Co-Angler Étiquette (Myth)

[tomustang]

If co-angler tournaments are so bad don't put yourself in that situation.

[Lund Explorer]

If co-angler tournaments are so bad don't put yourself in that situation.

 

Agreed.

 

The organization I was fishing draw tournaments with went through a year where boaters were dropping out all over the place.  Most quit due to the very issues discussed here, and the fact that the TD didn't address it.  I held out until the end of the year, but by that time there would be a dozen or so non-boaters left sitting on shore at each tournament.  Needless to say, that division didn't survive.  I have no idea what happened to all of those non-boaters at that point.

 

As I also recall, the Elite Series pros dropped the co-angler in favor of marshals.  Different reasons, but the same results.

[Strothman]

As a co angler, and now slowly converting into angler. I always give a reasonable offer to the boater based on distance to the lake and if it's a no wake lake or the river. Most guys politely decline the money for a smaller offer or take nothing, then usually I'll pick up the lunch tab on the way home. As a boater, I appreciate offers but usually decline, mostly because most of our tourneys are within 20 miles of my home band idle only lakes. I do appreciate lunch though!

[BuckMaxx]

Give me a guy that can back a boat trailer over $15 bucks ANYDAY!

The only guys I take money from is the guys that dont back my rig.

[EmersonFish]

I've considered fishing as a co-angler for years, and the more I read articles and forums about it, the more anxiety I get about actually doing it. If I ever did it, I'd be afraid to bring a reasonable amount of tackle with me, not offer $1000 for gas and boat maintenance, speak at all during the entire tournament (let alone discuss fishing), touch anything in the boat, try and retrieve a lure if got hung up, catch a fish that was bigger than the boater, or generally do anything enjoyable. This is why I'm trying to get my boat squared away and looking at tournaments I can fish by myself.

[tbone1993]

Coming from the collegiate club side of the co-angler dilemma there is something to say about the inner club relationships and the club as a whole. I know that there are tons of problems between big name clubs that most of you guys are involved in. It takes a ton of money to simply compete across the country and I couldnt imagine doing it with someone that didnt help foot the bill.  I developed many great relationships in my club simply because I associated myself with the guys that would go 50/50 or 75/25 depending on the tournament. I am a coangler but I am not afraid to put in gas money or pay for other expenses. If I chose to fish LOZ for a week I dont except my boater to pay the entire gas bill on a 350 mile trip. I fill a tank of gas then he does the same. If we dont burn it all I simply subtract the gas he as left with what I owe for boat gas. As a team we work together and determine our runs and both make the decision to stay close to the ramp or run miles up the lake. 

 

This is completely different than fishing a BFL or similar tournament where your boater changes from day to day. I can see tossing him some money but without developing that relationship before you hit the ramp you're stuck in an awkward position. Do you offer to pay for part of what was burned up or is $50 enough? I've fished many tournaments where we had to refuel mid tournament  and the expenses don't necessarily mean we caught more fish. There is a huge gamble when making these decisions and in the context of a BFL that choice normally isnt the co-anglers. There isn't a single person that fishes tournaments because theyre cheap.  When you get into the sport side of things you have to expect expenses on both parts of the boat deck. When I finally pick up my boat I doubt I will go out as a boater for anything big because I'm simply not good enough. I will boat for high school kids and do what to get more involved in bringing more people into the sport. I'll much rather spend $500 on that than $1,500 to get my butt kicked by guys 10x better than me.   I guess I went on a little rant but o well. 

[BrownBear]

I go with my neighbor/friend all the time, he has the bass boat, I help him with the boat park the truck walk/jog back to the dock, and load up the boat too. If we are using live bait that day I buy it, if he is filling up the boat I offer to pitch in, but he refuses money, but will allow me to buy bait.

On the other hand I have the party boat, which I invite him and the family out on, which he in turn offers payment, which like he does, I refuse payment, but I am not stopping him from bringing food and drink. I guess the point I am getting at, there are things that we can do, or at least offer to do to help and I believe money between friends shouldn't be exchanged, but rather good deeds.

[JohnMcD]

New to the boards actually signed up to post instead of just lurking when I came across this post.

 

Ive been on both sides of this situation being that I fished for the college FLW series and have been quite successful doing it, making it to a national championship and winning a qualifying tourney. Since I was fishing on a team I always got put on the trolling motor, which means a good deal of my time was positioning the boat so my co-angler and I would have a good opportunity to catch fish.

 

I am on the side that every co-angler should offer up some cash for the boater and it should be factored into the co-anglers cost for deciding if he is going to fish a  tourny or not.

 

But in my time of being a co-angler since I graduated college and started fishing local tournaments I would say my experience has been about 50-50. The one that sticks out to me is my second tournament ever fishing as a co-angler my boater would pull up on a spot and then tell me that I wasnt allowed to cast near a certain boat or a certain island point until he has had the best chance of catching that bass that was there. And I can understand where he is coming from by doing this because he spent the money and time to come out and do the scouting and find the spots. But I could never in my mind do that to a co-angler especially after that being done to me. Granted we both caught our limits but there was still a lttle bit of resentment for me because of this.

 

The good half some of the tournaments i get paired with a guy that had no idea about where to fish and we both would  end up skunking or only catch 1 or 2 fish, but in my mind they were a good guy's to be paired with since they were such great guy's.

 

But my advice for people that are looking to be a co-angler its all a game of chance in the smaller club tournaments/TBFs luck of the draw in the boater selection. Dont let getting a bad draw in an inexperienced boater ruin it for you, even on the worst days your still out fishing on a nice bass boat instead of being stuck on shore or not even worse working.

 

But my co-angler career is over I am saving up for a bass boat so I never have to deal with any of it because if im paying my money to fish a tourny i want all the responsibility of my finish to be completely on my shoulders, not on the luck that my boater did his homework and knows how to catch fish.

[Preytorien]

I've been fortunate enough that the boaters I go with are very very stand up guys, and know that the boat is ultimately their responsibility and never complain at my obvious lack of what others call non-essential ethics. 

 

I just know I was always taught the rule to "do unto others...." so I try to maintain the concept of doing enough of my fair share to merit another invite on their boats. Whether that means gas money, a box of donuts, or just being respectful and courteous all day, my goal is to maintain my friendship with my fellow angler who also permits me to enjoy his boat. 

[Preytorien]

With respect to 'recreational' fishing, that's my opinion as well.

 

It's been decades since I've been a co-angler, but I haven't forgotten how to handle the situation.

After offering to defray the cost, the captain flatly refuses and tells you that you're insulting him.

Very well, there's more than one way to skin a cat. When he's not looking, you stuff the money

in the crevice of a boat seat. At day's end, you're in your car bidding farewell through your car window.

"Oh by the way skipper, you might find a couple bucks behind your starboard seat"  

 

Roger

 

I've done this more than once. Also, a gas gift card works too, it doesn't imply that the money's only for the boat, it could be for his 10mpg truck or his wife's car.....either way, he's been offered and given a small token of thanks for a day's good fishing.

[lmoore]

Fun thread to read.  I personally have been on both sides of the good/bad experiences and on both sides of the boat/coangler etiquette question. 

 

As a general rule, I always offer money as a coangler.  There were 2 times when I first started fishing and I didn't offer money.  Both times were because I was so mad at my boaters I couldn't wait to get out of the boat and I certaintly wasn't going back to give them cash.  Since then, I've been fortunate to join a club with great boaters and have never had a problem (plus I've calmed a bit and realized the struggles those guys may have been going through as a boater). 

 

One thing I always keep in mind when offering gas money is that the boater didn't usually just show up that day and go find those fish.  If we have a good day and it's obvious he spent lots of time on the water prefishing, I always throw in extra to help with those costs.   I think the best thing I started doing was just simply asking the boater what his expectation is.  I usualy do that towards the end of the day.  If we have a good day, I throw in extra.  If we have a bad day, I give what they think is fair.

 

My attitude as a boater is quite a bit different.  If I tank a tournament and keep my coangler from having a good day by not being around fish, I won't accept money for gas unless they absolutely insist and I can't convince them to keep it.  Secondly, if my coangler is a young kid, I don't take any money.  I'm not that old myself, so I remember what it was like trying to fund a tournament budget and go to college.  The only time I really don't argue is if I'm really on fish and I'm fishing with another of the guys who is usually a boater.  They know the work that goes into it and the costs associated, plus they know I'll give it right back to them if I ever go in as a non.

[Mudrider34]

I don't fish tournaments so I don't have anything about that, however if I plan on going fishing and plan on going alone ( if buddy goes or not) and I ask a buddy to go for some company I expect to float the bill if he offers a little gas money sure I'll accept but on the flip side if a buddy asks me to take him fishing yes I expect half of gas or he fills up the boat and I fill up the truck or vice versa. Just my opinion

[troutbum1]

When I had a boat, I use to love to take out guy's that didn't. But after awhile it get's sad with some of them. Most didn't show up with any thing. never an offer for gas, but that's O.K. i was going out any way. No bait, no lunch, and the biggest thing was never any beer. When we got in , it really got sad, after tying up, they ran away. no offer to help clean, stow gear. Most biggest offenders  were relatives. Amazing. When i was a guest, I always went 50/50.

[Angry John]

I wonder if no one has ever shown them the right way or if they even know that there is more to be done. It might be ignorance?

[troutbum1]

I don't know, could be ignorance. But if a few watch you clean and stow, and don't offer to help. Who know's. 

[Angry John]

I had a boater teach me the ropes and show me the way my first trip. Guessing many people make assumptions. Thinking its like proper fish handling. We just expect people to know and do a good job. Don't read that to mean that some people are not just garbage.

[HoosierHawgs]

I had a boater teach me the ropes and show me the way my first trip. Guessing many people make assumptions. Thinking its like proper fish handling. We just expect people to know and do a good job. Don't read that to mean that some people are not just garbage.

I don't think people will ever understand proper handling. It irks me off to watch guys on tv or photos online with improper handling. Touching their scales, causing damage to their slime coating, distorting their jaws, which often causes bass to be unable to eat and die. Just gets me... Sorry about the rant.

[cyclops2]

The pros are in it FOR THE MONEY.  Who it comes from ?  Anybody. The more the better.

 

  I do not think being in the back of a boat casting to fished out water DESERVES ANY MONEY.   I would be stupid to pay him any money. He sees me as a CASH COW TO BE MILKED.

 

 

 

Edit

 

I do not expect people I take out to pay or tip me.  Against insurance rules & I own boats I can afford to maintain. 

[gulfcaptain]

Wow, reading this thread makes me wonder since I will be a co-angler next month on the Rayovac Western Series.  But I will take it for what it is.  I have fished for a living, I know to respect someones boat, help where I can and within the rules, and try and communicate with whom I'm going to be paired with each day as so I can have somewhat of a plan and take my shots where I can.  Hopefully make some fishing friends at the same time and if they are cool, offer to take them fishing off the coast in the spring to fish the Islands(helps to have friends with boats).  I will keep a positive attitude and conduct myself professionally.  Let's hope it go's both ways since working together will more times then not lead to both catching more fish and ending the day toward the top of the boards.

[Zach Dunham]

I have fished as a coangler in some major tournaments and plan on doing so again this year. From my experience, a coangler can often control how they will be treated by a boater; even one with many bad experiences. Some boaters and some people in general are just jerks and there is nothing you can do to change it. However, most of the time the little things count for a lot.

 

1. Don't be a hassle in the morning. Get yourself to the meeting location ON TIME. Know how to back in a boat and offer to help with launching/trailering.

 

2. At the Bassmaster Opens, I usually stop for a bagel or something for breakfast, and a sandwich for lunch. I always offer to bring my boater breakfast/lunch and pick up ice for the boat if needed. Usually they say no, but the offer is what counts. If they do say yes, I am happy to bring it.

 

3. Be respectful of their boat. Don't leave your tackle all over the place. Keep everything neat and organized so they can do their thing without you being in the way all the time. DO NOT cast to the front of the boat unless invited to do so. Respect the imaginary perpendicular line that intersects the middle of the boat. Do not cross it unless specifically allowed by the boater.

 

4. This one is my own thing: be excited for their catches, and usually they will be excited for yours. By excited, I don't mean flip out Ike-style, but your attitude toward netting their fish and keeping it positive will often make your boater much more ready to net your catches. You aren't on the same team, but you are also not against each other (at least in the bigger tournaments which I am referring to). I am a fan of fishing and I do want to see my boater do well.

 

5. Offer some kind of money at the end of the day. Do your best to estimate half the gas. After all of the previous steps, most boaters won't take your money anyways, but be willing to offer it! You might get a jerk once in awhile who will run around all day and then take a large estimate from you even though they chose to burn that absurd amount of fuel, but in the long run, acting in the appropriate ways listed above will save you money and make your life and results a lot better!

 

Anything I'm forgetting?

[gulfcaptain]

I have fished as a coangler in some major tournaments and plan on doing so again this year. From my experience, a coangler can often control how they will be treated by a boater; even one with many bad experiences. Some boaters and some people in general are just jerks and there is nothing you can do to change it. However, most of the time the little things count for a lot.

 

1. Don't be a hassle in the morning. Get yourself to the meeting location ON TIME. Know how to back in a boat and offer to help with launching/trailering.

 

2. At the Bassmaster Opens, I usually stop for a bagel or something for breakfast, and a sandwich for lunch. I always offer to bring my boater breakfast/lunch and pick up ice for the boat if needed. Usually they say no, but the offer is what counts. If they do say yes, I am happy to bring it.

 

3. Be respectful of their boat. Don't leave your tackle all over the place. Keep everything neat and organized so they can do their thing without you being in the way all the time. DO NOT cast to the front of the boat unless invited to do so. Respect the imaginary perpendicular line that intersects the middle of the boat. Do not cross it unless specifically allowed by the boater.

 

4. This one is my own thing: be excited for their catches, and usually they will be excited for yours. By excited, I don't mean flip out Ike-style, but your attitude toward netting their fish and keeping it positive will often make your boater much more ready to net your catches. You aren't on the same team, but you are also not against each other (at least in the bigger tournaments which I am referring to). I am a fan of fishing and I do want to see my boater do well.

 

5. Offer some kind of money at the end of the day. Do your best to estimate half the gas. After all of the previous steps, most boaters won't take your money anyways, but be willing to offer it! You might get a jerk once in awhile who will run around all day and then take a large estimate from you even though they chose to burn that absurd amount of fuel, but in the long run, acting in the appropriate ways listed above will save you money and make your life and results a lot better!

 

Anything I'm forgetting?

lol, I haven't backed a trailer up in years, but if I could do it before I'm sure I could do it again  All the bases you covered were pretty much my thinking.  Can't be a "tool" and expect them to respect you.  It's the small things that I'm sure seperate the the quality non-boater/co-anglers from the others.  And I'm sure if you do all the small things odds are your weight at the end of the day will probably be a lot better then it would if you hadn't.

[Tim Kelly]

As far as helping the boater with the cleaning and preparing of the boat, I don't think a boater should assume that you should help automatically. Lots of people have their own routing when loading and unloading and you offering to help is all you should do. Often they will prefer to do it themselves as they know it's done right then. Some guys I fish with regularly still prefer to do it all themselves and I must say I prefer to do my own boat myself too. Everyone has their own quirks and unless you get instructed every inch of the way you're unlikely to do it the same way the boater would. If he's instructing you, he would almost always be happier doing it himself anyway!

[gulfcaptain]

Yes true, but it's the offering that is implyed.  If he chooses to do things himself then so be it.  But he know's you were willing to help which shows you have no problem helping if needed opposed to watching him and doing your own thing.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Even though I don't fish tournaments (and this post may not apply), but when I take someone fishing with me in my boat, which may include a three hour commute one way, I would never expect or accept (unless physically forced upon me) money from the person with me.  With that being said, it is nice when the offer is made.

[SFL BassHunter]

Seems this is a pretty hot topic and I guess I would like to throw in my two cents. I started bass fishing about a year ago and have yet to step foot on a boat to do so. But as a potential non-boater I wouldn't even think of going out on someones boat without offering some cash at the end of the trip to help defer cost along with making sure I bring my own water, and lunch, in fact I would probably offer to bring the boater lunch. Sure the boater did buy his own boat, and yes he should be able to pay for it, and should not expect payment as if he was a guide. But etiquette is etiquette no matter how you slice it. If I go to a party I will always bring at least a bottle of wine, that includes family events. I think it would be rude for me to show up empty handed, just as it would be rude of me to fish on someone elses boat without offering something at the end. I wouldn't be mad if they accepted it, or declined it. At that point I have done what I think is right, I am no longer a freeloader in my mind, or the boaters mind.

 

No one likes a freeloader.