What Makes A Good Fishing Buddy

[Primus]

One pet peeve of mine is what I call " boat taxi ". I met a guy about 4-5 years ago that I offered to take fishing as I one time thing, well he keeps calling me to find out when I'm going and somehow has ended up being a sort of reluctant on my part fishing partner.

I find him to be reasonably pleasant company however he does a lot of things that annoy me.

What I call boat taxi is his annoying habit of wanting to quit after a couple of hours if things aren't going well for him and having me drop him off at the boat launch taking which is a time consuming pain particularly when I'm fishing my favorite lake which happens to be no wake. This usually cuts into my fishing time by at least 10 minutes or more depending on what part of the lake I'm in.

He also takes too many phone calls while I'm fishing. I can understand the occasional call if a family issue comes up but other than that I don't want to hear your small talk.

Since I'm venting, I can also say I'm real tired of his offering unsolicited advice on the spots I should be fishing etc. I'm certainly not claiming to be a pro level fisherman, that said I've caught way more 5 lb plus bass than he has so I feel since it's my boat anyway that if he doesn't like the spots I choose to fish go buy his own boat and he can decide where to go.

Last but not least he has never offered to chip in for gas etc. and often leaves his water bottles etc on my boat so I can clean up after him.

Admittedly I am extremely passionate about fishing and am probably not a good fit for someone who is more casual about it. So far I've been too nice to say anything but I guess we may need to have a little talk.

Anyhow if you don't own a boat and someone invites you to fish along with him keep in mind whose making the payments, buying the insurance etc. and try to be a good partner instead of being an annoyance.

[Mumpy]

I think I would rather fish alone, than have to keep reffering to your check list. When there is a long list of rules, the fun is gone.

Hootie

The key is not finding someone that needs a list, it's finding someone that the list is naturally that person.

[Mumpy]

One pet peeve of mine is what I call " boat taxi ". I met a guy about 4-5 years ago that I offered to take fishing as I one time thing, well he keeps calling me to find out when I'm going and somehow has ended up being a sort of reluctant on my part fishing partner.

I find him to be reasonably pleasant company however he does a lot of things that annoy me.

What I call boat taxi is his annoying habit of wanting to quit after a couple of hours if things aren't going well for him and having me drop him off at the boat launch taking which is a time consuming pain particularly when I'm fishing my favorite lake which happens to be no wake. This usually cuts into my fishing time by at least 10 minutes or more depending on what part of the lake I'm in.

He also takes too many phone calls while I'm fishing. I can understand the occasional call if a family issue comes up but other than that I don't want to hear your small talk.

Since I'm venting, I can also say I'm real tired of his offering unsolicited advice on the spots I should be fishing etc. I'm certainly not claiming to be a pro level fisherman, that said I've caught way more 5 lb plus bass than he has so I feel since it's my boat anyway that if he doesn't like the spots I choose to fish go buy his own boat and he can decide where to go.

Last but not least he has never offered to chip in for gas etc. and often leaves his water bottles etc on my boat so I can clean up after him.

Admittedly I am extremely passionate about fishing and am probably not a good fit for someone who is more casual about it. So far I've been too nice to say anything but I guess we may need to have a little talk.

Anyhow if you don't own a boat and someone invites you to fish along with him keep in mind whose making the payments, buying the insurance etc. and try to be a good partner instead of being an annoyance.

Yea, I wouldn't be fishing with this guy any longer.

[Nitrofreak]

What makes a good fishing partner? hhmmm...Faith Hill and Sara Evens come to mind.

But for serious fishing I would have to choose my younger friend, hard to believe I get along so well with someone half my age, but we sometimes pre-fish for a tournament he has entered, sometimes one day sometimes two, but when we are on the water not a word is spoken unless it has something to do with what he wants to try or a place that I want to try, we are competitive with one another, not for the size or the amount of fish, but who is going to teach the lesson and who is going to school.

We are on his boat a lot so fishing at his speed is something I still need to overcome and get better at, but when I can get him to slow down a little, we actually find a lesson or two that one of us is going to teach another one, as much as I have learned from the older, wiser group of people, I enjoy learning from a younger faster group as well, and I can not think of having anyone else beside me when the heat and the pressure is on.

But on the relaxing side along with the fishing, absolutly without a doubt it would be my youngest daughter, there is nothing like being with her out there, either fishing a tournament together or just fishing for fun, we always catch fish, we always brag about the better fisherman that day, oh yes, she will lay it on ya too, and thick, lol, we have not placed yet but have been close, I look forward to that day, oh yea I forgot to mention, she has outfished my younger buddy on several occassions HA! I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree after all.

[Jake P]

Holy smokes man some of y'all need to lighten up. do you have a list of what makes a good wife or kid too? If I wouldn't hang out with you and drink a beer then I wouldn't fish with you either. That goes both ways. If you don't like the person then don't fish with them. If you do, have fun.

[joefish]

I fish solo 99% of the time. Much more relaxing, no one's junk all over my boat, can fish spots I want without having to be nice and go to someone elses spots.... I fish to relax and unwind so Solo is the best way to go.

["BRB"]

Someone who wants to split gas. And doesn't smoke that's about all I ask I'm pretty easy to get along with.

[Bassin' gal]

A husband who loves me and has infinite patience in trying to teach me all the little things that make a successful fisherman. And he has not once threatened to toss me from the boat when I hang up in a tree or break off my carolina rig or jig.

[Traveler2586]

A good fishing buddy always

Offers to chips in for expenses

Shares your enthusiasm

Offers suggestions when your program isn't working

Almost never misses a fish at the net

Is always on time

#1 Loves to have fun

Takes good pictures or will learn how to

Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge

Is always welcome on my boat

#2 Takes what mother nature has to offer

X2

+ Is truthful, says what they think

willing to put up with my sh**

More interested in being with a partner than with the fish

[bayouXpress]

i also fish solo 90% of the time but thats just because I have a young family and most of the time its a spur of the moment and i'm low on time.

On top of that my young daughters love to fish but at 6 and 3 its not really what you would call fishing buddies even though i take them out and the drop of a hat. My wife likes to fish also, but getting a babysitter is not always easy and when we do get one we usually end up out on the town or a dinner date.

I have a 13 year old nephew that starting getting into fishing.. take him out often to try to teach him a little, but hes getting to that age with his buddies sleep over and getting into girls and movie dates. Its getting a little hard to get him out without him tagging a friend along

i really only have a couple fishing partners that i fish the most with. Come to think about it I actually only have 1.. He's usually down with anything and dependable. I have another real good friend that we talk fish, life, gym, etc all the time but he's got a busy work schedule and when we do fish he has a tendency to be late and he's a speed fisherman and i'm a flipper. But I have no problem with it because hes a real good friend and as much as I hate being late I love to be on the water and enjoy it with others.

I have another couple friends that I gave up on. Just not dependable. I got one that will tell everyone what they want to hear and never do any of it. My problem is with my family I have to plan everything a head of time. If we plan a trip and you back out the day of or night before, i'm screwed. He does it all the time and I gave up on him.

My other buddy was at my house with my family everyday after he split with his wife. My daughters love to play with him and we fished a good bit. Well his wife lured him back in and the dude doesn't even call me anymore. Pretty crazy what women can do to a man.

I also have my lil cousin. Actually a good fisherman, but got a head on him like you wouldn't believe. He IS the BEST at everything, you can't do nothing better. His stuff is better than anybody, etc.. I kinda just tune him out, but we fish very strong together.

I also fish with a bunch of guys from work, but thats mostly saltwater and i'm usually in there boat. We always have a good time and beer is welcomed.

[Mad Fisherman]

I usually fish solo or with my dad, but sometimes I go with a partner. I would like a partner who is just as good as me, so then sometimes we can both learn something, and you won't feel bad for out fishing him or mad because he catches more fish than you.

[redboat]

Someone who turns their phone off.

Answer your phone on my boat and you get dropped off at the launch.

My former fishing buddy would be on his 90% of the time, it got really aggrivating. Always to his girlfriend, "I LOOOOOOOVE you baby! I MIIIISSSSS you baby!" Was enough to make you barf.

[JSPOONE]

My fishing buddy would have to bring a cooler full of ice cold beer must b Coors light. And share tips with each other.

Btw I allow buddies on my boat just have to bring a case of beer n that is there fee

[A-Jay]

A good fishing buddy always

Offers to chips in for expenses

Shares your enthusiasm

Offers suggestions when your program isn't working

Almost never misses a fish at the net

Is always on time

Loves to have fun

Takes good pictures or will learn how to

Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge

Is always welcome on my boat

Takes what mother nature has to offer

Ouch !

:hangloose:

A-Jay

[NoBassPro]

For the most part, someone who is looking to have fun and more concerned with figuring out the fish than competing against me. Its a big plus if they have some basic knowledge.

[MultiSpeciesFisherman]

The most important thing for me is if they can be on time. I have one friend who I love to fish with when we actually get out there, but he is never there at the time I want him to be. I will say we are leaving at 5 AM and he will show up at 5:30 or 6:00 and in my eyes, that's a waste of daylight. So what I started doing is telling him to be there an hour earlier than I actually want him there. If I'm leaving at 5 or 6, I will tell him to be there at 4 or 5. Then he usually makes it around the time I actually want to leave.

As for other qualities, I like my fishing partner to be experienced. Although I have no problem teaching someone, I will reserve my serious trips for my friends who have fished a little more often. For instance, when I got my PB largemouth earlier this year I had a friend with me who has fished for 20+ years. This just happened to be a trip where we had forgotten to bring a net (of course). If I had had someone with less experience out with me that day, I would have never landed that fish. Luckily, he reached in and lipped the fish for me and that was the difference between me having a true trophy and me spending the next few years chasing the fish and having nightmares about it.

[AndyTN]

My number one rule is no whining. My fishing buddy has not been at it as long as me (freashwater) but he's there to fish. Hot, cold, rain, whatever, no complaints. We split expenses and the workload, and no discussion has has ever been needed on it.

[unionman]

Easy answer....someone who loves to fish as much as yourself.

[rockchalk06]

Other than being than being a good guy, the only other quality condition etc for a fishing buddy for me is when I take you to one of my private hunny holes that I had to work for, cut and bale hay for 10 years for, grew up playing ball with the owners kids for, and got permission for being a stand up guy for........do not go back and fish there without me!!

I have lost 2 very good bass fishing ponds due to so called friends going back without me and getting caught.

Back before my time, they hung people for less

[bassmedic46]

My twins who are 7, They love to fish and they are great company.

[Ratherbfishing]

The question is, what makes a good fishing buddy. So, in my opinion, lists are okay. But generally speaking, I find that lists usually only come out when a person begins violating most of the things that might appear on a list. No one is perfect (especially me) so it's difficult to find someone who fits every category to a "T" but you generally know rather quickly who you like to fish with and who you don't.

[Sam]

1. If you commit to go fishing then go fishing. Don't back out, especially at the last minute.

2. Treat his boat, motor, trailer, vehicle, etc. like it was yours.

3. Pick up all trash you created at the dock.

4. Help him dry off the boat if he does that after trailing the craft.

5. TALK! Don't just fish and not say anything. Take his lead and talk as you fish about your interests.

6. Always offer to pay for gas for the boat or vehicle. You don't have to fill them up but $25 or $50 is a wonderful offer. It is up to the boater to accept or reject your offer.

7. Pay the ramp fee.

8. If you do not feel comfortable backing the trailer in or taking the boat out tell the boater so he can do one or the other or both.

9. ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THE NET IS. Be ready to grab the net when necessary.

10. Ask the boater to show you how to operate the boat in case of an emergency.

11. Leave a "Float Plan" at your home with the boater's name, location of your ramp, expected time you will arrive at the dock and at home and be sure to include telephone numbers.

12. WATCH WHERE HE GOES AND WHAT HE THROWS. Then at home that evening, get your map of the area and mark on it where you went and what he threw. Maker yourself a history of the day with times, cloud cover, temperatures of the air and water, where you went, what was thrown, what was caught so you will have a history of the body of water for future reference.

13. View what brands of rods and reels he is using and his baits. Ask him why he is throwing a bait so you will learn what to do in the future.

14. Be sure to wear a PFD, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, and take your food and drinks with you plus a trash bag.

15. Be extra careful when changing rods. Make sure the baits are secure to avoid getting any hooks in the upholstry or carpet.

16. Be sure to bring a needle nose pliers and a sissors with you.

17. Have your health insurance card, drivers' license, fishing license, AAA card and some money.

18. Treat the guy to some lunch or ice cream when you get off the water.

19. And the most important thing I can think of....DON'T FALL OUT OF THE BOAT!!!!

[scaleface]

Im going to reopen this old thread. I try to fish solo 100 percent of the time. I catch more and bigger fish when by myself. I only take someone if they ask to go and I feel obligated. One person told me that he would not go back to my good spots because he doesnt have a boat. Someone else took him one time and he says "I know a good spot ."

[fishking247]

as long as they don't talk their problems and don't talk too much i am fine with them. most of my serious fishing is done alone with the exception of one guy who is just as serious as i am whether it be bass or stripers

[flyfisher]

I am a kayak fisherman so it is usually only me but i will go out from time to time with friends who also fish from kayaks. I could care less about most things because i can just leave a spot if i want to and it is nothing different to them

It is nice to have someone to bounce ideas off and see what is working for them and vice versa.

I think someone else said it well....if i wouldn't want to grab a beer with them then there is a good chance i wouldn't want to fish with them all day.