Rule #1

[Terrierman]

So the guy that was a BASS "Pro" that read my fishing reports on the Red River and asked me to buy some maps, mark them with my favorite fishing spots, and then mail them to him at which time he would reimburse me for the money I was out would fall into your "bold" category?

Yeah, that was pretty bold. Bold in this context does not carry a positive connotation either.

Meet ups change the whole dynamic though eh? At least when things go right. Then it turns into an information and experience exchange. Altogether a different level of karma there.

[Ham]

Meet ups change the whole dynamic though eh? At least when things go right. Then it turns into an information and experience exchange. Altogether a different level of karma there.

Indeed, it does Rick. I want everyone I fish with to be successful. I'll help if I can and I'm glad to learn what I can from the people I fish with.

[Old plug]

Seems to me that knowledge could never be a bad thing!Here's a thought...Have ten potential lakes in a lottery type drawing that is to be announced 2-4 days before the tournament.

I am not sure even that would work Mitch. I have seen enough to make me wonder about both of them.

[cjgentile13]

Rule #2: All other fishermen are the enemy.

Well put. Being a poor fisherman and not owning a boat keeps me hard pressed to find new lakes and stretches of river worth bank angling. Whenever a fellow fisherman comes along asking about frequented holes of mine I never reveal too much information.

[Old plug]

Mitch I agree with you 1000 %. I feel it is part of the fishing to establish the pattern and find the fish. You can bet if people get specifics they are going to jump right on it.I have had it happen with my crappie bed here at the house. There are not many days that there is not at least one or two boats coming by fishing it. And it has severely hurt the crappie fishing. The idea that you cannot catch the other guys fish is a big maybe. It depends on a shift in the bite pattern. I hate tot see maps and what have you marking exactly where to go and what to use. It to me is only !/2 of catching the fish. I do not like to be told I want to do it all myself. I do not feel like I really have caught something if I am told what and where. I do not even think it is good conservation practice either. I am also not to thrilled about tournaments I think they kill a more fish than they know.

If you tell someone where to go and what to use then nothing happens I would feel a little responsible. I do not need that either.

[mjk86]

Busch wildlife CA.....on lake 33 at the dam, you can catch millions of 6inch crappie right there from the bank in the spring.....SHHHHH dont tell...thats my secret spot.

[Old plug]

I know about lake 33 its been that way for many years. I lived a couple of miles from there.

[Old plug]

I know your joking Mitch but the attitude of people out fishing is one of the things that is about to drive me away from the sport. I remember when everyone was out to have a good time. I do not feel it is like that anymore and I miss those times.

[Greasy B]

Well put. Being a poor fisherman and not owning a boat keeps me hard pressed to find new lakes and stretches of river worth bank angling. Whenever a fellow fisherman comes along asking about frequented holes of mine I never reveal too much information.

That brings us to rule # 3: never reveal how you are doing.

It doesn’t matter whether you are having the best day of your life when another fisherman asks the standard response must be: not too good, it’s been slow.

[Fly_Guy]

"eh...caught a few earlier" is about as enthusiastic as you should get. That having been said, I have been very thankful for folks who have shared general patterns and general locations (not secret spots) here on Ozark Anglers.