Back Boating or Poor Etiquette?

[ZEN BASSIN]

Would it also be considered  Back Boating if the front angler leaves the front of the boat to fish a spot that is in the rear of the boat , prior to the co-angler who was fishing from the back, even getting a chance to fish it? Not to mention the front angler pulling one out from that spot. Is it poor etiquette?

[Handy]

If I was with my brother or best friend I wouldn't have a problem. Maybe they saw something I didn't. If what you're asking is in the pro arena then I would have to lean toward yes. Unless the co angler didn't see anything(ripple in the water,stump) and the front angler did and said he was going for it(in a asking kind of way).

Paul

[ZEN BASSIN]

No, It is a best friend and fishing partner whom I would have expected to ask prior to casting. I was working the back from left to right and knew that the tree was down in the middle. Ya, could miss it. I guess I was more disappointed that he didn't ask first.

[Brian_Reeves]

When me and my old buddy co-fished, we would both be all over that boat.  I'd be on the front deck shoulder to shoulder with him and sometimes he'd be on the back deck.  Sometimes we'd both be in the middle, fishing from each side.  We worked great together in the water because our styles were so different.  He'd work weightless soft plastics 80% of the time and I'd be flipping/pitching jigs 80% of the time.  We caught a lot of fish.  

[Catt]

It's called swimming! Cause that's what he would be doing  

[formulagamble]

If I was with my brother or best friend I wouldn't have a problem. Maybe they saw something I didn't. If what you're asking is in the pro arena then I would have to lean toward yes. Unless the co angler didn't see anything(ripple in the water,stump) and the front angler did and said he was going for it(in a asking kind of way).

Paul

x2

[SnowBass23]

Definately bad form for a tourney.  Still I think it is bad even for friends.  Personally, I've always been a big believer in the owner of the boat can do whatever he wants within reason.

A couple years ago I fished with a buddy that had just bought a bass boat.  This was the first time I'd ever been on, let alone fished from, a bass boat.  This guy would move the boat so fast that I never had a chance to work an area.  If I didn't cast paralell and towards the front of the boat, he would be past a spot before my plastic could finish the fall.  It sucked, and I rarely caught fish.  But, it was his boat and his money, so I was happy to be along.  Now that I have a boat of my own, I realize it is a lot more difficult to control the boat for the back fisherman than I had imagined before.

Still though, you should be able t obring it up in a polite manner so it doesn't keep screwing you.

[Bassnajr]

This is a very good question....

I wonder is the guy a real jerk, or does he maybe, point out good spots for you to throw to? If he catches a fish on a certin lure, will he say, "Hey, I have an extra one in my box (or a pumpkin jig for example) and get you in position to throw to the same spot he just caught one from? Or maybe is he a guy who would buy you a nice Rapala lure, just because?? I think the main question is, "Is he doing it on purpose?" Which goes to the very heart of the definition of "back-boating." It is absolutley a purposeful act, meant to insult the other angler.

I find that anyone who brings extra water for me on a fishing excursion and maybe a Fiber One bar, say..... would be OK in my book.

But if you told him it bothered you and he apologized and said he would be more conscious of these indiscretions, I might give him another chance.............MIGHT!!!!!!

ajr

[ZEN BASSIN]

So I guess what your saying Bassnajr, is that if your partner is considerate in others ways, that his fishing indiscretions should be over looked and chalked up to a learning experience. So one out weigh's the other.

[Bassnajr]

No not at all...

The issue needs to be addressed and corrected.....for the good of all BASSKIND!!!

"There is no issue, great or small, that cannot be resolved with conversation."

                   Anonymous

[jhoffman]

Definately bad form for a tourney.  Still I think it is bad even for friends.  Personally, I've always been a big believer in the owner of the boat can do whatever he wants within reason.

A couple years ago I fished with a buddy that had just bought a bass boat.  This was the first time I'd ever been on, let alone fished from, a bass boat.  This guy would move the boat so fast that I never had a chance to work an area.  If I didn't cast paralell and towards the front of the boat, he would be past a spot before my plastic could finish the fall.  It sucked, and I rarely caught fish.  But, it was his boat and his money, so I was happy to be along.  Now that I have a boat of my own, I realize it is a lot more difficult to control the boat for the back fisherman than I had imagined before.

Still though, you should be able t obring it up in a polite manner so it doesn't keep screwing you.

Theres two times to move a bass boat fast....

One... the wind is so wicked that you would be blown on the shore without standing on the trolling motor constantly.

Two... Youre both covering a lot of water. To establish what fish are doing.

In both instances if the boater chose to do that you should switch to a bait that is conducive to that fishing. I was the boater yesterday and with the wind in the cove i was fishing I personally stopped throwing a texas rig even though I knew with the water temp they wouldnt chase much. I just COULDNT keep the boat still without dropping anchor.

[ZEN BASSIN]

If you divide the boat in half, say from the center of the boat forward and were able to draw a semi-circle from one side to the other then all that area is the front boaters, and the same would be for the back. I thinks that's how the pro's do it? I just needed to see what the forum thought, Its water under the bridge to me and my fishing partner. If you take all those goodies with you can I fish with you sometime. ;D

[jhoffman]

If you divide the boat in half, say from the center of the boat forward and were able to draw a semi-circle from one side to the other then all that area is the front boaters, and the same would be for the back. I thinks that's how the pro's do it? I just needed to see what the forum thought, Its water under the bridge to me and my fishing partner. If you take all those goodies with you can I fish with you sometime. ;D

Oh i agree, i really give my buddies a hard time when they cast in front of me. I think its a center line, just like when they did match fishing.

[fishfordollars]

Why would he not just kick the boat around and fish it from the front? I have never seen this hapen. I would give him a slight nudge toward the water if it happened.

[David P]

I think it's completely situational. If it's a close friend, and he just "does it" and didn't acknowledge it at all, I'd be a little upset. But if he even said, sorry I didn't mean to back seat you, or just something, it might be better.

There are other times, where I'm on a boat with a guy I don't know too well, and I've still managed to catch good fish while being back seated.

It happens at all levels, but if it's a close friend, I would say something..

I think the biggest problem is either one of the guys on the boat thinking that a specific spot is for them to cast into. I go fishing with a few different guys from boats, and we just cast wherever, whenever, and make it work.

[SnowBass23]

In the situation I was referring to (my buddy that runs his boat FAST) there was no reason to run fast like that.  Even on days when there is no wind my buddy would still run the boat way too fast, and we were both using soft plastics.  But, it is easier to pitch and flip to targets quickly when you are running the boat.

With that being said, now that I own a boat I am able to see how difficult it is to constantly put the back-boater into good (or at least equal) casting positions.  I did not have that kind of objectivity prior to operating my own boat.

[Tin]

In a team tourney it is who is the better at the technique you are using to bring the fish in the box. If it is a singles, sorry. Thats how the draw is. If it is fun fishing, who cares, just have fun.

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

I know exactly where your coming from! I posted a similar thread a while back. I had been fishing from the back of the boat with to of my oldest freinds for years and hated it. One whom always set the boat up for himself with total disregard for myself having an opportunity to cast to any type of structure.Many times just casting over his head or shoulders, he got the message and we no longer fish together ;)This is just him thinking of just him, in the zone or not it's a very selfish act!

Frend #2

We just fished with two completely different ideals and beliefs. Being I was the co-angler and it was his boat it was up to me to modify my technique and be happy he took me along. Yet becuase of the two opposite beliefs in (I like the wind he hides from it) we no loger fish T's together and remain good friends.

Now when it's my boat I purposely point out structure to the co-angler. In front of the boat or not, with intent I set the boat up so that they have a greater chance to cast to an area that I could have but left it for them. If I have confidence in the co-anglers ability we are then casting front to back and back to front over and under one another all day long......"I'm going over you.......going under...Hey could you lower your rod and line? I want to cast to the lay down back there". When I know the co-angler is spot on with his ability and out shine myself and see an area I know is a dificult one to get to,I would rather set the boat up for him to make quieter more subtle presentation rather then have myself do a cannon ball and spook every fish with in 50 yards. ;D

Not everyone can fish comfortably together, when you finally do find someone that is a match,KISS HIS BUTT,SHINE HIS SHOES AND BRING ALONG HIS FAVORITE SNACK!" JK about kissing his butt.......when this does happen you'll know it and fishing just became everything you thought it could be!

[JEVSkeeter]

First of all please describe what type of tournament you were fishing, a draw, a team, a club, or a pro-am? Each has a different set of typical rules on how each is expected to fish their position.

If it's draw tournaments then each is normally required to have certain "front end" time or first shot at their waters. Team tournaments, it's all fair in love and war depending upon your partner and how you fish together. In Pro-am's the pro has control of the boat at all times and is probably prohibited from fising from the back deck as the Am is typically prohibited from fishing from the front deck. The Pro can position the boat as he deems necessary and the Am is more or less left to fish what he can. This is where the ability to fish different lures, accurate casts, and your ability will pay off.

I wonder if this was a club tournament as it's not very often you draw a friend in either draws or Pro-Am formats.

A little more information please.....