following boats on gameday...my take... long post

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:31 pm

what is the deal here,quit chasing other peoples fish and find your own fish...how many times have you done well doing it this way?? why would you want to do this?? is it to shorten the learning curve for your fishing, if so there is a better and more fullfilling way to do this its called putting in your time ( lots of time!! ) and thinking things out and most of all dealing with no bites for hours and hours, and then just when your ready to throw in the towel...keep on grinding it out and most times somthing good will happen!!

too many times we want the fish to do what we want them to do on our schedule and our favorite baits and most of the time when it dosent happen we do three things...just flat out give up and put the boat on the trailer or get lazy and just go through the motions and hope to get lucky and last but not least we start running all over the place fishing to fast looking for the quick fix.... belive me ive been there! and it sucks!!!!

i can hear it now the same excuse i have heard for many years ...i just cant put that kind of time in to do that, because i have to work 40 or more hours a week...well guys alot of us do too and we somehow figure a way to do it.

it its called sacrafice and dedication!!.. when you get home from work instead of grabbing a beer, get of your *** and go fish for 3 to 4 hrs...if you live within 1hr of where you want to fish i can be done espesialy now that the time changed if you do that 4 times a week thats 12 to 16 hrs a week and then come the weekend forget about birthdays,barbucues,and all the other things that happen on sat and sun and go fishing thats 8 days a month on top of the 16 hrs you already put in during the work week.

then after that take your vacation time and use that..anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks depending on your situation forget about the trip to mexico and the trip to grandmas or the trip to wherever and use it to learn!! then use your sick days around 10 days a year then use company holidays around 8 days a year... if you really want it.. this is how to do it...its a bitch but it can be done.

so you now are thinking to yourself this guy is frickin nuts!! i cant do that i will end up in divorce court..well i tell you what, everything i stated above is what 99% of the guys that are sucsesfull in this game do...( that includes slepping in your truck) they put in the time, dedication and sacrafice to be succsesfull and their wives and family deal with it and understand it and reap the benefits of all the hard work put in.

and it gets better, this is for the guys fishing on the delta its called a tide book!! ever heard of one??? if so learn how to use it ..im not talking about high and low tide thats easy..im talking about learning the differance between a 3.0 high going to a - 0.7 low or a 2.5 high going to a 1.5 low and so on and so on ..belive me its not just about high and low tide its learning water levels and flows and how the fish relate to these levels...once again dont be lazy learn it buy puttin in your time and paying attention...it can be done belive me!!..and the real cool part of all of this is when it all comes together, you can say i did it myself.

now lets review the time you can possibly spend fishing see below.

weekly short trips 16hrs a week = 64hrs a month
weekends 8 days a month = 96 days a year
vacation time 2 weeks = 14 days a year
sick days = 8 days a year
holidays = 8 days a year

thats 134 days a year without missin a days pay, you just have to ask yourself.. do i have the drive and dedication along with family support to do it!!..if not then maybe you should consider doing something else that dosent take so much time and dedication??

leave the flw and elite guys alone they put in their time and hard work...and you should do the same!!!

not trying to be a dick, but just telling the way it is!!!

good fishing to you!
chris ball

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:53 pm

Chris let me ask you something. These guys you are refering to(Elite, and Flw fisherman) The ones we are suppose to leave alone. So what your saying is there can't be fans to watch there heros, or what ever they are to them. These top guys are the reason that most of us fish. we watch them on T.V. all the time. So now that there in our area we are suppose to stay away from them? I for one am not looking to mark there spots, or anything like that. But we have the right to go out there, and watch the sticks we look up to. If there were not fans than they would be nobody, and that goes for any sport. You don't go out there to steal there spots, but we go out there to root for the people we like so much. The ones that got us loving this sport, and the ones that give us dreams, of maybe being like them one day. You give them there space, and let them do there thing. I'm not hating on you bro we all got our opinions, but shoot bro we got the right. As long as you do it respectfully there should not be a problem with that.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:54 pm

g-man, you can come root me on anytime...... just don't bring that long haired hippie, I mean motley crew looking dude, hes known to sneak a gps or two in...

Blue_R70 · Post by **Blue_R70** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:55 pm

chris ball wrote:leave the flw and elite guys alone they put in their time and hard work...and you should do the same!!!

not trying to be a dick, but just telling the way it is!!!

Spectating a major tournie and rooting for your favorite celebrity angler/media figure from your own boat has been going on for such a long time that it's an acceptable practice. It's an integral part of all the fanfare that goes along with this level of tournaments.

Having said that, I'd probably feel silly chasing fishermen around in my boat holding up signs and cheering everytime a celeb hooks up. I'd feel just as silly as a spectator in the peanut gallery of a major golf tourney. But that's just me...

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:58 pm

Well thanks for letting us know how you feel.
Chris, I'm not going to get in a pissing match with you here. All I know about you is that you're Bobby Barracks partner and that you are a real stick on the Delta.
I admire your hard work ethics and agree with most of what you said. I did'nt care for the tone, but that's my problem, I'm a big boy and will get past that.
I would like to adress or make excuses (as some will see it). I have fished the Delta for only about 7 years. I've been out with Bobby and Cooch. I'm saving to go out with Steve Sapp. I can't catch fish out there worth a damn. I invested my whole summer last year and did'nt get a fish over 3lbs.
My point is some of us no matter what can't do what you sticks can, for whatever the reason is.
I for one will not be following anyone around, but it seems as if that's the way the sport is heading. It's what all the big time sponsers want isn't it? There is a lot of chatter on this board and on other publications that we need to grow the sport and incourage others to follow?
I understand and empathise with your post, but I think there is going to be some followers, and I for one don't see a problem with it, as long as it's safe and curtious-MIke.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:58 pm

The big dollar tourneys are new to the west coast. The guys back east have been getting followed for whatever reason, to be rooted on or to see how they do it day in and day out for YEARS. Like blue said, it is accepted back east. In time the west coast fisherman will learn to deal with it, or they can stick to there wonbass pro.ams and fish shared weight for 20k....

Blue_R70 wrote:
chris ball wrote:leave the flw and elite guys alone they put in their time and hard work...and you should do the same!!!

not trying to be a dick, but just telling the way it is!!!
Spectating a major tournie and rooting for your favorite celebrity angler from your own boat has been going on for such a long time that it's an acceptable practice. It's an integral part of all the fanfare that goes along with this level of tournaments.

Having said that, I'd probably feel silly chasing fishermen around in my boat holding up signs and cheering everytime a celeb hooks up. I'd feel just as silly as a spectator in the peanut gallery of a major golf tourney. But that's just me...

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:01 pm

I'm not running around chasing anybody. But for the guys that want to. I say go for it, just be respectful about the way you do it.

rickd · Post by **rickd** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:29 pm

How many spectator boats are going to be able to keep up with the new XS motors these pro's are in? I know one thing for sure, my 150 sure isn't!

Blue_R70 · Post by **Blue_R70** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:40 pm

Hollywood wrote:The big dollar tourneys are new to the west coast. The guys back east have been getting followed for whatever reason, to be rooted on or to see how they do it day in and day out for YEARS. Like blue said, it is accepted back east. In time the west coast fisherman will learn to deal with it, or they can stick to there wonbass pro.ams and fish shared weight for 20k....

Yup, tournaments at that level are media events and the anglers are media figures. And as media figures they have to accept the fact that the fanfare, media coverage, public relations and spectator boats are all a part of the game. The corporate sponsors want to get as much exposure out their anglers as possible...

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:45 pm

ding ding ding,,,, someone said it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now learn to live with it!!!

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:02 pm

mike,
im with ya! if guys are doing it for the right reasons then thats fine , its the guys that will do it and then after all is said and done go back and fish for fish that they had no clue about.

now with that being said i want everyone here to know that my learning curve was shortened because of who my team partner is ...thats for sure... but i have never taken advantadge of what i learned and used it for my own beneifit or against bobby.. i have always respected the time and dedication that bobby put in to figure out the river and how it ticks at times...belive me you guys have no idea!!..thats why i dont do the pro ams and such.

i know my place in this game and it is as bobbys wingman and i take great pride in being in this postion, and have benifited big time from it and belive me i put my time in to,, dont get me worng ..it aint a free ride.. i put in 75 to 110 days on the river..and trust in what i say even with me and bobby fishing that much we still get clubbed many times on gameday and there are more fishless days than days when i thump em!...but thats okay with me because somtimes the best learning we do is when we are not catching fish.. its called elimination and that can be a good thing at times.

i guess my tone should have been a little classier but thats just me!

all im saying is do it for the right reasons and if you learn somthing use it on the spots you have fished in the past.

i have a great passion regauding this issue as you can tell!! because we have been in that situation many times and it has cost us potencialy big money and also many spots and techniqes that would have maybe been good at least for a season or two without this kind of thing happening.

it sucks to put in all that time and dedication and somtimes months of work just to figure out what makes a certian area or spot tick..and then have somone steal it in 30 minutes because they saw you when it was going down.

bobby and myself have always treated this as a marathon not a 40 yard dash.. and i think thats part of our sucsses when we have it.

also bobby and myself are working on doing some team seminars latter this year, to help shorten the curve for those that just cant put that type of time in, i never have had a problem disscusing concepts on fishing the river, as a matter of fact i love it , i do however have a problem with those that just flat out go looking to steal.

i ment no disrespect to you mike or those doing it for the right reasons, its the other jugheads this game can do without.

good fishing to you and be safe out there
chris ball

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:05 pm

i learned more about the tidal effects on bass in 4 hours of evening fishing with Chris than I did in two years of fishing the river on my own...........

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:07 pm

kevin,
i will say that with your remarks, i now look at you in a differant light...take it for what it is.. you can call me anytime i would still like to get that order

925 698 9554

troutnut · Post by **troutnut** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:43 pm

Do you think Baseball, Nascar, Football and even Golf would be as big of spectator sports they are if fans weren't allowed to go watch their "heros" perform in person. If all I had were ESPN highlights, I would never have bought season Giants tickets, and neither would many others. Baseball players would be playing for lunch and gas money, just as most tournament bass anglers are doing now. If pro bass fishing is ever going to make it to the next level where a player can make a good living... heck... even make Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, or Barry Bonds kind of money...then the fans need to be able to watch in person the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as it happens.

So, I will be out following boats around, watching friends, heros, zeros and others fish the MAJOR televised events here in California on the delta and Clear Lake. I am pulling ( with parents permission) my niece, her friend and my neighbor's son all from school so they can watch too, ALL 3 want to be BASS PROS! They are all 11 - 13 years old.
When we watch TV coverage of a tourney, all we get to see is sound bites, hero shots, temper tantrums and other TV worthy drama... not the hard work ethics, sportsmanship, tactics and sweat that the ELITE pros put in... something that I as a newbie hack can't.

SO we will be following Ish, Skeet, Ike, Van Dam, and others, choking down sandwiches, getting a sunburn and cheering.

basstamer · Post by **basstamer** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:57 pm

honestly I could care less what anyone thinks but I will give you my take on this.....Clear Lake is public water and I am the public so I can go anywhere I want when I want....ok now really here is my opinion-had to mess with ya! I emailed Skeet and asked him if I could tag along behind him and he responded with a resounding "Yes".....AS LONG AS......I stay outta his way. I respect the guy as a man out here trying to mak a living so I will stay outta his way B U T in all honesty am I wanting to see how my favorite pro fishes my favorite lake with what lures and what colors????? HELL FREAKIN' YES!!!! Call it what you want....call it a "short cut" or whatever but yes I do get very little time on the water regardless of weekends and etc but whats the difference in watching him flip a tube on TV vs in person?????Not one freakin thing! I could go on for ever but here is what I say-go out and enjoy yourself,root your favorite pro on and stay out of his way and try and remember just cuz he is a "celebrity" he is a celeb trying to earn a check.My .02 regardless of what ANYONE else has to say....tight Lines boys!
Scott

Mike R · Post by **Mike R** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:26 pm

Right on Chris!!!!!
Troutnut You said

Do you think Baseball, Nascar, Football and even Golf would be as big of spectator sports they are if fans weren't allowed to go watch their "heros" perform in person. .

No disrespect but the fans are not allowed on the field or track and don't affect the outcome like they do in tournaments. I heard Skeet "one of the anglers you mentioned on following" on Kent Brown's show after the Classic. Kent asked him about being followed in tournaments. He had a great example about how OBSERVERS can affect an area. Your making a run to the back of a narrow dead end slough and plan on fishing your way out, you have two or more boats follow you in all the way to the back.... You wanted to fish your way out but the OBSERVERS blew out your banks or are on the trolling motors running back and forth over the weedbeds that you were hoping to fish, or they get bored and blow out of there affecting the area even more. Not right in my book

RichThiel · Post by **RichThiel** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:45 pm

To the Post'er's above

I'd have to TOTALLY agree with Chris on these issues that he presented. One thing that Chris didn't bring up was say you were following someone in an equal boat. Most pro's that live on the Delta religiously will ditch you in many ways. Not to be mean, Mike R hit it right on when he mentioned what SR experiences. The Pro's are no different here.

They to put their work in for one tournament worth alot of money if won. One thing if you follow someone for 8 hrs. Its called tide and conditions that may turn this fish on....Chris knows what Im talk'in about. So, even if you follow an individual that say is up their in major sponsors doesn't really mean he's going to whack them. If he doesn't get the tides down and the condition's, he's done.

Rich Thiel

troutnut · Post by **troutnut** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:48 pm

My seats are second row right by third base, and I noticed you didn't mention golf where spectator "gallery" is allowed wiyhin arms reach of the pros.

What we need is respect for the pros. I think it is easy to accomplish that, particularly if we are outside of the camera boat.

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:14 pm

troutnut,
i think my original post is getting twisted here, all i was saying is dont go out there chasing these guys to find a new spot..find your own ..as for the baseball and misc sports anology...you got it wrong.
the differance here is they get paid to play no matter how well they do!!..and as for the fans they dont drive the game like in the past.. nowadays its all about big time tv and corprate sponserships..dont fool yourself.

in this game of fishing they have to pay to play and , it can be very costly and if they dont do well they dont get paid!!..even though the big sponsers are getting into it ..belive me the big sponsers and tackle companys could care a less about fans of the game, all they want is you to spend your money on their stuff.. they dont care if 20 boats follow someone around the river..thats peanut shells to them.

now on top of that kind of presure, try getting your fish to go with 25 boats running trolling motors and cell phones along with wakes from some nut who comes flyng in to see who is fishing.

once again its just my take.
chris ball

Mike R · Post by **Mike R** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:15 pm

Troutnut.
I didn't get into the whole Golf thing because I didn't want to write a book. Granted the gallery is allowed to get close and sometimes a ball does get affected by the gallery when it bounces off of someones head, but a ball is a ball and a Bass is a living creature affected by it's surroundings.. GO GIANTS!!!!!!!

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:58 pm

now.now bones dont bite off more than you can chew, im not sure where this is coming from, other than my current post but i think people and yourself are taking this way wrong, i probally should have kept my mouth shut, but thats just not me....kinda like you huh!!

but if you really want to do this so called fish off!!..im game anytime, your pond or mine anyway you want to do it!!... i didnt ask for this you did!!

here is my phone # 925-698-9554 call me anytime during the day and we will set a date/

good fishing to you
chris ball

Sean Graf · Post by **Sean Graf** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:06 pm

If you 2 do a fish off against each other, I'm following Bones so I can throw stuff at him and screw his water up.

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:24 pm

that vast majority of the people here do not know Chris Ball. Many of the derogatory comments and inturpretations of his speel are way off base. I know this man, he's someone I call a friend. We've also been competitors, arch rivals and "the enemy" at times. We too, have spent many hours over the years talking a lot of bass theory, fishing the river, the people around us, the $hi+ that goes on day to day out there. Chris has a passion like many of us, yet he also has many other passions in his life that he has prioratized accordingly. Bass fishing is not at the top of his list. But he has worked his butt off to make it what it is. And if this post of his had been put under the original post by RickyS, you would see in what he's saying, he is agreeing precisely with what Ricky and I ageed on. It ain't right, to follow tournament anglers, with the intent of using their spots aganst them. And in true Chris Ball fashon, he simply explained in detail from his heart, how he feels about that particular issue.

Too many of ya folks have taken what Chris said way out of his intent. I read it fer what it was and don't feel he was deserving of the malice that followed. There's two ways to look at things, a negative way and a positive way, it's too bad most of us always choose the negative way of looking at someones perspective first. Then shoot from the hip with uncalled for emotional responses with out really thinking it through before responding.

I know Chris' cup is half full, well, cept when he's jumping out of moving boats, but that was how I looked at his speel. And I have to agree with him, as I did with RickyS.

troutnut · Post by **troutnut** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:47 pm

I don't want to pick a fight, but I just think you all need to get over yourselves.

How many bass books have you read, TV shows and videos watched, learned techniques from the back deck at the expense of some other angler?

How many of you flip? Shouldn't you all be paying a royalty to Dee or those writers and show/video producers?

A spot on the any piece of water that holds BUCKET loads of fish today may be devoid of life tommorrow or even an hour from now, even if no one disturbs them.

It's not like I'm gonna go throw bananas in all their boats!

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:50 pm

About 10-12 years back- The person that was my oil movement's coridinator was (and hopefully still is) VERY into bass tourney fishing when I had really no idea of it as I now sort of do now.

Long and short of the story as was passed around - he made a turn ay a Y in the delta durring a tourney. At the same time another boat came out of the other end on the middle of the slough and they collided. There was two people on the other boat- and one if not both lost their lives as Mr. S was thrown from his boat as well.

He was more than shook up about it- then later the DA was investigating weather to pursue manslaughter charges that were later dropped.

I do know that this accident was more than mentally tolling on him when he first returned to work (arm/shoulder still in a sling) that he had lost alot of weight and his deminor had changed as well.

To be honest- I and alot of other people really "disliked" working under his orders. After he came back- it was really apparent that he valued everyone as an equal.

-- As he was already a short timer in a staff position- he took one of the first buy-out packages offered. I and no-one else that I know of have ever heard anything from, or of him since.

Mr. S.

If you visit this forum....... Lets hook up for some fishing ! I promise never to mention the time you turned me in for not wearing my hard hat while gauging Tk-1081.

IN SHORT -- It is already crazy and dangerous out there on any good weather day with the crazies - and no matter your personal choices -- Everyone Be SAFE out there !!

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:58 pm

Bassbones wrote:Dan... I want whatever you are on.......

Skoal Straight Longcut... and lack of sleep 'cept for a morning nap...... But you gave that up as well if I remember correctly.

JustinD · Post by **JustinD** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:27 am

I can understand a pro's frustration with unskilled, uncourtieous boaters. But as far as finding your own fish....I live on the delta and maybe I'm tired of these out of town guys coming in my place and beating up my fish. And I promise you not all of the FLW anglers running around our canals are classy courteious anglers. I cant believe that someone who is so weak at fishing that he would follow a competitor to get some new spots. Thats weak and only shows that who does this has no balls and no respect, but if your a fan and following at a safe distance and just rooting and observing them go for it. Its a beautiful day out and a few margaritas from the 12V blender most definetly wont hurt. Sorry Chris but everyone following boats isn't their to check out your spots. Chances are your spots is also someone elses.

JustinD · Post by **JustinD** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:56 am

Your missing my point. Were saying the exact same thing. No spot is all yours and by no means are you the only one probably fishing it. And I feel the exact same way about the paranoid thing. I have come around the corner many times to find an angler fishing the opposite way. We pass and BOTH go on catching fish. Anyone whos looking over their shoulder while fishing is daydreaming of fame and money. Me...I'm just looking for the stray bikini.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:00 am

It's the same thing when the Rodeo comes to town. A bunch of out of towners are in your town trashing your bars, restaraunts, and steeling your women all for big prize money on Sunday. Monday, they are gone not to return until next year.

I have found throught my life that the more you talk about not paying attention to something, the more people's curriosity grows and what you wanted to keep quiet is now blown up big time. I bet as a result of these threads, MORE "pros" are followed, NOT less.

If you are concerned, call Sapp for the locations of his sandbars he fishes when people watch him. BTW, he still wins!

Matt Moreau · Post by **Matt Moreau** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:09 am

Well i shouldnt get involved in this but owell....

When i was a kid i never really had the opportunity to have someone take me fishing. My father passed when i was 10. But i still had the passion and i loved FISHING when given the chance. I remember watching the Classics on TV and dreaming about bein able to watch my heros from the shore, a dock or best of all in another boat. I had no malicious intent at that young tender age. So would it have been wrong if i had that opportunity and i learned from it??? C-Mon!!!

Now, I am 27, I have been "BASS" fishing for 2-3 years now, but fished "here and there all my life". Point is i fish tournaments and i like being competitive. I spend 150 days on the water.... All my vacation all my spare time goto fishing. I AM PUTTING MY TIME IN!!! I consider myself a decent stick too!!! Just won AOY in the FPT last year. But yes i am a nobody. I know all of the local pros and nobody knows who i am. So if i still want to wactch the people i look up to, in this or any othe National tourny, why should it be different. I cannot compete on your level! Im not doing it to HURT you in any way. I am doing it because i love the sport and admire the "PRO's". So if I ever did go out and watch a tourney from my boat I simply want to be a part of the action. I want to be out there having fun being with a group of guys that i admire. I feel this is done out of respect! Like i said i respect the hell out of you guys!

Now that bein said, i would still love to watch the people i look up to, KVD, IKE, ISH, JIMMY,.....SAPP, BOBBY B., COOCH, GENE AND EVEN YOU CHRIS. I admire what you guys have accomplished and i want to be, in part, like YOU. I have a tremendious amount of respect for all of you and i would never KNOWINGLY do anything to comprimise your success. Like i said Chris and whomever else is out there, I respect the hell out of you guys. I personally am not going to use anything i woud see against you. I would not stomp on water i see you fish. I wouldnt follow you just to steal "SPOTS". Yes maybe ill revistit an area you fished. maybe ill throw a bait in a different manner than before, but the fact still remains the same i gotta stick those fish!

Other people dont care. Other people will have no respect. In my opinion thats part of being a "PRO" People back east deal with it all the time. All of their "SPOTS are seem by tons of people every tournament. But they still prosper. Fishing is very volitile... Here today gone tomorrow. We are always adapting and changing. So if you dont want your Secret Spots to be known dont fish these "BIG TIME" tournaments. But People are out their to steal water. they are out there to watch you like a hawk. They are out there to use these things against you. I dont agree with that. When you reach the level you guys are at MORALES should keep people from doing these things. Its not right and it would be a better world if it didnt happen. But it does and will continue to happen as this sport continues to grow. Try to make the best out of the situation. Its like my mother always told me "Life like a box of...." wait no its this one "Life isnt Fair, learn from the unfairness and better yourself from it".

I hope i have not offended anyone. And i hope i havent strayed to far off topic. Juswt wanted to share whats in my heart. And Chris I just used your name because you started the thread. Like i said I respect and know you. And I know you are a stand up guy. No hard feelings.

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:31 am

I still want to hear/see the fish off between Bones and Chris, when and Where Ill be spectacting at Close Distances

cleb

JUST GET OUT AND GO FISHING

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:59 am

I fully understand what Chris, Cooch and all the others have said on this subject..For the most part I agree with their sentiments..I personally try and adhere to the standards they set..I have seen a few "names" fishing in an area near where I was fishing and I always wondered what is there..I will admit I have even tried some of those areas after the fisherman departed..Mostly just to see what there was about the area that attracted them in the first place..To be honest with everyone, in most cases I didn't find what I would call definitive reasons for choosing that area over another just or almost just like it..

Now this is where the time on the water factor really comes in..I am almost positive the attracting features of that spot were affected by the time and tide/current..By the time I tried the area, the optimum conditions were no longer there..Chances are this holds true for just about every "secret spot/honey hole" on the Delta..The trick isn't finding them, the trick is knowing when and when not to fish them..These are things you will only learn after multiple tries (time on the water)..

I was not investigating the spot in order to steal it, I was investigating the spot to learn why I or anyone for that matter might want to fish it..What did I learn, well I learned how the area was layed out and that is about it..I know from that what fish holding cover and structure there is..What I did not learn is when or how the fish will be utilizing and relating to that cover and structure..That lesson can only be obtained by numerous trips to the same area..You all know that many of those trips have a great chance of being non-productive just as some no doubt may well be very productive..

With the popularity of the Delta, I truly doubt there are any really secret honey holes..No doubt there are some ares receiving less presssure than others, therefore increasing the person fishing that area chances of doing well..Still if that person is not there during optimum periods their catch may not be what they expected..

Even the Delta guides cannot guarentee you fantastic fishing every time out..Although they no doubt will try their best..and even if the fishing wasn't fantastic, the lessons learned could be..I don't fish against any of you in tournaments, that I am aware of, so you have little to fear from me taking one of your "spots" and using it against you..As I said earlier, that is not my prefered way of doing things..I do love the competition although I do not spend the time on the water some of you do..I try to analyze the how, why and when of any fishing situation and then apply it to like situations..Sometimes I do OK at it other times I just skunk..But every time I enjoy being out there and learning something..

mac

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:24 am

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:30 am

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:44 am

I want in on this fish off.

Here is how it should go down:

Contestants will be Chris, Bones, Me, LHackney, Hollywood, G-man, Connalow, Sean Graff, Delta Dan, Mike Andrews, and Nipples. Tournament lake will be determined by a draw from a hat the day before the fish off. Best of luck to all!

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:46 am

I wrote it in large type for our older contestants

Winner can decide what embarasing stunt the losers will have to do following the event.

Winner will be he who weighs the largest 5 fish sack.

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:49 am

what did this one say???

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:54 am

LOL I'm in...oh thats classic dave.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:03 am

Jim, It says you are awesome.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:04 am

I could barely read that......

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:06 am

did some one say stunts..i love it ..im in!!!
good fishing to you
chris ball

Matt Moreau · Post by **Matt Moreau** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:06 am

HAHA!!! I think it said Matt you are awesome!!!

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