What do you say when someone asks you...

[silverbulletguy]

Clear, mud, round, long, , , , , lake just can't remember which one it was

[dan z]

I usually don't spill the beans until the bite I'm on is over. I'm on a bus called

Lose lips sink ships.

[fishinfey8]

Living in the cities (and sioux falls for that matter) for a portion of my life, I had to get used to sharing fishing spots with other fisherman as well as pleasure boaters, jet-skis, paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and everything in-between. None of my spots were secret at all. Most of my "honey holes" people overlooked, or thought I was fishing for a different species of fish. Even when I was on "traditional" structure or community holes I had my best days doing or using something different than the masses. My point is that if people asked me where I caught a fish, I would tell them, and they never believed me. Whether they were fishing in the masses next to me, or blowing past me to fish some of those classic looking spots- it didn't matter. I would have to physically take them out and show them, and THAT is something I only do with people I trust. I have no problem naming lakes or even spots, but I don't readily give up my technique.

I have also found/noticed over the years that most honey holes don't last. Low water, high water, temps, etc...dictate where and when fish hold in spots. There are bodies of water of water where fish use the same exact locations from year to year, but never does it happen at the exact same time of year. Most people don't understand that and arrive too late to the party.

[bullheaded]

When they ask me I always tell them in"tennis shoe" lake. Then thee ask where that lake is I tell them across the road from stocking lake. By that time they usually get the point

B.H.

[mainbutter]

...where you caught a fish, and you just don't want to tell them? I'm trying to think of something clever.

I always share complete fishing reports with anyone who is on the water and strikes up a conversation.

It's not like any places I fish are "secret" spots.

[Kyhl]

It depends. If it is someone that truly is looking for help versus a meat hunter trying to get their quota and get off the lake asap.

Often my response is, "just look for the boats." Seriously, that is where the fish are.

Two trips so far this year. First was one afternoon crappie fishing. A guy legitimately was baffled. I explained where the water was the warmest, he didn't have the gear to tell, and why they were biting there, where it was, and what depths. His response was, "where all the other boats were?" "Yes."

Next was Saturday on Vermilion. We were the only boat fishing a gravel bar in the middle of Big Bay on Vermilion the day the after the ice went out. We had the spot to ourselves and caught and released multiple limits by 9:30am. By 3pm there were a dozen boats around us doing the same thing.

Just follow the boats.

[Rippinlip]

Really depends on the person.

I have told a "friend" in the past where I was on a great panfish bite, lots and biggens.

I would only keep a few and let the rest go, he decided to take his family, friends, foes and anyone else he could load in his boat for the next week and took every fish out of the area. Turned me into the "never say anything again" kind of person.

Then it was answers like "next to the weeds," "under the surface," and "over there."

Then a few years ago I had a couple of older gentlemen that were just coming into the landing and they were struggling to catch anything, we were talking as I was unloading and they wanted to bring a few home for dinner and were going to give up for the day. (mind you this was in the heat of August on a dead calm day) I told them to follow me after I got unloaded, I took them to the spot where I had taken my daughter a day before where the Sunnies were schooled up a deep rock pile.

I had them set-up like my days prior set-up and left them go as I was off to Bass fish, I checked back a little later and they were grinning ear-to-ear. They thanked me and left with some for the table, they also told me that were very greatful and only took some home for dinner and left a bunch go.

Made both of us feel pretty good.

Now it just depends on the person.

[paceman]

Lake "wishuknew"

[ozzie]

It really depends on the person. I have some people that I won't speak a word to regarding the where and how and those are some of my best friends...then again I have told strangers where to go to catch a mess of fish. My mood and feeling on how the interaction goes all play into if I give out information or how specific that info is. I have other friends that I am an open book with but they are also the same way with me...one of those what goes around comes around deals

[TruthWalleyes]

...where you caught a fish, and you just don't want to tell them? I'm trying to think of something clever.

I got em fishing where the fish symbols were

Suspended

In the weeds

Weedlines

Soft/Hard transitions

[Grum]

In the lip.

+1 or snorkeling.

[JeremyCampbell]

Many of those things I've heard from ppl.Once in a great while a fisherman will let me in on a spot.Lol this is all too funny because I'm the guy on the other side bending my ear.

[Barbelboy]

After having been burned many times in many different ways. I am usually very vague.

I even had one guy start to bring his whole church group up to a small portage in lake up north. I took him on a 4 day trip and we hammered the walleyes. The next year he brought in 27 guys. I just about threw up.

Showed one of my favorite stretches of catfishing river to a 20 yr old kid. He proceeded to fish it 5-7 days a week all summer with all of his buddies for 2 years till he went off to college.

I'll help guys with little kids. I've done that many times and will continue to. The kids deserve the fun. Everybody else is on their own.

[CANOPY SAM]

...in the water.

[harvey lee]

If it is on a larger lake or river, I will tell close friends.

if it's a smaller lake that could get hurt by heavy pressure, then I will tell people the tackle and depth but I more times than not, keep the location to myself unless it is a close friend who I know will not advertise it like it went into a newspaper or the radio.

I do not mind helping others out but I do not want to destroy a lake.

[Hoey]

I usually fish big lakes. When asked, I answer honestly, leave out a few details, and treat others the way I want to be treated.

[TR21HP]

Honestly, I usually tell them all over the lake and give them a range of depth.

[Vitreus]

I have also found/noticed over the years that most honey holes don't last. Low water, high water, temps, etc...dictate where and when fish hold in spots. There are bodies of water of water where fish use the same exact locations from year to year, but never does it happen at the exact same time of year. Most people don't understand that and arrive too late to the party.

Absolutely true.

[fish_eat_sleep]

I agree, fish are good at swimming. no need for territorial fishing but i cant help but throw some humor in there. If they ask at the landing I pause and point at the lake while saying "out there". if its somewhere other than the lake when i am asked i just tell em in the lake, really shallow. and usually theres enough weeds it will all take care of itself..