Co-Angler Étiquette (Myth)

[gulfcaptain]

My last post came after fishing an event paying that $500 fee.  I had a blast with my two pro's I fished with and they welcomed me to fish with them any time and had great day on the water even with fishing being tough.  The points I made are valid.  If you're fishing a tournament you are along for the ride as a co-angler.  If they are struggling then of course you may suggest some ideas to improve the conditions for both.  You have to think about how YOU would want to be treated if you had someone in your boat.  If I agreed to meet someone at a certain time I would expect you to be there.  I would expect you to be helpful, organized, have your own equipment, treat my boat with respect.  IF you could back my trailer up great, one less thing I have to worry about that morning or afternoon when everyone is trying to launch or pull their boats out.  And the statement about they need us to fish, um....no, they need the boaters first. Without the boaters there is no tournament.  Be respectful and if you fish with one boater one day who's on fish and the next with one who is having trouble, keep your mouth shut about where you were the day before.  Those weren't your spots and they aren't yours to share.  I was nervous about fishing these but after doing so I have more respect for the pros/boaters.  But my attitude and respectfulness also lead me to the ability to fish with the same guys prior to the next tournament.  

[Master Bait'r]

When I'm a guest, I act like one. I bring snacks, I bring phenomenal beer and I bring high fives. I also offer to throw in gas, but it's usually refused on account of the food and beer.

[Angry John]

I think being a contributor is what it comes down to. Add to the experience in a meaningful way. If that's with cash, beer, loading, or unloading. Free loading is not the right answer.

[jhoffman]

The majority of my friends have boats. I still give them money or baits, they back my boat in and I back their boats in. When we go on longer trips its usually money, at home I take them and they take me but I always feel obligated to give money. Theyve got 150's that DRINK fuel. I have a 40, we can run mine for days on $20.

 

Youre right, Im going fishing with or without a person to share expense. Its different when its a trusted friend vs a total stranger. Ive done it where the stranger didnt give me anything in return. No matter how good of a time we had after 2-3 trips of nothing more than thanks I quit answering the phone. I shouldnt have to ask, you should want to offer.

[LuckyGia]

Not to far from the topic.

I hired a guide on lake Okeechobee for a 6 hour run.

$400 and I did not offer any type of tip.

It had nothing to do with the $400.

I stood in the back of the boat the entire time as he stood up front hitting all the beds before I had a chance to hit them.

Pretty upsetting actually.

At the end he followed me in as I paid and waited around like I was going to tip him.

Ha, put my wallet away and shook his hand and left .

Next time I will bring my own boat. Never again.

And his boat was junk, lids all collapsed and carpet was shot.

Brand new motor though

[gulfcaptain]

Not to far from the topic.

I hired a guide on lake Okeechobee for a 6 hour run.

$400 and I did not offer any type of tip.

It had nothing to do with the $400.

I stood in the back of the boat the entire time as he stood up front hitting all the beds before I had a chance to hit them.

Pretty upsetting actually.

At the end he followed me in as I paid and waited around like I was going to tip him.

Ha, put my wallet away and shook his hand and left .

Next time I will bring my own boat. Never again.

And his boat was junk, lids all collapsed and carpet was shot.

Brand new motor though

He should of had you up on the front of the boat with him.  If you couldn't see the beds he should have shown you.  I could see catching one or two if you were having problems with the technique as an example, but to pay and be backseated by a guide isn't the way to get repeat business or a tip.  Tips are earned and not given just because.  Sounds like you got a crappy guide.  But I wouldn't hold that example to all guides.

[J Francho]

Up here where we have actual licensed guides, the guide doesn't even touch a pole. They're called guides, not fishing partner for hire, lol.

[LuckyGia]

He should of had you up on the front of the boat with him. If you couldn't see the beds he should have shown you. I could see catching one or two if you were having problems with the technique as an example, but to pay and be backseated by a guide isn't the way to get repeat business or a tip. Tips are earned and not given just because. Sounds like you got a crappy guide. But I wouldn't hold that example to all guides.

Couldn't agree more.

By the time my end of the boat got there, he already hit it.

The entire trip he fished. I never dreamed that.

I could see him throwing a line here and there.

He actually had more casts then me. I watched him pitching to the beds as I sat back there

holding my rod.

I expected him to drive me to the fish and maybe give me some pointers if I was not doing it correctly.

Never again that's for sure.

[bradc36]

I can't believe I am just seeing this post, but I absolutely love that somebody said it, and reading all of the responses that it has generated. I look at the topic as someone who fishes competitively from the front and back (I am a boat owner but fish as a co-angler in big tournaments), charters a boat and has been on a chartered boat, and regularly fun fish from both my boat and others. All that I can say is that if I planned on going out fishing, whether it be for fun or for a tournament, and someone wanted to go along, I will NEVER ASK for help paying for gas, launch, etc.....A lot of the people I take out are just learning, do not get to make it out on the water much, or whatever, so to me as long as they are appreciative of getting the opportunity to go out, that is all that matters. I spend more money that what I think is reasonable on fishing every year, and in the grand scheme of things, the gas money I would be asking for is peanuts compared to all of the other expenses. I will however take $10-20 for gas/launch/lunch but only if someone offers and is adamant about helping pay for gas.

 

There is nothing more frustrating to me than seeing how cheap some people can be about petty expenses such as this. If you are so invested into fishing, and you love to do it, you should 100% not be expecting someone else to help you cover the cost. I fished a big tournament recently and I knew that all we would do all day was fish docks. My boater had been there pre-fishing for 3 days, had a very expensive boat, and I'm sure the trip cost him a lot more than it did for me. I gave him $50 before I even backed his boat in the water, and when he finished in the top 5 he gave it right back, as he had a pretty nice pay day, and back boated me the entire day (not because he was a jerk, just the nature of the fishery).

 

The point of my rant is, do not have any hard feelings if a co-angler, friend, or family member comes on your boat and doesn't give you money, but be twice as appreciative when they do without you asking. The beauty of this sport, and life, is sharing it with others. Fishing by yourself is boring anyway

 

.......................and if you can't afford gas money you should find a different hobby or a better job!

[Kyfats]

I have not tried to fish as a co-angler because I was talking to a couple guys about it and they said to fish from the back of their boat they would expect me to pay for their entry and lunch,ice etc. No way I can afford that!

[travis23]

Entry fee? Haha I Wouldn't either. I pay for one of my buddy's club stuff if he's tight on cash, but we're talking $15. There's not too many boaters wanting an entry fee paid by the non-boater. I'd say 8/10 times I try to give my boater money...they refuse. A lot of times I just leave it in the cup holder or something they can find it in later.

[Chance_Taker4]

I agree fully with you. The club I fish in, as a co angler, looks down on backseaters, it is in our rules co has to pay $30 minimum to boater every tournament. On top of that co cannot suggest areas, boaters get all say. Also our club dues average out to $160 per event, all tournament fees from a boater gets put in the winning put but also so does an extra $60 of the co's tournament fees. So technically in a way as a co imo pay at least $90 to ride on a boat. Wish it want the only club in my area that accepts co anglers.

[gulfcaptain]

Now I did fish an event with one of my buddies on the Delta this summer that was a team event.  I did pay the entry fee, but he let me stay at his house, paid all but one day of launch fees (total of 4 days) and paid for the gas.  So we honestly split the costs for the event.  I had fished with him before (pre-fishing) for an event he didn't fish, all he asked was I pay for the lauch fees.  Some people get it, some don't .

[RoLo]

I do not accept money nor criticism from guest anglers.

Post-event beverages are welcome and highly encouraged 

 

Roger

[duff75]

As someone who owns a boat and yet fishes out of the back of the boat, I have been in both positions about paying.

 

as a boater I will not accept money from an angler unless they need a ride to the lake, then I am altering my day to accommodate them. Which i do not mind I will NEVER accept anything over 20 no matter what the situation! as a CO i will never pay over $20 unless the boater does something special like go fish half the day in my spots ECT... This one has only happened once and i slipped the boater 50, he never asked for anything and never took a penny from me ever again.

 

Now i am going to be fishing rayovac and have heard the boaters expect the $$$ I will offer up some cash at the end of the day based on how the boater has been during the day.

[Rahlow]

As a non boater, I always offered, and many times paid gas and launch fees if given the opportunity, why in the hell would you not at least offer? Ok, as a boater I’m going fishing anyway, well, so what, if not for me and the expenses I have incurred, you as a non boater wouldn’t be going. 

 

Now as a boater, I expect you to at least offer, and rarely if ever accept the offer.

 

I also think the action of back seating someone is a cheap shot, granted I only have fished team tournaments, and the boater that taught me bass fishin got upset if I did not cast close to his cast, his only rule was to not cast over his line....and we caught many many fish inches from each other. Or in the same spot the other just cast and retrieved from!

[NHBull]

#itsalive

[Brew City Bass]

Bring out your dead!

[Ratherbfishing]

Everyone is going to feel a little bit different on the matter.  Some will say it doesn't matter if or how much and others will think the non-boater has an obligation to cover half the cost of the trip (excluding wear and tear-which really is difficult to define).  Some non-boaters (including myself, probably) haven't any idea, whatsoever, how MUCH it costs to tow and operate a full-sized fiberglass boat and may unintentionally underpay.  Others may feel they've "overpaid" considering that their boater treated them like "excess ballast."  Personally, I prefer to follow Robert Frosts philosophy when he said "Good fences make good neighbors" (i.e., establish in advance what the fee will be). THAT way the non-boater will understand in advance what is expected and no toes will be stepped on.

 

Anecdotally, a friend of mine was unhappy about having to go up to Canada in my smallish Tacoma so he wanted us to pull my boat with his (larger) truck.  He THEN suggested I pay for all the gas there and back (since it was his truck we were using).  I told him I would do so if he paid half of what a boat would cost to rent up there.  About then he shut up.

[NorthwestBasser]

I'm a boat owner, I tournament fish. My club is built for fun. I can enter any tournament as either a boater or non boater (co angler). And I do both depending on body of water, how I'm feeling, and how many boats are in the draw. Sometimes if I wanna fish I HAVE to run my boat because there may not be enough boats entered to get all the CO's a spot. We have a $20 required payment from co to boater. You have to pay it, but the boater doesn't have to accept. I ALWAYS have at least that much to offer my boater. I rarely ever accept it as a boater, unless it's a long tow and we're making long runs on the lake. It's a respect thing, not an "expect" thing. I get what you're saying, and for fun fishing you're spot on. Tournament fishing is different though. If you offer the financial help, I wont accept it, usually. If you don't offer it, find a different boat to fish from next time because I'll leave your behind on the dock if I draw you again.

[Ratherbfishing]

On 8/12/2015 at 11:38 AM, LuckyGia said:

Not to far from the topic.

I hired a guide on lake Okeechobee for a 6 hour run.

$400 and I did not offer any type of tip.

It had nothing to do with the $400.

I stood in the back of the boat the entire time as he stood up front hitting all the beds before I had a chance to hit them.

Pretty upsetting actually.

At the end he followed me in as I paid and waited around like I was going to tip him.

Ha, put my wallet away and shook his hand and left .

Next time I will bring my own boat. Never again.

And his boat was junk, lids all collapsed and carpet was shot.

Brand new motor though

He actually expected a tip, you think?!!!  (shaking my head sadly)

 

I'm not in the least bit experienced with hiring guides but the ONLY time I think a guide should pick up a rod is to assist in determining a pattern.  Afterwards, his main emphasis should be on boat control and offering tips/suggestions.  

 

 

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Jerky. If you're fishing for the day, you need to bring enough Jerky for everyone, preferably cured at home and from an animal that you killed yourself. This is a kind gesture that will start a conversation and a friendship, while stimulating the taste buds. It's 1000 times better when 2 people who meet for the first time start by exchanging pieces of jerky. 

 

Going back to the O.P., I believe the clear definition of a co angler giving an angler money at the end of the tournament that non boaters are eligible to compete in is called a tip. Calling it exactly what it is, a tip, should clarify a lot of thinking here. If tournament rules say co anglers kick an extra $50 for gas and the co angler doesn't pay, then there's a complaint. If the rules don't, then sorry, that's the rules of the tournament that the boater chose to fish in, perhaps they should choose to sit that one out next year. 

Now that we're on the subject of tips, let's talk common courtesy. C'mon, man, if you just kicked up $500 in tournament fees, you're carrying 5 top of the line (or even middle of the road) rod/reel combos at $750 a piece, your tackle bag looks like Bass Pro Shops should be buying gear from you to stock their shelves, and you can't kick in a few bucks for gas and an extra sandwich, you're probably best described by words that mods will yell at me for saying. If this sounds familiar, I hate to break it to you, but you're "that guy." Don't be "that guy" and you'll find that your life can be so much better when you're not finding subtle ways to push people's buttons. The same applies if you're the boater, your angler has a couple of hand-me-down rods, old lures, and he had to stash a little cash in his tool box for the last 15 paychecks just for the opportunity to get out and fish one tournament that year (even though he might be the one most likely to feed and tip you, and he's not likely to be anywhere with a $500 entry fee). You are, however, in a tournament. This tournament is a competition with rules, and like any other competition, competitors are free to utilize every advantage and disadvantage in the rule book. Don't like the rules? Don't fish the tournament, don't join the club, whatever it is that you're prepared to spend the next 3 months whining about, just don't. 

 

If there's no tournament and you're just out fishing, if you planned to fish the tournament together and there's no random drawing, if you're angler and co angler are in a team tournament, if the boat's a cabin cruiser and there aren't any fishing poles, or quite the number of similar situations, then we're on the subject of a conversation that should have been had before you were anywhere near the water. 

 

[stepup]

So here is my take. I have owned boats and I have done very little fishing as a Co-Angler. I am currently in the market for another boat. I have never expected anything from someone who is fishing with me on my boat. I bought the boat with the intention of fishing and I am going to go fishing regardless of whether they are with me or not. My only expectation is to be nice, have fun, and bring your own food and drinks. If they try to give me money I will give it back to them. If I can tell they are going to be insulted if I don't take it I will. If I wanted to be payed for taking someone fishing I would start a guide service. However I do expect them to have there own tackle and there own life jacket and rods and reels. I will loan them something if that is all that is working and they don't have it but it doesn't set very well with me when I go through multiple bags of plastic's or they lose a 9 dollar jerk bait. I always try to be helpful and accomodating.

[whitwolf]

 I usually don't reply to these topics simply because there are many, many, black and white opinions, very little middle ground. 

 

Owning a boat comes with expenses and through the years if I added up the cost I would probably be stunned. I love to fish so my return on investment is measured only by my belief that I am blessed that I have the ability and means to do what I love.

 

The above said, I take a few folks out and have never expected anything. I feel this way because there was a time in my life where I didn't have a boat, didn't have even $20.00 to offer for anything. I had gear and knew to respect others property and I knew that the folks extending good will to me would be repaid to others one day. I will eternally be greatful to those folks.

 

I fish alone the majority of the time but when I do take others those time where I was very fortunate to have generosity extended to me burns brightly in me and I flat out refuse to even entertain the thought of asking for anything more than respecting my property. I have the means to fish when I want and just about where I want, within reason, and if I can share that with someone else I will. I know tournaments are a different animal so the above doesn't apply. 

 

In the end I can never repay the kindness and generosity that others shared with me in a time in life when I wasn't as fortunate ad I am today. I never expect anything monetarily and before we go I make d**n sure the person going knows to bring what they want to drink and a smile.

 

 

[Logan S]

"Co-angler" implies its a draw-tournament scenario...Not 2 buddies out fishing for fun (or family, neighbors, etc).  You shouldn't really compare the two situations or act like they are the same.  This seems to be a big misconception in the thread.

 

In a tournament where a co-angler is paired with a boater it is customary and commonplace for that co-angler to kick in some cash to their boater.  It's very different from hitting the lake with a good friend, family member, kid, neighbor, etc for a fun day on the water...Where such a thing is usually not expected.