Fishing from the back of the boat

[SnowBass23]

I have been in the same boat for years (rimshot, please! :). Anyway, I fished from the back of my buddy's boat for a long time and could not buy a bite. I think our problem was that I'm big on S L O W finesse presentations and he always had that boat moving, so it is easy to armchair quarterback and point out other's mistakes. As far as fishing behind someone else...

I went out with that same guy and a friend in his boat, and my wife and I in another. We literally fished 25 feet behind them following the shoreline (it's a smallish private lake and we were all in gheenoes). The first boat would catch a couple here and there, but I was killing them! My wife was even doing really well, so I think it came down to right presentations and the right time, and the front/back of the boat wasn't a factor. Take whatever you can get and learn to use it to your advantage!

[WRB]

I could be wrong, but the question didn't have anything to do with tournament fishing.

WRB

[J-B]

As a person that does not own a boat, I would be as happy as a large bass with a brim in its mouth to sit in the back of a boat fishing. I would love the opportunity to watch, learn and fish. I could care less where I sat: front, back, middle or in a tube behind the boat so long as I can be there to enjoy it. Be happy that you are in a boat fishing and stop sweating in the back seat. Try to enjoy it no matter what. The guy in the front has the ability to fish right and left sides as well as the front. The guy in the back has the ability to fish right and left sides as well as the back. Remember that sometimes it takes many cast to the same area to get a fish to bite. Throw to the same area that the guy in front just did as well as all around you. Don't worry about him getting all the good spots first. The sopts will still be there when you get to them (so long as he didnt scare every fish out of there when he caught the big one first ).

[bassdocktor]

If I'm in the back of someones boat it really doesn't matter to me. I take the opportunity to watch what they are doing just like everyone else said, You can see all the areas they are missing or places that probably should get a second cast. You also get different angles.

So while you might be at the disadvantage of not hitting some targets first, you do get the advantage of hitting the places your buddy doesn't

Sportaholic, The Illinois B.A.S.S. Federation Nation does the same thing for the State Qualifier where both guys are suppose to be allowed equal timing running the boat. They can file a complaint if you object unless it is because you feel they will legitimately damage your boat. However, most guys seems perfectly happy to stay in the back.

That might help qualify the earlier statement because I would imagine it is a similar situation. And here everyone pays the same fee and many non-boaters just didn't qualify or choose to fish as a boater.

[cato]

I haven't fished any tournaments although I'm currently looking into some local clubs so all of my fishing so far has been for fun and yes I fish from the front of the boat. I always position the boat so that me and my fishing buddy have similar opportunities to cast at the best spots and if he wants to cast at the good cover and "steal" my spot then we have a good laugh about it and just keep plugging along.

Now, the reason I always sit at the front of the boat is simple. I am dishing out the monthly payments on an expensive bass boat, I pay the insurance, I pay for the gas and oil, I make the payments on the F150 that pulls the boat, I buy the gas in the F150, etc. You get the picture.

That being said, my buddy has never asked to sit up front because (refer to paragraph 1) and if he did I would say....Oh, h@ll yeah man, come on up, I'll hang at the back of the boat.

[Glenn]

We have several articles here on the site that will help you out:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/back_seat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/backseat_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/back_seat_strategies.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/co-angler_clinic.html

Enjoy!

[moby bass]

Thanks for the replies, guys. To clarify, this is not tournament fishing, and I am greatful for the invitation to go along.  Its his boat and he never accepts money from me for gas or anything.  I'm not going to nor do I want to take over the front of the boat. This is just fun fishing with a friend.  I was just looking for some tips like, should I throw the same bait,

what some different techniques might be or tips for picking up some bass he may have missed.  He does tournament fish, so he moves along. I do have to sort of throw something similar. I can't throw plastic if he's burning cranks. Thanks Glenn, I'm going to look through those articles as soon as i get a chance.

[Bassnajr]

SPOT....

Forget everything I said...YOU R RIGHT!!!!!!!   ;D  No worries, if I get down in your area, you'll be the first I look up!!!! I had an interesting T today that kind of put your view in a different light!!!!!!

ajr