Try to take it as a compliment, if they fish that area, they still have to figure out the what, where, when, how, and why on those fish.

Anyone can fish where i am fishing, they just have to catch em....
Every spec of water we fish is used water almost everywhere you go, someone knows about it. The lakes are just getting too small for the amount of fishermen in our sport. Thats just the way it is. You have to have the confidence that you are throwing something different and in a different manner that will entice a bite that the other guy cant get.

if that is all they are doing.... I could really care less.

I think the guy was suffering from a huge case of Cantcatchadarnthingigottaseewhatyouaredoing envy. Feel proud that he has to look up to you as a hero and fish catching role model.

I have to weigh in.

I think the vast secrecy in this sport is getting ridiculous and people thinking they own "thier spot" on public lakes is getting out of control. We all share the shame passion, but instead of spreading the word and helping each other we hate the person who comes with in a mile of us.

I am the type to share whatever information I can about a lake I am fishing to help people catch more fish - I will share with strangers or friends. I have pulled up to boats on lakes that I noticed were not catching fish and I and told them what I was throwing. I even gave a couple of guys fishing with 3 young boys once a package of flukes I was using in hopes the younsters would catchfish - I was killing them and they had not caught a thing and they pulled in after me.

The only time I am hush hush is leading up to tournament time.

The point I am trying to make is I think we should help and each other out. If I could change one thing about your situation it would be to ask or say something on the water - If it were me I would have introduced myself and asked how the fishing was going and if you mind.

Tight lines people, and try to make a few friends out there and be courteous to others and see what that brings.

I think most people would have no issue if a guy idles up and asks if you can help him catch a fish or two or asks for help. Its when someone goes about it in a shady way like this is what the problem. There are no secrets out there but for sure it helps to have a courteous approach in asking for info or help instead of like this.
Also there are some lakes I have spent lots of gas and my time on to learn. I'm talking a lot of both so I am not just gonna sit there and give that knowledge away to everyone. I help folks quite a bit but certain lakes I very rarely talk about or post pictures on in order to minimize any need to get asked. That does not make me a jerk or self centered it simply is respecting the time investment I have made.
Also one thing you will pick up on fast is that for every 5 people that will ask for help you may get one that will take the time to follow up or return the favor.

This. You can ask most people at tournament weigh ins too and they will give you some insight. Being friendly will get you a lot further than being shady in bass fishing.

What he did was flat out wrong. Yes, it is public water and you can't stop him from coming back later and looking for the structure you were fishing. Doing it while you are fishing is a huge issue.

I wouldn't mind him marking my spot, but idling by right over my fish, WHILE I'm fishing? That is too much. Wait till I'm done fishing at least.

Now THAT is funny! Same goes for me.

I will say the best way I have seen someone cut me off was last week in the Skeeter Owners tournament. We had a small area that was kicking out fish and this boat kept hovering around till finally they decide to come in on us. On the backdeck was a lady that was pretty easy on the eyes. They get nearby and she goes and grabs the suntan lotion and starts applying it all seductive like making sure we saw it.......pretty good strategy and it worked. I told Casey they went for the jugular and were not messing around....LOL

I see. You need some new spots.

well, what is everyone really getting angry at here? now, if someone pulls up on you and idles by, i say no problem. if they come screaming through and cause some commotion affecting your fishing, shame on them. if they pull up, and start casting exactly where you are fishing, shame on them unless they asked for some pointers and if they could join you. HOWEVER, this thread seems to be pointing at the real issue these days. the fact of the matter is that technology advances are creating this type of mishap. now, the main point is that the new side imaging allows you to scan a lot of water in a hurry where as in the past, it simply took effort and time on the water to locate these spots and patterns. it seems to me, that it is really making the guys that get to spend that amount of time on the water angry (rightly so) that someone can pull up that quick and get the info and be gone. BUT, shouldnt we be blaming it all on technology (making it easier to be more unethical) rather than the occasional rude idiot? its true that you cant teach ethics unless someone is raised that way, but technology just makes it that much easier. if i saw someone catching a fish, as i am still learning, i would go over the area and see what was actually there, not fish it, but study it and try to duplicate that spot somewhere else. this also brings up a question about guide services. these individuals are out there pretty much 7 days a week all year round. whats to say that when someone takes a guided trip, they are not going to come back and wear out all the water they were taken to? they might not be able to get back to that spot exactly, but with todays technology, they dont have to, they just need to get close and scan it with SI.

that very same thing happened to me at the collegiate bass championship at lewisville a few weeks back. it'll piss ya off

now see why doesn't that ever happen to me??? I always get some old fat guy trying to steal my spot