Tips for Etiquette??

[Bassbilly]

I joined a bass club this year as a non-boater and our first tournament is coming up in April. I'm a fairly experienced angler, have good equipment and moderately know my way around a boat.

My question...what things should I be aware of or prepared for when fishing tournaments in my club? Do I need my own life jacket or weigh-in bag? Is six rods too many to carry onto someone elses boat? Any tips you can give me on these things or things I haven't thought of yet would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Sam]

Please consider the following plus the other input you will receive.

1.  Pay the non-boater fee at the blast-off site.

2.  Bring your own PFD.

3.  Call your partner to see what he will be throwing so you can throw the same and something else (worms, cranks, C-rigs, etc.).

4.  Bring your own lunch and snacks.

5.  Bring your own drinks.

6.  Six rods should be enough.  Remember, you are in the back of the boat which means your rods will be placed between the seat and boat side so too many rods can get all confused and create havoc for you.

7.  Scale down on the baits you are bringing. You do not need 25 pounds of plastics and all of your hardbaits.

8.  Be polite and just go where the boater wants to go.

9.  Check out maps and other info on the body of water you will be fishing so you can make some suggestions as to where to go when the bite stops.

10.  Realize that the guy in the front of the boat has the first shot at the fish so he will probably outfish you.

11. Throw something different than the boater. For instance, if he is throwing a Pop-R, then you consider a Chug-Bug or a trick worm as your topwater (or even a RICO).  You can be the same and different at the same time.

12.  Don't litter and clean up behind yourself.

13.  Do not bring any Spike-It or other dyes on the boat in case you spill them. Dye your plastics at home before you leave.  You may also want to soak your plastics in your favorite scents while at home, too.

14.  Talk and show an interest in your partner. Some  guys will have a conversation with you while others will be jerks.

15. Help put the boat in and take it out of the water in any way you can. Many guys have their buddies help them so don't be offended if you ar e not asked to help.

16. Be an hour early so you are ready to go when your partner is ready to go and also to listen to the conversations from the other club memebers. You may pick up a tip or two.

17. Help the guy clean his boat.  Especially if it is a Ranger. The Ranger guys just have to wipe down the boat and trailer before leaving the blast-off site. It is in their blood. Or it is a mental condition.

18.  When you throw into the trees or cover you will have to get your bait.  Check with the boater to make sure he will get your bait or you will just have to cut it off and retie.

19. Be careful of the position of the motor and don't slip if there is a well infront of the motor and fall out of the boat. (Bring a dry set of clothes jsut in case and leave them in your car or put them in the boat it there is room.)

20.  Always ask where the net is so you can get it without any trouble if and when he catches a fish.  You will be surprised how difficult it can be to find and get the net ready to net a fish.

That's all I can think of now.  I am heading out to the Richmond Fishing Expo so I hope the other guys can give you some more advice based on their experiences.

Have fun.

[roadwarrior]

Wow!

Sam,

That's probably a great list, but for me, reading through it was like reliving a nightmare.

[sodaksker]

Wow!

Sam,

That's probably a great list, but for me, reading through it was like reliving a nightmare.

You must have drew all good boaters

They really must have done a number on you.

Just curious....were they ranger owners?

[roadwarrior]

Only went once, but it was a two day tournament.

I believe it was a brand new Ranger as a matter of fact.

However, I fish out of a BayRanger 2180, so I don't think that had much to do with the other aspects of the event.

[Shadcranker]

Really depends on your club's rules and how serious they are. Our club is fun, fellowship, and learning based, and we have a decent level of competition, but our primary objective is to have a good time, so we all tend to be pretty easy going.

I own a boat, and the things I appreciate from a non-boater:

- offers to pick up a bag of ice, and asks what i'd like to drink (not mandatory, but it helps, when I have to get everything else ready on the boat)

- help net fish (I help him too)

- pays for some gas / oil (our club has a rule - $30, so not an issue)

- does not try to cast over my shoulder (likewise, I try to position the boat where he has plenty of water to fish)

- defers to my experience on the water if I'm on fish and he's not. Lot's of non-boaters say" I heard that's a good bank over there. let's give it a shot". If the non-boater has been fishing a lot lately, and is on fish, I'm happy to go to some of his spots.

- Does not reveal all of the spots I've worked hard to find to every fisherman he knows.

- is happy to help clean up the boat after fishing (empty trash and wipe it down).

- bring a reasonably sized tackle bag that will fit into the boat's dry boxes.

As far a rods go, most rod holders for passengers will hold 4-6 rods pretty easily. I'd say 6 is tops, but 4-5 is a good number most of the time. If you talk to the boater before hand, ask what you'll be doing. if he's really going to be moving fast all day, burning a trap, you probably don't need a bunch of rods.

That's about it.

I'd say the fact that you asked this question tells me that you will be a good non-boater.

Good luck and have fun with it.

[Matt Fly]

Most bass clubs have their own web sites.  You might find some help hints there also.

    As you meet your boating partner for the day, just ask him what space he has.   You can always keep some of it packed in the car.

I find telling some one this is your first time, what do I owe you for today?   and then about tackle, it will work out just fine.

Good luck.    I have done well out of the back of boat.   Met lots of fun guys in Clubs.  

Hookem

[Bassbilly]

Thanks for all the helpful advice!

[Cajun1977]

all the guys here have given some great advise, but just remember to have funits fishing, and just treat the boater how you want to be treated

[burleytog]

Do I need my own life jacket or weigh-in bag?

Yes on both accounts.  It is better to have them and not need them than to not have them and need them.  My club usually has a bag or two at every weigh-in if you do not have one, but it can take a long time to get your hands on one of them.

Is six rods too many to carry onto someone elses boat?

It depends a lot on how big the boat is, etc.  I usually take six with me and will have spares in the truck if needed.

Any tips you can give me on these things or things I haven't thought of yet would be appreciated! Thanks!

Do not be afraid to ask questions.  If you are unsure of something, ask someone.  

[Bassn Blvd]

As a boater and occasional tournament fisher, this is what gets under my skin the most.

1. non-boater brings more than 5-6 rods, especially when some of them have broken guides or are underlined so they gripe about not being able to cast.  These junk rods don't need to be in the boat.

2. They bring this huge suitcase thing they call a tackle box.  Looks like they are going on a 3 week vacation w/out any way to do laundry.

3. They don't offer to pay for gas and then they leave without helping to clean the boat.  At least their own trash for crying out loud.

4. Now this one burns my backside more than anything else.  I ALWAYS position the boat as best as I can to benefit both anglers, regardless if it's a team tourny or individual tourny.  I never intentionally stick the guy in the back of the boat out into the middle of the lake at a disadvantage.  So DO NOT creep up to the front of the boat and stand next to me breathing down my neck while I'm trying to fish. Even though I have room, chances are I might not know you that well and don't need my rods stepped on by someone being inconsiderate. Plus I like to move around and don't want to have to say "excuse me, get the *&*& out of my way.