Non-Boater info

[BriBass]

Im 19 and been bass fishing for a long time. I would love to fish tournaments but not every 19yr old has a boat lol. So i really want to as a non-boater this year. I understand i have my strengths and weaknesses in certain areas, like im no the best "deep" water fishing but  o well.

Can you guys tell me everything or anything about being a non-boater?

Anything that could help me. the "do's and dont's"... anything, Tips, w/e just looking to educate myself

Even the best way to find these non-boater tourneys or how much the cost...

Thanks for any help

[etommy28]

im 19 and finally go the money to buy a boat and has been fishing as a non boater for several years, heres some hints

1. dont tick your boater off, when he has the boat he will back end you all day

2. if you are allowed in the tourny to take the boat for half the day and you have spots or are not fishing how you do well take it your half the day

3 dont bring too much stuff, most boater will share stuff if u dont have, basically bring 5 rods and just stuff u think u will use

4. help and always pay your boaters gas

5. if you have not already join a club

6. talk to your boater about what he likes, does not like so on and so forth

7. know what you are talking about and if u dont ask

8. when u get in the boat find out where every thing is like any open compartments, cooler, live well, and on that if u go in the cooler ask you boater if he wants any thing.

9. if there is a problem let them know it can normally be fixed

10. if u join a club try to fish more than just tournys with people in the club, i know u dont have much time but when im home I try to make a couple days a month to fish with older members of the club who want to go out. this the best way to learn I fish with people who have forgot more about fishing than I ever hope to know.

if you have any questions PM me and ill be glad to answer them.

[Catt]

Here is the most valuable piece of information I can offer you

Send a PM to Ryan (Senko_77) ASAP

[SudoomFisher]

May be a stupid question but what do you guys do when you have go to the bathroom when your in one of these tournaments? Plan to start this year and this is one of a few questions I need answered ;D

[Bass Dude]

I am a boater and I agree with most of what 'etommy28' says with the exception of a couple things.

1. Don't expect your boater to give you anything. It is YOUR responsibility to have everything you need. And DO NOT forget your life jacket. A boater will not always have an extra.

2. Don't ask your boater what they like. If you fish BFL or Weekend Series, the boater has full control of the boat. You will have to suit your fishing into what the boater is doing.

A couple additional things to consider:

1. Don't back the boat in or operate the boat if you don't know what you're doing.

2. Discuss netting fish (if legal in your tourney). Some boaters don't like the co to net fish. Again, if you don't feel comfortable netting the boaters fish---DONT DO IT!! If you cost them a fish, they will not be happy.

3. If your fishing tight to cover or boat docks and you aren't accurate---don't use the tourney as casting practice. You can really tick off a boater if he has to constantly go into the cover to retrieve your lures.

4. Always be ready to move---don't have tackle laying all over the boat. When they're ready, you should be too.

5. Keep their boat clean and take your garbage out after the day is over. I hate having to clean bottles and wrappers that aren't mine!!

6. It was said but ALWAYS offer to pay for gas. Let the boater decide if they want to take it from you.

[Bass Dude]

May be a stupid question but what do you guys do when you have go to the bathroom when your in one of these tournaments? Plan to start this year and this is one of a few questions I need answered ;D

Tell the boater you need to go so that they don't toss you out of the boat by accident---then let her rip!!

[etommy28]

my mistake i miss phrased that bass dude, I simply ment dont bring every thing u own, I would never jump in a boat and start asking for tackle. also with the netting it goes both ways if u dont feel comfortalbe with your boater netting fish do it your self. But definately know all the ruls, I dont fish the weekend series or any of that so I was talkt purely from club and federation tourny about having the boat for half a day.  Here is a big One if you are not comfortabale with the conditions Like the weather on a big body of water, SPEAK UP not all boaters will like this but its better to be safe and with most boater even if they dont like it they will respect u for saying some thing.

[R520dvx]

Try offering your boater gas money before the tournament starts ...... many times it makes for a better day if the boater doesn't think you are gonna stiff him

[BriBass]

Bass dude.. Wat do you mean by dont ask the boater what they like? do you mean what they like to fish? or how? Thanks

Thanks guys for all the help!   if you think of anything else dont be worried to speak up!  

[RobbyZ5001]

Try offering your boater gas money before the tournament starts ...... many times it makes for a better day if the boater doesn't think you are gonna stiff him

I have the total opposite approach. I will fish the tourney with him, and see how much he runs, how his etiquette is then I decide on tip. Even if he backboats me I will tip him, but not as much. I also tip depending on how much running and what not. Last year when gas prices sucked I was giving 30, but this year I will offer 20. Also offer to wipe down his boat.

[ChazfromVA]

just go with the flow man... i have been non boating for 5 years now and you just have to feel your boater out.. dont trash his boat and always be respectful. and like these guys said, make sure you know to net before you go trying to net his 5lb kicker fish that could help him win the tournament. Also when your back there juust try to stay positive. work with what he gives you and ALWAYS use something slightly different then your partner. also pay attention to where he casts and trying hit the spots he missed, after all he can't hit every spot. Sometimes doing this can reward you with a solid fish your partner might have missed. Follow these tips and you can have a successful day from the back deck

[Bass Dude]

Bass dude.. Wat do you mean by dont ask the boater what they like? do you mean what they like to fish? or how? Thanks

Thanks guys for all the help! if you think of anything else dont be worried to speak up!

I should have stated that better--and again this is in the BFL's and Weekend Series where the boater has total control of the boat:

Don't try to persuade them to fish the way you want them to.  I was thinking it was a moot point to ask them what and how they like to fish because you would have to do whatever they are doing anyway.

[Bass Dude]

Etommy28,

I should have said don't rely on the boaters for anything---meaning food, life jacket, rain gear, tackle, drink, etc.  Not that they may not offer you these things, but boaters also forget stuff back at the truck!!  I speak from experience!!!

[Tin]

I'm 20 and fished the Bassmaster Weekend Series as a non last year and all I can say is work your butt off and save up. I had one good ride the entire season that knew what he was doing. The others were kind of clueless and just loved drowning senkos. The Weekend Series tourney I won on Champlain I found the sweet spot, pattern, and bait. I went nuts working to buy mine and got lucky that I'm going to have Federal Loans and Grants to pay for most of my college. So now I'm saving up for a new truck.

I agree 100% with Robby, if you pull an . who thinks you're just there to net for him than do what you have to. Senko 77 and I have spent hours talking about boaters we have drawn and have come to the agreement that fishing as a non-boater is not always fun because a lot of the guys are truely clueless. It is kind of scary. I had one guy try to make a 40 mile run in a 19' boat with 4-5 footers one day, then a guy trying to get up on pad and fly in 6 footers the next..

But you can learn a little trick every now and then.

Last...I'm convinced to be a successful non-boater you need to know how to finesse fish and find fish just about anywhere.. Senko does it with his shakey heads and does great, and I do it with the drop-shot and 2" tube.

(now bash me for being an arrogant *****)

[Tin]

Try offering your boater gas money before the tournament starts ...... many times it makes for a better day if the boater doesn't think you are gonna stiff him

I have the total opposite approach. I will fish the tourney with him, and see how much he runs, how his etiquette is then I decide on tip. Even if he backboats me I will tip him, but not as much. I also tip depending on how much running and what not. Last year when gas prices sucked I was giving 30, but this year I will offer 20. Also offer to wipe down his boat.

I thought you were banned from the BFL's after numerous sexual harassment charges were filled against you by your boaters.... :-?

[RobbyZ5001]

Try offering your boater gas money before the tournament starts ...... many times it makes for a better day if the boater doesn't think you are gonna stiff him

I have the total opposite approach. I will fish the tourney with him, and see how much he runs, how his etiquette is then I decide on tip. Even if he backboats me I will tip him, but not as much. I also tip depending on how much running and what not. Last year when gas prices sucked I was giving 30, but this year I will offer 20. Also offer to wipe down his boat.

I thought you were banned from the BFL's after numerous sexual harassment charges were filled against you by your boaters.... :-?

First of all boater #1 didn't complain, and they could not find enough evidence to prove it on the other 4 incidents.

[BriBass]

Thanks guys for all the help! I guess it would be not so fun if the guy doesnt know what he's doin... Kinda makes me wonder if its worth doing and paying for...  WHY CANT WE ALL JUST HAVE BOATS! ? :D :-/ :-/