you learn how to fish off-shore deeper water. Anybody can sling a spinnerbait in shallow water but
off-shore deeper/deep water are where the men and the boys get separated. I'm 65 and still working on it but
to me the prespawn, spawn and post spawn are a great time for everybody but when the fish head deep that's where
the easy stuff ends and you better know how to drag a jig.

Oh I thought this was one of those threads where everyone finishes the phrase with their own truth.

You're not really a fisherman until.....your wife leaves you because your hobby became more important than her from her point of view.

I have read some silly stuff on this forum and this is right up there with the best.

I catch Red Snapper OFFSHORE- Yous' fishin' in a big POND..

Guess I'm fortunate to catch quality fish shallow year round...

Offshore summer patterns are just one of the MANY patterns ppl need to know to be successful. It's a small part of the big picture

But, Kirby, what if you fish a shallow river, predominantly? Does that mean I'll never be a man?

It's still fishing.same thing as bank beating just with more water don't be mad cuz you can't catch them shallow.

check your Alzheimer's meds...most of us do both.

Versatility is important.

Ok.....

I agree with you. It's harder to fish something you can't see than it is to fish the bank. Nothing wrong with fishing the shore line and its a lot of fun but one you go deep it takes more knowledge of the lake and you have to be confident in the technique your fishing. I still suck at offshore structure fishing but am trying to get better. I should get a guide sometime but I'm to stubborn to admit that I can't do it myself so I'll keep practicing until I figure it out. Gives me a reason to get out and fish.

Your not a real fisherman until you've been out in 8 to 10 foot swells, our unitl you've been out running a trot line on a windy day and your dad goes overboard with a hook stuck in his hand, or until you catch a 10lb bass, danced with lightening in a thunderstorm and just kept on fishing with the bilge pump runnin, used a tackle box as a helmet in a golf ball sized Hail Storm, jumped into the lake and inserted your plug when you finally realized you left it out in the month of March, your garage and closet are both full of tackle.

I agree.

OK.