I'm going to be in some tournaments this year as a nonboater. Ive read several articles about fishing as a nonboater and was wondering if anybody has any helpful tips. I fished these tourneys about 3 yrs ago and did horrible. When Im by myself I can nail the fish, but put me in the back of the boat and I have no clue. Please help! (Not bad for a 1st post)

bassman417,

Welcome to the forum.  Their was a similar post the other day.  Some one  provided a link to flwoutdoors.com .  On that sight they had a lot good information.  I would read these, I did.  Because I will be fishing as a Co-Angler to.  I hope that this will help you.

M_Fields

Welcome aboard!

We have tournament fishermen that should be along shortly with some advice.

Good luck!

8-)

thanks, Ill check it out. Ive read probably 6 or 7 articles already. I just need all the pointers I can get. Tourney fishing is a whole other ballgame than just fishing.

Bassman one thing you have to keep in mind is have trust in yourself.If you are catching fish when by self then you can out of back of boat.This past year I fished the BFL as non-boater and did real good took 7th place in state and went to regional.One thing to do is use something different from boater and slow down.Try shallow running crankbaits,drop shot,texas rig and want ever you catch fish on.Yes you will catch fish.I have a crankbait that did real good for me and watched as one boater went thru his whole boat trying to find one like.Had that limit of fish in about hour and rest day culled fish.If like more info pm me and will give you number to contact me.So go for it and dont give up.Fire

I have been fishing for years as a boater and have had great non-boaters for the most part. As a fisherman I want my non-boater to catch a limit and will go out of my way to help him do so. I think most boaters want impress others with their fish catching abiliaties.

The only great advise I can pass on that is keep your tackle and rods in order so you are always ready to move on to the next spot. ( I have had guys unpack a full tackle box and leave everything out all over the boat )

Good luck

Dale

Bassman one thing you have to keep in mind is have trust in yourself.If you are catching fish when by self then you can out of back of boat.

x2, Keep your confidence up and just go fishing

I have fished as a nonboater the last two years in the BFL. Like everyone else says stay confident, the fish will come. I really believe in finese fishing a lot of times, I beat 3 of my boaters last year with a shakey head alone. Casting is very important, the more accurate your cast the better possibility you are going to catch fish the boater missed. Stay organized, stay confident and keep your bait in the water.

Go and watch the last couple of years episodes of Ultimate Match Fishing and see Luke Clausen dishing it out from the back of the boat using the shakey head rig

I posted a similar topic awhile back here is the link.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1197309753