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Good thread - Lots of lessons learned with this topic over the years. Been burned by some very good friends - they're still good friends - just no longer grapevine worthy.
Here is one scenario where a "secret" good bite was ruined by a trusted friend.
Many years ago we had a great bite in an area just over an hour's drive from my home. We discovered this new location and fell in love with it. It had everything, off the beaten track, consistent action, quality bass, and we never saw ANY other casters while fishing there. Four of us, all plug/eel casters, agreed to keep our yaps shut about the place.
Next season we start poking around the area again. One night I take the long drive over, park where the buggy can't be seen, walk 15 minutes, wade 100 yards sweating my ass off, look up and there are three guys (that I know) bait-fishing on a large rock perch. Two of them ran a bait-shop where I lived. One of my other "trusted" friends had just started working part time at the same bait shop. I was fuming as it was easy to figure out who spilled the beans.
Normally I could share this spot with other pluggers as plug casters tend to move around - but bait guys tend to sit in a spot for hours. By the next week there were a half dozen guys chunking there every time I took the drive over. It became so crowded that it wasn't worth the 2 hour roundtrip drive anymore.
Secrets, keeping them (and figuring them out) are part of the surfcasting puzzle - without them it wouldn't be as much of a challenge. There are guys who've shared valuable intell with me over the years and I'm always grateful for volunteered info - the unwritten code for this type of help is not to share it. When I do go to a location that someone has shared with me I always seek their permission - if I get there and its occupied or if the caster that clued me in arrives I vacate the spot so he can fish it.
As far as secret methods/techniques are concerned: I'm happy to tell you that they do exist. As far as sharing techniques with others it comes down to what the motivation is for the person that asks me. If they are going to use it for the purpose of filling up a bass coffin it is a red flag - I won't share info willingly with someone who kills cows consistently. If I know their ideals/ethics are closer to mine I'll willingly share info.
I'm much more impressed by a casters ability to keep a low profile than how many cows they hang.
DZ
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