Question for Pros

Bryant · Post by **Bryant** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:53 pm

I am going to start fishing Pro-Ams this year and I was wondering if there is anything a co-angler does that really bugs you?

bahlzar · Post by **bahlzar** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:54 pm

this thread will go on & on & on & on..............

clayton meyer · Post by **clayton meyer** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:01 pm

you mean like... stupid questions?

just kidding

not

no really ... just kidding

not

clayton meyer · Post by **clayton meyer** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:10 pm

ok... to truthfully answer the question

shared weight format

bring what your pro asks you to bring. If he wants you to rig a rod with 25# test line do it.

don't complain about not catching fish, unless you always catch fish... and if so don't be a back seater

any format...

always clean up your mess in the boat. I don't expect for a co to wipe my boat, but I don't expect to have to pick up after him either..

do not, while moving in the boat step on the seat.... unless netting a fish

try to be quiet when moving in the boat and not stomping on the deck when you want to change tackle thump thump thump

don't talk about where you fished with your previous days partner, it only indicates you are going to tell about todays partner

bring a watch

don't hit the engine cowling while casting

wash off your pee from the boat

individual weight format

don't outfish the pro

bahlzar · Post by **bahlzar** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:33 pm

you can set on the seats but cant step on them? if ya dont use the seat as a step your more likely to cause a thump......

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:57 pm

Good point Bahlzar, some of the newer boat designs like Legend and Champion have built in steps of fold down middle seats that turn into a step. Very nice and keeps you off the seats!

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:24 pm

When the Pro says, "lets go" (or pulls up the trolling motor) Get your rods put away and your life jacket on NOW! Nothing pisses them off more than having to wait for "you" to get ready to go to the next spot.

safelight · Post by **safelight** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:01 pm

I agree. And if your traditional life vest is too uncomfortable to continue wearing while fishing, then consider an auto inflatable with the new Hydrostatic technology. West Marine has the newest version by Mustang in stock and the price you pay for the comfort and worry free performance for 5 years is well worth it. Plus your Pro will never have to wait for you to zip and snap it ever again.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:25 pm

If it's a 2 day event and you bring day 2 pro to the spots we fished on day 1.

TOO much tackle

...and agree with Clayton.

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:36 am

Shared weight format;

Please put new line on your reels and if we are fishing Shasta, Oroville or Don Pedro... do not rig all your reels with 20lb florescent ( one of my Am's did that) hehe if you guys knew who it was you would split a seam laughing...but I am sworn to secrecy....But now I can get free meals when I go to Clearlake

When the Pro says only bring a flipping stick and 25lb line don't bring a wimpy 6ft trout rod and old 10lb line... If your Pro offers to let you use one of his flipping sticks PLEASE only use that rig..DON"T hook up a 8plus toad and when the Pro looks back you have switched to using your wimpy trout rod and lose the fish..

Do not scatter your ten rods across the back deck and make the Pro wait ten minutes to move to another spot, because you are resorting your stuff....

Please do not keep opening the live well to look at the big fish..and allow the big fish to jump out and skitter across the deck and back into the water...

When your partner is taking relief off the front of the boat, please do not decide that is when you have to move from side to side unneccessarily

Treat your Pro's boat better than you would if it was yours...

When the Pro asks for help with the net...don't make another cast to see if you can catch a fish from the same area he is fighting his fish...just get the damn net and be ready..

At the weigh in please don't tell the crowd that you caught all your fish on the Pro's secret bait and what it is...unless he says it is ok...

just to mention a few pet peeves

JT

Brandon Youngblood · Post by **Brandon Youngblood** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:53 am

Mike wrote:When the Pro says, "lets go" (or pulls up the trolling motor) Get your rods put away and your life jacket on NOW! Nothing pisses them off more than having to wait for "you" to get ready to go to the next spot.

When the Pro is thinking about moving he should let the Non-Boater know so he can start getting ready to go. Some of these guys are really new to the sport.It might even be there first Tournament. All it takes is for a new guy to get paired up with a Jerk to deter him from fishing future events.

Kelly Jeffers · Post by **Kelly Jeffers** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:05 am

The thing that bugs me the most that a co-angler does is catch fish after fish when I can't remember the last time I saw one !!! O-yes I can it was on the end of his line!!!

(www.MegaBass.com)

B Becker · Post by **B Becker** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:18 am

I always have a little talk before we launch.....this is when I'm at my calmest for the day

.....I lay down a few rules and most of them have been mentioned....#1 Please don't step on the seats, yes there is a step in the middle seat. #2 no fish attractant in the boat, do it over the side, unless it is Lunker Sauce, which doesn't stain or damage carpet

, but still, do it over the side. #3 no sunscreen on the seats, in our desert it acts like a magnify glass and will burn the seats (discolor)...this is for those that go shirtless and try to sunbathe while we fish, or are just careless with the lotion....good thing to do is do it in the morning before you get in the boat. #4 when I say "last cast" get your stuff ready and get your butt in the seat...it is extremely annoying to wait. And #5 give gas money, don't ask "what do you want"...give it and let the pro give some back or all of it back. Ask other non-boaters or boaters what is fair. A normal day on the lake (depending on lake---Mead is huge, so we burn some serious gas)...usually $50 in gas and $20 in oil, so half of that is $35....you are not required to pay the whole gas bill....

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:36 am

HAHAHA Kelly;

That is too funny...Maybe if you would give him some of that good water you keep moving him away from, he would share those hot worms he's using

Great comment Kelly.. Had it happen to me also...I think at one time or other it happens to all of us...I remember a Am who was throwing a strange little crankbait on the Delta who just beat me up all day..I had never seen a bait called a "Speedtrap in Green Sunfish"..

Now I don't leave home without them

JT

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:12 pm

I am a bit concerned about this weekends pro am! I have fished one 2 day shared weight pro am not to long ago. I am an am. Both days the pros I got were idiots. Neither one did any prefishing at all. Both had just got there boats. I fished for several days prefishing and new what worked and where to go. I had got my own limit in less than 4 hours and a couple punds more than what won the previous tournament.

Neither one of these guys new where to go and what to use. We went to a couple of spots with nothing. The pros wanted me to use rip bates to go after fish I knew were in 50 feet of water. They had heard that this was the time of year for ripping. I was not allowed to cast past the fifty foot mark on the boat. Was not allowed to offer any suggestions on where to go and what to use. I had a terrible experiance and didnt catch one fish both days. The pro cought 2 the first day and three the next.

I went into that tournament prepared the right polls and line. correct baits. Plenty of confidence to be in the top five at the end. Turns out the winners and the top five all used what I had planned and did very well in some of the spots I knew had good fish.

This time its gonna be differant. I plan on interviewing the pros I draw this time. They better have donre there job and have been prefishing. I'll know by what they want me to bring. I will be damned if I will let some guy that just because he has a boat and can afford to pay the entry tell me what to use and what not to use.

I have prefished oroville 6 days in two weeks. I have boated 12 - 14lb limits all 6 days and in less than 6 hours. One day I had a limit in 3 hours.

Im concerned that with the pro entry only being 400.00 and the prize a boat that it will attract guys that only fun fish, little experiance, only fished the delta, and have 400.00 to get a chance at a new boat enter not knowing what to use and how to fish Oroville.

If you enter as a pro please please be one. Do your job and prefish a few days. Let your am make suggestions. If you havnt had much time on the lake listen to your am if he has been on the lake.

I know its the pros boat and I respect that. But just because I cant afford a boat does not mean I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING!

By the time the Tournament starts I will have 8 days fishing the lake in 2.5 weeks.

I know what polls to use
I know what line to use
I know what has been working for lures
I know some good spots

If I tell you I have been prefishing for 8 days please respect that I choose not to use 25lb test on Heavy poll. Repect that I have a brain and have done my homework to ensure that we as a Pro Am Team will do well.

The way some of you p[ost it seems you think Ams are just dumbass backseaters and dont know what the heck there doing.

Its allmost insulting!

Just because you have a boat does not make you king of fishing and the all knowing master fisherman.

I hope this is not my last Pro Am but if they are like the last ones I wont be fishing anymore Pro Ams. unless I can be paired up with who I sign up with.

Sorry If I insulted anyone and sorry for rambling on but it forsts my *** when i see posts that belittle Ams.

B Becker · Post by **B Becker** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:24 pm

You are right, "just because you have a boat, that doesn't make you king"......but all I can say is that it sounds like you don't need to be an "Am" anymore.....that was not meant sarcastically or mean....that is when I made the jump to the boater side, I had a couple of bad draws in my early years too.....sounds like you have the tools, and the AC Pro circuit is a good one to compete at....I say go for it.....

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:35 pm

B Becker wrote: $20 in oil, so half of that is $35....

$20.00 in oil ????? what kind of oil are you running?

Bill Hutcheson · Post by **Bill Hutcheson** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:47 pm

Bryant -

See the post "Start with These" further up on the board

Hutch
WON BASS

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:18 pm

Your correct I do need to step up and would love to go out in my own boat with an am and win some $$$$.

Only problem is I just cant afford a boat.

When I retire and sell my house to move to a lake I will have the cash to get a damn top of the line 21 foot, *** haulin, bass findin, speed screemin, mother of god boat. I have my eye on a 21 foot ranger or bass cat with a 300 Suzuki four stroke. Lowrance color finders on both ends as well as a side scan.

Chad L. Dwyer · Post by **Chad L. Dwyer** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:45 pm

Bryant,

The best thing you can do is show up with a smile, a never give up attitude and the willingness to learn no matter how much you already know.

I spent many years as a non-boater before I chose to step up to the pointed end of the boat.

There were a few draws that were less than desireable and there were many more that I'd love to go back and fish with again. Keep it light hearted and fun and remember that your measure of success for that tournament will be weighed as much by what you learned to do or not to do as much as the scale itself.

Always remember that you will not have the winning Pro as a draw every time you fish and if you do draw a person that has an off day, that's more than likely just what it was...an off day. Pro or AM, we all have them...lots of them.

Be willing to go and do what your pro partner has in mind. If you practiced ON YOUR OWN, share that with you pro if you feel like it but don't get too bothered if it goes in one ear and out the next.

When your ready for the front of the boat you'll know. Never be the guy who won practice or the "misplaced pro stuck on the back of the boat".

Bring everything you own and be ready for battle. Make up your final list of "what to bring on gameday" after you have talked with your partner and have a better idea of his or her gameplan.

Best of luck,

Chad L. Dwyer

Dewayne · Post by **Dewayne** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:25 pm

You do not need a top of the line boat to compete. Heck, the well connected Pros at Havasu were fishing out of small aluminum boats. At some lakes it is an advantage, at some a very minor disadvantage.

I know I for one fish the 2 day events with very little pre-fish. Sometimes none other than the weekend before. What is required of each for pre-fish is a factor of budget and lake knowledge. Oddly enough over the past 2 years I have performed better in events where I did very little to no pre-fish. The amount of pre fish is all too often not a factor in ones success (not to confuse pre-fish with experience). You also have to consider that for many of us, this is a business venture. Pre-fish cost is generally about $120 a day for gas, launch fees, motel, tackle, and etc. With the payouts on many of the 2 day events a weeks pre-fish and entry fees will erase any profit unless you finish in the top 5. We have many that will spend $2000 to win $500 already.

While I hate to discurage you from fishing these events, but going into a tournament with the attitude you have adopted and more pre-fish than most any pro has done will very likely lead to an outcome you are not satisfied with. Your best bet may be to borrow or rent a boat and enter on the pro side. That way there are no excuses.

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:38 pm

I fish oroville 3-4 times a week also, and still fish as a Am, I can afford to fish on the Pro/Side but even with fishing oroville as much as I do I still have a lot to learn and am not comfortable with fishing on the front yet maybe next year

and not a bash on you K9 but if you are pre-fishing a lot and are catching 14lb limits on oroville 6 for 6 times you shoulda been fishing the pro side a long time ago 14 lbs is a damn good limit on OROVILLE make some sacrfices and give the Pro side a shot, These Pro's are not here to babysit there here to win and I havent known a pro that has ever approached a tournament half-asses at any time. I have also had some bad draws, but always remember if your trying to make a living fishing on the Am side of the boat and not allowing yourself to have fun, your in for a long road ahead of you, not wanting to discourage or step on anybody's toes I will be looking forward to this weekend on the AM Side

cleb

Colebass · Post by **Colebass** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:42 pm

per day 6 days in a row, I have an open seat on thursday for you to ride in my BassCat!

, we'll call it a test ride!

I have fished this lake alot and know guys that fish it as well and they aren't catching that, yet!

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:44 pm

Dave, Ill catch 14 lbs of something, can i go for a ride?

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:12 pm

You better go buy or rent a boat and fish the poiny end. For $400 you can win your own boat and never have to put up with those "idiot" pros again.
Since you can do it in 6 hours a very slow boat is all you will need.
I have a Thousand do;;ars that is yelling very loudly that you cant beat all of those "idiot" pros in this next tournament.
By the way if you will read the rules you will find that the pros get to make all of the decisions.
I can gaurantee you that if you bring your attitude to several of the pros they will leave you standing on the dock.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:16 pm

Old Man Jim fished from the back deck for a long time, he knows what he is talking about!! Take the 1000$ challange and pay 400$ and win a brand new Legend. You can't go wrong with a new Legend! Top of the Line!

Bill kizer · Post by **Bill kizer** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:31 pm

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:38 pm

Come on Bill, we all know your sticking them this time of year! Your a local and got them secret hunny spots!

kb · Post by kb » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:53 pm

K9

One of the problems with the internet is you can read some things into a post that is not meant or implied and I have read your post a couple times and I can't seem to read it any other way than you have a less than good attitude going into this event.

Your 8 days of practice prior to this event is wasted. For one you have been fishing on a lake with little or no pressure now you will have to compete with 100+ boats, you have been fishing stable weather conditions and now right before the event you are going to have a storm front and in typical tournament fashion you are going to have some clearing post storm (ie. high pressure and rising barometer) not the best spotted bass conditions and 2 weeks ago is alot like our buddy Conlow..........old information

sorry Jim!

Now did you put that 14 pounds on the scale or were you using a calibrated thumb? Those 15 spotted bass tend to lose weight faster than Oprah when you break out a set of scales.

Now for your interviewing of your pro partner........good luck with that. I would pay $500 for you to draw Dee or maybe Dave Rush

You need to go to the event with a positive attitude, expect to learn some things and you may be asked to fish a certain way that you think won't work.........you don't want to know the number of times I have had a nonboater question the way I was fishing until we started putting them into the boat. Bob Higgins looked at me a bit weird right before he caught the winning stringer at Clear Lake out of the back of my boat.

You may want to refrain from calling your partners idiots in the future. The only idiot is a guy that is so closed minded that he thinks his way is the only way.

Remember most of these guys have years of experience on these lakes and they don't change all that much from time of year every year. I haven't been on Oroville in a couple weeks but I can bet you they will bite a 3/4 ounce green pumpkin jig, 6" straight tail robo on a 1/4 dart head in one of the following colors, (ayu, purple punisher, aarons magic, oxblood light), 3/16th green pumpkin tube and a drop shot rig. If it storms you better tie on a ghost staysee 90 and chart/white spinnerbait with double willows one gold and one silver. There will be 6 spots in the top 10 that the pro will never lose sight of the main lake, a couple in the mid to upper section of the middle fork, a few guys will do well in the mid to upper section of the South Fork and watch out for a couple locals to catch them in the West Branch above the marina...........I haven't practiced and I know this. Most of the fish will be caught from 25 to 60 on main points.

Go to Oroville with a good attitude and you will have a great time, go with your current attitude and you might get told to get in the back and shut up! When you tell the pro you will never fish another pro-am he is likely to tell you...........good! That is not what any of us want and the difference between a good tournament and bad tournament is in your hands....and your head.

Ask around here on westernbass to the co-anglers and find out how many times a pro has fished some pattern or bait that they never thought would work....... I remember my non-boat days having a guy at Shasta flipping Gator Tails in the tree tops of the Pit River...........his name was Richard Hinkle and he whipped my *** like a school kid. I haven't forgotten that one 25 years later.

tone it down and have a good tournament at Oroville.

oh and K9 they are poles not polls

good luck
kb

sickofdinks · Post by **sickofdinks** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:55 pm

Hey Jim! You might want to reconsider that bet. Im a rookie but i do my homework. The bite was way off this last weekend but I tell you what. The pro I was with will tell you the same thing.

I had 5 in the boat that I COUGHT by 10:30!!!! I started about 8:00! That limit was 12.5lbs. My pro hit one fish for about 1.5lbs. We fished till noon and went home.

If I had fished all day I might have pulled out 14 or 15 lbs.

Jim you sound like one of those Pros wqhose stuff dont stink. I have read some of your posts and you have an attitude that I wouldnt put up with.

Yes the boater makes the decisions. If the boater hasnt done his homework and is making piss poor decisions than I for one will let him know it.

I have been out there for 4 days and my pro and I have hit 12 pounds in half a day. If you think K9 is full of **** than you better come on out and fish this tourny and put your money where your mouth is.

All K9 is doing is saying what needs to be said. There are alot of posts on what the am should be doing and not doing. Maybe someone should post on what the pro should be doing. Its a team and the pro has a responsibilty to put the team on fish.

If I put 12lbs in the boat and a pro like yourself ; Jim only puts in 8 where do you get off telling me how to fish?

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:14 pm

Hey Jim! Be at the docks at the end on Sat with that 1000.00 It will go towards my new Bass Cat.

I am not refering to the pros as all idiots. The two I have had in the past were idiots. I enjoy talking with and fishing with the guys I have met.

Jim, I to have seen some of your posts. You are a bit cocky and IMHO need to reread what I have said. Your the one goin off with the attitude. You have allways had an attitude towards non boaters from your posts I have read.

Im going to this tourny to hopefully learn something I dont know. Im also going so I can meet new people and have a blast fishing. I also hope to help a Pro win a boat as well as a little change for my pocket.

Dont worry Jim I will tell ya how to get those fish at oroville when the match is done.

The only idiots out there are the ones that dont use all there resources. One of your resources is that guy in the back seat. He may be a pro sand baggin.

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:18 pm

Well, first of all Jim fishes the Am side of the boat I believe ,and is very easy to find at the thursday meetings before the tournament so if you want to talk to him he'll be happy too,and I dont know Jim personally but he is respected by a few

on this site and should not be called out like this all we were saying is if K9 is so good find, the means to get a boat and fish the tournament. I fish oroville like I said 3-4 times a week and 12 lbs right now is not uncommon at all but 6 days in a row is. Like KB said there are some weather patterns coming in and what people are catching these limits on right now are no secret. Oh yead KB, Dee would laugh his *** off lol and so would Rush. But dinks I agree when you say pro's should check there p's, and q's also but it's there boat if you dont like it dont fish in a shared weight pro/am plain and simple my 0.02

cleb19

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:07 pm

If I dont like the pro I draw I just ask for a redraw. Preety simple.

It isnt K9 that is calling out Jim its just the reverse. Jim opened up the flame with the 1000.00 bet.

12 lbs this last weekend is not common. For one person to do that in half a day i think is doin good.

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:10 pm

I'm going to make a serious post this time so I don't want everyone to laugh. For once I figured I could actually post something of substance

Bryant asked a great question "What bugs Pro's" and bahlzar remarks "this thread will go on & on & on & on" as thou there are 10 million reasons why Am's bug Pro's. bahlzar remarks are really unfair, I'm sure if the answer was flopped you would have an equal amount of complaints. While I have limited experience in Pro / Ams, the lessons learned in the past 1 1/2 years have been memorable. It seems that I have fished with all "types" of Pro's in this brief time. So here is my list of some things that will help you.

1_DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GET TO THE LAKE. Do as much research about the lake your fishing, from baits, techniques, line size sizes to the poles needed poles. You have a great avenue with this site, don't be afraid to ask questions. Do not assume anything, bring everything all the time. You will be talking to your pro the night before so when you get the needed information, go back to your room and assemble the needed gear for the following day. Dry run everything in your mind from the boat ride, correct pole, line, hooks to baits. You should expect nothing nor ask for anything from your Pro, be very prepared. Your selection of tackle should be streamlined and efficient, don't over complicate your choices.

2_ Most Pro's will "interview" you by asking you questions ranging from technique strengths to if you pre-fished. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO IMPRESS YOUR PRO BY BEING SOMEONE YOUR NOT. All questions should be answered truthfully and plainly, don't tell them your life story about why you don't know how to Dropshot. I've heard some horror story's from friends that fish as Pro's. The only way you impress your Pro is by putting fish in the boat period!

3_ Start off the day with light talk, small chit chat. Don't talk about politics or the argument you just had with your significant other, dont talk about anything that will make tension, keep it light.

4_Dont expect anything from your Pro, but expect the unexpected. Don't be alarmed when he says something about the trolling motor batteries didn't charge, the poles are in the room and I forgot them, I need to get gas, I need to walk the ramp a few times because I'm bound up, etc. You need to adapt to the situation and improvise. Don't be a part of the problem but be a part of the solution.

5_ Your fishing your gear should not be scattered all over the back deck. When your Pro says "Lets Go" you should be able to reel in and sit down ready to go at an instant notice. He cant net your fish when you have 3 poles in his way.

6_ At the end of the day you better help with cleaning up the boat. Insist on wiping down the boat and putting things away. Act as thou its Faith Hills boat and your detailing it. Grab all your used plastics and return anything that you borrowed. Give gas money, and if the Pro has a complex he wont take much more than 20 bucks because he didn't put you on fish, it seems to be a common number. But if you have a shred of decency you'll accidentally add 10-20 bucks extra in the folded 20 you give him.

7_ Not a word gets mentioned about what your Pro was using or where you were fishing to anyone, not your Mom, Sister, Girl friend, or Wife. If you finished high in the standings some people will hang around you to listen to what might slip out, they have ears. Remember and practice this saying, I had a great time and we got them all on hooks. The fact of the matter you cant control who you draw, its out of your control no mater how much research you do on your Pro. Unfavorable Pro's both old and young have equally annoying characteristics, ones stubborn the other being arrogant. If you nit pick every Pro you get you will start off on the wrong foot therefore dampering your performance. I know I haven't covered everything but I hope I've offered some information that's useful. Remember, your number one mission is to have a good time. Most Pro's want you to have a good time because they know for you to be effective you need to be comfortable. Good luck

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:18 pm

12 lbs was common last week considering it took 15 something to win a tournament on saturday, Dont get me wrong I've fished out there about 6 times in the past two weeks and I've only gotten 12 lbs ONCE, so I dont want to sound like a pro. the 1000.00 bet thing was a joke it was "said",(typed in a sarcastic manner) it wasnt really called for, and with the redraw thing that does work, but soon or a later you start being known for redraws it just doesnt look good not at all, once again just my .02 take it or leave it

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:28 pm

Im not hear to start up a big flame war. It just gets me hot when the Pros start gangin up on the ams with this silly nonsense about how the am has to fish the way the pro wants him too. I agree with the rules of the boat but if someone wants me to restring with 24lb test i have to really question what this guy is doing.

Im all for treating every pro with respect but damn guys lets get a little respect for the ams. If you didnt have an am you wouldnt be in this tournament. It takes two to win this thing.

The pros are fishing for a boat the ams are maybe going to get 2000.00 or a little more.

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:29 pm

If your a am and start banging them in the back on something and the pro asked ME to use one HELL YEAH Ill let him have whatever he needs he is fishing for a new boat people and sometimes there even fishing for their livlihoods children,family,home, Im not feeling sorry for them but it's the truth I let them use whatever they want

cleb

sickofdinks · Post by **sickofdinks** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:34 pm

Good point Mark! Whats the pro going to do? Tell the am to change up? He would be stupid to do that!! I did that to my Pro. He cought the first fish. Then I baged 5 in a row after I changed color on my bait. That color was the last on my list to use pre fishing and I nailed em all in two spots. Man my Pro was so happy! He said he learned something from a AM and was glad I was the one to show him. I appreciate that a whole bunch.

Getting back to Marks question. Yep I throw him whatever he needs. Even if its something I havnt tried or he hasnt tried and I got something that looks good. He is more than welcome to use it.

K9Cop · Post by **K9Cop** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:46 pm

If im bangin fish and the pro is strugling I would be the first to offer the pro some help. If he needs a bait or poll no problem im there to win and get him a boat.

Hell I would give him my poll and bait I was bangin them on and change up to something else thast I think may work also. Hell Id let him bang the limit while I went for the kicker. Shoot its all good.

I have been fishing for like thirty years and never refused to help out another fisherman. I may have wanted to throw them out of the boat

but I always am there for the team.

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:03 pm

I have always fished as a non-boat owner, I have always enjoyed reading the tales of woe from both the boater and the co..The fact is not everyone is going to get along, although I would venture to say that well over 90% of the time they do..I don't neccessarily believe the boater should tell the co what to do, but I expect them to offer suggestions..Also for the most part these suggestions really ought to reflect the strengths of the co-angler, that is if he has stated any..Trying to get some one to dropshot during a tournament that has never done it before, may not be the best idea..Of course the boater may know and really should know the water and the bite better than his co-angler..But we all know that sometimes just knowing the water and what has worked may not work today or tomorrow..Most of the time this is just the chances we take by fishing in tournaments..The most important thing to remember is to have fun..

mac

fishfan · Post by **fishfan** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:13 pm

I thought that when you paid your money to fish in a pro/am you had a chance to fish where you wanted is this not true? Someone besides Jim ( Mr. Negative) help me out here!

Tahnks Jeff H.

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:17 pm

KB and Lance those were some of the best posts on this subject I have ever heard...Enough said...thanks for sharing..

Now the guys with the personal attacks need to learn how to post their opinions without doing a personal attack...Stay on the subject...You just diminish the value of your own opinion by the attacks...

JT

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:17 pm

You do if you are the pro..Sometimes the pro might be willing to defer to the am wishies if his spots aren't working..

mac

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:37 pm

Awww shucks, thanks JT

L

sickofdinks · Post by **sickofdinks** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:00 pm

Hey Mark! We should hook up. Im a big grubber. Man I never leave home without my Hulas. I dont do well with Jigs untill the last two weeks. Hint hint! I dont usually go with the standard browns and blacks. I like flash. I also try more natural colors. Mainly Watermelons. Another hint.

Tell ya little thing that happened on Sunday morning.

We went over to the middle fork and were under the bridge at the opening to the middle. I put a 1/2 oz football on my Shimano flippin stick. MH Crucial at 7'6". I went to cast it over to the one of the cement towers. At mid cast my reel jamed at it snaped the line. Man I didnt know a jig could go that high and that far. It hot the bridgr just below the roadway and up over the cement tower. Man that thing was airborn for what seemed like 2 minutes.

That was one of my favorite jigs too. I made it myself.