Become a deadly duo - front man power fishes for the real aggressive ones, top water,crank, whatever, the guy in back pitches and flips - team effort - if one works better than the other then both up front. Many, many team tournaments won by guys that have figured this out.

I think the guy in the back has the advantage. He doesn't have the boat payment, he doesn't have to worry about the repairs or maintenance, parking pass, cleaning the boat/ tow vehicle...

Bank beating no doubt the front has a big advantage. They'll catch most of the way fish up and you're carrying to used water

I like the back. No worries! My buddy is a very courteous boater. And if I don't catch as many as him, I just complain that he back boated me again! Seriously though, I know how he likes to fish and I just adjust accordingly. It makes me expand my techniques.

In the back I change baits more often and can focus on fishing, not boat control.

I started doing surf fishing so when I build a rod I still look for max distance with my set ups. This pays off dock fishing.. Many fish at caught off the back corners while the front is fishing the end of the pier....

The guy in the front certainly has an advantage. He is in control of everything. It is also his boat so he should have an advantage. That doesn't mean you back boat your buddy all day though. That also doesn't mean the guy in the back cant catch more fish or win the tourney. Some times it is very smart and rewarding for the guy in the back to fish a different lure then the guy in the front.