An article by Ken Warren

Give Away Some Hints and Win More Tournament Cash!

Click here to read an article written by Bass Forum Morerator Ken Warren.

In a perfect world that is how things would be done. But, sadly, it is a “secret” society attitude among most tournament people I shouldn’t just single out the Pro’s, because it happens in all aspects of fishing. There is so much of the “my fish syndrome”, it is pathetic. When I ask questions about fishing a particular species, I don’t want your spots, just a few clues as to what was working. I have belonged to a local bass club and was really surprised at their attitudes toward new members. At all the weigh-ins nobody said anything to anybody about techniques or areas where the fish were caught. How can a new person learn to get better with that type of an attitude?

Hey Wats, you can have all my spots. Clearly the fishing on pool 7 stinks so bad none of my spots are holding fish…. I’d be more than happy to tell you what they aren’t biting on too.

I guess I look at this idea a little differently. It seems that the “tournament” scene is changing to a “no help” type of situation. According to Rick Clunn, this is the best way to determine who is actually the best fisherman. And in competition, that’s what were after, isn’t it? I have been as guilty as the next guy of asking for help. But how good are you going to get at discovering patterns if you get help all the time? Eventually you rely on that. Again, I’m as guilty as the next guy but I think that my point of view is changing. If I were to start fishing the Team Supreme Super North, I would expect to take my lumps for a few years. But that’s why I love the sport. I have to go figure things out for myself. I have to come up with the game plan and ultimately, I have to catch the fish. The other thing I love about the sport are the friendships you build through competition. I think that is where you can begin to gain knowledge and start building a solid trust with people you know are truthful. I don’t mind sharing as long as I am somewhat familiar with a person and their reputation. I think that is what causes most of this secrecy.
Sorry for all of the Babble,

Tbass

TBass, I agree if you are talking about helping out your veteran nemesis, but the focus of my point was helping out the new guys so they stick around as they are “taking their lumps” as you phrased it.