How to find your own spots - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Pete F. · 08-29-2005, 08:43 AM

Reports are only good for the moment that they occur, except in the spring when I want to know when decent fish show up.
If I am going to fish a new area to me I:
1. Look at the area on Maptech and find likely spots, ones that for a variety of reasons should hold fish or be a likely spot for fish to feed. I always like points with a reef, or esturary outflows.
2. I may search a number of websites for locations that look good to me on Maptech and see what comes up. If you get a ton of hits for a certain spot it might be better to fish or could just be well publicized. Might be worth a look see, but it's probably crowded.
3. When you get there spend a few bucks in a tackle shop and listen. Sometimes you get the standard BS, sometimes not.

Anyone else?

eelman · 08-29-2005, 09:21 AM

I will fish a likely spot blind, just walk in and fish the whole shore and learn as I go. All I look for are unusual breaks or cuts and of course boulders and rocks. I may spend a whole tide there learning what time produces best. Before I go I orient myself and figure what wind may be the best then, I just go and cast ! Sometimes I use charts to see if deep water is nearby where bass might stage.. But as far as spots go, you just have to be willing to try them and sometimes it pays off.............

fishaholic18 · 08-29-2005, 01:40 PM

I scout out spots in the winter. Do alot of walking and looking.
Gives me something to do to pass the winter months. Found a couple good ones this season.

outfished · 08-29-2005, 01:48 PM

All of the above plus one new method. Google Earth! Has anyone else with a high speed connection try this yet? Unbelievable is all I can say. I've also marked my new and old spots, even created a little fish icon for the placemark at those spots. You can also add notes to these placemarks, like when to fish, where to park, how many fish caught(if any). Kind of like a journal and a map at the same time. If anyone on this board has a high speed connection I strongly recommend checking it out. You can also email this information to anyone else you'd like to share this info with. DON'T EVEN ASK!!!!!!!!!

zacs · 08-29-2005, 01:55 PM

google earth is the all out balls.

Mind boggling.

chris L · 08-29-2005, 02:14 PM

I fish like ray charles plays the piano . Blindly , but good !

I find finding a parking place harder than finding fish .

Maloney · 08-29-2005, 04:28 PM

I must be old school. I do what #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& does. It's the adventure of keeping it simple and wild. Nothing against high tech modern tools, but I wouldn't go hiking with a cell phone and hand-held gps either.

Tagger · 08-29-2005, 05:06 PM

look for moving water,,,inlets,,,points near inlets better,,points close to channels near inlets better,better,,rocky points close to channel near inlets better,better,better,

BigFish · 08-29-2005, 06:05 PM

Step1: Take rod in hand.

Step 2: Sling plug bag over shoulder or clip eel bag to belt.

Step 3: Place yourself in front of a body of salt water....an ocean, sea, inlet, estuary, breachway, canal or beach will do!

Step 4: Cast offering sea-ward.

Step 5: Retrieve

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 until fish strikes.

Step 7: Set and do battle.

Step 8: Beach and/or boat said fish. (If fish landed, this would indicate you are in a "spot"!)

Step 9: Repeat steps 4 thru 8 for many hours until satisfied.

Step 10: Leave and do not burn spot. Give generalities only and lie about perspective state/town if you feel the need. All internet discussion of said event should be kept in the form of a pm and only given out on a "need to know" basis.

You have now completed the "BigFish Spot Finding Course". May you enjoy many years of landing fish.

piemma · 08-29-2005, 06:16 PM

BigFish · 08-29-2005, 06:19 PM

Piemma....will I be required to be blind folded when we go fishing?

bassmaster · 08-29-2005, 10:09 PM

You want toi find fish Buy a map book and scout in winter, when fishing is slow try a new area, it works
some places that look very fishy need time put in like 1 whole season, then You will find when and what stage of the tide the fish are chowing.
it all ends up as time in and if You have the gift of being above the cut wich takes hard work.

Gotofish · 08-30-2005, 02:27 AM

The first thing I do when looking for a new spot is look to see if it's mentioned in the Projo-either this week's or last. If it is, then I know the spot is worthy, if not, then I go to one of the spots that is mentioned.

Then, I will register to a bunch of different fishing websites under different names and ask about the spot. Most of the time, people are really nice and will share a lot of info with you through the "PM". If I get enough good info here, especially about most productive tides, wind, notable structure ect., I then go to the bait shop nearest the spot I intend to fish. If I don't know the area well enough to know where the closest shop is, I ask when I'm online. Like I said, the internet people are really nice....

What I'll usually do is look around the shop, grab a nice lure and strike up conversation with the guy that works there. Since I can already describe some of the spots in generalities because of the prior recon, the guys tend to be a bit for generous with fine tuning all of the other info with some specific suggestions. Usually, talk will shift to whats working and I'll browse around under the pretext of picking up a couple extra "things". When the guy isn't looking, I put the stuff down and leave because they mark it up too much. I mean, if I can get it at Bass Pro and Cabela's for cheaper, why not? If I'm not confident with the info given, I repeat at a different shop.

Then I go. Most of the time I'll grab a coffee to stay alert and ditch the empty either on the way down or when I get there. Usually when I get there though because the tide will carry the cup somewhere else so I don't have to look at it. Same with the beef jerky wrappers.

Simple as that.

piemma · 08-30-2005, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Piemma....will I be required to be blind folded when we go fishing?

Na. I'm just staying quiet for awhile. We will be fine. I'm on a business trip in the "Sunshine State". Won't be back till Friday.

hank8001 · 08-30-2005, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotofish

The first thing I do when looking for a new spot is look to see if it's mentioned in the Projo-either this week's or last. If it is, then I know the spot is worthy, if not, then I go to one of the spots that is mentioned.

Then, I will register to a bunch of different fishing websites under different names and ask about the spot. Most of the time, people are really nice and will share a lot of info with you through the "PM". If I get enough good info here, especially about most productive tides, wind, notable structure ect., I then go to the bait shop nearest the spot I intend to fish. If I don't know the area well enough to know where the closest shop is, I ask when I'm online. Like I said, the internet people are really nice....

What I'll usually do is look around the shop, grab a nice lure and strike up conversation with the guy that works there. Since I can already describe some of the spots in generalities because of the prior recon, the guys tend to be a bit for generous with fine tuning all of the other info with some specific suggestions. Usually, talk will shift to whats working and I'll browse around under the pretext of picking up a couple extra "things". When the guy isn't looking, I put the stuff down and leave because they mark it up too much. I mean, if I can get it at Bass Pro and Cabela's for cheaper, why not? If I'm not confident with the info given, I repeat at a different shop.

Then I go. Most of the time I'll grab a coffee to stay alert and ditch the empty either on the way down or when I get there. Usually when I get there though because the tide will carry the cup somewhere else so I don't have to look at it. Same with the beef jerky wrappers.

Simple as that.

I like it. One of my favorite methods is to find a huge desolate beach with only one guy fishing on it. That's my spot finder/warmer. I get about 30 feet away from him and start casting across his line. No wonder most of these guys are on the beach alone - most of these SOBs aren't very friendly.

DaveS · 08-30-2005, 09:57 AM

Sometimes the best spots are right in front of your face, just waiting to be fished. It might be a dock in a harbor, a little bridge over a river, etc. take some chances, explore a little

Mike P · 08-30-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotofish

The first thing I do when looking for a new spot is look to see if it's mentioned in the Projo-either this week's or last. If it is, then I know the spot is worthy, if not, then I go to one of the spots that is mentioned.

Then, I will register to a bunch of different fishing websites under different names and ask about the spot. Most of the time, people are really nice and will share a lot of info with you through the "PM". If I get enough good info here, especially about most productive tides, wind, notable structure ect., I then go to the bait shop nearest the spot I intend to fish. If I don't know the area well enough to know where the closest shop is, I ask when I'm online. Like I said, the internet people are really nice....

What I'll usually do is look around the shop, grab a nice lure and strike up conversation with the guy that works there. Since I can already describe some of the spots in generalities because of the prior recon, the guys tend to be a bit for generous with fine tuning all of the other info with some specific suggestions. Usually, talk will shift to whats working and I'll browse around under the pretext of picking up a couple extra "things". When the guy isn't looking, I put the stuff down and leave because they mark it up too much. I mean, if I can get it at Bass Pro and Cabela's for cheaper, why not? If I'm not confident with the info given, I repeat at a different shop.

Then I go. Most of the time I'll grab a coffee to stay alert and ditch the empty either on the way down or when I get there. Usually when I get there though because the tide will carry the cup somewhere else so I don't have to look at it. Same with the beef jerky wrappers.

Simple as that.

I gotta save this one to my C-drive.

RIROCKHOUND · 08-31-2005, 08:35 AM

Larry Blindfolded and searched for hand held GPS

Dont forget Korkers.....
I told Don once Paul's work schedule quiets down...

BassyiusMaximus · 08-31-2005, 09:25 AM

. . . I hate to admit it, but when that magazine came out in, 96 I think it was, it really helped me, at least for boat-fishing. I would read it faithfully, like a student from 96-98 and it pretty much gave me all I needed to know. Now a buddy of mine just recently subscribed and I get the copy from him when he's done and from year to year, month to month, it pretty much says the same thing over and over, which isn't bad, and like porn, I don't mind reading about it again and again.

It reminds me of the Boston Globe fishfinder reports which say the same thing about the Cape and Islands, year after year, week after week, I can almost recite the reports from week to week without even looking at the paper, probably because the fish are just there in predictable patterns since it is where they go and where they eat.

One more thing regarding this whole "spot-burning" thing/issue. What really strikes me is how on one hand, people will say, "take a kid fishing" but at the same time, they won't let anyone know where they fish, as if there are a gazillion people who are going to run out and be fishing on their spot.

I guess since I don't do a whole lot of shore/surf fishing anymore one has a harder time "burning" a spot by boat, since I bet I could give exact lat/lon/GPS locations as to where I fish and catch fish and still no one would be on that spot or area when I get there.

At the very least, since I am so new to this site, I've been aware of the issue and it is in my consciousness, I guess the issue is sharing and not sharing.

But no matter what, you guys crack me up and it is why I like the sites so much!

bassmaster · 08-31-2005, 12:29 PM

fish mental

Flaptail · 08-31-2005, 01:10 PM

follow bassmaster.

eelman · 08-31-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

follow bassmaster.

Nope follow you your the top dog

Karl F · 08-31-2005, 01:35 PM

BM,, please post more pics of your new jeep, so the masses will stop looking for green fords to follow

ya would'nt believe it, if I told ya...

RIROCKHOUND · 08-31-2005, 01:37 PM

Whatever happened to just fishing???
Or slipping a homing device in people's plug bag....

eelman · 08-31-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Whatever happened to just fishing???
Or slipping a homing device in people's plug bag....

Just dont look for a 2004 GMC Sierra color silver with a blck cap on it and yakima rod rack ok , Thanks

RIROCKHOUND · 08-31-2005, 01:50 PM

Bill I already knew what you drive....
Besides you KNOW where I am 90% of the time.....

eelman · 08-31-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Bill I already knew what you drive....
Besides you KNOW where I am 90% of the time.....

I know, I should not have used the quote! I am getting a hyundai!

bassmaster · 08-31-2005, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

follow bassmaster.

they cant follow u cuz u gave up on the sand

heathen

Flaptail · 08-31-2005, 05:49 PM

yEP, AND MY NEW SLED IS STILL A WEEK OUT AND i AIN'T TELLIN' NO ONE WHAT IT IS! ( iT'S A CLASSY RIDE THOUGH TRES' FLY!!!!)

RIROCKHOUND · 09-01-2005, 07:39 AM

Hyundai;
Yeep... think a little Kia Sophia is in my future; it should do well as long as my cooler fits in the trunk and I can bolt my rod rack to the front;
ALMOST bought out the lil woman's car when she upgraded (got 40mpg) but I cant keep two cars at the Apartment....

Who am I kidding I'm gonna run my exploder until it dies