I try to be pleasant and polite, even when out fishing. If I run into a stranger and they start asking questions, I'll respond with a vague generalization. If they start asking specifics, I'll start lying, while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.
--- So if you're askin', don't believe anything

OTOH, if a random person starts telling me about a fish he caught, and how, and where, I'd probably believe them, but would not likely change my plans.

Bait shop owners? I don't ask, nor do I believe any of their "free" advice.

It seems that everytime I get a tip from someone, I get my expectations too high, and am unhappy when things don't work out. I find it more enjoyable to just fish where and when I want, and avoid crowds by doing so.

don't you just hate it when strangers come up to you while you're fishing and want to have a little chit-chat about thisnthat?

don't know about u, but it drives me absolutely nuts.

Yea, but what do you think about this wind? or light peanut butter? or chrome valve stem caps? or ...

-spence

same here George...I gave up on all types of reports/tips....spoken, written...whatever
I go when I go...and I go where I want...and make my own reports

Funny this just came up!!

I was at a local place and this guy was in there, he was asking some stuff and I was just listening.

He then started to tell one heck of a tale!!

He said that he and 3 budys were in there 16' tin boat, went to the vinyard from Falmouth. (must have been a lat day!!)

Said they caught no fish, but that on the way back they saw a DEER swiming to the main land ( I know dear do swim, But this was bull)

So he and his buddys went over to it, beat it to death with there paddle and then pulled it into there boat and had deer for dinner!!

At this point he looks at me and says isn't that a great day??

I said (since he was talking to me) You are so full of sh-t!!

I fish there all the time and I have never saw a deer swiming to the main land!!

2nd 4 people in a tin boat beat a deer and pulled it on board?? You really need to check your self into a Hosiptal if you think anyone will belive a story like that!

Have another beer and go to sleep!! Then I walked out with out him even saying a word!

I am not saying that deer to swim, and that they have never swam from A to B, as there has been many that have seen deer in the canal and other places!! Hell I saw a deer on the Bourne Bridge one night at about 2am that was 15 years ago.

But that I just knew that this guy was bull because of all the events that took place!

I never listen!! I listen then just go on my way, if it sounded real I might try it, but most of the time I just go do wht I know works for me!

i equate qaker lane to the national inquirer... bull chit. they tried to sell me yr old bunker that was freezer burned as fresh bait.

captn don,thats another story...good people. they'll give you the real scoop......

I take in all info in total, that is I listen to everyone in the tackleshops and VHF, dock reports and newspapers and buddies and recent personal results. I can generally weed out the over the top reports. But if it gels with what I heard elsewhere it can sway my thinking for the next trip.

I think you are foolish to ignore all reports, there is some solid info out there you just have to weed thru the noise.

Most shops will not outright lie to you. If they do, don't go back. They may not tell you everything but if you linger for a while when athe local sharpie weighs a fish or drops by and appear to look like you don't know what is going on, it is amazing the details you can pick up out of the background noise. Successful fishermen like to talk, few actually keep it all to themselves. Its all part of the game.