I'm co-angling with a guy in my area that's got a 16' bass tracker and I want to be sure I'm not crossing any lines with this guy, because he's old enough to be my dad but doesn't say a whole lot. Granted he answers my questions when I ask them as best he can and is patient with me as I am re-educating myself from my childhood.

My question to the group is what habits/etiquette do you boaters who share like to see from your co-anglers and what ones to you not appreciate?

I have not seen a lot of literature on this topic so I thought I put it out there. Right now I offer gas $ if he needs it (which he declines usually), pay for coffee on the way to the lake, try my best to be as punctual if not early to the meet spot, especially pre-dawn, and provide a sandwich w/ iced water while on the lake. I have offered helping him with boat cleaning after the day's through and the like but he's declined (as I expected) but I feel like sometimes I'm not doing enough yet he isn't saying anything. Am I missing anything?

***er26  :-?

I would straight out ask for his thoughts on the subject, be firm without being rude. I understand him not wanting you to help with things concerning the boat but I would insist on paying my fair share of the expenses.

Making yourself available and offering, being courteous and polite... sounds like your doing fine.

I know where you are coming from. I fish with a couple of guys who are older than my parents and about my grandparents age. Retirement comes with the benefits of a 50k bass boat which I don't have . I always ask about helping with expenses , cleaning, etc. They always say no when asked for help, but it is always the right thing to do. I usually buy them a beer and a thanks at the local pub, after a great day of fishing and that seems to fit them perfectly!

Good advice,

but I would take into account that the gentleman may not want to actually burden you with "rules".

So, without asking him, I would not cast froward of the midpoint of the point.

If he notices he may or may not invite you to cast more forward, but he will appreciate the courtesy.

I like the attitude you have. Helping out is all part of it. We have had to enforce a rule in our club which states a co- angler must pay 30.00 for gas in every event they fish in. I think this is more than fair being that gas prices are over 3.00 a gallon now. I generally decline the money but most of the folks that have drawn my boat just slide their card before I can even get to the pump or slide cash in my ash tray. I am always grateful.

I think with all the things that go along with the boat expense that is the least a person can do. Everything else is just extra. If he won't take your money for gas maybe get him a gift card to BPS/Acadamy to help him restock his tackle. Just a idea.

On how to act in the boat alot is up for debate. I like to talk... some don't and that is fine either way. My only issue is when a co angler casts across that line in the middle of the boat or WELL beyond it. I try to do my best to give a co angler good water and even ask through out the day if I am giving them some good fishing spots. There are times that this is really hard but I try to do my best .

I actually heard one debate on hear about a co angler that felt like because he payed the same amount to fish the TX and he had all the same rights. WRONG. I pay thousands a year in cost for my boat and feel like I have the right to control the boat and fish my way. I pay for the gas to get back and forth from the lake in my truck. I pay for general upkeep.I pay for repairs. I pay for insurance. I spend lots of time on the water finding fish. These are all the things that a co-angler never has to worry about . If a co angler doesn't understand that GET A BOAT and see.

All that being said I have several fishing partners and have never had a problem. I think you are on the right track and it would be a honor to fish with a person like you.

Good post Bobby! Owning a boat is not all its cracked up to be. Sure, you can fish whenever,whereever and however you want but when something goes wrong with the boat, its the owners responsibility to get it fixed......not the co-angler.

In fact, I know several guys who prefer to fish as a non-boater just because they dont want the monthly boat payment, monthly insurance cost, up keep, etc...its easier and cheaper for them to just meet their boat-owning buddies at the lake, load into the boat and go fishing.

Co-anglers need to understand that owning a boat is not only a privilege but also comes with lots of hassle at times and can get pretty expensive, pretty fast.

I would continue to ask him if he needs anything.  He might take you up on your offer one day.  I applaud your manners.  You could offer to pay the launch fee.

Your doing a good job.  Here are something to remember. don't trash his boat. I hate when guys leave their old power bar wrappers or emply bottles in my boat. a good note, take all your trash out and take his too, help clean up. also since its a smaller boat don't take every rod/reel and lure you have. try to limit the amont of stuff you bring. bring what you need, but don't over load it. and as stated before do not, DO NOT, cast foward of his cast, unless he tells you its ok. pretend there is a line down the middle of the boat ( useilly where the windshield is) do not cast past there. I don't front end guys, but there is nothing I hate more than a cast over my line or in where I am fishing. Lets say we are fishing laydowns and I slow down to fish one really good and put the boat so I have one side of it and he has another. for the first few cast its ok, but the here comes  the cast to my side where I am still fishing slowly.  >

Just sit aside the money you offered him and along about Christmas time buy

him a nice rod and reel and have his name put on the rod so he can't turn it

down. He will love it. See fishing will probley be over by then and that will show him that you did'nt forget. I'am talking a $300 OR 400 DOLLAR rod and reel.