GameObject.Find() vs explicit declaration? Also good pool manager tutorial?

Code (CSharp):

1.  
2. public GameObject player;
3.  
4. void Start()
5. {
6. player = GameObject.Find("player");
7. }
8.  

Ok, so far, I've been doing things the first way. I can't remember where I learned it this way (tic-tac-to maybe? An older youtube video?) I downloaded a project tutorial, and it doesn't use this. It just makes a GameObject and manipulates it.

Code (CSharp):

1.  
2. public GameObject player;
3.  

1. Is there a "right" or "wrong" way to be doing this? Or is it specific to use cases? If so, how do I know which to use?

2. Should this be in Awake()?

3. Also, I've been just doing tutorials, but haven't seen one that goes over a "pool manager" (for things like bullets). Anyone know of one?

Thanks!

 

Should have talked to the rubber duck on this one. Figured out I started doing this for specific components (Like text in canvas groups) and not so much for whole objects, a few mins after I posted this. Still hoping to find info on a pool manager tutorial, or any other insights. Thanks