Non-Boater Etiquitte

[Preytorien]

Well...don't be afraid of the boater.  Yes, it's his boat, but you don't have to be a mouse .... you're a guest.  I'd say ask him how many rods and how much tackle he suggests you bring.  Each boat is different, and each boater's tolerance is different.  So there are no hard rules.  Chipping in for gas is almost mandatory - although I never accept it.  And don't let anyone convince you that you need to chip in for "other" expenses such as oil and insurance.

 

Other than that, don't make a mess (eating crackers, peanuts, etc).

 

Here's some additional information you might find helpful:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/co-angler_clinic.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/guide_to_tournament_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournament-etiquette.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournament_etiquette.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Tournament_Tips.html

[jessejames556]

Couldn't agree more with Felix. Attitude is big for me. You don't have to go out there and vomit rainbows of optimism, but don't get down on the situation just because we aren't catching. It drives me nuts when I hear my passenger say "There's no fish in here, let's head back".

[Zoff]

I only have two rules on my boat...

1. Keep positive... I need someone who will help keep me positive during the tough bite.
2. Don't cast over my line.  I had this one guy, who no longer fishes with me, that constantly would cast forward of the center line and say "Sorry, didn't see your line."  when all along I knew he was just steamed that the front of the boat always got to a spot first.

I don't worry about dirt, blood, stains scuffs, etc on my boat.  I bought it to use it.  It will happen.  Smoking... just don't burn a hole on my boat.  I never fished with anyone who showed total disregard for my boat.  If I did... you'd only fish with me once.  Peeing?  Hell... I can't pee off a boat without getting some on the gunwales.   Why should I expect you to.  Just dip a little water and rinse it off.  As for money... If I call you up and ask you to go for a recreational fishing day, I do not expect a dime from you.  I invited you.  I will accept it if I feel you may be insulted if I do not.  If you call me and ask me to take you... a little cash would be nice.  In a tournament, the co-angler should pay half of all expenses.

 

What to expect from me on my boat... lots of chatter and joking, a little bit of cursing, sometime an action that make you say "huh?", and several times me asking you to run the TM so I can do something else.  I have to leave the boat drifting and you standing there doing nothing so I can re-tie or untangle a line.  I will often ask your opinion and will start the day by saying your have the right to make suggestions.  You are here to catch fish, too.  Not just be a pretty face on my boat.

[Sam]

I call my nonboater and we meet a week or two out from the tournament date to look over the maps of the waters we will be fishing; discuss presentations; consider baits; show each our favorite spots; and anything else that we need to get on the table before we blast off.

 

Two heads are better than one and it bonds us together for the trip.

[Bankbeater]

Try and find out what kind of baits and rigs the boater will be using.  You don't want to start dead sticking a tube if he is burning crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

[awefvawervwae]

All great advise. Our Club tournaments are run where the non boater draws a boaters name and they try to make it so you do not fish with the same person more than once thoruhgout the year. Its also set up so the non boater pays the entry fee for both himself and the his boater. There was some problems a while back, before i joined, that a lot of the boaters were complaining that the non boaters were not pitching in on gas money so to resolve it the non boat pays the boaters entry fee and there is no expectaion then for gas money.

 

When It comes to my boat nothing bannan related rule goes for my boat as well. If its someone I know and trust I will let them run the TM and fish from the front when I am retieing. I keep one of my rear compartments empty for the non boater to use for what ever they want. Bring as many rods as you want just be able to keep them neat in the non boater rod storage and not waste time fumbling with them. As for spots to fish I have my spots I like to check out but will also ask my non boater if they have a place they want to check and if its resonable I will make every effort to check it out. I have found some great spots from some of my non boaters

[awefvawervwae]

All great advise. Our Club tournaments are run where the non boater draws a boaters name and they try to make it so you do not fish with the same person more than once thoruhgout the year. Its also set up so the non boater pays the entry fee for both himself and the his boater. There was some problems a while back, before i joined, that a lot of the boaters were complaining that the non boaters were not pitching in on gas money so to resolve it the non boat pays the boaters entry fee and there is no expectaion then for gas money.

 

When It comes to my boat nothing bannan related rule goes for my boat as well. If its someone I know and trust I will let them run the TM and fish from the front when I am retieing. I keep one of my rear compartments empty for the non boater to use for what ever they want. Bring as many rods as you want just be able to keep them neat in the non boater rod storage and not waste time fumbling with them. As for spots to fish I have my spots I like to check out but will also ask my non boater if they have a place they want to check and if its resonable I will make every effort to check it out. I have found some great spots from some of my non boaters

[IneedAnewScreenName-3260]

Man i'd love to go fishing with some of you, some true sportsman. My pops wont let me back the boat up but i help with anything i can. Our one rule is to not hook the other, ever.

[Nitrofreak]

First of all , I would be glad to have someone on my boat like you , I have shared my boat with many many people in my time , and I have been on the back end many times as well , the best advise I could give here is when asked to be a co angler , ask the angler what's expected of you , it gives the angler and co-angler a feel for the day and of each other , if it's not a fit , find someone else , I learned that the hard way .

On my boat you need to ask questions , angler or co-angler , it's a learning experience , as well as anything else , I'm never above learning something , or giving something .

You are doing a fantastic job , I applaud your respect !!

[tracker01]

Note to "Boaters", Please do not pull the trolling motor up then sprint to the console and fire the motor while I have 30 yards of line out. Note to "Non Boater", Work something out in advance with the Boater so you are in your seat with life jacket on ready to go when the Boater fires the motor up.

[Zoff]

Note to "Boaters", Please do not pull the trolling motor up then sprint to the console and fire the motor while I have 30 yards of line out. Note to "Non Boater", Work something out in advance with the Boater so you are in your seat with life jacket on ready to go when the Boater fires the motor up.

[Koofy Smacker]

Try and find out what kind of baits and rigs the boater will be using.  You don't want to start dead sticking a tube if he is burning crankbaits and spinnerbaits.