Using OAF to improve your fishing skills (General Discussion)

[Sac River Jim]

Ive been on OAF now for a few years and I've learned a few so called tricks of the trade to take advantage of all the valuable information and knowledge shared by many gracious members of this site. I'm seeing alot of new names on the Stockton forum and I'm very pleased to see each and everyone of you participating. I.d like to share just a couple tools I've learned on here that has helped me improve my skills on the water then open it up for everyone to add a thing or two you have learned since you have become a member. I'm not specifically asking for fishing skills you have learned but would like to know how you use the forum itself.

Let me point out that there are many different levels of fishermen on this site from the vacationer who makes it to one our lakes once or twice a year recreational fishermen to professional guides, high level competitive fishermen, bait builders, retired gentlemen who are on the lake more days than they are off, bait builders, marine techs and experts on the electronic side of the sport to name a few.

1.Cruise the other forums and learn who'm these gentlemen and ladies are.example there are many good informative discussions on the Table Rock Forum by many members with a wealth of knowledge and who are willing to share it. When you go on a new forum check out the pinned topics there's a reason why Phil has pinned it and a wealth of valuable information is there for the taking. A good example is the Fish Finder Training- Screen Shots and Interpetations in the General Angling Discussion Forum.

2.If you read a post and learn something from it take the time to show your appreciation by liking it.

3. Watch the forums for the discussions on new products and techniques that have recently come out. Also take advantage of the links and videos that are posted. Links for good deals are posted that might save you a buck or two. Good deals are posted on the Buy Sell and Trade Forum.

4. You can't always expect to find information that will lead you by the hand to someones honey hole. You have to remember some members fish for a living and even tho they would like to divulge more information they just can't because their lively hood depends on it. Many of us have invested tens or sometimes hundreds of thousand of dollars and fish tournaments for both enjoyment and to recoup some of our investment or at least make enough to put gas in the boat. fish a circuit or series is like a full time job in itself. Instead look for general information to develope fishing patterns then apply them when you get on the water. I watch the surrounding lake forums such as tablerock truman and pomme very closely to help develope my fishing stategies and look for patterns. For example in the spring the rock is usually a couple weeks ahead of stockton on specific patterns and those patterns can generally be applied here later. You have to take in consideration the different characteristics of the lakes tho. For example the rock has both threadfin and gizzard shad there. Stockton is too cold in the winter for threadfin to survive.

5. Always be respectful. to gain respect you have to give respect.

I hope this post will help our new members to take full advantage of the wealth of info shared on OAF and i would like to open it up to all members to add their two cents.

[wuteversbitin424]

I just want to say thanks to you jim as well as phill and all of the other members...in the last three years this forum has been a big part of me having a full freezer and going to red lobster lol...good luck and good fishing!!

[LoweSTX175]

Jim - This site has been valuable for me living in the KC area. It has allowed me to track what is happening on Stockton to help make my three to four (week long each) trips down there more productive. Growing up in your area I had always fished Ruark Bluff/CC/Turnbacki just because of familiarity. This forum educated me on other parts of the lake to include the north part. It helps me time my trips when fish seem to be more active. Also the forum has changed my tactics over the last year or two. I now pretty much troll the lake with cranks whereas in the past I pretty much used jigs all day long. I'm trying to time a trip down there within the next week or two. When I'm there I always try to post at least where I went, what I used as well as what made it into the livewell.

[Terrierman]

It's a great site. Educational and fun. Promotes fellowship, good sportsmanship and good conservation ethics. Works for me.

[Archery101]

My son and I fish from kayaks. Since we can't cover a lot of water we depend on local information,especially this forum, to pick the right place to put in. We didn't make the right choice last weekend lol. But that's my fault for not using my information correctly.

I really appreciate all the folks who give so freely of their experience and information. I am an old river fisherman and the lakes still hold a lot of mystery.

[Ketchup]

Good read Jim.

Im like most of the folks on this site, we love to fish, and to get info on a specific area prior to going out, makes the potential of catching fish that much sweeter.

I give info, sometimes to specific I guess, because ive gotten PM's saying so, but my way of thinking is if im helping a dad thats planning to take his kids, and they actually catch fish from my information, then that puts a smile on my face.

There are alot of contributors here, and those that just read. Either way is the correct way, as we need posters and readers.

I enjoy reading posts of areas I fish, especially if its shortly after where i may have just fished, to see if i was on or off on my lure selection.

As far as what ive learned on here, well not much. I still fish the way I have for years. I just like to read, post, and fish.

[MeatintheFreezer]

I would have to say that I use this forum mostly to gauge the bite. I live dead in the middle between Stockton and Table rock, its almost an hour to which ever one I want to fish. I like to know that a few folks have been catching something before I spend my one day off per week buring gas and money on an exploratory mission. I am truly envious of those who live closer, and/or have more time to devote to fishing, but I am not there yet.

When and if I do catch fish, I make an effort to post about it. I certainly try to provide as much detail as I can without drawing a map to exactly where I was fishing.

A big thanks to those who post and maintain this site.

[Bream]

I started using this forum last year to gather info about Lake Stockton. My wife and I moved here from South Carolina this July will be 2 years ago. I have always fished creeks, rivers, and ponds, if I fished a lake I was in somebody else's boat. Not knowing hardly anyone in the area and being close to the lake we bought a Tracker and started fishing every chance we could.

There was a thread on here last year that was about "if you could only have 5 plastic baits in the boat on Stockton what would they be?" I studied that thread hard and went thru it and picked out the baits and colors that kept coming up and bought those. We caught a lot of bass last year and it was all because of this forum. Otherwise I would have been trying what worked back home and hoping it worked here.

I joined the forum this year because I want to start thread's along the same line but have it focused on fishing for crappie, walleye, and whites just haven't done it yet...but I wouldn't mind if someone else starts it! LOL We have fished a few times this year for crappie and whites with no luck but we're gonna keep trying and hope one day we get lucky.

Thanks to all who post on here and I have enjoyed and appreciate the help the forum provides ALL of us!!!

[Xraydude]

I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their fishing adventures, successful or not. Great forum. I live 4 hours away and only get to Stockton once a year or so and appreciate the opportunity to hear about current conditions. I reserve the right to cuss a bit when I read " going after work today" though. Take care and set the hook.

[Sac River Jim]

I would have to say that I use this forum mostly to gauge the bite. I live dead in the middle between Stockton and Table rock, its almost an hour to which ever one I want to fish. I like to know that a few folks have been catching something before I spend my one day off per week buring gas and money on an exploratory mission. I am truly envious of those who live closer, and/or have more time to devote to fishing, but I am not there yet.

When and if I do catch fish, I make an effort to post about it. I certainly try to provide as much detail as I can without drawing a map to exactly where I was fishing.

A big thanks to those who post and maintain this site.

i live in mt. vernon and im constantly looking for someone to go fishing with me if i'm not fishing a tournament. i'll pm you my number if ya want to go sometime. if im not already fishing or have something planned i can have the boat hooked up and headed either north or south at the drop of a hat.