info and they  get up your butt about it.  Especially in a tournament.  Just follow the simple rules that lund said and you'll be golden.  Going to someone's "spot" like that has always been an unwritten rule, and it is especially true in a tournement.  It's like you friend saying he's going to ask out some girl, and you jump in and ask her first right after he told you that.  Not cool.

About your friend's dad, was he joking around?  Me and my buddy and his grandpa do that all the time.  When we take him somewhere, we tell him we're giong to blindfold him so he can't go back, and he tells us the same lol.  We're 100% joking though.

Fact is, some people get very secretive at tournament time because they put in alot of time and effort to find those money spots.  Then to just have someone show up that they are friends with that didn't put the time in is like a slap in the face.

[roadwarrior]

Hey!

It's Friday, "Be Happy".

Deep breath, this isn't worth a fight.

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[Dan:]

Use the winter to plan strategies for the spring then let your fishing do the talking for you.

[christopherjake]

Does it matter what people have to say?  Fish on!

[RoLo]

Whether we make a mountain out of molehill, or a molehill out of mountain, is always a personal decision.

Every one's opinion is valuable to me, because it offers me a learning opportunity, even though it may be off-topic.

People say lots of things that don't necessarily represent their genuine opinion, but may be seizing an opportunity

to add momentum to something they feel strongly about.

           Instead of concentrating on whether you agree or disagree with their opinion, move to the top of the game,

and ask yourself what inspired that opinion, and you'll probably come away a wiser man.

Roger

[Sam]

Actually, what happened to you happens all the time.

First, there are people out there that will put down others because they cannot do what the others are doing or because they are insecure and they will attack you first.

Second, your friend's dad showed his true colors so beware of him in the future.  

If he does not want you to know his secret places, the same goes for you not telling him or his son your secret places.

Actually, there are no secret places in bass fishing.  We will find them sooner or later.

If you are a pro, you will ask the other guy if it is OK for you to fish his spots in a tournament. That way, you clear the air before there are any problems.

Stay at it and let those comments fall off your back like a politician.

Let us know how you do and where should to to fish your favorite spots.  ;D   ;D  

[slider head]

Fishing is funny man. I have fished my whole life and I have been fishing tournaments for 10 years. When it comes to fishing for money things become complicated. Years back when I was the newest and youngest member in the club and we all went out of town for a tournament it turned into bash the new guy night. I was upset then realized I am going to have to let my fishing do the talking. Two of my best friends are REALLY good sticks on SML neither would tell you so much as to what lb test they had spooled. I know some are going to think that is absolutely horrible and in some ways it is. They are still my best friends but I know there is a fine line in the sand drawn when it comes to fishing. You just have to stay after it. Keep putting things together and it will come. Keep a journal and include everything in it. Weather, water temp, what worked, what did not, times your catches occurred etc. Refer back to it often in the coming years. Over time you will put it together. In tournament fishing you have very few true friends. I was lucky enough to get started with a really good mentor. He taught me alot. Several back surgeries though and it is just to much for him to venture onto SML in a boat. Since that time I have been pretty much on my own.

This is where BR comes in. You can come on here and read what is working for others. How they break things down and if it suits your type/style of fishing you can try it and see if it works for you. Always keep learning and trying different things. Find your own water or create your own because very few tournament anglers are going to share it with you.

Do not listen to a bunch of dock talk. Fish to your strengths. What works for one guy may never work for you. After awhile you will develop a great BS filter.

Respect other peoples water.

Have fun. Everyone wants to do well. Even though you are fishing for $ it is still supposed to be fun. Always use every outing as a learning experience and build upon your knowledge base. Nothing beats that feeling of coming across the parking lot with a big sack. Once you have done that a time or 2 you will find a certain level of respect has been achieved. Your fishing has done the talking!

:::throwing my cents in the jar and getting down off the soap box now:::