First Tournament Wed. Night

[dhami013]

This Wednesday night I got a spot on a guy's boat to fish in a tournament. This is my first tournament. When I dropped a thread on the local forum for the area I stated that it was my first tournament and that I was looking to learn. And I got emails from a guy offering a spot.

Any pointers? I've read several articles on etiquette and fishing in the back seat. But I want some insight from fellow anglers.

[rad07h]

I used to fish non boater in tournaments all the time and learned that some guys are jerks and others are awesome. Some dont like it if you cast forward they only want you to cast from the middle point of the boat directly out and back. Also in some boater non boater tournaments the non boater gets the front of the boat and gets to travel to their spot for half the day.. I have never taken advantage of that and with gas prices the way they are I wouldnt expect him to drive me anywhere other than where he wanted to fish unless I was paying for atleast half his gas bill. Oh ya and dont let him front end ya!

[Bassn Blvd]

First off, is this a team tournament? Meaning both people in the boat fish as a team against the other boaters.

As a boater who fishes team tournaments, I offer for the other team mate to fish the front deck with me if he wants. We're both going for the win as a team. As a boater fishing team tourny's, I go out of my way to position the boat so my team mate has access to the same shoreline/structure as me. As long as he doesn't throw on top of me. And in that case, he wouldn't be my team mate for long .

One thing I don't like as a boater with a team mate or fishing against the guy in the back seat is when he brings every piece of equipment he owns, including the kitchen sink, and takes up every available piece of space. Bring what you want, just keep it out of my way.

If this isn't a team tourny and you're the non-boater, then sit in the back, mind your own business, and don't get in the way of the boaters cast or "spot." Offer your ideas and assistance, but if he isn't receptive then stay to yourself. Some boaters can be arsholes.

[evrgladesbasser]

This topic seems to come up a lot. You can probably do a search and find several threads. With that said here's my short and sweet on the topic, from a boaters point:

I don't care what you bring with you, as long as it stays in the back of the boat with you.

When it comes to casting, I don't like guys casting past my seat. Why? Cause I don't like people spooking fish I'm trying to catch.

If things aren't going so great, PLEASE throw some suggestions out there. I'm always looking for input from my backseater, in fact I welcome it.

Clean-up your mess before you leave.

DO NOT let me catch you throwing antything but a lure over the side of my boat. I will take you back to the ramp.

I try and treat the non-boater the way I would like to be treated, and keep the boat in a position they can comfortably fish from. Now if I get a non-boaters who's a butt, well I can also make things harder for them.

[dhami013]

It's a team tournament for Wednesday. I appreciate the input. I plan on keeping my equipment to a minimum. Just my tackle box and 2 poles. I'm pretty stoked to go out.