Keeping Secrets

[Col Forbin]

The other post got me thinking of what once made this site great, and is starting to dwindle. I first got on this site to share information - of course, I read for years without posting more to learn info rather than to share (I didn't really have any worth sharing). Mark and Steven were dead on. There are plenty on here that are or were willing to share plenty of information. Most aren't asking for specific spots or coordinates, just techniques and a general starting points for a day on the water, although some are willing to share all they know. For the most part we aren't in competition with each other (maybe to some extent outside of pride). So why not share what you know - that is what this site is for.

Another point that was brought up, was people pretty much flat out calling others liars for thier reports. I've seen it countless times with Elnut's reports, and remember seeing Mark get shot down a few times. But I try to keep in mind that these are usually accusations made by people that have added nothing to the site rather than to stir the pot.

I am going to start sharing all I can, and I hope to see some of the same on here. PM me, I'll give specific spots out if you want - keep in mind about half the time I don't know what I am doing, and the other half I just pretend I do!!!! I hope to see more of the same on here.

[00SKEETER]

I don't mind sharing specifics if I catch fish and yes I do fish tournaments. Let face it, there are not that many secret holes on our lakes that someone else hasn't found so why be so secretive about it. Now days it's all about timing & technique. If Dave Stewart gave me the exact coordinates of a ledge that he just caught 30 lbs off of that doesn't mean I could. I think we just have too many KVD wanna be's out there. I mean what's the big deal if you pay a $30 entry fee in a tournament and your fishing for $200 first place prize. The way some of these guys are you would think they're fishing the elite series for $100 grand. Lighten up a little, share your ideas and information. We're on this board to have fun and learn not to see who's the best fisherman.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Good post. Always did and always will. Figure this site is here to help us all enjoy fishing and boating more.

And I don't care if people sometimes call me a liar:
a. Been married 30 years and have been called worse.
b. Realize what worked for me on Monday at 7 am, might not work for a different person Tuesday, at the same time, the same spot, with the same techniques. It's the nature of the beast.

The biggest benefit I get asking about conditions and the bite before I go is:
a. Decide if I want to go.
b. Figure out a game plan so I know what I want to do when I get there.
c. Based on the game plan I set, figure out how to rig the boat, when to get there, where to go, how to set up rods, and what bait/baits to have available.
d. Start my trip feeling a bit more confident because I have a plan, know I'm set up to do it, and know I'm not going to waste a lot of time trying to figure stuff out. Sometimes just being confident means you try a little harder, are a little more persistent, and so, just get better results. If nothing else, and I zero for the day, it makes it easier to figure out what caused it so I'm in better shape to try it again next time.

Now, let me share with you what the best bait and rig is for catching squirrels this time of year. I bottom fish for them, and use acorns on a bait catser with 30 pound test. Tie the acorn to the line, and below it, attach a 8 x 8 inch of velcro. Cast into the back yard. When the squirrel gos for the nut and tries to get it off the line, his belly hairs get stuck on the velcro pad. Reel him in slow, but becareful when you land him, cause he will be angry and they do bite.

[Chubminnow]

Now, let me share with you what the best bait and rig is for catching squirrels this time of year. I bottom fish for them, and use acorns on a bait catser with 30 pound test. Tie the acorn to the line, and below it, attach a 8 x 8 inch of velcro. Cast into the back yard. When the squirrel gos for the nut and tries to get it off the line, his belly hairs get stuck on the velcro pad. Reel him in slow, but becareful when you land him, cause he will be angry and they do bite.

Great information Bob...does this work for ALL squirrels, including albinos or just gray squirrels?

[HURRICANEBOB]

Great information Bob...does this work for ALL squirrels, including albinos or just gray squirrels?

For albinos, use the white velcro, and for grey squirrels, use the blck velcro.

Never use green velcro. Nightcrawlers mistake it for maiting turf.

[HURRICANEBOB]

And I think the real mission of this board, is to generate enough hits, to make the folks that run it $$ when they can sell advertizing space. And that makes sense to me and seems absolutely fair. In providing a service, the hits rack up, and its the hits the advertizers want to see before paying for space. So I'd like to see us all post everything twice so the moderators can get filty rich and take us all fishing!

[Dave Stewart]

And I think the real mission of this board, is to generate enough hits, to make the folks that run it $$ when they can sell advertizing space. And that makes sense to me and seems absolutely fair. In providing a service, the hits rack up, and its the hits the advertizers want to see before paying for space. So I'd like to see us all post everything twice so the moderators can get filty rich and take us all fishing!

The moderators here make the exact same amount of money that you make off this site.

[HURRICANEBOB]

The moderators here make the exact same amount of money that you make off this site.

So your pay check has just as many zeros in it as mine! Darn shame we can't find a way to get at least a couple ones in there somewhere.

Not intended to offend, advertizing I thought helped offset the costs of operating the board. Didn't mean to imply anybody was sending kids to Purdue

A friend of mine sent his kids to Purdue. Then when they left, he moved to Georgia.

[FatBoyNorm]

Rudypoo, I'm glad you said that, let me elaborate.
Bass fishing is a competitive sport pushed towards catch and release and not catch and eat. As for any fish other than the black bass I'll tell you whatever you want to know. I'll even tell ya how to fish for bass, and if ya want to get together I'm sure you could pull some more detailed info. Fishing with someone is the best way to share secrets, not a board. Call me a butthole but if the day ever comes that I find a honey hole, I'm zippin' my mouth! I might just stay on the water a few days straight and enjoy it while I can. I am competitive as a bass angler, you have to be because the rest of the big shots are playin' the game too. Do you know how many tournament fishermen have stories lined out before they get back to the ramp?, I only listen to the ones I know and am closest too and they too throw me off for the fun of it. The senior members on here have been sharing info and taking people fishing since at least '04-'05 when I was first on fishin.com.
I didn't intend to have a bad attitude of fishing. I have been reading Buck Perry and In-Fisherman collections since the mid-'90''s, and work with fishing conservation services online to pass my love for the sport/pasttime. We should go fishing sometime.

[FatBoyNorm]

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/lakeinfo/WOL.htm

Rudypoo, here is a link that will answer some of your questions about fishing below Wolf Creek Dam.

[apb]

One of the problems with posting detailed info on this site, or any other for that matter, is that you do not know everyone who is reading that info. Could be someone wanting to take out their family for a fun day on the water or it could be a poacher.

Personally, I think you do someone a better favor by telling them HOW to catch the fish rather than WHERE to catch them. For example, you turn someone on to several spots that produced for you a couple of days ago. They head to those areas and find others fishing them. Now what? If you gave them some info such as: slow roll a spinnerbait tight to the wood, look for the wood in 10 feet of water, they prefered the 1/4 oz size in white, they can then find a number of places that will hold fish and catch fish. In the process they may actually have learned something that they can put to use the next time out.

Andrew

[Rudypoo4444]

Rudypoo, I'm glad you said that, let me elaborate.
Bass fishing is a competitive sport pushed towards catch and release and not catch and eat. As for any fish other than the black bass I'll tell you whatever you want to know. I'll even tell ya how to fish for bass, and if ya want to get together I'm sure you could pull some more detailed info. Fishing with someone is the best way to share secrets, not a board. Call me a butthole but if the day ever comes that I find a honey hole, I'm zippin' my mouth! I might just stay on the water a few days straight and enjoy it while I can. I am competitive as a bass angler, you have to be because the rest of the big shots are playin' the game too. Do you know how many tournament fishermen have stories lined out before they get back to the ramp?, I only listen to the ones I know and am closest too and they too throw me off for the fun of it. The senior members on here have been sharing info and taking people fishing since at least '04-'05 when I was first on fishin.com.
I didn't intend to have a bad attitude of fishing. I have been reading Buck Perry and In-Fisherman collections since the mid-'90''s, and work with fishing conservation services online to pass my love for the sport/pasttime. We should go fishing sometime.

Fatboynorm,

My post wasn't really pointed only at you, but your post was what I wanted to contrast against. If you are a tournament guy, then sure, i can understand why you wouldn't want to give away spots, but that still doesn't mean I agree with it.

Fishing to me is just about as much fun as a guy could ever have, and I get a lot of joy out of helping out anyone who needs a spot to fish. I give out spots because I know there will always be fish around to be caught, as long as we do our best to manage the resource. If I get to a spot I have given out, and there are 10 other boats there, all I can say is I hope they are catching fish, and I either join them, or move on. It makes no difference to me.

The lakes in KY are full of fish just waiting to be caught, and I want to be the guy to catch them. But my biggest asset in finding a good fishin' hole is to share information with others, because more often than not, they will remember my generosity, and if I ever ask for help on a lake, those people usually step up and help me out, and that right there is a good return on investment. You make a friend, and pick up a fishing spot in the process. You just can't beat it.

I will admit, I am sure some people on this board are not as helpful to me because they know I like to eat bass, and to a lot of bass fishermen that is a big no-no. I just think that is really sad though. In all reality, I may keep 15-20 bass a year, never take more than the limit, and never take more than I think I will eat. But some guys just can't look past that, and won't offer a guy some fishing help because of it. But oh well, I'll help them out if they ask anyway, makes no difference to me.

P.S. Norm,
We can go fishing any time you want. I'm always up for a fishing trip.