Need advice from co/angler prospectives

[legends13]

I just fished my first tournament ever(it was the BFL tournament at Lake Gaston) this past weekend as a co/angler. I will be fishing 2 more in June as a co/angler at Lake Wateree and High Rock Lake.  I thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and had a wonderful boater to work with.  This adventure led me to start thinking about a lot of questions.  My boater fished strictly around docks and flipped underneath them.  He was very good and caught over 30 fish. He place well in the tournament.  He worked very fast and although I really enjoyed watching him, I found myself getting very frustrated. Since he fished these docks fast, I did not feel I was getting enough time for my shakey heads with green lizards to work well in most cases.  My questions are these...as a co/angler can you give me any advice on how to fish smart with someone like that...and if I had a boater fish either points or grassy areas or stumps, how as a co/angler fish smart?

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

You have to be versatile and adapt. Soft plastics, or at least finesse presentations, don't cut it when the boater is fishing fast.

8-)

[jhoffman]

throw out a crank sit down and just relax, prob whack a few... troll it... jk. Fish something else.

[Zel]

Welcome.

I fished as a co-angler for 10 years. Personally, my favorite way of fishing is slow moving plastics. I know what you are talking about though. It frustrated me at first. Being in a club for years, you get to know how each boater fishes. Knowing an angler's fishing style in advance helps you to plan your strategy. When I would draw a particular boater that I new would most likely be flipping docks and moving fast, I would opt for a fluke and faster falling baits. A fluke for the upper range, and jig, a senko, and a blade bait were my weapons of choice for the lower water levels. With the boater constantly moving you had little time to present your lures, so the faster I could get the lure to the target depth the better, and especially because you don't get much time at all to work the bait. Two or three bounces and that's about it. Drawing a boater right before a tourney is problematic, because you have to be prepared for anything. If you can, I would suggest contacting your boater before the tournament, and find out how he plans on fishing and what type of water he was planning on fishing. That way you can get a jump on your gameplan.

Even if you don't have a boat, you can practice the different boater styles while beating the bank. Find some docks that parallel the bank. Fish the docks walking back and forth without stopping. It will help to hone your skills before tourney time. You can mimic a number of boater styles from the bank, just be a little creative. Yeah you probably won't catch as many, but if tourneys are your thing, it sure will help. That's what I did early in my tourney days. Good luck.            

[BillyBob]

 Another little tip is: Sometimes the boater concentrates on the corners and underneath the docks, and if he's fishing fast he often forgets those little brush piles residents throw out in front of their docks to attract and hold fish. Wait for the boat to clear the front of the dock and throw back...usually 3-5 feet in front. You could have used your shakey on those, but draggin a mojo rig ( carolina rig with a slim weight and no swivel) will sometimes wear him out.  

  Other times its up to you to invent your water, by that I mean, things like, there might be deep water next to the docks,crank it. Top water bite in the morning between the docks, buzz it.

  Imagination is key... sounds like you were on fish !

[FD.]

I would have a swimming jig/chatter bait tied on.  You can pitch it, flip it, crank it, and fish it slow.  Same thing with a frog.  If you boater is on fish, watch where he fishes.  You will have different angles and with a different bait you can easily pick up what he missed.

[Bass XL]

Welcome! If your boater is fishing fast, go with a fast lure. Since he was fishing docks, I would be fishing a spinnerbait, crankbait, or a jig (which everone he WASN'T using).

[jhoffman]

Throw a big worm where you want it, then just open your bail. Im sure youve caught some big fish with stuff just sitting there. I know I have.