I’m thinking about the future, when I may have the chance to go on a bass boat with a friend. I haven’t been invited yet, but I want to be ready in case the invitation happens without much prep time.

Right now I’m thinking to take a duffel bag which will have some extra lures in 3700 size boxes, soft plastics, water, and snacks. Rain gear in the future when I have it.

I figure not knowing the condition of storage on his boat, I may need to remove the stuff from my bag and stuff the bag in a small spot. So, I figure it’s best not to take a hard tacklebox or a milk crate.

I’ll probably also will have a cooler, a soft cooler.

This in addition to my current backpack and my rods. Am I missing anything?

Should I consider something else, is there anything that I haven’t thought of?

When you get invited, ask him what to bring. 3 rods, 1- 370 full of hard baits, jigs, and spinnerbaits, a small terminal box, and 2 - qt. bags of soft plastics is what i do. See if he has a cooler that you can add to. He will have tools so you don't need to bring any. Gas money, breakfast, or lunch on you. Have fun.

59 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

Gas money, breakfast, or lunch on you

This part goes a long ways towards getting invited again. Especially with the cost of fuel right now.

I always give $40 towards gas and buy breakfast but no way am I leaving my full tackle bag behind.

I do only bring 3 rods.

It’s $40 about the right amount to offer?

When it comes to breakfast, or lunch, is that something like where I just bring some sandwiches, or do I offer to go to a restaurant?

Heck, I ain’t got enough tackle to fill a whole bag. I might if you include all the soft plastics, but there’s a bunch that I don’t know how to use yet.

Good answers all around. Bring your PFD is you have one. If you don't, make sure that he has an extra one.

If he is catching with something you don't have, odds are great that he (or she) will have some extras to share. Start the day fishing something different than what the boater is using. Different depth, speed,and type of lure to help with figuring out what is currently working. Have fun , don't complain (i know you wouldn't) and help out with anything you can.

For backseating, I generally carry 3-4 rods, a small tackle backpack, and a small cooler bag. Bring your own PFD and any meds/stuff you may need.

Far as food goes, everyone is different - most of the time I’d say bring your own. I personally carry a couple Uncrustables and a couple cut up apples on the boat and that’s it. Some guys are real touchy about foods/smells, so ask beforehand.

If you want to head out West, I’ve usually got an open backseat.

If I ever make it out west I’ll look you up @ElGuapo928 thank you kindly.

Lots of good ideas so far. Here's my extensive list for fishing for the first time with an acquaintance. Fish hard the whole trip but always keep in mind, your friend is considering how you do and it will influence their thinking about having you back again.

• Show up early. Ready to go, with your fishing license and your own life vest.

• Most Captains will tell you what to do. If not, ask how you can help. Only do what you're told to do.

• Take two rods, three at most. Have them pre-rigged. Lures and baits in a small tackle box. Don't forget your own line clippers and pliers.

• Pack the bare minimum. Put everything you're taking in a tackle backpack, including extra lures, clothes, towels,and gear. If you run out of room, take things out before hand, not at the dock.

• A small cooler is ok. Be sure to have a couple extra drinks and snacks to offer the Captain.

• When you board, ask the owner where you should put your gear.

• Keep your gear neat and stowed properly during the trip. Immediately put your trash back in your backpack. Don't let it blow or roll around in the boat.

• Secure your things so they don't blow overboard by the wind or making way.

• When you're onboard, never attempt to do anything unless the owner directs you. Of course, use common sense.

• Never touch or pickup the owners gear.

• When fishing, never cast over the captains line, or intrude on the area they're fishing. Your zone is from the center of the boat to the rear.

• You take responsibility for not getting hit by the front anglers backcast and for not hitting and damaging anything on the boat when you cast.

• While fishing, do everything you can to not get hung up. It will happen but try to keep it to the minimum.

• At the end of the day before you dock, clean and organize your area as if you were never there.

• When your done for the day and heading in, If the owner pulls up to the gas docks, try to pay the whole bill. If he doesn't gas up, as soon as the boat's tied up, voluntarily offer the Captain gas money. Forty dollars seems reasonable to me for a freshwater bass trip.

• Offer to help clean the boat.

I have found that being able to match fishing styles with your boat partner can be important to you both having an enjoyable time. If he is running the trolling motor on high all the time and will only power fish, and you like to slow down to drag a worm, it’s not a good match. Have a talk ahead of time to set realistic expectations.

@Capt Ed

You can come with me any time!

7 hours ago, Scott F said:

I have found that being able to match fishing styles with your boat partner can be important to you both having an enjoyable time. If he is running the trolling motor on high all the time and will only power fish, and you like to slow down to drag a worm, it’s not a good match. Have a talk ahead of time to set realistic expectations.

I had thought about this some. Not a problem for me. I prefer power fishing anyways. I will slow down if I have no choice.

Lot's of great advice here.

One thing nobody mention is to bring bananas, don't tell the captain you have em.

Hide one inside the boat or his cooler, they always appreciate that 😛

27 minutes ago, herder said:

Lot's of great advice here.

One thing nobody mention is to bring bananas, don't tell the captain you have em.

Hide one inside the boat or his cooler, they always appreciate that 😛

You’re gonna get this guy banned from the boat before he even gets the invite!

OP, NEVER bring bananas or banana flavored things on a buddy’s fishing boat. Fastest way to find yourself back on the bank.

I appreciate the advice, I know about the banana thing and I don’t subscribe to it. Ott Defoe eats a banana every day in his boat and he doesn’t have any problem tearing them up.

13 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I appreciate the advice, I know about the banana thing and I don’t subscribe to it. Ott Defoe eats a banana every day in his boat and he doesn’t have any problem tearing them up.

Maybe so, but if your new friend feels, as so many people do, that it brings bad luck to a fishing trip, and you're stubborn about it, good luck on being invited again.

https://fishanywhere.com/blog/9-things-not-to-bring-on-a-fishing-charter-and-why

One of my pet peeves is when I ask my co angler what he thinks of a situation or what we should do next and his reply is “you’re the captain”. At least give some input when asked. Even if you say something like “you know this body of water better but, is there anything like this near by?”

If I invite someone to come along on a fishing adventure in my old crappy boat, I expect them to paddle when we break down and not complain about it. Just kidding. Sort of.

3 hours ago, Capt Ed said:

Maybe so, but if your new friend feels, as so many people do, that it brings bad luck to a fishing trip, and you're stubborn about it, good luck on being invited again.

https://fishanywhere.com/blog/9-things-not-to-bring-on-a-fishing-charter-and-why

I mean, I am aware of it and won’t bring any bananas although I don’t subscribe to it myself.

49 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I mean, I am aware of it and won’t bring any bananas although I don’t subscribe to it myself.

You would not believe how violently paranoid some guys get about them.

I’ve got a buddy that is so psyched out by the idea that he will make his own blood pressure get into stroke territory if he sees someone eating one at the ramp. If Fruit of the Loom had a banyan on the label he wouldn’t wear underwear….

I went out with my buddy yesterday. His boat is a little in disrepair so we spent some time tinkering on the motor trying to get it running and keep it running. Which is fine because he told me beforehand that part of the trip was trying to get some of the boat sorted out.

We trolled around some and fish, he didn’t get any and I caught 2. This was my first time on Nolin lake. It happened to be my first time using an under spin as well, I used it with a 4 inch white grub. I am very confident with grubs though so adding an understand to a lure which I’m already good with didn’t slow me down any.

I didn’t take much extra. I took my normal tackle bag and three rods. Of course I didn’t know what we were gonna get into. But we mostly were in shallow water and mostly fished the way I know how.

It was an awesome learning experience.

We had enough drink, and we had food. I didn’t have enough of the small snacks I needed to keep me going. We had sandwich stuff, but I didn’t want to stopping and eat a sandwich so I went too long. I normally snack to keep my sugar up.

It was real hot even though we got started early. We need to figure out something to stay cool because we both got overheated.

I had intended to bring a gallon jug of water, with half the water frozen. But I forgot that. I had plenty of Gatorade. But sometimes Gatorade don’t cut it.

I just wore my normal jeans and T-shirt. But now I’m thinking I might end up wearing shorts and a sun shirt. But of course I’ve never wore a sun shirt so I haven’t any idea how much that makes the difference.

For that matter, I’ve never worn shorts.

I never take food. Water and gator aid is all but I do take one of these.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/JISULIFE-Portable-Neck-Fan-Upgraded-Necksupport-Personal-Hands-Free-5-Speed-Gears-Adjustment-4000-mAh-Wearable-Bladeless-Fan-Quiet-Rechargeable-Gifts/5785010728?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101113962&selectedOfferId=C92B3C402AE83492A6BF784103E09EDA&conditionGroupCode=1&adid=22222222227C92B3C402AE83492A6BF784103E09EDA_186579875243_22897596464&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=779075237643&wl4=pla-2448086811737&wl5=1020569&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=522737145&wl11=online&wl12=C92B3C402AE83492A6BF784103E09EDA&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22897596464&gbraid=0AAAABDAnf97turg498AwxQqp6kcwmysIm&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3qLSBhDaARIsAFTiVh6sw2Cj4u0ooyzEGVNJTLORcPcCywlSNb6l1OZu-uuKmBVHl2YXukIaAo3REALw_wcB

I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks!

12 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I went out with my buddy yesterday. His boat is a little in disrepair so we spent some time tinkering on the motor trying to get it running and keep it running. Which is fine because he told me beforehand that part of the trip was trying to get some of the boat sorted out.

We trolled around some and fish, he didn’t get any and I caught 2. This was my first time on Nolin lake. It happened to be my first time using an under spin as well, I used it with a 4 inch white grub. I am very confident with grubs though so adding an understand to a lure which I’m already good with didn’t slow me down any.

I didn’t take much extra. I took my normal tackle bag and three rods. Of course I didn’t know what we were gonna get into. But we mostly were in shallow water and mostly fished the way I know how.

It was an awesome learning experience.

We had enough drink, and we had food. I didn’t have enough of the small snacks I needed to keep me going. We had sandwich stuff, but I didn’t want to stopping and eat a sandwich so I went too long. I normally snack to keep my sugar up.

It was real hot even though we got started early. We need to figure out something to stay cool because we both got overheated.

I had intended to bring a gallon jug of water, with half the water frozen. But I forgot that. I had plenty of Gatorade. But sometimes Gatorade don’t cut it.

I just wore my normal jeans and T-shirt. But now I’m thinking I might end up wearing shorts and a sun shirt. But of course I’ve never wore a sun shirt so I haven’t any idea how much that makes the difference.

For that matter, I’ve never worn shorts.

Good sun shirts make a BIG difference over a T-shirt in the heat, well worth the investment. Go with lighter colors, and a fairly loose fit. Being a complete desert rat, I can’t imagine fishing in jeans - but then my entire non-work wardrobe pretty much consists of board shorts and sun shirts.

Sounds like you got a pretty good idea of what adjustments to make, it takes a bit to get completely dialed in. Right around the time you get completely comfortable with backseating, you’ll be ready to sign on the dotted line at the boat dealership of your choice and start all over again!