Well, tournament season is getting into full swing and I hope everyone is doing well. There have been good catches at Monroe, Patoka, Lemon, Morse, and Geist. The WISH tournament was a success and the IBF has raised $100,000 in the last nine years to benefit the Indiana Children's Wish Foundation. This is just an example of what Indiana fishermen do to help benefit Indiana. I would like to say that I won money at the WISH, but it was certainly not one of my better showings. We ended up with only one fish that weighed 4.02 lbs. Most of the larger stringers were caught in the creeks on the slow side with jig/pig, Carolina Rig, and spinnerbaits.
This month I would like to mention some points and tips for tournament fisherman who fish either circuit or club tournaments and have to go as a "no-boater". There is an art to being a "no-boater" and I feel that the thought that being in the back of the boat is a large disadvantage is untrue. There are many times that I have beaten the boater from the back of the boat.
Going as a no-boater is a good way for novice fishermen to gain experience and allows anglers without boats the opportunity to fish tournaments. There are certain courtesies and things that no-boaters can do to make the day more productive and pleasant.
First of all, if the no-boater has an opportunity to pre-fish or at least gain some information on the current conditions, it is certainly to his/her benefit. I have had a lot of partners who had no idea where to fish or what the current conditions were and this is a detriment to both fishermen. The boater may be "on fish" but as we all know, this doesn't always pan out and if the partner has ideas, it can surely save he day.
As soon as you find out who your boater partner is, either call or get with him to map out strategy. Ask if your partner is "on fish" and if they are morning or afternoon fish. Then decide whose fish you will go to first and what baits are being productive at each spot. Some fishermen are reluctant to give details, but generally the boater wants both people in the boat to do well. I am always happy when my partner weighs in fish also (hopefully just not quite as much as mine).
After you have worked out your strategy, get very exact information on where and when you will meet the day of the tournament. If you don't know your boater, make sure you know his boat make, color, and tow vehicle make and color so that you will be able to find him/her the morning of the tournament. In the dark, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain which boat is your partner's. Set a meeting place either at the ramp or someplace close that is familiar to both of you so there are no miscommunications. Also make sure you have a phone number so you can contact him and vice-versa, should there be a problem in getting together. If he or you carry a cell-phone, get that number.
Make sure your tackle is ready and you have enough of the "lure of the day" to get you though. I try and cut-down on the equipment and tackle that I bring when I am a non-boater to cut down on the clutter. I have a small tacklebox that I use and I usually only bring 3-5 rods/reels at most. Also remember to bring your lifejacket and raingear.
Discuss ahead of time about the no-boater fee and how much your boater is going to charge. It is very expensive to operate a bass boat and I always try and pay my fair share. If we are making long runs, I make sure that I pay my share of the gas/oil we will use and whatever other expenditures we may incur. I always offer at least $20.00 minimum, even on small, nearby lakes. I usually pay the boater before the tournament begins so that it is taken care of and not accidently forgotten at the end of a long and tiring day.
Also ask if you need to bring anything such as ice, cold drinks, or food. If you are inexperienced with backing a trailer, running a trolling motor, or driving a manual transmission, let your boater know up front, so arrangements can be made. The no-boater usually backs the boater in and retrieves the tow vehicle at the end of the day. Also work out who is going to run the trolling motor and when. The non-boater usually has the right to run the trolling motor 1/2 the day and to fish "his/her" water for 1/2 the day. Of course, if a spot is not working out, this plan can be negotiated. Normally, I run the trolling motor while fishing my water and vice-versa.
It is also a good idea for both anglers to know what "netting" procedure his partner prefers. Some anglers prefer to net their own fish, while others want assistance. Know how you each want your fish netted. One of the worst feelings in the world is losing a partner's fish while you are netting it. I have found that the best procedure is to place the net in the water and let your partner "lead" the fish to the net. "Stabbing" at the fish with the net is a good way to knock a fish off. Never grab the line or hit it with the net. After landing a fish, you are responsible for making sure your fish are doing well in the livewell. Check and make sure your aeorator is operating often enough to keep the fish healty and that the livewell plug is closed. Using "Cath and Release" or other additives can help calm the fish and help to maintain their slime coat. Carry this with you. Don't expect your partner to supply anything during the day.
It is also your responsibility to keep track of the time to make sure you get back to weigh-in on time. Don't depend on your boater to do this and give yourself plenty of time and take the weather conditions into consideration. It may have only been a 30 minute run in the early morning, but by the afternoon, that same run may take 45 minutes. It is a good idea to have a spot close to weigh-in, so that if you are a few minutes early, you might just be able to pick up the extra keeper you need.
After the weigh-in, collect all your gear and make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Also make sure your fishing area is as clean as when you got into the boat and remove all "dead worms" and trash. I always offer to help wipe down the boat or unload equipment to help my boater. Be sure and thank your boater I usally ask if he needs any additional expense that we may have incurred.
If you are a novice or maybe just not catching fish, watch what your partner is doing. See what kind of retrieve he is using or special action he is putting on a bait. I try and fish a different lure or a different color until we start to get a pattern set. Sometimes, using a little different lure can help trigger fish that were missed by the boater. When fishing tight cover, it is acceptable to both fish off the front deck. You have as much right to fish the same area as the boater does. I have run into very few problems with being "font-ended" and nearly all my partners have gone out of their way to make sure that I have an equal opportunity at the cover. If we are flipping, I will usually let my back-seat partner know if I did'nt hit a particular spot or thought I might have missed a hit, so that my partner has a chance at some unused water. I often will hit the left or right side of a stump, laydown, or dock and tell my partner that he can have the opposite side.
Should you get the rare partner who is a jerk, try and stay pleasant and make the most of the day. Getting into arguments and causing tension does not help either person. Try and work out any differences and if that doesn't work, I just stay out of my partner's way and concentrate even harder on catching fish. If there is a severe problem (such as a boater refusing to take you to your area or not allowing you to run the trolling motor) a protest may be in order, but please only use this as a last resort. Our reputations are really all fishermen have and any problems should try and be resolved between the two of you. Also, don't pre-judge your partner. I have drawn partners that I was told were difficult and that I would have a long day. Had I believed these rumors, I would have caused myself a great deal of unnecessary stress. Everyone has a bad day now and then and you can learn something from every partner you fish with, good or bad.
Hopefully, some of these tips will make fishig from the back of a boat or being partnered with a stranger a little easier and make for a much more productive and pleaseant tournament experience. The most important assest a fisherman has is a positive attitude. You must go into every tournament thinking you will win or at least do well and at the end of the day, even if it doesn't work out, as long as you fished your hardest and gave it your best shot, that is all we can do. We all know that fishing is not an exact science and we need to be thankful for the opportunity to participate in a really great sport.
Good luck to everyone in their upcoming tournaments or fishing trips.
M.J.
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