its funny i use to tell him i guess im your *itch i call wake you up i buy all the gas i drive us to the lake i unload the boat and drive us down the river and then i drive the trolling motor all day guess its what i get for complaining about having to do everything lol

Some people don't understand boat position.  My wife's best friend's husband is one of them.  I hate to fish from the back of his boat but have to once in a while.

I have been with him a few times over the last 5 years and he hasn't learned a thing.  I feel your frustration.  I'd rather be by myself than in the back of an uncaring or ignorant boat operator.

Who catches the most fish when there in the front of the boat?and if you are one of those guys that like to cast 100 yards i can see his point.and if your Tournament fishing no mater whos boat it is you put the strongest fisherman in the front.

The ideas of just talking about it, getting to the point are correct IMO. Just tell him how you feel about the way he is driving and ask him if he would mind changing it up a bit. Ask him to try different patterns in his approach to see if it will benefit either one of you, if not both. If he likes to get too close for your style of fishing when he is driving, as long as you are safe, try changing your style to compensate. Develop some good teamwork fishing strategies. If you are fishing for the fun of it, do just that. Use it to learn and try to have fun doing it.

Being a shore fishing fool, I could care less where I am in a boat so long as I can get my line in the water. If I don't like how close to, or how far I am from the shore, I can always cast off the back or there is the whole lake behind me to fish in also. Who knows, that magic drop off might just be on the other side of the boat.

I thought this would be a fun thread not like im the only one ever experienced something like this.

I experienced it.

Then I bought my own boat and solved the problem.  

If he's your best friend, and you're that close, just tell him upfront.

If you're not THAT close and really don't feel comfortable, next time you feel the boat is too close to the target just try saying. Hey, I think we're going to scare the fish, can we back off the area just a bit and make a little longer casts.

Or, Hey today I read online about spooking fish by getting to close, can we try to stay back a bit, I want to see if it makes a difference.

The truth hurts sometimes. If its your boat, its your pedal. Maybe you can convience him that it would be a good idea if he learns how to fish from the back. If you fish a Fed. Nation tourney and u r a non-boater, you will be fishing with a boater that is chosen for you. You will in fact be in the back of the boat. If he's you best friend I think he will understand if you correct him when he mispositions the boat. I am always learning new things when I am fishing, maybe you can use that angle. Good luck.

Honesty is the best policy.  

How about trying to convince him to take turns on the trolling motor?

You could say it is an issue of fairness.

Then maybe he will be able to see first hand how you are affected in the back seat.

I'm still a little confused on who owns the boat. My friend and I fish together a lot and if we take my boat, I drive, pay for the gas, and control the front of the boat. If it is his boat, he drives, pays for the gas, and controls the front of the boat. If there is ever a time I think his boat positioning is bad, I politely suggest an alternative, but if he likes where we are, then it is his boat and he can do what he likes. I still think that if it's your boat, you should control it and if it is his boat, I would be greatful to just be out on the water.

Well, we're into the third page and we still don't know who owns the boat.

That aside, this seems to be a point with you. So it's either speak up or shut up. If you shut up, it will eat at you from the inside. Good friend, Best friend or Close friend it starts something like this

"Friend's name, listen, I need to talk to you, there's been something that's really starting to wear on me and I need to talk about it..."

Either he is going to listen or not.

I can tell my best friends that they have a bad case of DOG BREATH in the morning and not worry that they are going to be offended. They have told me that it looks like I am on strike against Gillette ( need a shave).

Best of luck to you.

BTW WHO does own the boat???

Guy 1: How's about you move the boat so I can make a cast?

Guy 2: How's about you shut the #$%$ up, I got a bite (swings and misses).

Guy 1: Smooth. NOW move the #@$%ing boat.

I know it sounds complicated, but it works.

From what I read, he drives the boat to the water, pays for the gas, launches the boat, drives to the spot and then gives up the con. I think cantcatchfish4somereason, owns the boat. I think we all know what the answer should be.

i dont know i like seeing the responses why give away a vital clue like who owns the boat? i tell you though i own the boat and i told him im taking the front of the boat so u can just sit in the back and ***** or get out in the yard and practice casting!!

Ata boy.

On my boat, I have to beg my partner to take the bow for awhile. He has his own boat but would rather fish from mine.

I'm glad we got this settled, so let's put this to rest.

Where's Irene ???????????????????????????????????????

Just maybe that's the only way he/she was taught to FISH.Not knowing how to position for two ANGLERS instead of ONE.Or that Maybe he Is a Defender protecting his SHOT at that FIRST ANGLED FLIPP PITCH or JUST PLAIN SELFISH.You could just find a new PARTNER to RUN your Boat.See as you do not,or have not in the past want the RESPONSIBILATY of BOAT CONTROL.Not meaning to SHREAD TAIL at YOU,Butt you did say THEY are in CONTROL, because you do not like to fish ALONE.

LOL. I can tell ya. I have had a boat 2 yrs. I have had one with me in the front a couple months. (the other I controlled from the back). About 50 percent of my fishing is just me.

While I try to position the boat where I "THINK" the 2 of us will have the best combined angle, I can say as far as successfully pulling that off not too sure about that. LOL. It is almost an art form.

If 2 friends are out fishing...specially non tourney and the one in the front owns the boat...and thinks its OK to even mention 'its my boat' and to not consider giving the buddy in the back first shot at some prime spots on occasion....that guy in the front is pretty lame and not much of a real friend....and really inconsiderate too in my view.

Its my boat and I tell my fishing buddys.."If I *** end you...tell me"

Anything else is wrong IMO. Fishing is fun.

Anyone said to me 'its my boat' by actions or words we would still be good friends...til we got to the dock.

Priorities man...priorities. Friends and family first in my life.

Mark

Just make a friendly wager. "I bet (whatever the Wager) that I can put us on more fish today than you can tomarrow or whenever you two had your last trip." Had the same problem with a friend and his boat and now when we go out, it's either 50/50 or he will atleast get a better positioning of the boat so we can both have some prime targets to throw at.