Bed Fishing Etiquette.. Boater Vs Non-Boater

[n8cas4]

Id like to hear what you guys (boaters and non-boaters) have to say about bed fishing in a tournament. How many attempts on a bed does the boater get before the non-boater can toss in there? I understand the boater has top priority over which beds and he could position the boat so the non-boater can not cast to it. But if he does not position the boat correctly and the non-boater has an open shot at the bed can he toss to it? Or is the non-boater forced to throw to other beds or switch the entire pattern by throwing to what ever is available until the boater sticks his fish?

[J Francho]

What is the format?

[n8cas4]

Simple club tourney best 5 smb or LMB over 12. Boaters and non boaters compete against each other ( in other words no separate divisions for boaters and non boaters. There is only 12 of us total in the club - 8 boaters 4 non boaters.

[J Francho]

Small club, just talk it over with the boater. Personally, I'd be keeping my eyes peeled for females, not males on beds. You could easily fill the well with slobs while the boater works the same fish.

[n8cas4]

Boater is of the mindset that non-boaters are along for the ride. If you want more, go get your own boat.

[J Francho]

That's why there's only 4 non boaters.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

My club experience has been just the opposite. We have 22 members with a 55/45 boater ratio. I've fished with each boater over the last couple of years and have not had a negative experience. I've had guys say " Come up here abd throw in this bed a couple times" or "I've got a good limit, let's get you a couple more bites". The point is, this particular club may not be the best fit for you.

I agree that co-anglers should be appreciative of the boater's hospitality, but if the boater thinks any co-angler is just a free-loader, don't extend the invite and treat your guest poorly, stick to team or individual formats.

[n8cas4]

That club sounds like a good club. It is what it is for now. Would it be fair to allow 10 or so pitches to a bed before the non boater can start tossin in (if the boat is positioned where it is possible for the NB to cast to that bed)? If he doesn't like me casting in, he could back boat me for the rest of the day - that would stink.

[J Francho]

It is what it is for now.

No, it is what you accept. To me, this is unacceptable. I'd find another club, or start my own.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I agree. In the meantime though like JF suggested, target the females that might be hanging around. One my best fish last year came from up under a dock in about 6" of water. I skipped a fluke up under there while the boater was diddling with a 1 1/2 pound male locked on a bed.

[n8cas4]

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes.

[n8cas4]

The guy was much much better than I expected. He's gotten better over the last few years. I actually took lunker off a bed that he let me have. It helped that he slayed them early. I think he felt bad; but I kept cool and ended up just .17 ounces behind his weight in the end.

[etommy28]

When I am bedfishing in club tournys ill make a few pitches to feel the fish out before I tell the non boater about it, but when i do i let them come on the front deck and we alternate pitches.