Thoughts On Trying To Hitchhike Onto The Water With Boaters At The Launch?

[Munkin]

Sometimes I invite people when fishing Black Hills. I base it on; appearance, gear and a short conversation? If you are using a baitcast rod it is a good sign as only bass/musky fishermen use them around here.

 

Allen

[Raul]

I don't think I would, too many wackos seem to fish.

 

Yup, starting by ourselves, and I´m pretty wacko meself.

[desmobob]

I think, like most people, I wouldn't pick up a total stranger at the launch if they asked to go with me.  But I would at least consider taking someone who posted regularly on a forum, joined a club I was in, etc.  I think that's the way to find your boat ride.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[RAMBLER]

No way.  For years and years my fishing time is my alone time.  I need that time.

I invited a "friend" to go one time.  He didn't know that his spinning reel was on a baitcaster rod and visa versa.  When I asked him to drop the anchor (this is for real) he had trouble hitting the bottom (the anchor rope was long enough).  He got to he point that he thought when my boat moved from my place, he was suppose to be along.  He even gave me permission once to take someone else if I wanted to.

Never shared expenses until about the last time we went together.  That time I drove 40 miles to the boat launch and paid $5.00 fee.  He gave me $5.00 to cover expenses for that trip.  I had all I could take of that.

Take a stranger, hell no. 

[EvanT123]

As a former boat less fisherman; this is something I dreamed about while beating the bank. Never thought of hanging at a boat ramp. One time I was fishing a dock around the local college. A guy about my age was off to the side with a little dog putting a canoe in. He asked me if I wanted to join. I asked if he was sure and we paddled around for an hour shooting the breeze while he waited for his gf to finish class. I thought it was a very nice geusture. As for myself I think I would be a little leary unless I had banked fish with them and got to know someone. I mean all it takes is someone to push you off the boat and away they go.

[Skeeter Dan]

As for picking up some one from the ramp that asked . NO!!! Some one from BR YES . DON'T ALWAYS JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Being clean cut doesn't always mean good guy just like having long hair, beard and tatoo's don't make you a bad guy. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Dan

[ClackerBuzz]

put in some shop talk for 5-10 min, introduce yourself, find shared fishing techniques etc. ask if they ever want to go fishing together and if so exchange phone numbers.  if you connected and they like you enough they will likely offer in the moment.  if they are still hesitant maybe a phone call and few texts will get you on future trips.

i really connected with a kayak guy a few years ago but felt weird about asking for his number.  next season i didn't hesitate exchanging info when i met a different cool guy and he is now a good fishing buddy.

[Daniel Lin]

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

The universe works in funny ways.

 

I was in Walmart this afternoon killing some time in my day to work 9 hours in a 14-hour timeframe, and while I was browsing the soft plastics, an older gentleman approached me, obviously noticing that I was checking out the fishing section a little bit more in detail than your average joe in the area. He introduced himself to me as a member of the elusive local bass club I'd heard about in passing but couldn't find any information on, and gave me the details about when/where they meet, their monthly tournaments and yearly tournament scoring format, etc. That said, he still made a pretty visible frown when he asked, "I assume you have a boat right?" and I told him I didn't, nor do I have the means to store a boat or even tow the trailer for a little john boat at the moment. But maybe if I can end up partnering up with someone in the club over the next couple of months, everything will work out.

[John G]

Oba Chandler gave boat rides!

[FD.]

Just ask if they want some company on the water.  I fish by myself a lot because of my schedule and deciding to go at the last minute.  I have taken out a few people from the ramp when I can't find someone on here that wants to.

 

Just be polite and ask.

[Brian6428]

Just ask if they want some company on the water.  I fish by myself a lot because of my schedule and deciding to go at the last minute.  I have taken out a few people from the ramp when I can't find someone on here that wants to.

 

Just be polite and ask.

This sounds like a really good way to ask. It leaves them open to just saying they don't want company. Seems like a less awkward situation for the boater than just saying "can I fish with you?"

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Sorry, but I'm not gonna be out confined to a boat with someone who I know absolutely nothing about.

[tatertester]

I am moving this month to Russell Springs , Kentucky, and, want to find a fishing partner....I do have a boat, 2 actually, but have never been without someone to fish with before. Not only do I need a fishing partner, I need to learn how to fish the lakes down that way, starting with Cumberland....I may well hire a quide for a few trips to get the hang of it.  

[Montanaro]

I have done it..... Picked up a bank fishermen I don't know, that is. I have nothing to worry about. If they are bass fishing, and I am bass fishing, we already have something in common. I have made a couple of friends this way too. What is the worst thing that could happen. So far no one has really tried messing with the 6'+, 325 lb guy who shaves his head, talks to himself and yells a lot.

Was she cute?

[mikekurinka]

I'm with you bud I would want to try it to but think a forum or blog to find someone would be better. Understand you have nothing but good intentions but it would put people off, it's not the ocean. Good luck let us know if it works

[GANGGREEN]

I've ended up with strangers in my boat a few times for whatever reason and personally, I didn't care for the experience.  First of all, I'm not sure any of them offered to pay to help defray expenses (though they may have and I may have declined their offers, I simply can't remember).  You have to understand that everyone is different.  I happen to be an extreme introvert.  That doesn't mean that I'm shy or that I don't know how to be pleasant with a boat partner, it simply means that more times than not, I'd prefer to be alone or with family or very close friends.  When I find myself in a boat with a stranger or person who I don't know well, I always feel compelled to make small talk and it makes my day far less enjoyable and I'm typically in a hurry to get off the water.

 

Now that said, I also have friends who are extremely extroverted who seem to relish the opportunity to share some boat time or to chat all day with whoever they end up with.  You just need to recognize that some boaters may not enjoy the experience even if they were kind enough to say, "sure, hop in".  I suspect that I'm the type of person who would often times tell you to join me if you asked and if you appeared clean cut and decent, particularly if I had seen you or briefly chatted on other occasions.  That doesn't necessarily mean that I'd want a stranger on the boat, it might just be a case of me being nice or being polite.  For what it's worth, I like to think that I'm a better than average fisherman who has a good reputation locally for putting fish in the boat.  I spend a fair amount of energy trying to avoid taking people along who try to invite themselves to fish with me.  I know that makes me sound like a mean person, but as I've said before, I'm an introvert and tend not to like the experience on many or most occasions.  Why should I spoil my limited time afield in the interest of being polite?

 

Just my two cents. I like the idea that people have offered of joining a club to find like-minded fishing partners who may take you in exchange for sharing expenses.  You seem like a good enough guy and I'm sure many people would enjoy having you in the back of the boat.