Was in a good mood and gave some advice for fishing a small lake - bad idea?

[Spoonminnow]

The waters I fish aren't very large and most need sonar to find structure. I did well a few days ago and noticed three young angler that had beached their kayaks. I asked the young ladies how they did and was told 'not a bite'. (The male partner was getting the SUV to load up.) He had given them T-rigged Senko-type sticks, new rod/reel combos and were left on their own to catch fish. Their partner (boy friend?)) that was at the other end of the lake while all three were fishing, obviously wasn't into pan fish and didn't advise them what to use or how to use it. (At another lake, one of the girls did catch a bass on a Senko stick.)

I had done well catching crappie, sunfish, perch and bass and figured they might appreciate some advice along with a few rigged soft plastics. But just because you tell someone what to use and how to use it, exactly where to fish is key and no way I was sharing that info.

Should I regret having given the little information I did, thinking afterwards it might have been a big mistake? Good information sometimes gets shared and that's the worst thing that can happen on small public access lakes where competition can grow.

[catchNgrease]

If I'm in that situation I would have given them the bait the technique and shown them on Google earth exactly where to catch them. I would have even given them my fish if they wanted them.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Speckalator]

If I'm in that situation I would have given them the bait the technique and shown them on Google earth exactly where to catch them. I would have even given them my fish if they wanted them.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Me too, helping someone feels good.

[silverside]

Much like a school teacher you gave them the tools and knowledge needed to figure out the answer to a problem. You did not provide the actual answer. That makes you a teacher and mentor. Feel great about the wisdom you provided to them. They will remember your generosity.

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[DockShootinJack]

Never hurts to help.

["G"]

We need more acts of good will in today's world

[DockShootinJack]

We need more acts of good will in today's world

Very true

[Ketchn]

pass on the knowledge , become hated by the locals , move on to ruin the next lake is my motto ....
small lakes can get overfished for sure , but it isn't likely folks are going to go wear out a panfish lake unless they are monster panfish .
if the lake held "trophy" size panfish I might be tight lipped , it's like the legend of sleepy hollow in new york .....
that lake will get pounded senseless in the near future , this is a fact .

[Spoonminnow]

If I'm in that situation I would have given them the bait the technique and shown them on Google earth exactly where to catch them. I would have even given them my fish if they wanted them.

LOL !

...I guess the outfits they wore was a bit of an incentive....I must be getting old. Wait a minute, I AM old.

But reflecting back, I doubt the male partner will ever switch from heavy bass tackle to lighter tackle or even try some of the lures I gave them. In my experience showing someone the way doesn't mean they'll take it. Since he won't continue the lesson I started, though being more experienced than either of them, I guess the secrets of the lake are safe besides which the lake is C&R only.

[Ranger R61]

When they catch fish using the info you gave them they will remember you with happiness.