Being "shadowed" during a Tournament

JoeMo · Post by **JoeMo** » Tue May 28, 2002 10:26 pm

I've witnessed this being done even on non-tourney days. A well-known angler launches his boat and certain individuals do more than just take note.
I use the word "shadow" although it really qualifies more like "stalking". Some use binoculars, notebooks, cameras.
In Sports Afield in the 60's, Jason Lucas used to describe how to bring a fish to the non-visable side of the boat, so that only your eyes saw the fish.
What do you do to keep your "spots" more or less to yourself?
Good Fishing, JoeMo Moderator

SMbass · Post by **SMbass** » Tue May 28, 2002 11:33 pm

If the spot is one in which I use in tournaments, I will only fish those spots in tournaments or weekdays when there is little to no pressure on the water. If it is official practice for a tournament, I will usually check the spot very early or very late in the day when most competitors are back at the ramp. If it is a real good spot, there is no reason to sit on it during practice and show it to the world, I'll wait for tournament day to do that.

This is especially true of offshore structure spots. Even if I do not catch a bass there, everyone is watching you because your in the middle of the lake. The minute you leave you can bet someone is going to run over to see what you were fishing.

Shoreline spots are not as difficult to "conceal". Just because I'm fishing a spot does not indicate that bass are present. I will make every attempt to NOT set the hook on a bass if someone is around, or if I do, I will try to land it as non-chalantly as possible.

When it all boils down, it is hard to keep a "secret" spot secret, unless you never fish it at all. I am concious of anglers around me, but do not let it bother me, as that will only hinder my performance. I know the spot and have confidence in it, so chances are that if another angler comes in after I leave, they will not know exactly how to approach it and will probably not do as well, therefore losing whatever confidence they did have in the area and never returning.

d.mcgarry · Post by **d.mcgarry** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:47 pm

Joe, i have had fellow fisherman with me during prior tourneys or the day before in a two day event on a lake and had to race them to an area, to me that is disrespectful and unless you invited that area is the persons who took you there and should be respected. Besides the person who does this is usually punished and can not connect with the Bass. I don't think I have ever been stalked, I would be flatterred if I was!! I have watched other fisherman to learn about areas and structure as well as used info gathered from their successful spots to recerate that area elsewhere. Good Bassin Dan Bass

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Fri May 31, 2002 11:13 pm

I have had folks follow me into areas but like stated above they usally dont figure out what I am doing or how Im doing it ( I have a hard enough time doing that with myself).

I have to say that I fish a working mans Tournament every Wed. night and have had success in the last three tournaments. We average about 15 teams and not once has anyone came into the cove that I am fishing and they see me catch the fish and most of them know that is a great place to fish. So far no one has bothered me while I am fishing it. I have even went so far as to tell them I did not mind if they fished in there with me and still no one has came in there with me. THat is respect in my book. They know that I am on the fish and they let me be alone with them. To me that means alot and says alot about the others that I fish with.

Conley

JoeMo · Post by **JoeMo** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 3:57 pm

Well, after to listening to you gentlemen I am starting to rethink what I have seen. Perhaps I should give them the benefit of a doubt.
I will say it has never happened to me. Of course that may be good judgement on the other guys part. lol
Good Fishing, JoeMo Moderator
PS- Mofish, you fish with an incredibly respectful group of anglers. And that respect goes both ways. That has to be fun.
Tim sounds like he has found a way to play defense by not giving the other guy an opportunity to discover his fish.
Dan, racing a guy to a spot you showed him proves there are still some unscrupulous characters out there. At the least, they are inconsiderate.