This has been discussed several times, heatedly on occasion.</p>
First...I believe in karma, you reap what you sow, one good turn deserves another, no good deed goes un-rewarded...however you want to say it.</p>
Second...there are NO secrets. Lures come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Try them all. Maps are very informative, and with today's electronics anyone can find out why they see someone on a spot every time they go by it. That said, you can take me to your favorite brush pile on your favorite hard-to-locate submerged tiny point, give me your lure, and you might catch more fish than me. A lot of it is technique.</p>
Third...tournaments. A lot of CFF'ers fish for money, and are serious about it to varying degrees. You'll find that they provide less info than those of us out for fun. We don't care about the background in a photo, they do. I completely understand and respect their reasons for posting fewer details...but I can gather SOME knowledge from them anyway. They had a good or bad day...what weather conditions contributed, as an example? I'm thankful for the report regardless.</p>
I think that time of day, water temp, and type of lure is enough. General location is nice, too. But I'm more about learning HOW to find fish more than I am the "go here throw that" info. I want to know WHY the fish were there, not exactly where they were. They might not be there tomorrow. WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE TODAY IS THE REAL SECRET!</p>
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.</p>
I'm in no hurry...studying maps, putting together what I can glean from this and other forums, fishing with more experienced anglers, and LOTS of time on the water is a good time to me!</p>