Not really dock talk, but what I used to do is read the fishing reports for that lake and all the lakes around it to get a general sense of what the fish were doing. My first time on Palestine I had read a few reports on Rayburn, Toledo and a few other lakes in the general area and almost every single report mentioned wacky worms. I tied on a wacky worm and by the end of the day, on a tough lake w LMB virus going on, scratched out a nice limit.

I don't know if "dock talk" has ever helped me or not. I guess I do take into consideration what other anglers will tell me, but I (we) base our fishing on more than just what we have heard or read. I will share what I have been doing and what has or has not been working with anyone. I have even given away some of the soft plastics that have been working to folks I have talked to at the launch. The satisfaction I get from helping someone catch a fish is as great as when I catch a fish myself. But that is just me.

Most of the wordage in rules for the tournaments I've fished didn't prohibit information sharing between competitors so at least the tournament morning chatter between waiting boats in the water would be ok.

Though, I agree the no-info rule is generally loaded with grey areas and room for differences in interpretation.

never helps me at all. i have to figure iut out myself or it just doesnt work out. plus its really satisfying when i do figure it out myself. i think its worth it

Agreed. Nice job.

The ones that I wouldn't mind getting a little insight from are tight lipped and the ones that can't catch a cold are the ones flapping their gums.