Co-Angler Advice

[RobbyZ5001]

I do have a boat, but it is only a 14ft aluminum 25 hp motor. Therefore I will be fishing as a non boater. This upcoming summer I am looking to fish about 20-30 tournaments as a non boater. I have read a few articles about chipping in money toward gas and so on. I am looking for information about  being successful as a Co-Angler. This includes lure choices, fishing depths, angles, prefishing, and basically anything else you can think of. I know sometimes the boater will ask for suggestions if its not going well. What do you guys do when your boater is fishing where the chance of a bass being near has the same chance that a snowball has in he**. <--- I know this is going to be a learning experience, but I am talking about 90 degree clear blue skies fishing a rock bottom in 5 foot of water throwing into 8 ft of water which is same rock bottom or on shore.

[Tin]

The one thing I will say it is all who you draw for a boater. He determines your day. You can end up with a guy who will back boat you all day long, not help with the net, and is miserable. Or you get the fun loving guy that will tell you everything he knows about fishing and shows good sportsmanship. I personally have had too many of the first types and will not fish a tourney unless I'm a boater. But I have had some real fun experiences as well.

Also in some tourney's, the boater and non boater are required to split the day in half. Their half of the time includes where they want to fish and travel time is included in their half of the time. But in some tournaments the co-angler is not allowed to step foot on the front deck or else the team is DQ'd.

Being a co-angler is one of those things you just have to try to figure out if you like it or not.

[cbfishalot]

Keep a open mind when in the back of the boat.  If you don't think that the spot your fishing doesn't have a snowballs chance of having a fish on it you probley won't catch a fish.  You need to fish with confidence out of the back of the boat.  Tin2win is right it does have alot to due with your draw also you hope you draw someone that is on fish.  As for what baits to use from the back just use a bait that fishes the boat speed that the boater is fishing.  Then fish the same bait you would fish if you were in the front of the boat.

[RobbyZ5001]

Thanks both of you are giving me good stuff.

[fishfordollars]

Co-anglers:

Know the rules, follow the rules, feel your boater out. Some will talk and give up information(I sure will), and help you out.

I enjoy it when my co-angler is catching fish. I always keep an open ear and learn from each day with one.

I watch the co-angler as he will give out information without knowing it. If he is fishing faster or slower and catching fish it will allow me to make adjustments as I see the need.

Co-anglers, stand your ground. Do not be intimidated. You have paid for the right to fish, get every pennys worth as long as it is allowed. Speaking of pennies, discuss the split the night before when you are discussing the time to meet and what you will be fishing. Get each others phone number incase one oversleeps or has vehicile trouble in the early morning.

As for how the day goes remember you have a 50% shot of making this a good day to remember or one you would love to forget. If the boater is one that likes to keep to himself, respect that and try to get the most by watching instead of forcing the issue. You do not have to become big buds for this to be a great learning experience for you.

Finally, if this is more than a one day tournament do not dare to take your second day draw to the areas you caught fish the day before. This will get you DQd fast.

[Sam]

Being a non-boater in a tournament for money can be extremely frustrating.

I have a friend who is a sensational bass fisherman who told me that all the saw in the boat on one of his Region's tournaments was the guys' big back. They boater never spoke with him or cared about him in any way.

Now, this may be the exception to the rule, but if you are a non-boater just be prepared for the worse and hope it is not as bad as you think it could be.

As for money for gas, etc., usually the tournaments have rules based on gasoline prices prior to the tournament. If you have questions, just ask.

I am skipping my Region's tournaments as I do not want to go as a non-boater.  I will continue to fish the FLW and B.A.S.S. tournaments with my club members and will do so as a non-boater if necessary.

Believe me, being a non-boater in a tournament can be exteremly frustrating, especially if your boater is a jerk.

[RobbyZ5001]

That being said what is the best way to learn then? The way I was looking at being a Co-Angler was a good learning experience. I have been looking into clubs near me. For the most part they fish one lake, and I found one that fishes a great variety and many tournaments. Downside of this club is that they have a bad reputation. I heard from people that were in the club that they have *poor table manners* so to speak. So with all this out on the table where do I go from here? Do I join this club keep my mouth shut and eyes open and learn? Do I fish BFL's and take them as I go? Do I stray away from tournaments until I can have the boat I need and am in a better financial state?

[roadwarrior]

Being a non-boater in a tournament for money can be extremely frustrating.

I have a friend who is a sensational bass fisherman who told me that all the saw in the boat on one of his Region's tournaments was the guys' big back. They boater never spoke with him or cared about him in any way.

Now, this may be the exception to the rule, but if you are a non-boater just be prepared for the worse and hope it is not as bad as you think it could be.

As for money for gas, etc., usually the tournaments have rules based on gasoline prices prior to the tournament. If you have questions, just ask.

I am skipping my Region's tournaments as I do not want to go as a non-boater. I will continue to fish the FLW and B.A.S.S. tournaments with my club members and will do so as a non-boater if necessary.

Believe me, being a non-boater in a tournament can be exteremly frustrating, especially if your boater is a jerk.

The fellow you describe is the same fellow I fished with in my one and only club tournament!

I would NEVER consider doing that again.

[Tin]

Being a non-boater in a tournament for money can be extremely frustrating.

I have a friend who is a sensational bass fisherman who told me that all the saw in the boat on one of his Region's tournaments was the guys' big back. They boater never spoke with him or cared about him in any way.

Now, this may be the exception to the rule, but if you are a non-boater just be prepared for the worse and hope it is not as bad as you think it could be.

As for money for gas, etc., usually the tournaments have rules based on gasoline prices prior to the tournament. If you have questions, just ask.

I am skipping my Region's tournaments as I do not want to go as a non-boater. I will continue to fish the FLW and B.A.S.S. tournaments with my club members and will do so as a non-boater if necessary.

Believe me, being a non-boater in a tournament can be exteremly frustrating, especially if your boater is a jerk.

The fellow you describe is the same fellow I fished with in my one and only club tournament!

I would NEVER consider doing that again.

I had the same first experience, so I went out and boought a boat I could fish tourney's in. My best investment to this date. When you have control over the day, it is a much better experience.

[FD.]

I have had no BAD experiences as a Co-Angler.   I fished 5 tourneys this year as a C-A and fished with 5 really nice guys.  I out fished 3 out of 5 from the back.  

Watch what your boater is doing.   Hit things from different angles, try different colors and retrieves.  Most people fish too fast and are not thorough.  Take advantage of that.

When you meet at the ramp, tell your boater what your thoughts are for today.  That gives me a chance to incorporate your thoughts in my plan so we don't waste a lot of time and gas riding around.

Be respectful and most of the guys will try to help you out either with advice or at least better casting angles.

If you are in my boat with the attitude of "same chance that a snowball has in he**" , well good luck making a cast.

Expect to have a good time and catch some fish, if you do that then 9 times out of 10, that is what you will get.

[RobbyZ5001]

I have been fishing awhile I know not NEAR as long as many of you but I can still tell what looks good and bad. The snowball line was for a situation in which I could see anything and everything on a ROCK bottom and there were no fish.  Lee you have very good advice and I will take everything all of you say into account. All of you have been there done that and have so much experience there is no way I COULDNT take what you say into account. I agree with you about having a good time and catch some fish. I am competitive and I have a good time being competitive. I personally would go in to have a good time but at the same time I am there to try my best to perform.

[warmer]

pros:

as a co-angler you learn a lot from people you wouldnt otherwise ever fish with...

you get to watch techniques that will surprise and educate...

you can fish with anglers at the highest levels of competition on your favorite lakes.

you dont have to own and maintain a tournament level boat.

cons:

your experience is entirely dependent on your partner.

i purposely avoid angler/co-angler tournaments if i can... dont get me wrong i root for my co-angler to do well, but if 1) the bite is tough, 2) my fish are in a limited area, and 2) it is the first day of a 2 day tournament, i am going to protect the area as much as i can... ill be more generous on secondary spots after i have a limit... can any of you tournament boaters say that you would be generous w/ an isolated structure bedding bite?

its just a tough deal with the way the fishing has been lately because you have limited SUPPLY and high DEMAND, so the competition is fierce even on the same boat...

this problem disappears in a partner tournament, ill show them all the water they want to see.

if you are interested in this for the purpose of competition id look to find a partner for local partner opens and club tournaments, but if you are looking at it from the standpoint of a learning experience id do the co-angler thing...

i know around here (central florida), there are lots of tournaments (smaller lakes or hp restricted) where a 14ft/25hp would be more than adequate...

just my twenty-two point five cents.

[Bassattackr]

check out the co-angler clinic on flw outdoors website.  Very informative and helped me a lot when first getting into BFLs 2 years ago.

[Brian_Reeves]

Fishing as a co-angler is different.  Some guys think they know everything there is to know and won't even ask for or consider your advice.  Most will welcome new ideas or input if their plan isn't working.  After all, there is money involved.  Never be afraid to express your opinion.  I hate to sound this way, but if your fishing for money, then money is on the line.  If he's fishing a 1ft deep flat with no structure or cover in the middle of summertime, then you might want to inform him that the fish will probably be deeper.  You should never accept defeat because your boater is a dolt.  You should at least try to help out if it seems like he needs it.

On lure selection, the jig and worm is your best friend here.  When I"m back-decking it, a 4-5 inch watermelonseed or blue/black sickle tail ring worm is a good bet to pull a few strikes that he missed.  Shakey heads, senkos, hula grub jigs, and flukes are also good bets.  If y'all are deep, try jigging spoons, heavy jigs, or heavy spinnerbaits.  Also try to convince your boater to try to line you up for shots on the deep structure if at all possible.  You could always use the same lure the boater is, but sometimes it's a good bet to go a bit smaller, and a bit more natural.  

[flippin]

i fish c-a in bfl and have had all good experices