Good Report VS. Bad Report?

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nightrider

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Messages
325
Location
Ringgold
Well, to me I give up all my info.
Bait,Size,Wt,Color,ect...

I've been reading CFF for 2 years before I gave up my info.
It took me some, time to get over the mind block.
That given up info is OK, this year I've given away over 30 jigs ,to others fishing around me.
They still can't catch them,it's not the lure it's YOU,and YOU,And Those who catch them!!!
So,We must give out good reports
 
Nightrider if you have been reading that long then you probably already know that the guys that give the best and most reports are the ones that catch the most and best fish. When you give and do it with no or few reservations it comes back to you pressed down, shaken together and running over. It works that way in any part of your life, not just fishing. Thanks for your reports.
 
Cheez is right on, Nightrider. When I first found the forum, I was hesitant to share meaningful info. I went to a couple of CFF tx weigh-ins to watch and listen to the guys who were fishing. After a month or so, I decided to start posting truthful reports. I have never regretted it since.

You are correct also. People can read the reports, buy the lures, baits, etc, fish the structures, and still have trouble catching fish on the particular technique that we describe. Seeing is believing for most folks. Until confidence is built in a particular lure, technique, or location, most folks never stay with it long enough to locate the fish. You must catch a fish to ever have confidence in what you are doing or trying to do.

Dare to be different. This is what separates good fishermen from average fishermen. If what you are doing isn't working, then try something else. Fishing conditions are changing almost daily. When conditions change, fish move or at least moods change. Book a fishing trip with EricM and don't worry so much about catching fish as picking his brain.

Post accurate reports guys and don't worry about giving away "secret" holes. You don't have to give away your honey holes, but at least describe what you had to do to catch fish. The forum was created for this purpose. To help all of us become better fishermen and better humans being will happen in the process.
 
I agree... I feel like I give accurate reports of Wheeler and Guntersville.  It might be easier for me because there isn't as much pressure from this forum at those lakes.  It wouldn't matter to me either way.  I don't mind posting specifics because I don't catch fish that well anyways :) 
 
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>
 
I too believe that there really are NO secrets out there. Now I know lots of the more serious, and successful bass anglers (and crappie anglers) have put a lot of "sweat equity" into building their own personal little hotspots with brushpiles and rockpiles. If I did that, I too would keep a secret. But as far as the "natural" geography and locations on the river... I guarantee that there is not a square inch that hasn't been graphed and fished repeatedly. But the "3 P's" always come into play.... know the "Place," have the "Patience," and MOST important, the "Presentation." The last two are what separates the average angler from the most successful anglers. The folks who fish hard and learn how to present the right baits the right way, catch the fish. Hence, I have absolutely no problem sharing what I can... it still up to them to put together the "3 P's".

More importantly, we have to protect the resource. And the more people who are successful at enjoying the resource, the more allies we have when it comes to protecting it!
If we become an elite lite closed-mouth squadron... we will have very few allies when the day comes to stand up and protect what we've got. Share the resources proudly.... your children, grandchildren and those beyond will be glad we did.
 
Reports are all good to me so long as they are factual! I believe everyone is safe posting reports, whether they fish competitively or not. I see no harm in reporting basic generic patterns, depths, lures, water temps, wind, bait observations, etc in an effort to not only give something back to the forum but to help compile aggregate info related to the health of the fishery or why fish might be biting better some days than others.

I have made numerous reports on all species and it has never once hurt my fishing. Being seen catching fish on certain spots of the lake has brought by a few close proximity visitors, but reports have never impacted my fishing in a negative manner. We are all anglers fishing the same water with similar concerns and I try to never post anything negative about those members who do not post reports. Instead I attempt to encourage reports through continued positive statements and actions hoping to recruit others to see that it is both safe and helpful to their cause to post reports.

I know there are no secrets on the water and anyone can see who is fishing where, but I like to be realistic. With 1000 visits a day small crowds can happen on certain spots so I do not provide exact locations for both my benefit and anyone else who might be planning to fish a certain area. One angler's perceived community hole that is openly mentioned might be the target of another anglers special trip he has had planned for weeks. There are some who have put out structure on certain spots improving the catch rates...I can see how they would prefer these locations not be publicly advertised. I can understand how divulging a specific location either in text or an image can lead to possible crowded conditions and compromise another angler's experiences on the water. I would never want anything on CFF to negatively affect another anglers experience. This is a valid concern that has been expressed to me by certain members and is one of the reasons I created this forum so more detailed information could be shared without fear of a huge audience seeing it.

RSimms said it best in his ally statement above. I think the reports, generous advice posted on CFF, and connections with other anglers has improved many angler's fishing. I hope it has also improved their conservational awareness. The longer CFF stays online the more I hope it helps to get the word out and educate readers on conservation. I think the easy access of reports helps to make that happen by getting anglers involved on the site and reading the additional information, so I appreciate everyone that contributes! emoThumbsup
 
I would also like to say a few things about fishing, I don't ever try to give out locations because there are too many, I like to take someone fishing, go to all my "holes" that I know of and fish them with whoever is with me and tell them what I have caught there and how, I get lots of improvements in my fishing this way. I also don't like to type that much, I would rather show you. If you don't like my presentation, use your own that you know will catch fish. Some people just don't know much about catching fish and some do. I don't care if anyone goes back to my holes without me, the water is full of fish, plenty enough to go around.
 
I'm all for accurate reporting, whether good or bad. I can tell you from experience fishing with the Drumking that he can catch 10 to my 1 somedays and I can go back the next day to the same place and catch a limit (sometimes) or strike out. I can be using the same lures and thinking I'm presenting it the same way, but that's FISHIN. I love this forum and sincerely appreciate all the great reports. Just wish I could contribute more reports myself.
 
I try to post an accurate report any time I go, unfortunately its not as frequently as I like but that is something I will just have to fix. I am curious David is there any way to tell how many people have access to this forum?
 
Speaking of the three P’s, back in the early 70’s I started working second shift at the local factory to support my farming habit. I became friends with Walter Hughes, the undisputed Crappie Master of Bolivar County. Walter, after much pleading, agreed to take me fishing to show me how to catch fish.(when two serous crappie fishermen in MS fish “together” it’s in two boats – you can’t hold the back of the boat still enough to drop a jig into the tangled mess where they live). Anyway I meet up with Walter on the lake and he explains that we are going to fish 3’ deep in 6’ water on the south side of Ironwood bushes and willow trees. He drops his jig down in the middle of an Ironwood bush and immediately pulls out a fish. “Just like this”, he says and tells me to do the same thing – nothing “Sometimes you have to give it a little twitch, just like this.” Out comes another fish. I twitch – nothing - we’re fishing no more than 3” apart and after he catches several more I decide it must be that he has a better jig, so Walter gives me one of his. – Same result, after a couple more fish he really starts to rub it in and swaps poles with me. You guess it – he’s catching fish and I don’t even think I might have had a bite.

Rather than being frustrated, I was just amazed. I started hanging around Mr. Eddie Slater’s store on rainy days and listening to the old men and would occasionally con one of the into fishing with me. These guys were 30 to 40 years older than me and some understood the reason for their methods and some just caught fish seemingly by magic. Now that I’m the same age they were then, I keep hoping I will find some of that magic because it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to think like a fish
 
That story sound just like my Dad... in a lake, pond, stream or ocean. You always look over at him and he's hookin' up or walking up to you with a solid fish. He'll offer to switch rods too. To GLOAT! Then offer you a piece of gum as a consolation prize. It is fun learning, that's why we're all hooked.

I've learned a lot from you guys here and appreciate the insight. But there was a learning curve. It's easy to get a feeling of annonymity from a site such as this. Then look over and see the guy in the boat next to you.... you've seen online. After the topic was opened to me, I learned to just go with the flow.
 
This is a good thread. I haven't been to this part of the forum before the last couple of days. I can tell you from meeting and fishing with about 30 different people that I have met here on the forum that there are some great fishermen with fantastic abilities and understanding of fish behavior that post here. I have met even more and had the chance to learn more from them during the map study get togethers that we have had. I am convinced that studying maps and what they can tell you is the key to finding and catching fish. It's also much more rewarding finding a new and better fishing hole than it is going to spots that others have shown me and catching fish. Fish movements are regulated by a few variables and knowing what to look for on a map can really shorten the learning curve on a specific lake. That's what pro anglers do and they are probably the best at it. We are having a map study get together on Wed. the 23rd of Jan. and it will be a fun time of getting to know some of the guys on the forum and sharing what we know about fish and why they do what they do and specifically where on the maps. Sharing info has given me great joy and recieving has been great too. It will be great to meet all that will be able to come and enjoy the evening with us.
 
I to report truthfull info. I do fill embarassed to report all my bad days this means not catching any fish or just small ones. I think some people look at them reports and say that guy sucks im not reading his reports anymore. But after some thought about that i figured good then they want so my good days which will happen a few times a year in tx fishing. I am really thankfull to this site have met some really good people and some really good lure makers. I will be purchasing some CFF stickers for my boat and my truck so people who are on here will know me when they see me on the water or going down the road. Once again THANKS TO EVERONE.
 
I have been fishing for around fifty years and been blessed with the opportunity to have fished with some great fishermen. The one very important thing I have learned over the years is that the smallest details sometimes are the most important. I would put presentation at the top of my list.
 
fish4thepeck - 1/21/2008 5:12 PM

I have been fishing for around fifty years and been blessed with the opportunity to have fished with some great fishermen. The one very important thing I have learned over the years is that the smallest details sometimes are the most important. I would put presentation at the top of my list.

Boy howdy you are right about that! Small, small things make all the difference.
 
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