Scenario: You're out fishing with a buddy. Before too long you notice that your buddy, who is using a different bait or technique, is catching more bass than you are. How long is it before you begin to emulate them? Or do you stick with what you're using/doing?

Almost immediately. I have been that guy that refuses before. I am out to have fun AND catch fish!!

Jeff

Is he killing me or just catching a fish or two more than I am? I can live with my friends outfishing me but not killing me, that bragging never goes away. I usually aim to catch the biggest ones more than the most but if the talking starts getting heavy I'll do what I can to play catch up.

It depends, if you are out there to have fun...no I wouldn't. If you are out to catch fish, yes, but just cause your friend is catching them doesn't always mean you will do the same, I have been out with a buddy of mine throwing the same exact bait and "nadda", it's always good to get the feel for yourself.

If he catches one or two, I'm ok with that. By the third fish he's got my attention.

drop 'em off back at the docks and never talk to him again after 3 fish

Regardless of who I am fishing with, or if I'm fishing alone, I will change lures as soon as I lose confidence in it. The same goes with locations.

I think it depends on my goal. Some days I'm out to try to learn a new method or bait(so I might stick with what I'm using/trying) while others I'm out to catch lots of fish. If my buddy is spanking me, you bet I'll switch. I don't see any shame in it. And I might learn something, too.

After they catch the third fish I'll switch

Regardless of who I am fishing with, or if I'm fishing alone, I will change lures as soon as I lose confidence in it. The same goes with locations.

Ditto...

My problem is I tend not to change to quick.

Mike

Ditto...

My problem is I tend not to change to quick.

Mike

I agree,especially if you know it's a good spot. I always go to the spots I know hold fish and a lot of cover,even then I get stumped and I have to much confidence so I spend to much time on one spot trying to find a bait that works.

I tend to agree with the three fish rule...any less than that and it could be coincidence.

As soon as his catching makes me loose confidence in what I'm fishing with.

Change when you lose confidence!

Like Glenn said, umtil I lose confidence. Example; I sat in one spot for 3.5 hours during a tournament. I had only 7 hits, puting 6 of those in the boat. the best 5 of those 6 were 22 pounds. Got 1st place. I was confident the fish were there, I just had to wait'em out and coax'em into hitting.

If your bud is on to something, compliment him and make the switch. The role may be reversed some day.

It depends on the situation, how we are fishing and under what situation he caught the fish. The rule of 3 is what i also usually follow, one is just one, two doesn't mean much. But that third one, its monkey see monkey do usually.

I usually fish alone, and I don't switch baits a lot. It's actually very usual for me to hit a lake with one rod, one reel and one bait. I change locations though.

Depends on the situation. If he's catching dinks and I'm swingin' for a pig I generally pay no attention. If I'm rolling a 3/4 ounce blade and he's catching 4lb fish on a swimbait, I'll fish it until a pattern shows. If my partner is catching fish on a jig and I'm throwing a moving bait, I'll switch to a T-rig or jig.

If it's a situation where we're at odds and there's nothing that has really emerged for the bait I'm fishing, I'll have blown it and will be switching because of the confidence issue mentioned already. If I have confidence in the spot, the bait, the conditions- I'll force feed them- admittedly one of my great downfalls as an angler.

I usually fish alone, and I don't switch baits a lot. It's actually very usual for me to hit a lake with one rod, one reel and one bait. I change locations though.

Me too, I'm just out for walk and some fresh air, if I happen to stick a decent fish all the better. The freshwater places I fish the potential isn't great, I get more excited if I happen to be with someone and they catch 5 or 6 pounder.

Scenario: You're out fishing with a buddy. Before too long you notice that your buddy, who is using a different bait or technique, is catching more bass than you are. How long is it before you begin to emulate them? Or do you stick with what you're using/doing?

Depends. Sometimes I'll switch, othertimes I'm trying to learn something new, or experiment on the lake we are on...Then I'll stick with other things.

I've also been out times where I'm getting whacked in numbers, and I'll stick with a Jig, vs say a wacky worm, and I'll bring much more size to the boat so I stick with the jig.