Co-angler etiquette

[kylebass91]

Fishing the Stren this comming week and having only fished with family and friends what should I need to know about fishing from the back seat?

[Dan P]

Here's some great information


http://www.flwoutdoors.com/searchVer/Se ... Clinic.cfm

DP

[civicrr]

Good read. Most of it just sounds like regular fishing buddy etiquette.

Thanks for posting the link.

[Big Ed]

Kyle;

That is such a good question. I doctored this article a long time ago and just read it for the first time in a very long while. Here you go:

Nobody ever gave me a set of "Non-boater rules" when I entered my first tournament. Although I stumbled a little as a non-boater in the beginning, common sense got me through the day. Since then, I’ve learned by trial and error on the do’s and don’ts and etiquette of being a non-boater. The first thing I do in the morning, before I put any of my gear in the boat, is ask the boater what the rules are for his boat. ALL BOATERS have rules for their boats. I want to immediately know what the boater wants. I want to know where I can or can’t step; where to store my rods; which compartment is for my use, etc. I’ve had one boater tell me "don’t touch this livewell; this is mine and that one is yours". I found out later in the day that he had a bell on the inside of his livewell so he knew if it was being opened. He did this because a past non-boater had opened his livewell to admire his nice 5 pounder and that fish jumped out, flopped all over the back deck and ended up back in the water instead of on the scales. Help the boater launch the boat. If you don’t feel comfortable backing someone else’s boat down a crowded ramp in the dark, say so. Before the boat goes in the water, ask the boater if the plug is in. I had one boater give me a weird look when I asked this, like no one had ever asked him before, but he appreciated the fact I was looking out for him. Ask if there is anything special about locking up the rig before you drive back up the ramp. Give the keys back as soon as you are back in the boat. Although I haven’t done it, it’s my terrible fear to drop someone else’s keys in the lake. What to bring and how much is too much? I usually bring 5 rods maximum and one tackle bag. “Anything more is too muchâ€

[sgvangler]

Lots of good stuff there Ed. Thanks for the pointers!

I will add that you need to also make sure that your tackle (weights, lures) is not banging on the gel coat when the boat is on plane. Secure your rigs.

[macinckirk]

And don't take KFC with you and eat it in the boate, unless you can also bring a vac

I took a person to mead or havasu (I forget which 1 now) and the next day I had ants in the boate took a week to get them out of it

[Todd Dunlap]

I don't know about the FLW having a on the water livewell inspection but Bassmasters Elite guy's like when you open and hold the livewell lids open during the drive by inspection Big Ed,said it all HAVE FUN,Kylebass91

[texas john]

All these guys covered a lot of good info, but one thing was forgotten. DONT BRING A BANANA ON THE BOAT AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A THROW AWAY FIRST CAST!!! It is bad luck to have a banana or to catch a fish first cast. Your pro might not be to happy with either of them happening.

[Hollywood]

All these guys covered a lot of good info, but one thing was forgotten. DONT BRING A BANANA ON THE BOAT AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A THROW AWAY FIRST CAST!!! It is bad luck to have a banana or to catch a fish first cast. Your pro might not be to happy with either of them happening.

Make sure you put the banana in Dobyns boat! I heard he likes to eat them for lunch!

[Marty]

- When sitting don’t try to get something out of your pocket by pushing back on the seat – move forward or stand up.
- Don’t take drinks in cans or glass – when you open the can of soda it is time to go and glass brakes! Plastic or Medal leak proof containers are best. - When the day is done take you trash with you (cut line – sandwich bags – empty bottles – used worms).
- When waiting for blast off ask where the measuring stick is located – this will save time when both of you are fishing.
- When talking about how the Pro likes his/her fish netted – tell him how you like yours netted – all back seats are not beginners.
- During the pairings meeting I always ask the Pro if they have a back seat and what type (I’m always hoping it is a stand up seat). Just gives you more room. I also ask if he/she has an empty compartment for me.
- Be prepared if the Pro does not have a compartment clean out for you – that is not in the rules it’s the Pro etiquette. I myself don’t like to put my gear at my feet. I come with bungee cords to tie to the back seat. I have been through some of the roughest water and its still there.
- After the first day when you get your weigh-in slip, your next day Pro name and phone number will be on it. If you don’t get a weigh-in slip go behind the FLW van and there should be a list of name of who is fishing with who.
- Not to disagree with Big Ed – but I bring 7 to 9 rods (I have a very good system for managing them). I have seen more Co-Angler waste time retying their four rods. To win you have to catch fish and you can’t do it without keeping your hook wet. The Pro does not care what you bring as long as you keep it out of his way.
- Read the rules because half of the Pro’s have not! The two most rules that are not understood are:

Pros will fish from the front deck of the boat only. Co-anglers will fish from the back deck of the boat only. Pros will have complete control of boat operation and waters to be fished. Pros may not request that the co-angler not fish.

Partners must remain together at all times and within sight of each other until the weigh-in verification is signed. The momentary condition of being out of sight of each other for restroom breaks is permitted.

PS – Have a card with your name, where your are staying and phone number to give to the Pro.

[kylebass91]

thanks for all the help guys i spent a good 45min- an hour reading everything and I learned alot and a lot of things i would have done without even thinkin about it. and Big Ed great article helped a ton but i also have to agree with marty im thinkin about bringin 7. also Marty can you explain the way you have your tackle to the back of the seat because i keep my stuff in a small Duffle bag about 3x2x2 and im wondering if i can do that with mine so i wont have to downsize my tackle as much as i think i should because i am dreading it

[MikeD]

just as a side note - you can run the trolling motor if the pro asks you to control the boat while he reties/grabs something from the back/etc. you just can't fish while you are up front.

[Marty]

First, if there is an empty compartment I use it and Second, I really don’t go to my bag that much during the day – maybe just to retie.

The tackle bag has been an up and down thing with me – I have had big, mid, and small bags but I have never used a duffle bag. I take it when you say 3x2x2 you are referring to feet. My current bag is 15 inches long by 10 inches wide by 10 inches tall that holds 5 trays that are 10 by 7 inches and the three pockets are full.

If it is a stand up seat – I put the seat poll through the backside handle of the bag and then a “D-ringâ€

[InTheBlind]

Blah, Blah, Blah...


is that ok mods? ? ? ? ?

[Marty]

Blah, Blah, Blah...
is that ok mods? ? ? ? ?

Sure it is ok – you don’t have to ask – you’re a full grown man!

[KPalmer]

What is the Boater's etiquette? I've fished 4 US OPENs and probably a dozen PRO-Am's as a non-boater....I agree with most of what's being said...I've always viewed my roll as being the person to do whatever I can to help the pro out and respect their equipment as if it were my own, and completely respect the fact that the Pro paid a much higher entry fee than myself.....With that said, I expect equal respect in return...I will go out of my way to make sure the Pro can stay focused on catching fish and to not have to worry about me or what I am doing...but I have had a couple situations in which the Pros thought it was their right to be disrespectful to me. In one situation, the pro (I won't mention his name) almost got to swim back to his own boat.....Once we so called, cleared the air, it was fine... 99% of the Pros are really cool, don't be intimidated, be respectful to them, but don't be pushed around either.....remember you are helping pay their expenses (always offer more, usually they will tell you it's too much, either way it shows generosity, not stinginess)

Also....I use a backpack for my tackle bag, they work great for a non-boater. You can put plenty of stuff in them, easy access and they will fit in the side compartments...and you don't look like as big of a dork carrying all kinds of crap to the boat. (I still look like a dork anyway)

[Nor Cal Bassman]

As a non boater, would it be wise to have my own culling system??

And by the way, this info is great, thanks for posting it!

[KPalmer]

If it's shared weight, No. Yes, if it's non-boater vs non-boater

[MikeD]

As a non boater, would it be wise to have my own culling system??

And by the way, this info is great, thanks for posting it!

at any time all you need to know is which fish is the next one to get culled out. a balance beam and some tags of some sort are all you need in the way of a "system"

[Hollywood]

As a non boater, would it be wise to have my own culling system??

And by the way, this info is great, thanks for posting it!

at any time all you need to know is which fish is the next one to get culled out. a balance beam and some tags of some sort are all you need in the way of a "system"

That goes for both boater and non boater. weighin fish takes too long!