What's the shanty town draw?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Why is it that people assume when they drive by that if a portable is on the lake that it must be on top of fish? Just this weekend, I set up on a lake that I've never fished before, and didn't see a thing all day with the camera. Yet,a number of locals came out and set up by me. Fished most of the day, then asked if I was on fish. Heck, I never fished the lake before and when I set up there wasn't any other portables out. So, I just set up. The trick of setting up by the other houses couldn't be used since there were no others. Also, I had no lake map to determine where to set up. However I did start the little Shanty Town on the lake. Would be interesting to know how many people would set up there in the future, just due to seeing the shanty town last weekend.

Just thought it would be interesting to know if many use the shanties must me on the fish idea, or something diffrent to decide where to set up.

[Gissert]

I call it the 'pilot fish' effect.

People can be thinking that you are on a good bite like you described in your post. That's pretty common.

In addition, with the advent of GPS and the incredible software from Lakemastera and navionics, there are spots now that are visible to anyone with this technology.

I used to fish spots that never got touched on some of the bigger waters I fish, as that piece of structure never was really shown on prior maps. Now, I often have company, or see that someone has fished the spots prior to my arrival.

[perchman]

As you know its that way with Boats too. I am also guilty of it... headed out on the lake.. "hey theres some boats, that must be where the fish are".

i once was out in teh middle of Mille lacs with the wife, just hanging out (not even fishing).. boom here comes a boat up to us. like magnets... also apply to shacks :->

[Pleasant]

I swear I could set up on a indoor hockey rink and within 5 minutes at least 3 guys on wheelers would be pulling in and asking if I was getting any.

Lynn J.

[bradyd]

It's the lazy fishermen. Why look for the fish when it looks like someone already found them?

[Todd_J]

Humans, like fish, are drawn to structure. They may be lazy, but evolutionarily speaking this behavior might be a valid short-cut to putting food on the table.

[Sutty]

If it makes you feel better those guys tend to be the ones who lose their trucks since they park by each other on the lake as well

[Bushwacker]

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Humans, like fish, are drawn to structure. They may be lazy, but evolutionarily speaking this behavior might be a valid short-cut to putting food on the table.

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That is one of the best ways I have ever seen this phenomenon explained!!

[calli4120]

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I swear I could set up on a indoor hockey rink and within 5 minutes at least 3 guys on wheelers would be pulling in and asking if I was getting any.

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Thats so true!!! LOL

[kwiggy]

Quote:

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...i once was out in teh middle of Mille lacs with the wife, just hanging out (not even fishing).. boom here comes a boat up to us....

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Not even fishing????

[Jeremy airjer W]

Here's a million dollar idea.

Shanty Town in a Box. Place shanty town in a box on the lake as far away from where you want to fish as possible. Pull the cord. Half a dozen "decoy" houses pop up. If a person walks out on a lake do you think they'll head for one house or half a dozen?

What do you think?

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Ah yes the sportsman! I love doing free giude service/ NOT! The weekend worrior strikes again.