What are you federations rules on coangler rights??

[mrbassky]

The Kentucky Bass federation changed a couple years ago to the coangler not having any say where to fish and staying in the back of the boat. My club says the nonboater gets half the day in the front if they want. What are your federations rules? please say what state and if its FLW or BASS. And what are your clubs rules?

[etommy28]

according to Florida Bass Federatration an FLW organization each partner should have half the day in the front of the boat. this should be desided before fishing begins.

[fishizzle]

Although it may seem fair to let a coangler run the trolling motor and choose spots, I don't think its right to put a boater in the back of his own boat.  He owns it and maintains it.  I think its a kick in the face.

[Matt 825]

Although it may seem fair to let a coangler run the trolling motor and choose spots, I don't think its right to put a boater in the back of his own boat. He owns it and maintains it. I think its a kick in the face.

I disagree and agree at the same time.  lol

If I am a non boater and I know what I am doing, prefished and am on good fish and competing against both boaters and non-boaters then.......

a.)   if I get paired up with a boater who is a real dink, hasnt prefished and wants to try to backdoor the crap out of me all day when I am paying the same entry fee as he has and the same expenses then I will take my time at the front of his boat and I will backdoor him just as he did to me.    

b.)    if I get paired up with a respectable guy who has prefished, is on good fish and is not making it his secondary goal to make sure I dont catch any fish as a non boater, then I will have no problem fishing in the back of the boat all day.  

The problem with the boater/ non-boater at the state level is that they put them competing against one another.  If they want to have them competing then its only fair for the non boater to have the option to take his time at the front.  There should be respect and consideration on both the boater and the non-boater's part.  If there is then there are no problems, but we all know that there are some giagantic egos in Bassfishing.  LOL

I think they should not be competing against one another and boaters should compete against boaters and non-boaters against non-boaters and the boater should have control.

[J Francho]

My club fishes a random draw/team format.  No BASS or FLW affilation.  Non boater gets equal input to areas to fish, but control of the boat isn't mandatory.  It depends on the size of the boat, and the boater.  If we're working pitching jigs in a slop fest and the boat is 18+ feet, most of the time both anglers will be on the front deck.

Rules are on our website: www.flowercitysportsmen.com/

[fishizzle]

I agree Matt

boaters and non boaters should not compete against each other

I also like it when the non boater only has to catch 3 for a limit

Our fed doesn't specify nonboater rights

http://www.ctbass.com/applications/2009_Tournamnet_Rules.pdf

[bassnleo]

In PA-FLW affiliated:

Co-angler is competing against other co's only.

Co's have no say where boat goes and must fish from back deck.

One thing you guys fail to keep in mind, you all know who is usually on fish and who isn't. If your an experienced Co-angler and have done your pre-fishing, what front deck angler (that isn't on fish) is gonna say "no we can't go to your fish"?

I've fished both BASS and FLW federations over the past 10 years, also have fished both front and back deck.

It always works out in the end...

[UPS VT]

In VT our BASS state qualifier is equal time on the trolling motor.  We draw about 2 or 3 weeks before the STQ.  We usually have more boaters than non so some boaters get drawn to be non-boaters for one of the two days.  I am a non-boater and if the boater I am with is on fish I am not going to tell him to go elsewhere.  I have been treated very well by most boaters.  I have been with a few that made for a long day to say the least.  If they back boat me and are not on any fish, then I will gladly take my half of the day.  We pay the same entry fee and we are competing against other boaters so it is only fair that we have equal time.  If your non-boaters are competing against other non-boaters only, then I don't think trolling motor time is any issue.

[BASS fisherman]

Pa BASS federation

In the club I fish in, it is more or less up to the boater. I can and will jump upfront if given the chance, but I wont ask.

I have fished with all the guys in the club and have always been asked where I want to go next, or where we should go.

As far as our state federation works it, here is the official rule from the book:

BOAT OPERATION AND EXPENSE: A full discussion must be held between the two partners prior to a morning departure as to the schedule of boat operations. This schedule must permit each partner equal time to fish from the front of the boat and to operate the trolling motor, so as to afford each partner the opportunity to fish his/her selected waters an equal number of hours. Distance traveled to fishing locations must be considered in order not to deprive either partner fishing time while traveling to and from fishing waters. If a competitor waives the above rights, he/she shall retain the right to select the fishing waters for one-half the tournament day. Any competitor who, in the judgment of the officials, operates the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his/her partner shall be disqualified. In view of the large expense involved in operating and maintaining a tournament bass boat, it is suggested that the non-boater partner share, at minimum, the cost of gas and oil for the competition day. In BASS events where observers replace anglers as the official rider, observers cannot assist the competing angler in any way. Observers are not required to help with gas and oil expenses.

[cbfishalot]

Colorado BASS Federation Nation. At the state qualifier the boater and non-boater split the day on the trolling motor and water fished. This is the same at the western divisionals. The top 12 in the state make up the Colorado State Team. The top 6 in the state being boaters at divisionals and the next 6 being non-boaters at divisionals. Just besause a angler is a non-boater at divisionals does not mean that he / she does not own a boat. He / she could have a $50,000 boat sitting at home but because they finished 7-12 in the state there boat stays at home. The top angler out of each state advances to nationals as a boater. There is no non-boaters after the divisional level. At nationals the the top angler out of each division get to go to the classic.

Colorado TBF (FLW). At the state qualifer the boater and non boater fish as a team. This is not a draw tournament it's a team tournament. The top six teams advance to divisionals. The boater being the boater and the non-boater being the non-boater at divisionals. There has been a number of times that two boaters pair up for the state qualifier. At divisionals I believe that the boater and non-boater split the day. At divisionals the top 2 angler out of each state advance to nationals. The top spot goes as a boater and the second spot goes as a co-angler. I believe at the national level the day is NOT split between the boater and co-angler.