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rowing up in the state of Penn., terri Bittner has been a lifetime angler, often fishing rivers and creeks through her youth. in 1988, she made the move to the West, settled in Calif. and started competitively fishing bass tournaments. She has since fished both sides of the both in many different circuits across the U.S. Currently, she is fishing WoN Bass, anglers Choice and lBaa, with having goals of returning back east. Bittner said, “fishing in the east and south is completely different from the west.” Bittner provides us with the unique ability to teach us from both the pro and co-angler side of tournament fishing. She never goes into a tournament thinking as just a co-angler or pro, she is able to have perspective from both the front and back decks. She enters every tournament differently than any previous ones, believing that every body of water is different, needing a different mindset, preparation and role on the boat depending on the type of tournament. She explained, “as long as you fish your strengths, stick with your confidence baits, you will be a successful angler.” terri Bittner took the time to answer some questions about her career and her secrets to being a successful co-angler. Keep in mind there are different types of tournaments involving pro’s and co’s, a shared-weight format, when you and the pro are working as a team and a non-shared format, where you have to catch your own fish behind a pro. depending on the type of tournament, Bittner had different answers and tips for us, some commonplace etiquette and others differ with each tournament.
WB: First off, congratulations on Oroville, how did it feel to have won there? TB: Words can’t express how excited i am to have won, to cull 3-lb fish was amazing. Gary dobyns on day one was great; he is a stand up guy. Having to adjust on the second day to a new pro, different locations and different weather conditions, i just continued to fish my strengths and comfort baits, which were catching fish day one and thankfully the second day. it just felt right.
WB: When you first meet with your pro for the event what are details you usually get from him/her? TB: (i) don’t really get into specifics of baits or locations; because the pro doesn’t know your housing
situation. it just keeps everyone on equal level for the start of the tournament. We will set up meeting place, time, and then go fishing. Big rule of thumb, never as a co-angler reveal a location a pro gives you, it is extremely unethical.
WB: Space for a co-angler can be limited, how many rod/reel combos do you usually bring? TB: depends on the body of water, usually i’ll have two spinning and four baitcasters. reservoir fishing, like at oroville i had three spinning and three baitcasters; however, somewhere like Clear lake i’ll bring four rods period. i try to match my rods to each body of water; although i always have a spinning rod to be prepared for finesse, because that is necessary anywhere.
WB: Again thinking of space, how much tackle do you bring? TB: one bag, which typically will fit in a boat locker. it’s more convenient for the pro and myself.
WB: Do you feel pre fishing as a co-angler is important? TB: No, because as a co-angler you are at the mercy of the driver in terms of locations. i will do some homework to know what type of baits and techniques to use, sticking with my comfort baits.
WB: What are the top-3 most important tips of advice in regards to etiquette as a co-angler could you give? TB: Help with some of the cost such as fuel first and foremost, never give up their information, and be respectful of their boat. You want to keep a good reputation as a co-angler, so pros want to have you in their boat.
WB: How do you maximize your opportunity, but respect the pro at the same time? TB: That’s a tough question. if you have done your own pre-fishing, don’t be afraid to toss out a suggestion to the pro, even then sometimes the pro won’t give a hoot; just remember, no matter what happens, as long as you’re fishing, line in the water, your chances increase to catch fish. in (shared- weight) Pro/am’s the pros are more inclined to get information to help you both. don’t be afraid to speak up.
spring 2013
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