Are hot spots a tradeable commodity?

[JeffB]

You can trade it, but you will have no way of knowing what your getting in return. Good luck with your hot spot and enjoy it while it lasts.

[fishermatt]

Trading spots is great, just be careful who you trade with. I once spent a week fishing the heck out of a big bay looking for bull gills, found them by myself on Thursday, took a guy and his nephew out there on Friday and we clobbered 'em. Saturday I was bringing a couple other friends out, and there were 16 trucks parked on my holes. The guy from Friday had told everyone he knew. I got 2 gills on Saturday....

Enjoy your spot while it's hot, for tommorow it may be shot.

[Sandmannd]

Originally Posted By: GudeMN

You can't beat solitude. But solitude with quality fish is a true treasure.

I may be in the minority, but I find it a lot more fun and rewarding to share a quality fish experience with someone else. Solitary memories, are just that....solitary.

I agree, I wouldn't post it on here but having a few people share it with you is great.

[JeffB]

I'd like to see some pics of 16" crappies, I can finds from 12-14 inchers, but a 16 is a monster.

[skee0025]

In the interest of fairness to all involved I offer to be the intermediary of potential hot spot swaps. To make sure no one is getting the shaft, forward coordinates to the "Hot Spot" in question to me me at scott22782001 at yahoo dot com. I will verify all claims prior to any deals going forward. Thank you and I look forward to your co-operatiion.. lol..

[croixflats]

How about my first born. Hate to give up a walleye spot.

[CNY Lee]

Keep it to yourself, I'm speaking first hand of what can happen. Drilled over 100 holes in 2 days and finally found some fish. Went back the next day and was killing them so I called a friend to enjoy it, well it turns out that his friends are my friends (unknown to me) and there was about 12 of us fishing less then 5' apart the next day. This is a place I always drove by and told my girlfriend I'm going to find the fish in that bay even though I never saw a soul on it. Well told my buddy to enjoy it because of his loose lips he'll be fishing the dead sea from now on. I would just swing down there from time to time and years later there are guys on that bay fishing for sunfish and crappies. I now enjoy my GPS, camera and Ipod for company. I have come to be friends with a select few that can hold spot to themselfs that get the ok to fish with or without me and its a plus that they are catch and release but took me a long time to trust them.

[catflisher]

I have taken alot of my friends and quite a few strangers to my super secret hot spots..But there have always been conditions....First, they must drink a pint of Windsors..They are then loaded into my " fishing van "...The back of the van has room for 3 people, each on thier own pedestal seat that spins around for the entire trip...The van has no windows, and there is an exaust leak back by the rear tires..Once arriving at the secret spot, the passengers are notified by my slamming on the brakes, sending them briefly airborn..They are then placed in U.S. Mail sacks, and dragged out on to the lake, to the " honey Hole "...When we arrive on the site they are loaded into flip over shacks with no windows..To be sure of no peeking, they are given 5 gallon pails to place over thier heads that have Vexilars mounted into them...They are allowed to fish by feel and watching the Vex..Real virtual fishing!! The whole thing is video taped to show them the amazing size of the fish they caught..After an afternoon of this, They are forced to drink 2 more pints of Windsor...Then, I hit them square on the head with my " Guide Series 2x4 "...I take them back to civilization..After 2 weeks of de-programing.....( Think more Windsor and 2x4's )..They are ready to return to society and think...You know, that was worth it!!

[erickol]

returning to a favorite hot spot that has been fished out is a gut wrenching experience. One of my favorite small farm lakes in WI used to have monster gills. It was not a secret spot, but definetly under fished. once fishing line and bobbers began appearing at a telephone line by the culvert it was not more than two seasons and no more big ones to be found.

I would share it with like minded and trusted friends, but to trade with someone is asking for trouble IMHO.

I also have to believe that it is much easier to find numbers of biggish walleye than to find gills and crappies as you describe. That's a serious piece of water you're sitting on.

[Ed Carlson]

Ask yourself this ethical question..."Can the spot take the angler pressure?"

If it can't, it is not in the best interest of the local population to start a Gold Rush on a fishery and deplete it's reproduction base. More often than not, this will be the result.

As for a true "Secret Spot"..."The only secret spot is the one you have yet to find".

[deadeye]

Back in the day it used to be a insult to ask a angler where the hot spot was. Personally, I work hard to find my spots, so I will make up some interesting places if asked. The harder to get to, the better. Right?

Fishing alone is nice once in a while. I do have to say that most of my best days are by myself. Nothing to prove when your alone. However I have to say it does make it fun to share it too. I just tell whoever Im with that if they leak the hotspot they dont get to go with me again. I have never had a problem with the word getting out. The funny thing is that my best spots are right under peoples noses and they dont even know it....My freinds cant beleive that the fishing is that good just a couple hundred yards away from the circus.

[Zorba]

Thanks for all of the discussion. Several have suggested that I am full of it. I assure you I am not. In fact, it is because of some suggested strategies and tactics learned on this forum that I found the spot. I think I will heed your collective advice and keep the info close to the vest. With that said, If you see a short fat dude fishing from a Fish Trap Guide away from the crowds, stop by and say hello you might just be in for some killer fishing. If you want to share a good walleye spot while we fish, so much the better.

[Moe Szyslak]

Still waiting for photos! Or maybe the camera doesnt work sort of like the ruler didnt

[thatoneguy]

I like Ed's answer the best. Think a little about the body of water you're on, and whether or not it can reasonably accomodate increased pressure. That's the way I decide.

If the answer is yes, then I always share. I want to grow the sport of fishing, and one of the best ways to do that is to help others have success!

If it's a smaller lake that can't take the heat, then it's best - for you and the fishery - to keep it under a tight lid and enjoy the ride, while limiting the number that you keep.

[LakeTahoe]

Big water or small, I wouldn't tell a soul. I learned that the hard way.

I told a friend a killer spot for monster perch, 12-13 in... I had never seen anyone fish this spot as long as I could remember, after I told the spot, he went out, got his limit in an hour - then he told a friend... NOW two years in a row there are trucks and people there that I've never seen before... and it's a HUGE lake (only a few lakes this big). Coincidence? I think not. I'll never say a word again.

[Surface Tension]

Zorba, part of the draw to fishing for me is the challenge to find my own fish. But what the hay, if you can get me on 16" crappies I can forgive myself for taking the easy road and tagging along with you for the day. I like the friendships and sharing great fishing with someone. Having said that, in all my years of fishing I've learned who to tell and who not to tell of hot spots. There are a select few that won't be there the next weekend with their buddies. Then again how can I blame them for not wanting to share the experience.

If I were you, I'd keep that spot between you and a close friend and enjoy what you have for as long as you can. I'm thinking you'll enjoy your fishing experience more that way then a business like arrangement trading fishing hot spots with a fair weather friend.