Suggestions for a Co-Angler

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Doug Hodel
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Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 2:56 pm

Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Doug Hodel »

OK, I will be fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series and I am looking for suggestions on how I should fish the back of the boat.

I have never fished in a Pro/Am type tournament before. I am wondering what I should do from the back of the boat?????

I was thinking carolina rig, senko, jig, if my pro is bed fishing....

If I have someone like KVD or another reaction fisherman should I match their style??????

How should I interact or should I interact afterall they are fishing for big money, I just don't want to committ any faux pas.

Thanks in advance.
leachman90
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by leachman90 »

Hey Doug,I would suggest that after the draw you will get together and talk.Usally you will disguss where you are going to meet and at what time.Find out what type of fishing he has planned and such.This would be a good time to let him know this is your 1st event like this one and what does he think is exspected.Most of these guys are pretty cool and will be happy to tell you what they think.I once got drawn out with a guy named Dobyns or something like that(lol)and I did'nt have a clue who this guy was.We talkes for abit and he really put me at eaze.Had one of the best times of my life the next day.All of this will dictate what type of fishing you will need to be ready for.Remember to offer gas money whether they take it or not.And DON"T take to much stuff with you.And ALWAYS be ready to roll,I just left my pfd on all the timeso I could always be ready to go when they are.Do us at "CRS"proud Doug.GB...Jim


Oh,by the way I found out the Dobyns guy is a pretty "BIG STICK".
backdeckpro
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by backdeckpro »

Doug, I will assume you are fishing the Delta Elite tournament next week so I would suggest five rods; 5" Senko (watermelon w/red flake) on 15lb test fluorocarbon, dropshot rod w/6" RoboWorm (Oxblood or MM III) on 10-15lb test fluorocarbon, plastic frog or buzz bait on 50lb braid, red crankbait (speed trap or rattle trap) on 12lb test, and a flipping stick w/ some type of creature bait on at least 20lb test or braid.

I would probably be throwing the Senko and the dropshot rod 80-90% of the time. The other baits would be purely situational.

I would not suggest matching the pro bait for bait unless they are just crushing the fish.

Remember to JUST HAVE FUN!!! :D Enjoy the experience and don't worry about the little stuff. All the pros are good people so just remember to communicate with them.

Good Luck.

Pat Wilson
It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Doug Hodel
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Doug Hodel »

Sorry I should have been more specific. I am fishing the Clear Lake Tournament.
backdeckpro
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by backdeckpro »

Well, since I will be fishing against you I take it all back :wink: . Seriously, I will have the same rods I suggested for the Delta with a swimbait thrown in. I may change the crankbait for a ripbait. It will depend on what the weather does before the tournament. I will probably still be throwing the dropshot and Senko 80-90% of the time. See you up there.

Pat Wilson
It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
NaCl
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You're a class act Pat!*NM*

Post by NaCl »

*NM*
Romeo D
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There is a reason he is called the Backdeckpro!!

Post by Romeo D »

congrats to you this past weekend Pat
Murph
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Murph »

Read Pat's book, whenever he writes it. He's definitely rewriting the one that's out there currently.
It might be lonely at the Top, but it's a bitch, at the Bottom !
Kevin Evans - Kap
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Re: You're a class act Pat!*NM*

Post by Kevin Evans - Kap »

Yep, What Dean said...


Kap
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Tornado Dave
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Tornado Dave »

The secret to success and maintaining your sanity is to match the pace of your pro. While you can match the bait, you don't have to. If he is throwing spinnerbait, you can throw a lipless or drag a splitshot worm. If he is throwing Senko, you may want to throw a jig, beaver or drop shot.

If he is fishing a bed, fish something weedless and something that you can dead stick or fish very slowly, like a senko. Because he can be on a bed fish for 30-45 minutes.

Good luck, have fun,

Dave
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Wolfeman
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Wolfeman »

Pat,
What rod and reel are using for you dropshot setup?
Thanks,
- Wolfeman
"Don't take life too seriously. You're not getting out alive." Bugs Bunny
Dewayne
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Re: Doug

Post by Dewayne »

You will be fishing behind one of the best. Most of them insist that you fish the water they have already covered. Remember that no matter how good they are, maybe 1 out of 10 fish will bite their lure so this is not a problem. Keep a positive attitude and fish hard all day long. You can catch fish behind them and all the co-anglers are pretty much dealing with the same issues. Do not mentally take yourself out of competition. Don't get concerned that they are out fishing you. They probably will, but you are only in competition with the other co-anglers and you have 8 hours to catch 5 fish.

If you are normally a boater you need to change your approach to that of a back seater. Practice catching fish behind someone before you get there and make sure your casting will hit the intended target the first shot you get. You can not stop the boat for a second try.

It's rare that matching what the pro is throwing will work out for you. You may not be able to out fish KVD with a spinner bait, don't waist time trying. You are better off taking one of your confidence technique that compliment him and fish for the fish passing on his offering. Focus on secondary targets or the used primary targets with a finesse approach. If he is fishing the dock pilings try hitting the shade line between the docks for instance as a secondary target. Maybe weed clumps he is passing up.

Some of these guys move real fast and once they are finished fishing a target they are moving on no matter if you just made a cast or not. If you are drop shotting bring lots of hooks and weights. You will go through some tackle.

Remember that you do not always have to cast forward of the boat to catch a fish. If the guy is flipping, throwing a swim bait or crank bait all day may not work unless you cast it back instead of in front of the boat. Try to approch each area you fish with the attitude of how do I catch a fish here, rather than I want to do this. Be versitile.

What worked the day before may not work the next day due to difference in how the Pros are fishing. Fish the day and forget the day before.

Hope this helps and to beat Wilson I suggest you hire some goons or make him some brownies laced with sleeping pills. :)
Dewayne
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MaddMaggs
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by MaddMaggs »

Doug,

Listen to Dewayne. Everything he said is 100% spot on (not the fish). Granted I am not the seasoned co-angeler but have been fishing the back of a boat my whole life.

In the back you get some GREAT angles on areas the boater has missed. Keep your eyes moving for those angles and be ready, if you see a potential spot up ahead, wait till you are inline. Granted dont wait like a minute but be ready. I have caught some fish in pockets the boater doesn't even see, he's concentrating on the area forward of the steering wheel so look for those sweet spot off the back of the boat.
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Trace
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by Trace »

Thanks Pat for sharing and helping. You amaze me with your consistency off the back of the boat. Great job last week at FLW.
See ya at Clear Lake.
Trace
gcopple
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by gcopple »

i just got some 7in. senko's that i was thinking of switching to once i got a limit in the boat. is this a good idea? or should i stick with my normal 6in. senko's i throw? this is a question for clear lake and the delta, mainly the delta though.

george
George Copple
backdeckpro
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Re: Suggestions for a Co-Angler

Post by backdeckpro »

Wolfman, I was using a G-Loomis (GLX) MBR843C with a Shimano Curado superfree and 15lb test P-Line fluorocarbon. This is a great set up if a little pricey.

Dewayne, I think you are now nominated as my official tournament food taster :lol: . By the way, I don't think we burned the 75 bucks in gas that I put in your boat during the 5hrs of prefishing we did :P !

George, do what you have confidence in. I follow my mentor's (Sieg Taylor) advice with the SINALOA philosophy, safety in numbers and law of averages, when fishing from the back deck. This means I would use the size of Senko which gets me the most bites. This is probably going to be the smaller size but let the fish tell you what they want during prefish and during the tournament.

Pat Wilson
It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Dewayne
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Re: Heck no Pat!

Post by Dewayne »

I was just sticking it to you. It is the pactice philosophy I use with Haraguchi. If I make the pre-fish experience bad enough you will feel good about drawing any body else but me. See how well it worked! I will send you the rest of the bill later. :)
Dewayne
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