04-11-2011, 12:16 PM
Mmmmmmmm, interesting topic. I think it really DEPENDS on the scenario and the body of water. If someone asks me about spots on a small lake or river, i'm probably going to be irritated with thier lazyness. On a small body of water, a little work, and you can't help but find the fish. On a larger lake or river system, I would probably provide some helpful hints, but as far as specific locations, I really don't have too many. I just know what to look for, and I fish those areas as I come around them. The primary target species in freshwater around my area is Catfish, panfish, and bass; none of which take a rocket scientist degree to be successful at catching. So, if someone were to come to me and say, "hey man, you know any good spots on the little pee dee river to catch some catfish?" My reply would be " sure... Just look for structure in the outside bends, where the deeper holes are. Fish deep, and use a variety of fresh bait. If you don't get something in an hour or so, move on to the next spot. In the evenings, move to the shallower water and work suspended structure." That may sound like generalizing, which it is, but it's great advice. River catfish migrate down stream the entire season, and don't stay in one spot. Though I may know a few particular spots that usually hold cats, I gave him the knowledge to find them on his own, through trial and error. (Just like I did)
Saltwater fishing is a totally different animal. I release no specific spots. What i'll usually do is direct them to the local tackle store and instruct them to get a hotspots map or a maps unique map, and use that as a reference. Those maps provide the GPS numbers to all the normal fishing spots that are plotted for recreational anglers. Why do I not disclose saltwater numbers? Because I worked my ass off getting them. I've heard people say, "the ocean is so big, why does it matter?" well, the ocean may be large and unending, but the bulk of it off the SC coast is flat sand bottom, that holds no fish. Finding structure that is off the beaten path, holding fish that are not pressured by the fleet, is a prized jewel. It takes lots of time and fuel money to stumble accross these spots. The only people I share numbers with are members of my fishing club, mostly charter captains which hold those numbers secretly since that is how they make a living. We take care of each other, and help any way we can. Other than that, my numbers are secret and treated as such. I can count the number of people on one hand I will normally share my personal numbers with. That's just how it is.
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Saltwater fishing is a totally different animal. I release no specific spots. What i'll usually do is direct them to the local tackle store and instruct them to get a hotspots map or a maps unique map, and use that as a reference. Those maps provide the GPS numbers to all the normal fishing spots that are plotted for recreational anglers. Why do I not disclose saltwater numbers? Because I worked my ass off getting them. I've heard people say, "the ocean is so big, why does it matter?" well, the ocean may be large and unending, but the bulk of it off the SC coast is flat sand bottom, that holds no fish. Finding structure that is off the beaten path, holding fish that are not pressured by the fleet, is a prized jewel. It takes lots of time and fuel money to stumble accross these spots. The only people I share numbers with are members of my fishing club, mostly charter captains which hold those numbers secretly since that is how they make a living. We take care of each other, and help any way we can. Other than that, my numbers are secret and treated as such. I can count the number of people on one hand I will normally share my personal numbers with. That's just how it is.
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