Why keep a secret? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Back Beach · 02-12-2009, 02:00 PM

An interesting thing to note is much of what is dicussed on this board used to be considered "secret" believe it or not. Hook types, knots, plug building info,how to hook/rig eels etc. Some people would even lie about certain beaches being closed to keep other vehicles out and thus reduce competition.

People seem to confine secrecy to spots only, but there was much which was not shared in years past.

Some folks would go out of their way to mislead you, in fact. I remember one of the first "tricks" I learned was taking off the lure you slammed fish on the night before and putting a stinker on the end of your line by day while the rod sat spiked on your bumber. Making phony drag marks was another good one too.

Canalman · 02-12-2009, 02:22 PM

I don't tell anyone

If it happens, it happens with my fishing partner and me, and that's it. I don't say anything until it's over and that's the truth.

fishaholic18 · 02-12-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canalman

I don't tell anyone

If it happens, it happens with my fishing partner and me, and that's it. I don't say anything until it's over and that's the truth.

And he learned that the hard way....

I do the same ......

Canalman · 02-12-2009, 02:33 PM

Sho 'nuff did

vanstaal · 02-12-2009, 02:33 PM

this is weird

sokinwet · 02-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Like most guys I have a few close fishing friends that I "consider" telling but...I have found that they sometimes tell a close friend..who tells a friend...etc. and there goes the spot. It all depends on the nature of the spot...and if it's commercial season I only tell family....sometimes!
A funny story from back around 1970 shows how far some guys will go to get your spots. I had been hammering big fish at a Harbor UDL and a group of guys on vacation had seen me getting bait in the AM and bringing in fish later to the ramp. They asked the usual "where'd ya get em" question and as per my usual practice(my dad taught me how to lie at an early age

), I always told them a good spot to try...but not my spot. The 2nd day at the ramp they tell me they went where I told them and I was no where to be found. ..and they were mad! The 3rd day I arrived to get my bait and these guys and another boat were waiting for me; when I left with my bait both boats are hot on my tail. Well a 16 ft. alum. Starcraft w/a 55 Johnson can go pretty quick through some skinny water and I managed to lose them but I feared for my 19 yr. old hide when I went back to the ramp later. Luckily they weren't there...and I'm still here. If "don't ask..don't tell" is good enough for the military it's good enough for me!

Slingah · 02-12-2009, 03:21 PM

Mike BB...you start the great threads...I think I said that before...food for thought type stuff...
Just like the tourney thread, I am done with the secrect squirrel stuff...I just don't care anymore (this is subject to change, obsession may kick back in.... it is winter after all

)
I have a great circle of friends that will give me a nod if need be and visa-versa... I would never give someone false info...that is just wrong i.m.o. ...

JLH · 02-12-2009, 03:35 PM

One buddy who rarely fishes from the surf and my dad are the only ones that I would share all the specifics with. Aside from them I’ll generally try to point people in the right direction and might offer some well known spots & techniques to try but that’s about it.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a couple more people to fish and share more than just general info with but its tough knowing who to trust.

Tagger · 02-12-2009, 04:00 PM

sorry Mike ,, hate to break it to you but your spot is not a secret anymore.. all this eel talk and big fish pics have cast the eyes of many upon you .. Oh yea ,, expect shortages in eels also. Might as well build bleaches down there.. hate to be the bearer ,

but he told 2 friends and he told 2 friends ..

Back Beach · 02-13-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagger

sorry Mike ,, hate to break it to you but your spot is not a secret anymore.. all this eel talk and big fish pics have cast the eyes of many upon you .. Oh yea ,, expect shortages in eels also. Might as well build bleaches down there.. hate to be the bearer ,

but he told 2 friends and he told 2 friends ..

Not sure what you mean Ed, but most of the places I fish are usually bustling with people at some point. Sometimes you just have to take a number and wait or try to stay out of step with the crowds. I usually find fishing the 11pm to 4 am shift makes just about every place "secret."

As for the he told 2 friends, so forth and so on, I've experienced that since day one 20 plus years ago. Kinda what this thread is about....I don't play the secret game any more, at least with guys I'm friendly with. They're only fish for christ's sake....

Nebe · 02-13-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

They're only fish for christ's sake....

exactly. Problem is... when people start surfcasting for reasons other than simple enjoyment, issues arise.

RIROCKHOUND · 02-13-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I don't play the secret game any more, at least with guys I'm friendly with. They're only fish for christ's sake....

Thats true.
If you fished closer I'd mug you every night

Nebe · 02-13-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Thats true.
If you fished closer I'd spoon with you every night

IM CRUSHED!!

Back Beach · 02-13-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Thats true.
If you fished closer I'd mug you every night

You know where I like to hide. When I tell people they don't believe me though.

Its a stigma(secret squirrel) from years past...I really do tell guys what's up, but they either keep their distance out of respect, or simply think I'm misleading them.

BTW, its FRANKLIN....

MAKAI · 02-12-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

An interesting thing to note is much of what is dicussed on this board used to be considered "secret" believe it or not. Hook types, knots, plug building info,how to hook/rig eels etc. Some people would even lie about certain beaches being closed to keep other vehicles out and thus reduce competition.

People seem to confine secrecy to spots only, but there was much which was not shared in years past.

Some folks would go out of their way to mislead you, in fact. I remember one of the first "tricks" I learned was taking off the lure you slammed fish on the night before and putting a stinker on the end of your line by day while the rod sat spiked on your bumber. Making phony drag marks was another good one too.

Or take out your camera at nite and flash it a few times then leave. You'll have 10 trucks there in no time.

JoeBass · 02-13-2009, 10:08 AM

This is a in the same vein...I took my brother-in-law fishing for trout in Vermont. I took him to one of my favorite "secret" stretches. We have a field day....browns a brookies and keep afew nice ones for dinner.(I only keep 2-3 dinners a year) On the way back to the car we pass a house with 3 guys sitting on the porch. I say "let me do the talking". So they ask and I say "a couple real small ones". "that's too bad, that river hasn't really produced in years" They say....at which point the bro-in-law can't help himself and jumps onto the porch to show them our fish. Right on the spot they start planning their trip for the morning and talking about the guys they have to let know the river is hot again. Never took him fishing again.

Pete F. · 02-13-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeBass

This is a in the same vein...I took my brother-in-law fishing for trout in Vermont. I took him to one of my favorite "secret" stretches. We have a field day....browns a brookies and keep afew nice ones for dinner.(I only keep 2-3 dinners a year) On the way back to the car we pass a house with 3 guys sitting on the porch. I say "let me do the talking". So they ask and I say "a couple real small ones". "that's too bad, that river hasn't really produced in years" They say....at which point the bro-in-law can't help himself and jumps onto the porch to show them our fish. Right on the spot they start planning their trip for the morning and talking about the guys they have to let know the river is hot again. Never took him fishing again.

Just where was that spot in VT

JoeBass · 02-17-2009, 10:08 AM

Just where was that spot in VT (asks Pete F)

Well Pete, you just make a left a the big 'ol barn that burned down 11 years ago and it's up on the right a bit down the road.

steve · 02-18-2009, 11:28 AM

A secret is a secret. I once kept a spot secret for 16 yrs. because my partner showed me the place and we crushed the fish there for years. He got a 50 which made it even more prized. Well anyway, one day he told me I no longer had to be mum about the place so now I will tell. That's the way it goes. Secrecy is nothing today compared to years ago. Back then the $ was involved and nobody said anything, even about methods. Today, it kills me, and I see it alot, an angler comes in the tackle shop to weigh in a nice fish and inevitably some one asks the dreaded ? - where did you catch it and on what. Usually the fisherman with the prize says nothing or lies which one should never do. If you don't want to tell, just say so. People should respect that. It's just surf fishing etiquette. If someone tells me they caught bass I never, never ask unless they tell me. And if they do I will never jump in their spot that night unless they ask me.