A big part of bass fishing is taking your boat out and going fishing, but there's plenty of opportunity to ride along in someone else's boat. It could be with a good buddy, family member, or as a Co-Angler or non-boater in a bass tournament.
No matter the situation, there are some things to keep in mind to make the day a success. These tips will help you be a better fishing partner and help you catch more fish from the back of the boat.
Catching Fish Behind Someone
One challenge of fishing from the back of a boat is that the person up front gets their pick of targets to cast to, and often catches the most aggressive fish, but that doesn't mean they won't leave anything behind.
One simple way to up your odds of catching more fish is to fish with a completely different lure than they are used to. It doesn't make sense to cast the same bait to the same spots. While it can work at times, try something that stands apart, whether it's a much smaller bait, a larger version, or something not even close.
Another thing to pay attention to is where the person in the front of the boat is casting to. If they are casting short to targets, try making longer casts farther from the boat, or vice versa. Again, it doesn't make sense to cast a lure to the same place. By paying attention to what they may have missed in a cast, you can help give yourself a better shot at catching more fish. If they miss a likely target around a dock, bush, or whatever it may be, make sure to get your bait there when the boat gets close, and it's your turn.
One more thing to keep in mind if you are fishing a tournament with separate boater and non-boater divisions is that you are not competing against each other. While it's always a sense of pride to catch the most fish in the boat on a trip, it's not always important. In these events, where boaters compete against boaters, and non-boaters compete against others fishing from the back deck, it doesn't matter who on the boat catches the most fish. Keeping this in mind will help you stay positive, even if the one running the trolling motor is catching more fish.
Packing for the Day
When packing your gear for the day, try to keep it as simple as possible and don't bring everything you own. In addition to keeping things free of clutter and out of your way, reducing what you take with you will also help you fish better with fewer distractions. Stick to your confidence baits and bring just what you plan to use that day.
A handful of versatile rods will also go a long way, as you can use the same rod for many different techniques if you need to make a quick lure change based on the conditions or cover you are fishing around. Choosing five or six combos that can do multiple things is more than enough to cover just about anything you'll be faced with.
For tackle, also try to reduce what you bring and try to find a handful of lures that can help you in multiple situations. Also, talking to your partner ahead of the trip will give you an idea of the type of fishing you'll be doing and the cover in the areas they'll be taking you.
Learn Something New
One of the best things about fishing as a co-angler and fishing with new people is the chance to learn new techniques and become a better bass angler. Simply paying attention to how anglers fish, how they position the boat, and how they decide where to go next is a valuable lesson.
If you keep an open mind and try to learn as much as you can, the chance to fish with an angler is worth more than the entry fee for a tournament. It's typically much less than the cost of a guided fishing trip, and the anglers in the front of the boat are doing everything they can to catch fish, so they aren't holding back on what they are using and how they are catching their fish.
One of the best ways to get better as an angler is to fish with as many people as possible. Fishing alone or only with the same angler limits you and can leave you stuck doing the same thing every time. Branching out and fishing as a co-angler is a crash course in new fishing techniques and styles that can help you out down the line.
Treat it Like You Own It
While this may be common sense to some, taking extra care with how you treat others' boats is important because some non-boaters have given others a bad reputation. Simply keeping your area neat and not bringing dirt or mud into another's boat is an easy way to keep things smooth to start the day, whether you are fishing with a buddy or a longtime friend. The same goes for trash at the end of the day: pack it in and pack it out.
Another topic that can create some animosity between anglers is expenses. While it's true that the boat owner bears the most expense, calls the shots on where to fish, and drives the boat, a passenger for the day should at least offer to chip in for gas or the cost of ice, lunch, or boat launch fees. Many will turn down the offer for some money, but simply making the gesture and offering is what counts. It's only fair, and it will make sure you get another invite next time.
Fishing as a co-angler is a great way to dip your toes into tournament fishing, but just spending time riding along with another angler on fun trips is well worth it. You can learn quite a bit, and there will be plenty of chances to catch fish with the right approach and mindset.
