Asking people advice on the lake...

[blackdog1101]

bdafisher, that is certainly fair enough. I understand the situation with small lakes. I've got one I try to keep under the radar too. When I give out advice I try to point people to a well known area, like Phelps Bay or Black Lake on 'Tonka. That way no one's 'secret' spot is being revealed, and the person asking for advise has a pretty good chance of catching some fish.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have been out every weekend...different lakes...Minnetonka, Buffalo, etc...why is it nobody wants to help each other out...why is it? I don't ask "where are the fish" I just ask depths, etc...why does NOBODY want to help out with just that???

Most of the guys out there are more then willing to help out if you phrase your questions right.

Number one is if you ask for depths,bait, ect., make it clear that you will be finding your own spot and not camping out right next to them, unless you are invited to do so! Many times with this approach you will be welcomed to join them!

Cliff

[PTocko]

As I am relatively new to hardwater, but experienced softwater I often "horsetrade" tips. Or I'll phrase my questions so that it relates to softwater rather than ask a direct question - i.e. do crappies stack up in the winter like they do in the spring off of such and such point. I've never had anyone flat out turn me a way and I know enough about fishing that I usually catch something. The biggest thing I need to learn is what do fish "do" in the winter - once I know that I usually know spots that might be okay. At the same time, I do like to learn on my own what works and where so I don't mind fishing without help - may make for some "less productive" days but if God wanted it different he would have called it "catching" and not "fishing". Paul

[Bottle Fish]

Yes they will, however you do need to drill a lot of holes where you find them they do move around a little and on some days a lot. Once you find them though the fishing doesn't get any better, keep on them and try to move with them. Just like in the summer they find structure and hold to it. The difference in winter they are deeper in the lake because water is warmer deeper in the winter.

[FishinChad]

Was fishing reds reef a couple weeks ago, not much going there so we didnt stay very long, but there was a guy in a perm house there and he actually put orange cones at the legal distance around his house and then proceded to harrass other fisherman that were setting up near his house(at least double legal distance away). He stood outside his house like a watchdog and almost started a fight. I was so tempted to call a few buddys and surround his house with 4 perms right at the legal distance away, I am certain this would have started a war though!

[fishermatt]

For me it definitely depends upon how I'm doing at that moment. A few years ago me and 4-5 buddies had spent the whole afternoon searching a big bay for sunfish. Right as the sun hit the trees we found them and we were about 1/2 way to our limits of 8-9 inchers, one right after another. Right then a couple guys come driving over to see "how we're doin'", very Friendly like. While they were still a ways away I had said to everyone, pull your bait up a few feet so we don't catch anything. We had to wait about 10 minutes (at prime time) to finish the small talk and they finally drove away, then we lowered our baits again and started smacking 'em. I sure wasn't about to invite them to share some holes! But, if I'm not catching much I sure don't mind saying so!

[tom_w]

I can appreciate both sides. There are certain spots and lakes that I would be very careful to reveal if they are small or susceptible to pressure. There are some I would perhaps never reveal.

BUT I try to help another person out whenever possible. Sometimes I know a hot tip and I help someone out who's new to fishing or new to a lake. Sometime I am the one who can't get a bite despite searching and switching presentations.

Once, right after I first got back into fishing, I was on the Mississippi river after work. I have two small kids and oftentimes I can only get out for an hour in the evening. Some guys next to me kept pulling in walleye and bass. I was catching NOTHING. I was throwing rapalas and jigs, fast and slow. I couldn't get a bite. I saw they had minnows and they relayed that they have a hard time getting action without live bait that time of year.

As they were leaving they left me a dozen or so half dead minnows on the shore and explained that they would still catch fish. I ended up catching a couple walleye, bass and a drum in the next hour. That was cool as he11. I have since helped out other fisherman (I always buy more bait than I need)

No HAS to do anything for anyone else, that's why it is cool to do so.

At the same time I will still not reveal certain honey holes...

[tom_w]

One more thing... I do try to feel out people when I am asking for some help and tell if they don't want to be bothered. There are times when I am fishing that I don't really want to socialize. If I come across someone who seems that they just want to fish, I'll be quick to move on. That's a courtesy.

Other times I end up fishing with strangers and having a good time.