What has been your opinions as far as clubs fishing team style vs. individual weights?  This would be fishing with the boat owner and a draw for a non-boater type of tourney.  Is there ever a fair opportunity for the non-boater to win in a club like this?  It would seem like the non-boater is going to bet front ended all the time.  

I realize that some clubs let the NB take the lead for half the day, but some guys wont let their boat be run by the NB.  I need some help with this...Any suggestions on how to make it fair?

My opinion is that the tourneys can be team as far as weight for the one event.  But as far as the season goes, each bag can be weighed individually and the totals for the individual angler can still be kept.  You only add the weights together(boater/NB) to declare a winner for that one event.  Everyone still keeps their own weight.  

If done like this, the boater will feel obligated to get his partner on some fish for the sake of the one tourney.  But he still wants to get the largest bag possible.  Seems like that would make it a little more even as far as the NB goes.  

Any Ideas?  Jeff

I feel that if you are going to use team weight, then you stay as a team for the whole tournament.  Not going from one boater to the next.  Then you would be on equal ground for the whole tournament.

Jeff,

My club does something similar to what you suggested. but our tournaments are not draw tournies.  We're paired with the same boater/non-boater for the season. For each of the local club tournaments, the weights are combined for each team to determine the winners for that specific event. Individual weights are also recorded, though, to determine participants for regional and state tournaments, etc. I think it's a fair system.

I'm also fishing the BFL this year, which are draw tournaments.  The weights are not combined, which I appreciate.  As new as I am to the sport, I like the fact that I won't handicap my boater partner if I don't perform well.

Hillbilly

I also realize that the type of pattern that is being fished makes a big difference also. A flipping and pitching bite will definitely favor the front of the boat. But if your out in the middle of the lake fishing structure or grass, then the accuracy of the location of the presentation is not as important.

Again, I am just looking for ideas to offer up to members to help eliminate the "front ending" and make it a fair playing field.

Hillbilly-don't sell yourself short.  Confidence is key, be humble but with the attitude that your gonna stick em'!!!   ;D

Good luck this year!

Thanks, Jeff