WILD BLOG: Chee-bobbin': more fish at your buddies' expense
NEW Jan. 30, 2008 / 2:00 p.m

TILLAMOOK, Ore. - What is "chee-bobbin’"? 

Simply, it is the sneaky little things you can do to out fish your buddies. But like a magician…I’ll never give up all my tricks:

First in = first fish: What is the best way to catch an aggressive biter?  Be the first guy to put bait in front of that fish. 

Low-holing your buddies gives you an edge to get that biter. 

When I’m walking the banks with my buddies I make sure I’m the first one to fire a cast into each new spot.  More often than not it pays off.

If you are going to do this make sure you are prepared to. Before I move to the next spot I’ll re-bait my hook and if  I’m float fishing I’ll set my depth to what I think I’ll be using.  Then all I have to do is cast when I get there.

Go for the kill (zone)!: Also -and this will help boost your odds even when by yourself - go for the kill zone first when you make your cast. Read the water, determine where you think the fish will be, and make your first cast there.  After you’ve covered the most likely water, then you can take the time to make a few casts to the other water.

Ancient guide secret ... shhhh: Now this might be a little selfish, but if you have a scent that’s turning on the fish, keep quiet. Likewise if you have some eggs that are really working well, use them yourself, and let your buddies use the other jar.

You can do this with any little thing that is working for you at the time.

Once while working in Alaska, it was the start of the season and we didn’t have a large amount of eggs for bait. We were using them as we got them. Problem was there was one guide who was going into the egg tent and taking most of the eggs.

We had a good time at his expense though: We cured some up with a “special” cure and put them out in front to be taken the next morning.

I’ve heard of guys who cut the hook points off of their partner’s spinners or flies while trout fishing and then watched them get more and more steamed as they missed strike after strike.

Even though it’s fun to chee-bob your friends, it does get boring catching the most fish all the time.  It gets really fun when your buddies know all the dirty tricks and then it’s a free for all.

-DJ