This article is not meant to discourage or bash co-anglers in anyway. It’s just
to inform my fellow co-anglers of a few things we can do to improve our
relationship with fellow anglers. Hopefully this will help make all of our
co-angler tournaments more productive and enjoyable.
For those who don't own a boat or don’t have the time and money to compete in
the Pro division of a tournament trail, there is always the option of being a
co-angler. However, just because you are a co-angler doesn't mean you should
leave your manners at home. I’ve heard stories from the Pro anglers I have
fished with on the BassMaster Weekend Series how some of their previous
co-anglers showed little or no respect for them. After listening to their
stories, I thought about how I could become an even better co-angler for the
next season, although I think I did leave a good impression on my Pro anglers.
As the partners are being paired, pay close attention to the names being called.
When your name is called go meet your partner and introduce yourself. You will
need to get information on the make, model, and color of the boat your partner
will be using. This will help you locate them at the ramp. This is also a good
time to ask your partner what patterns and locations you will be fishing during
the tournament. That will give you a better idea of which lures to tie on in
advanced. Another piece of information that you need to get is where your
partner is lodging and a phone number in case of an emergency or if you can't
find them in the morning of the tournament. Confirm the meeting place and time
and be on time. I recommend getting to the meeting place fifteen to twenty
minutes early.
When you meet your partner at the launch ramp, try to help them as much as
possible. If you know how to back a trailer into the water, it’s a good idea to
ask the Pro if you can assist. If not, most Pros will understand and won’t hold
it against you. There’s a lot of other things that need to be done before the
boat is launched. Assist with taking the tie-downs and the transom saver off,
unlatching the trailer strap and getting your gear stowed in the right place are
some of the things that can save the Pro some time.
After the boat is in the water and the gear is loaded continue to treat your
partner's boat with respect. Do not walk all over the seats and try to keep
objects such as fishing tackle from banging on the hull creating scratches. Make
sure that all attractants are closed tightly to prevent an accidental spill and
a stained carpet. Remember that a boat is a huge investment and something that
most anglers take pride in owning. Treat the boat as if it was your own. Then go
the extra mile in taking care of the boat.
Something that I have not done or have had a pro do in the past is talk about
safety equipment. I think that it’s a good idea to ask your partner where they
have their safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and throwable life
preservers. You never know if the boat will start on fire or if your partner
will accidentally fall overboard.
Sometime before take-off you may want to ask whether or not your Pro wants you
to net their fish. If they want you to help, get a clear explanation of what
signal they’ll give when they need the net. Most of the time the Pro will simply
yell "net". Once all the necessary information has been explained feel free to
loosen up a bit and just talk. Your Pro is a person just like you and we all
know how fishing can get boring quickly if the fish aren't biting. However, be
aware that some angler's really like to concentrate on their fishing so in this
case, the less words the better! This is each person's preference. One you
should respect.
The most common complaint I‘ve heard from Pro's is that some co-anglers try to
cast in front of them. Unless you have been given permission, never cast in
front of them! You have to understand that the Pro usually has a lot of time and
money invested and should have the first chance at the fish. I like to picture
an imaginary line that goes through the middle of the boat and I never cast over
it. This will help keep you from getting into an argument with the Pro angler.
The other complaint most Pros have is that some co-anglers will cast at a fish
that the they have missed on the hookset. Once again think of the expense that a
Pro goes through in order to compete. Think of how you would feel if you missed
a strike and your co-angler cast at it and it turned out to be a six pounder.
Unless they tell you to throw at it, don't even think about placing a cast
anywhere near the spot. There is one more issue that is not common but I’ve
heard about it. In the event that you and your partner are not catching fish, do
not continuously tell your partner that they should try your secret spot that is
full of big fish. It may be acceptable to mention a spot you know about one time
but when you do, be sure that you don’t exaggerate the size and number of fish
you caught. Your Pro has probably spent a lot of time prefishing the lake and
has a good idea of what they want to do. Remember, they have more time and money
invested and most are not willing to gamble on something that they don’t have
confidence in. If your partner chooses not to go to your spot, that’s their
choice and you should respect it.
Getting snagged or hung up is something that is bound to happen during the day
for most of us. In the event of a snag, tell your partner that you are hung up.
Most of the time the Pro will turn the boat around and go in to retrieve your
lure. However, most of the time I just break off and retie. Some of the Pros I
have fished with have asked me why I do this. I explain to them that a $4
crankbait or a twenty cent worm rig is not worth jeopardizing a $35,000 boat
that could get scratched up or jab at the hung bait with a $100 to $300 rod and
risk loosing a guide or breaking a tip. The bait is easily replaceable and
usually saves time for both anglers. I'm sure that most Pros will appreciate the
thoughtfulness and may even brag about how good a partner you where to the other
Pros.
After the weigh-in is completed and the boat is loaded on the trailer don't just
grab your gear and take off. Stick around and make sure that you have removed
all trash that you might have left in the boat. Most people don't appreciate a
floor full of torn up soft plastics. If your partner is wiping down the outside
of the boat ask if they have an extra towel so you can help them. Make yourself
as helpful as you possible can.
Most Pro/Am tournaments and most people's idea of common courtesy is the
co-angler should help pay for the gas used during the day. Gas is not as cheap
as it once was and outboards simply don't get the kind of gas mileage that cars
get. Generally twenty dollars is the norm. However, I will adjust this according
to how much the outboard was used and whether or not the outboard is a Carb, EFI,
DFI, or Fourstroke. Carb and EFI motors get less gas mileage than DFI or
Fourstrokes so it's a good idea to take this into consideration.
Lastly, do not share information about how and where you and your Pro caught
fish. Pro's work hard in finding what they think may be the winning area or
pattern and you should respect that fact. Also, it’s common courtesy that when
you start fishing in the Pro division you don’t go to the spots you learned from
your previous Pro Anglers. Find some of your own. That’s part of the challenge
of becoming a Pro.
David Bromenshenkel
classicbass.com Field Staff
