Non-Boater Tournament Advice

[StinkyBass]

I recently started fishing bass tournaments with a buddy of mine. We're pretty good friends so he's easy to fish with and we understand each other well. i am the non-boater and am looking for tips on how to be effective from the back of the boat. things i do do include, assist with any fish my boater catches, watch the depth finder on the console, keep quiet unless i have valuable input and keep my tackle to a minimum as to not clutter up his boat. Im looking to be an asset rather than a glorified bystander. Thanks for the help...

[gulfcaptain]

Learn to back the truck up to launch and recover the boat.  

[BaitMonkey1984]

Learn to back the truck up to launch and recover the boat.  

This is probably the best advice. I do not fish tournaments, however nothing irks me like someone that I take fishing standing with their hands in their pockets at the boat ramp. I realize it may be intimidating but just ask what you can do, transom ties, transom saver, unhook the boat, put in plug, there is a lot to do. If you can back up the boat it moves the process along. Just make sure to practice in advance and not wait till the day of tournament, as it takes some getting used to.

[corn-on-the-rob]

Just being aware and having the mentality you already have is great, you will be fine.

 

Now with out owning a boat and truck or trailer it is hard to learn on the fly, so my advice is if you ever go fishing with a buddy for fun ask him to spend 10+ minutes with you before/after fishing backing the rig into the water or in the parking lot.

 

If you aren't at that level for a tournament have him back it in and when he takes the boat off just drive the truck forward and find a parking spot. Remember just take it slow and if you run into trouble just stop and ask for someone's help, don't risk hitting something. Unless a big tournament or small venue, you can find a spot with only 1 or no other vehicles on each side which makes it easy.

 

Bass fisherman are typically a helpful breed, if you are having trouble in another guys truck/trailer getting in or out of a parking spot, just yell at someone else in the parking lot to help you guide it, and if you are in a particularly precarious position, ask them if they could jump in and do it for you.

[WIGuide]

I think you're on the right track and you'll be just fine. 

[Mike L]

Other than what has already been said,

As a co angler I ALLWAYS...

Clean up the inside of the boat...Pick up and toss all plastic, grass, sandwhich wrappers etc and toss out.

Offer to wipe down the boat inside and out after pulling out.

Offer to secure the boat to the trailer, put on cover etc.

Give him cash for fuel.

Some things he may want you to do, some things he may not, but its his boat and the effort should be made.

Mike

[Catt]

How compatible are y'all?

What are your strengths? What are his?

Weaknesses?

How well y'all game plan strengths & weaknesses will determine how successful the team will be.

Y'all must fish as a team not two individuals out fishing!

When done in unison both anglers can cover water quickly & thoroughly, which allows y'all a greater opportunity to establish patterns faster.

[F14A-B]

It might be a great time to use spinning tackle.

Finnese type plastics, etc

What Catt said is so true.. If, possible. That would depend on your pardner as much as yourself.

[Zach Nute]

I recommend while fishing to use a different bait then your partner's already throwing. This will allow both of you to figure the pattern much easier. I don't like fishing tournaments with a partner, but I do like pre-fishing with partners for this exact reason. Just feed off of each other. I don't know why you're so quiet on the boat, having a conversation with your partner will make the time go by faster and you will enjoy yourself more. Lastly, I recommend what everyone else has already said. Which is backing in the boat. There is nothing more helpful than a partner that can back in your rig for you. Good Luck!!

[jbsoonerfan]

My buddy and I have been tourney fishing for 4 years. We have been friends for about 20. We have a system down for unloading and loading the boat that works flawlessly.

I do most of the things that have already been posted. However one thing I do that he "really enjoys" is sing from the back of the boat. These aren't songs you would hear on the radio, more like tunes I just make up. I've been told more than once to "stop singing"

[aeb603]

My buddy and I have been tourney fishing for 4 years. We have been friends for about 20. We have a system down for unloading and loading the boat that works flawlessly.

I do most of the things that have already been posted. However one thing I do that he "really enjoys" is sing from the back of the boat. These aren't songs you would hear on the radio, more like tunes I just make up. I've been told more than once to "stop singing"

hahahahahahaha "stop singing" nothing's worse than having a fishing partner/buddy who takes it a little too serious. sure focus and attention are needed but keeping the mood light has always made even the worst days enjoyable

[Zach Nute]

My buddy and I have been tourney fishing for 4 years. We have been friends for about 20. We have a system down for unloading and loading the boat that works flawlessly.

I do most of the things that have already been posted. However one thing I do that he "really enjoys" is sing from the back of the boat. These aren't songs you would hear on the radio, more like tunes I just make up. I've been told more than once to "stop singing"

I do the same exact thing. I get the evil glare whenever I fish with someone, because I'm always singing songs about fishing that I make up!

[CDMeyer]

You seem to be on the right track just keep that up and be helpful and polite

[IndyGlockMan]

I've done 2 tournaments with the club I recently joined with the 3rd one coming up next weekend.

As a co-angler I always think of myself as a guest and try to help with whatever I can and promote the team mentality.

 

In our club, we have a set amount of money that the co-angler pays the boat owner (to help cover gas/oil, ramp fees, etc...) and I always try to pay him right away so he never feels like he needs to ask for it.

Also, I don't want to be one of those co-anglers that just looks out for himself and only uses the boater for his boat & equipment.

I want boat owners to be happy when they draw my name for co-angler.

[Canyon explorer]

I think you will do fine,

Consider the following:

 

Be able to launch and recover boat if asked.

When the boater lifts the TM be in your seat ready to go

Keep your gear out of his path to his seat

Watch your back cast as related to the proximity of his motor

Don’t cast forward into his water. (eliminates rear ending)

Let the boater set the conversation pace

Keep your crumbs out of his bilge.

You will know how you are doing by his demeanor as the day goes on.

Look at it as an investment in your learning curve.

He can, if he chooses, make you a better fisherman

[scaleface]

Learn to backhand cast .

[thomas15]

If you are a smoker, leave the smokes home. Bring with you more snacks and drinks than you need, so that you can offer something to the other guy. Leave a few $$ on the car seat if money is refused. Do not leave any trash or any kind of dirt or debris in the boat and consider helping tiding up any mess that the other guy made. Do not criticize the other guy for not having some sort of equipment you might think you need or something less than the latest TM or sonar. Let the other guy set the schedule. Thank the individual for having you as his guest.

 

I'm not a tournament fishermen but have had a few guests on my boat lately and going it alone is looking more and more attractive to me these days. When I take someone out I feel like it's my responsibility to get them back safely. So for that reason I make sure my equipment is in good working order. This costs a little money and a lot of time. Think about how long it takes to get the boat ready to hitch up and un-hitched after the trip. It seems like I spend a half hour getting the boat ready to trailer and an hour fussing with it after the trip. I don't fret over a few bucks or have some kind of ownership/control complex. I like to do things myself but enjoy teaching someone something if they really want to learn. If someone wants to learn how to back up a trailer, the time to learn is not when there is a line of 10 boats at the ramp.

 

Ramblings of a madman but I'm sure some would agree. I know that most co-fisherman that are posting here on this board already know how to act when out on someone elses boat so please don't anyone take this personally. I really want to share my time with friends and so forth. But if you invite someone over to your house for a beer and burgers you might not appreciate having to pick up all the trash and paper plates, beer cans and cigarette butts. Nor would you care to hear about the flavor of a brew that you don't happen to have in your fridge. What I'm taking about is regular everyday common courtesy and politeness.