Protocol On Random Draw Tournaments

[fishballer06]

So next season I'm looking to fish a local tournament series as a rider. The series I'm looking into pairs you with a boater, but you're competing against each other. So my question with this is what is the standard protocol on this? Like for example "boater has a nice fish on, and needs help landing it". Do I help him? Or do I leave him on his own because he is competition? Or say the boater is killing it on a particular lure/color and it's something I don't have, but the other guy has 4 of them sitting in his box. Can I ask him if I can borrow one?

 

I'm just curious as to how this style of competition plays out. I'm sure most of you on here have fished these style events before and can lend some insight. Thanks. 

[5fishlimit]

If he needs help netting a fish and asked you for it then you should help him out.  Just like if you were in his position you would hope he helps you out in the same situation.

 

I may ask the boater what lure/color he is using, but I personally would never ask him to use it.  It's not his responsibility, but often times I've had them offer me a particular lure if they see me struggling.

 

Just my $0.02

[gulfcaptain]

Yes your competing against one another, but don't be a well you know.  If he has a nice fish and asks for a net sure why not. But he should be willing to do the same, and I've seen pro's on tv net their co-anglers fish when it's a nice one and help them with that aspect.  But as for asking, I wouldn't.  If he offers that's another story.

[J Francho]

Everyone should learn to net their own.  I tell all my partners this.  I'll help net them when they can't. As far as baits go, I don't worry about that too much.  I can find something that will work.

[WIGuide]

I've fished in a few of these now and I usually start out the day by communicating with the non-boater to feel them out. I usually approach it the same as I would in a team tournament and let them know I'll net their fish if they net mine. You get some guys who will front end guys or deny them their 4 hours on the tm. Those are the guys who ruin it. I'm fine with sharing water with the guy in the back and honestly I hope we both get our limits. If I were a non-boater or a boater for that matter and they were killing them on something I didn't have, I wouldn't ask to use it. If they offered I might consider it, but chances are I'm going to find something that works. 

[J Francho]

If you approach it as a team event, trying to get the best combined limits, then you usually do better than boats that go with the every man for themselves attitude.

I will say if there's a rule stating you get 4 hours up front and you are denied, then in talking to the tournament director after we get ashore, even though it's my standard practice to defer control to the boater.

[bighed]

Local draw stuff keep it fun.  Bring your boater some of momma's peanut butter cookies and try to be pleasant company.  Be helpful handling the boat and don't crowd your boater's casts.  Throw in on gas and help clean the boat up if you can.  Do this and you will earn the respect of the boaters in the club and probably get some invites for prefishing.  The draw club I'm in does not require me to share boat control and I prob wouldn't fish it if it did.  I do go out of my way to put my backseater on fish as there is much bragging rights and a little extra $$ for bringing in two good bags. 

[wnybassman]

If you approach it as a team event, trying to get the best combined limits, then you usually do better than boats that go with the every man for themselves attitude.

 

 

 

I'm glad you said it, because that's exactly what I was going to say.   You still have to work together even though you are fishing against each other.

 

I am the first to grab a net when the other guy has a fish on, but generally I prefer to net my own fish.

 

If your partner is killing them on a certain bait/color and he offers one, by all means accept that offer.   I wouldn't ask though.

[Sam]

If the boater wants your help to net his catches please clarify where the net is on the boat and where does he want to store it.

 

Simple question but you will be surprised that the boater will be fighting a big fish and yelling at you to get the net and you have no idea where it is on the boat.

 

As for using other guys baits: if the other person offers you one of his baits you can take it. Otherwise try to imitate it as close as possible with what you have or go 180* in the opposite direction.

 

I have known friends who have fished with the greatest guys in the world; and others who said their boaters were awful, nasty and ignored them all day.