non- boater

[SDoolittle]

Is anyone ever really consistant fishing as a non-boater? This is my first year fishing tournaments. I have fished seven tounaments so far and I have finished 1st, I have zeroed, and I've finished pretty much everywhere in between. I have read the articles and tips on how to fish from the back of the boat, but it still feels like my fate is in the hands of my boater. Obviously, if I draw a good boater my chance of success improves, but how can I improve my odds when I draw a less knowledgable boater?

[jdw174]

Sounds like you're not doing all that badly as it is  .  Perhaps you should clarify a bit the term "less knowledgeable boater".  Is he frontending you, or does he just not have a clue as to boat positioning, etc?  Perhaps the best suggestion I can give is to NOT throw what the guy in the front of the boat is.  One of my favorite lures to use against a front-ender is a lipless crankbait.  If he's being fair with the boat and pitching a jig, pitch a tube or worm/senko, something like that.  He can't get them all and showing them something different might even pick up fish that wouldn't hit what he threw.

[Gorgebassman]

One think I pay alot of attention to when fishing as a co angler is where the boater isnt fishing. If he is missing spots in cover I make sure to hit those spots with some kind of jig or tube bait I always keep a rod rigged with a tube bait or a jig just for that reason.

[squid]

One think I pay alot of attention to when fishing as a co angler is where the boater isnt fishing. If he is missing spots in cover I make sure to hit those spots with some kind of jig or tube bait I always keep a rod rigged with a tube bait or a jig just for that reason.

This sounds good, but if you are stuck in the deep...try texas rigged outfits...also carolina worms, crank baits.  Just have fun and experiment if not to sure what to throw...you might stumble upon something that will work for you and not your boater.

I say this cause I have seen co-anglers come in with a limit and the boater zeroed....how did that happen? ....HUMMMMMMMM... 8-)

[SDoolittle]

"Less knowledgable boater" was a nice way for me to say "a boater who doesn't know how to fish". I have been bass fishing for over 20 years, but I'm new to tournament fishing. I decided to fish as a non-boater for two years before competing as a boater in order to learn the ins and outs of tournament fishing and hopefully pick up a few new fishing techniques along the way. I really am learning a lot and have not been disappointed in that respect. But half the time I feel like I'm handicapped by boaters who want to spend all day fishing deep when we should be fishing shallow or who want to run and gun when we should be finesse fishing. Don't get me wrong, I know that everyone has bad days. I myself have been skunked more times than I care to remember.  I'm just wondering how (or even if) I can be consistantly successful while drawing boaters with inconsistant fishing skills. It's really frustrating when I zero because my boater has never seen the lake before tournament day and just wants to go out there and wing it.

[jdw174]

I'm kinda curious.  Do your tournaments have the "half day rule" where the non-boater gets to either control the boat or at least go to your fish for half the tournament?

[bassbob08]

Sounds like you have learnd a lot as a non boater,When the time comes for you to fish as a boater you will understand what your non boater is going through,and how to make his day with you a little less stressful.I dont think I could go 2 years as a non boater if I ownd my own boat, to much stress for me.

[SDoolittle]

I'm kinda curious. Do your tournaments have the "half day rule" where the non-boater gets to either control the boat or at least go to your fish for half the tournament?

I'm fishing B.A.S.S. Federation Nation as well as club tournaments. Both of them use the boater/non-boater concept and that means I'm in the back of the boat all day and my success depends a lot on how and where the boater wants to fish.

[frogtog]

If something is buging you that bad you should consider useing your own

boat. Problem Solved. 8-)

[SDoolittle]

If something is buging you that bad you should consider useing your own

boat. Problem Solved. 8-)

I didn't start this thread to complain. I just wanted to hear from some other non-boaters and find out if any of them have been consistently successful.

[bassdocktor]

Hey as someone who fishes as boater I have a suggestion. Talk with you boater, offer suggestions. I realize aot of guys aren't gonna jump on a suggestion you make because I know many of those guys. However, I personally welcome anything my nonboater has to say especially if they have been on the water before or we don't have anything in the livewell. I know I have alot to learn and a long way to go. So the worst they can do is say "I really don't think we should do that."

bassdocktor

[rellison8]

I don't fish tournaments but I do fish back of the boat with my buddies somethimes.  I usually just try to fish the water they aren't fishing.  Chances are they didn't hit everything. I know I never do as a front of the boat angler.  I can usually catch fish too.  Maybe cause my front of the boat buddies are just being nice. :

[Bass_junky]

I think this is a great topic.  My son has joined our club and is competing in qualifiers as a non-boater.  After fishing so long together, I am trying to coach him on properly fishing in someone elses boat.  He is frustrated as well, by the boaters.  I coached him in asking certain questions to the boater in order.  First, ask the boater if he is familiar with the water.  He may be open to suggestions if he is not.  With gas prices at an all time high, i believe boaters are restricting long distance pre-fishing.  second, ask the boater what type of techniques he plans on fishing during the tourney.  This will give you some time to think about your strategy.  I guess what I am getting at, there are ways to ask questions without sounding insulting or intimidating to a boater.  I am always open minded, but i realize all boaters are not that way....Good luck and I will be watching this post to help my son along as a non-boater...

[Shad_Master]

My club has two tournament circuits - one on local lakes and the other where we travel.  I fish as a boater on the local circuit and as a non-boater on the other.  One thing I have learned as a non-boater is to always get input from my backseater as to distance from the bank, trolling speed, etc.  As a non-boater, I will offer these same suggestions but not in a complaining way, just simply asking.

Now, when you "win" in my club, you may be able to bank as much as $30 - $45 or for big bass as much as $50 - $90.  So it ain't like we're making a living at this.  But that doesn't mean it doesn't get competitive.  I'm working on a trying to get a change in the rules where "year-end" points are based on boat totals rather than boaters and non-boaters always competing against each other, but not surprisingly the boaters don't much like this.

[squid]

Ok, so do we consistantly catch the fish from the back.  Well last year I would say yes I was.  Getting some of the to the boat was my fault.  I lost some good ones.  I also had hook set problems, but all my boaters had me on fish.  Hope this is what you were asking.

[SDoolittle]

Squid, that was what I was asking. It's good to know that some people can do well consistently as a non-boater. I seem to always finish at the top or at the bottom. I have fished seven tournaments this year with two first place finishes, one third place, and four where I either zeroed or came awfully close. My record and listening to people talk at weigh in is what got me started thinking about this in the first place. The boaters who do well always receive some recognition and those who do poorly have no one to blame but themselves. When a non-boater does well, on the other hand, the boater often still gets credit because he put the guy on fish. And non-boaters who do poorly are always quick to blame the guy in the front of the boat.  

[Danceswithbass]

Okie, I've been fishing mostly from the back deck for the last 10 or so yrs. I was in a BASS affiliated club until a couple of yrs ago when The Bass Federation spit and went to the FLW, now our club is with them. I've made the top 6, 8 or 9 yrs in a row and was angler of the yr 2 yrs ago from the back of the boat, the first and only time it has been done from the back deck. I'm currently in 1st in our club with 2 tournaments left. I didn't get on here to brag about what I have done, but  to tell you that you can accomplish what you want as a co-angler. Its true that sometimes your draw will determine how you do, but on the whole, over the course of a season, the better fishermen will rise to the top of the standings. What you need to do, to be successful in Okla. is to learn the lakes that the majority of the big tournaments are held on. You will need to have water on Grand, Eufaula, Texoma, the Arkansas river, & Ft Gibson. As a back boater you are going to see your partners  water, but you need to have your own. Especially in a top 6 tourney because you get the boat for half the day. Until you get a reputation as a guy that can find fish you may have problems convincing a guy to go to your water, but over time, guys in your club will learn to ask you if you were on fish. You will have to be versatile. I like shallow water, but I have had to learn to fish deep too. The best time to be at the back of the boat is when its windy and the boater has to fight the wind, you can just lean back and relax while he's fighting the elements, and as you know, the wind does blow around here. In a way, I'd rather draw a less knowledgeable guy every now and then, because it can be tough fishing behind a guy that sticks every bite. So, if you draw a guy that's less knowledgeable, and you know more about the lake than he does, then you just got yourself a guide for the day. You may have to show him a few of your spots, but its better than not caching fish.

[WBFishing]

I like having others perspectives that fish as a non-boater. You are doing a lot better than I am. I am fishing the BWS, BFL, and ABA as a non for the year. I have been fairly consistent in all of them. LOL I have fished 3 BWS and zeroed in all of them, but only had 1 boater to catch a limit. I have fished 3 ABA's, zeroed 2, and 2 boaters caught fish. BFLs are my most consistent events, I have at least weighed 1 fish in every event-and that was my min goal starting out. I have fished 4 BFLs, fished in the top 50% twice, and bottom 50% twice. The last one I fished, my boater actually started picking up on a pattern I was working on the spots he was taking me too (he zeroed for the day).

I am ready to start using my own boat thought. I didn't expect too much, just wanted a feel, learn what to expect, and just learn as much as I could to help me for 2008. I have had a few boaters that were "fish findingly challenged" and have had 1 actually admit that he could only find them unless someone put him on them. I can't blame my boaters for my problems though. My main problems have been just poor execution, ON MY PART. I have missed well over 20 fish in 10 tournaments. I have learned something in every event, from every guy. I just always think, if I can just get one in the boat, I can beat somebody.

[Guest avid]

No doubt, that experience is a key in fishing including how to be consistant from the back of the boat.

But most guys don't do it for too long because it can be frustrating, and because they want to get their own boat.

I don't mind fishing from the back with some guys, but then there are other guys I won't fish behind.

The skill of the boater is important, but so is his level of consideration for you.   I don't need both from the boater but If he ain't got neither it makes for a loooooooooooooooooooooong day.

[luckyinkentucky]

There have been a lot of good points made here, but now I will add my 2 cents.  

I prefer to fish from the back of the boat for a few reasons. Even when alone I sometimes seat up at the aft. First, you can see what the fisherman in the front is offering the fish, and you can see what isn't working.  The next thing is he is more than likely waking up the fish from what I like to call their 'hot summer slumber'.  By the time he gets to you fishing that spot they may be ready to bite at what you have to offer, and then again it may take 2 or 3 casts in the same place to get their attention.  In July, and into the beginning of August I look for reactionary bites in shallower waters.  Now if I'm fishing the deeps right at the thermocline they're  usually always pretty active with what I have to offer.  Hope this helps.

[BassHunter69]

well im not sure about the less knowledgeable boater comment however theres several things you can do. you can discuss stratagy with the boater so that you both can have a chance to catch good fish,change up your lures keep buzzbaits,spinner baits,lipped cranks and lipless cranks handy,also keep jigs and tubes, also dont forget the texas rigging and carolina rigging which can be used effectively in soooo many diffent ways,also keep plenty of swim baits handy to match the hatch. this way if your boater isnt catching them you will, fish whatever structure you can this means rocks,bouys,walls,weeds,trees,docks ect..... get smart think like a bass look for shady area's within the cover theres so many variables much too many to list. ive fished 30 years or so so i iknow abit and you know what im still learning.