Unbelievable.......shufflers

[Flysmallie]

Lets face setting out to snag any fish you can catch in the mouth isn't fishing.

Standing in the outlet with 5 ft of line out isn't fishing either. I feel sorry for the guys that do it. They obviously don't understand what fishing is about.

[Seth]

Standing in the outlet with 5 ft of line out isn't fishing either. I feel sorry for the guys that do it. They obviously don't understand what fishing is about.

Fishing to some is all about catching fish regardless of how they do it. Other's would rather catch them their way or not at all. Some just go fishing to get away from life and could care less whether they catch anything. Everybody fishes for different reasons. Just because somebody goes about it a different way than you do, doesn't mean they are anymore right or wrong than you or any other angler as long as they aren't breaking any laws. Nobody starts out a purist but after they get enough experience under their belt, they pretty well always migrate that direction. I doubt that everybody follows that path, but I'm certain that a majority of anglers do.

I had a blast beating the outlets with everybody and catching fish when I first started out. As long as I was catching fish, I didnt care how I did it. The first time I moved away from the outlets, I realized you could just kick your feet and catch fish. After a short career as a shuffler, I started finding new water and go after them the traditional way without shuffling. I'm sure I got cursed for shuffling and beating outlets at first, but I was young and grew out of it. That's why I am not nearly as hard on people who do the same. I just assume they get it out of their system and move on and start doing it the way you and I both agree how it should be done.

The one thing I couldn't stand is the blatant snagging that some guys would do at the outlets. They would yank their rod up as hard as they good at the end of every drift. They rarely caught a fish that wasn't snagged. While you will snag a few fish on accident in the outlets, all you had to do was lift the rod up slowly and then do another roll cast.

[Flysmallie]

Fishing to some is all about catching fish regardless of how they do it.

Like I said, they obviously don't understand what fishing is about. And I'm no purist. Not even close.

I didn't start out in the outlets, too many people, not my style. I was also never a shuffler. Has it happened? Of course. But there is more to fishing than all this for me. Maybe I was lucky enough to outgrow the catch as many fish as I can no matter how I do it at a fairly young age.

To each their own I guess, but I still feel sorry for them because they are missing some great fishing that the outlet cannot provide.

[Seth]

Like I said, they obviously don't understand what fishing is about. And I'm no purist. Not even close.

I didn't start out in the outlets, too many people, not my style. I was also never a shuffler. Has it happened? Of course. But there is more to fishing than all this for me. Maybe I was lucky enough to outgrow the catch as many fish as I can no matter how I do it at a fairly young age.

To each their own I guess, but I still feel sorry for them because they are missing some great fishing that the outlet cannot provide.

I agree 100%. For me, it was just a matter of doing it a few times to get it out of my system and then moving on.

[rainbow]

Never thought about shuffling and didn't even know about it until I read it on here. I fish because I enjoy it. Some days its just that fishing.......not catching. Some days catch one on almost every cast. I like to keep some fish for the table but its not about the numbers for me or any of my friends. I like to learn new ways to fish and have picked up some tips on here, especially from Phil and his videos like jig fishing and jig and float.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I do have to point out that just because someone is drifting from their feet that they may not be shuffling. There are always a few 'bows that will take advantage of a wader blocking the flow. These fish are so used to a lack of cover and waders constantly moving through that they have no fear.

[Feathers and Fins]

I do have to point out that just because someone is drifting from their feet that they may not be shuffling. There are always a few 'bows that will take advantage of a wader blocking the flow. These fish are so used to a lack of cover and waders constantly moving through that they have no fear.

Wayne your just OLD so you need every advantage possible lol.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Wayne your just OLD so you need every advantage possible lol.

I'll admit that, but I learned many years ago those fish will rarely take anything, but I do see people try.

There are some other opportunities in the summer that are generally ignored and can be prime. it can be fun to catch fish behind a group of fishermen, as long as they don't walk over your line. Had that happen once.

[Gatorjet]

game fish not hooked in the mouth or jaw must be returned to the water unharmed immediately, except paddlefish legally taken during the paddlefish snagging season.

I used to do some spoonbill snagging on LoO. What I always thought was a big shame was the occasional channel cat that you hit with your snagging rig. They would have their side torn open, and the barb stuck deeply into the flesh. You had to release 5 or 6 pound channel cat with their entrails hanging out, or face the possibility of a ticket.

Kinda miss those days, but the Gator isn't set up well for snagging, and my back, and shoulders aren't up to the task either.

[Seth]

I used to do some spoonbill snagging on LoO. What I always thought was a big shame was the occasional channel cat that you hit with your snagging rig. They would have their side torn open, and the barb stuck deeply into the flesh. You had to release 5 or 6 pound channel cat with their entrails hanging out, or face the possibility of a ticket.

Kinda miss those days, but the Gator isn't set up well for snagging, and my back, and shoulders aren't up to the task either.

That's what dipsy divers are for. Replace your sinker with one of those, let out some line, troll around at 4-4.5 mph and just hang on to the rod. No need for all that jerking anymore. If you have some 1/2" driftmaster rod holders, you can even put the rods in the holders and save having to hold the rod. All you have to worry about is reeling in the fish when one get's snagged.

I would probably get tired of listening to the that exhaust all day while idling around though. I'm used to my purring Etec jet and nearly silent 4 stroke props.