Spot Burning - wonder how Rex feels about this?

[Wild Bill]

May as well jump right into the most controversial topic from the other board for many years. Here are some my random thoughts on the topic.

I enjoy sharing fishing stuff with others. It is part of the fun of fishing to show, teach, and share. Sometimes you also learn some really good stuff from other fishermen. Locations, however, get tricky.

Jigging, structure fishing, plugging, casting, etc. sometimes rely on specific spots more than bait fishing or trolling. Sometimes these spots are very small.

In the case of one of the spots JP showcased lately, it is a one boat or two boat, if you work together, spot. My friend Simon has been fishing it for many years. I am not personally a big fan of fishing the Harbor but then I have the time to run south to the CBBT, VA Beach or Oregon Inlet and fish until the weather turns sour. I would rather do that. The Harbor, Morgantown or CCNPP allow guys who are still working to catch some good fish in winter without going a long way. A loud motor can definitely spook the fish in close at the other Harbor spot JP showcased. So I do not personally care about this area but understand why some were incensed.

I had a place in the Susky Flats where the hual seiners caught 90% of their fish. There are not enough fish up there anymore to warrant haul seining. This spot was out in the middle of the flats and the depth went from 3' to 6'. It also had a ditch running into it from the Northeast River for the fish to enter an escape. It was almost always good for some fish even in the middle of the summer. I took some guys there and told them to keep it quiet. They did not and first thing you know there were boats sitting on that spot every time I tried to fish it. Lesson learned.

Another example is the lumps southwest of the Mariner Ship. Now guys will say, well every one knows about those lumps. Yes, now many do, but eight to ten years ago, when we were catching monster trout on those lumps very few knew about them. There were no oyster bouys or other markers on those lumps at that time. It was very rare to see another boat there. Some guys made the mistake of posting pics of big trout there and I was in that group. There were never any landmarks but guys with boats started chartering a guide who knew the spot. Soon there was lots of traffic on those lumps and no fish.

Today I will share locations with people who share with me and will keep their mouths shut. Yes, I am a meany.

One thing I have noticed is that guys who have not put the time, effort, fuel, money, etc. into finding spots will cry that everyone should share. Those who have paid their dues are a little more wary because they have been burned multiple times.