So if you are out and you see a family out fishing. They are clueless and still have tags on their walmart zebcos. The kids are getting restless and you think that this experience is going to turn them off of fishing if they don't catch anything. Do you say anything?

My experience: I was watching my niece play soccer. In between games I walked to the pond where a family was attempting to fish. They had big hooks and nightcrawlers about 12 inches under a red and white plastic bobber. They were casting to the middle of the pond that is 15+ feet deep.

Would you try to help them? Some guys get all twisted if you try to give them unsolicited advice. I would have been happy to rig up their poles but did not want to disturb them. After the game started I went back to watch and saw they were loading up and leaving. I regretted not helping those kids catch a fish as there are a lot of catfish and bluegill in the pond and I am sure they could have at least caught some BGs.

Me personally, if someone has a tip, please tell me. If it helps me catch more or bigger fish I am thankful.

Am I a dick or did I do the right thing not inserting myself in their experience?

I'd ask the parental units if its ok to help them rig up etc. Most of the time the answer is yes.

I always try to help. I see people fishing from the bank at PK all summer. I try to tell them where there might be fish and what will work. Bank fishing a lake in summer is very tough.

If I see someone or a group of people having difficulties fishing I usually offer advice and or helping them rig up. For the most part they are grateful.

Thanks fellas, I just got a vibe from the dude like if I contradicted anything he said even meaning well he would take offense.. The kids asked questions and he would answer with something like "The biggest fish are always in the middle of the lake." or "Only dirty fish eat off the bottom."

best way imo would have been to stay a little way away and say something like, I caught some good ones on bottom last week, have y'all tried without the bobber, bottom works for me most of the time. good luck and walk off.

about as neutral as you can be while still dropping hints, have done that a few times.

side note: on the way back from paris yesterday I saw 2 boys about 12 or so had met up (sxs and 4 wheeler parked by them) and had 33's on 5' rods fishing a culvert. there is no water anywhere close enough for them to get to so they hit the ditch.
thot it was pretty cool, reminded me of me back then, actually caught some in a storm culvert I fished at about that age.

I helped a kid catch some bluegill a few weeks ago when I was at Palestine resort. I had to be in Tyler for work and didn’t take the boat. His books were too big so I rigged him up correctly and sat in shade watching him catch one after the other. I was going to be sitting in the shade drinking beer with nothing to do anyway. Why wouldn’t I help him out.

I think people have lost the ability to deal with shame. They need to know they suck at doing things, more importantly in this case, you should have made certain they knew you were better than they were at fishing. The proper move would have been to start heckling them, starting with the kids. “Hey! My kids catch fish in that pond without even trying!” Next, shame the mother, “ When you want to know how a real man catches fish, let me know”. After about half an hour of this, take direct aim at the Dad. “ Your only job as a man is to provide for your family, you can’t even catch a fish!”

There is too many people fishing already, some need to be discouraged. But that’s just me.

Nobody helps me when I’m struggling! WTH!!

I’ve never had a boat idle by and say “Steez, I caught 5 for 30 there yesterday using a so and so in this color”!

I just start a conversation and usually they end up asking questions. Of course it's always easier if they see you are catching fish.

Hey, I'll help kids all day long. You're a grown man and can figure it out, right?

100% your call. Everyone is different

or fish yourself and see if there is anything in there. let them mimic your techniques

Yes you're dick saying people are clueless and Walmart zebecos this post sounds like you forgot to bring the Gatorade to the soccer game but you showed up with the Haterade , and why you starting at people ? .....jeeper creeper , mind your own business and keep your social distancing so they won't catch covid 19lb catfish lol

I stopped trying to help people remember to turn there lights off. just too many get upset at you when they blind you with their lights. These automatic lights have made that problem alot worse.