Quick question

[SkitterPopper]

I have a quick question for you folks out there. Does anyone go out and try to find fish on their own anymore. I am a little discouraged by all the posts lately stating "Where are they biting now" or "Where can I find the hot bite". Get out on the water and try! I think finding fish on my own is 99% of the fun for me. You go out and try new things and if you don't succeed there is always tomorrow. Nothing feels better to me than going out and finding a hot bite by myself. I am sure I am going to get slammed for this post, but oh well. I just hate seeing forums filled up with these questions. By the way I am not talking about sharing information, that is fine. It is the guy with 10 posts in two years and you look back and they are all "where can I find them" posts. Didn't your parents teach you, you have to work for everything.

[Eric Wettschreck]

It takes all kinds to make the world go round.

I very much enjoy going out to a new lake and finding them. Yes, that's tons of fun.

Having said that, if a dude fills me in on a bite, I'm willing to give that a shot too.

[harvey lee]

I dont mind if someone gives me a few tips on a new lake at all. I will also go out and find my own bite to.

For some people that only have a few times out all summer, I see nothing wrong with another trying to help out to make that persons day of fishing a little better.

[Corey Bechtold]

Nothing is better and more gratifying than finding a lake, learning where the fish are and finding out what it takes to catch them.

Go find em' ,

Corey Bechtold

[upnorth]

Without the sharing of information what exactly would this board be? This is a good way to do some research on an area or lake. Go to some forums and they complain that people don't do any of their own research and just follow the pack, and that seems to bring up more animosity than anything.

[traveler]

I think these forums are a HUGE help, and an important part of the puzzle nowadays. Did you avoid depth finders when they hit the market? Biggest "shortcut" in history for finding fish, and more reliable than the schmucks on here I use forums mostly for trip timing/water conditions, much less for a "hot bite" or specific spots, (but I'll take them too!)

[SkitterPopper]

Well as usual my post was taken way out of context. I did say at the end that I agree information sharing is a good thing. This information sharing is a two way street. I am talking about people that want to just launch their boat and drive right to the spot and catch fish immediately. They take tips and info on here but they can never give back. Everyone has their opinion, and I and just expressing mine. I don't mind a large lake being mentioned, but there has been way to many small lakes being mentioned that can't take the pressure of the WORLDWIDE web. I know some people only get out once in awhile but that is why it is called fishing not catching.

[SkitterPopper]

Here is a great example from a form on here. Not mentioning names, just using it as a example.

Quote:

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If a guy was looking to catch some Pike in Crystal Lake, where would he start? I am looking for a little direction, rather than searching the lake for two hours before I find them.

---

[harvey lee]

I guess I look at it this way, if one wants to share thier information that is fine with me and if one chooses not to share thiers, thats fine also.

The majority of the people that view these forums offer what they believe will help others in thier quest for fish and thats great if they so choose. As long as the person that is asking is following all the laws and rules then go for it.

If another fisherman asks me where I have been finding fish and what I caught them on, I will usually let them know what bait worked and the lake I was on. I will not give out GPS locations.

No one if forced to offer information if they dont want to.

[Muddog]

It is all I do!

If I find fish, I catch 1 or 2 from the area then move on to find another school. Becase finding them is what it is ALL about. The thing I find to be vary offensive is when people locate fish, then sit on them day after day catching as many as they can and keeping every fish they catch! I have seen schools of fish that I have fished for 2-3 years dissapear becase some people just can't turn off that greed for fish.

As you may have guessed, I'm not real big on Ice Fishing.

Hay! let's go see what the fish are doing today.

[hawkeye43]

You could tell people where to fish and how but they still have to catch them. Like leading a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. I don't see anything wrong giving tips, it might get them thinking where else to look.

[LoonASea]

I can see skitterpoppers point ,,,I have asked myself the same question when I see "member since 02 " and only has 8 posts and wonder what the previous 7 posts were ,,,I have responed to a post "I want to get my kids on some fish" only to find this person show up on the ice with 7 other guys ,,,litter the ice with cans, bottles, wrappers and butts ,,this guy showed little respect for me ,,the sport of fishing and our natural resources ,,,Im all but done sharing any particulars about finding fish and only share whats working

This is a great forum but as I type this there are 2 registered users and 18 "lurkers" browsing this forum ,,,something to think about

Randoid

[slipperybob]

I love to go finding them...just don't tell me they're biting on some lake and luring me to go try, just so I've wasted my time on it. Or maybe it just takes skills...

Actually I like being where there's not a lot of people fishing...many times away from the hot bite. I like the peace and solitude, the scenery and environment...Being a shore fishing guy, I sometimes go fishing in the rain. Sometimes (most times) I catch nothing, but when I do, it's all worth it. Yep...I sit on school of fish, but I don't have much choice from the bank.

Ice fishing is different...but I still camp on fish when I find them...I don't leave trash, I wouldn't want to say I was here...

[Down2Earth]

I'll agree with what Harvey Lee said and add this. If FM isn't the place to ask a question like that where should this person go? This is called Fishing Minnesota right?

[slipperybob]

I've hardly got a secret spot...they're all publically accessed. I'm standing right there next to the boat launch in Interstate park, fishing in the rain.

[BMAT43]

I believe that generic questions and answers are ok but I am not going to tell you I caught 20 fish in 18 ft of water just off the submergerd island at grid xxxx xxxx on a pink floating lindy rig tipped with a leach.....

and yes I have been a member since 02 and only have 90 posts but I was gone for 2 years.....

[Ely Lake Expert]

So can someone tell me where the fish are biting this weekend, what rig, what bait and what depth? We are having a kegger and want to catch some fish too.

Ok, im just kidding

I have spent many fishless days with just me and my dog wandering all around the lakes looking for the fish. It can be a bit frusterating at times, but when you hook into that 6 lb hog walleye in the corner of the lake off of the hidden reef no one knows about it becomes all worth while.

ELE

[slow]

I like to see what people are having success with. I'll use my standby lures/techniques. But I have tried new things after hearing people reporting they caught fish with this lure or technique. It has helped expand my skills.

[LeRoy_Metz]

skitter popper,when fishing on a lake you have never been on before it makes sense to me at least to ask some qestions. what might be 99% fun to you could be 99% fustrating to others.Lets say you were driving to a lake but you werent sure how to get thier would you ask for directions to said lake or drive around to you found it .If you arent sure ask, isnt that what parents teach also?

[papabear]

Maybe Just maybe some people need a little boost to get them started. I have found my spots and techniques that are very public knowledge all by myself. But it has taken me several years because I do not have the luxury of fishing 150-200 days a year. Now I can confidently go out and catch fish with some success. But those years of trying to find spots that hold fish consistently was frustrating. What is now enjoyable is to catch fish 20 yds from the hot spot that every one is pounding because it is the only place they think fish exist on a lake. I just look over and think I was there myself not long ago and hope they find some success to keep them active in fishing. If your afraid that people are taking the "easy way" to catch fish I didnt know there was an easy way.