Co-Anglers Can Not Cast Over Pro’s Line???

I always work with my non-boaters and try to finish each tournament with both of us having fun. As far as my feeling as to whether or not the boater’s line can be casted over, well I have never told any of my non’s where to cast and where not to cast. However, I do ensure my non’s that if we work together our day will be way more productive. Ever had a no-boat make a 30 yard wild cast over your head only to have them hook a good fish followed by it coming un-buttoned becaue they are in no position to fight the fish? I have fished non-boater (and still do every now and then) and I believe no-boaters can throw wherever. I just know that when I’m a non-boater I use my head. I know that even the best in the world will leave a few scraps.

OK, so check this out. I received my final tournament packet for the up-coming Citco B.A.S.S. Northern open tournament at Ft. Madison, IA. Printed in black and white it says not to cast over your Pro’s line (see picture). This is what it says word-for-word…

CO-ANGLERS- You must fish from the back of the boat; you may leave the back to land a fish. There is not a line drawn down the middle of the boat, but please respect your boater. For example, DO NOT cast over his line. See Rule # 6.

What do you guys think of that? Do you believe this is justified since the Boater pays double the Co-Angler and find the fish? Let me hear your thought without this topic getting too heated.

I answered your poll with the best fit answer I could see. However I think it’s more “payout” related than “entry fee” related. They are the same in a way, but I guess I’m looking at it from a “end to the means” kind of way. For example:

Boater pay out for Northern Open:
1 – 75K
2 – 53K
3 – 33K
4 – 25K
5 – 10K

Non Boater
1 – 30K
2 thru 5 – 4500 to 2000

Besides the nice 30K for first on the non boater side, the difference between payout spots on the boat side is WAY more than the total amount won by a co angler for 2nd place and on.

The rule has to be stated to keep this from happening. If a non boater casts over the boaters line and boat a nice fish that bumps him from 5th to 2nd, it gains him $2500. If that wouldn’t have happened (and lets say luck would have it the boater catches that same fish instead) and the boater is able to jump from 5th to 2nd, that’s a $43,000 jump! Entries are higher because there fish are “pricier” to them.

Of course if you’re in a situation where it’s a “spot” where the non boater has taken you, then maybe “unspoken” rules should apply. As long s everyone fishing act as gentleman, there will never be a problem right? (I’m a “glass half full” thinker.)

Also, just so you know it’s not a biased opinion, I’ve never fished the pro side of any pro/am.

casting over someone’s line, I think, is a bit much but depending on how bad someone is back-ending you, it may be necessary to cast towards the front of the boat to get near the fish. Which I say, if a boater is rude enough to back-end you all day then they deserve it, because it can get really frustrating for the guy in the back of the boat to not have any water to fish. 90% of the time I go boater, and like D said, I try to work together with my non-boater so we both have fun and hopefully catch some fish.

as a co, i cut the boat in half and fish from the middle back……….always

I agree with Phish if your getting back boated it can be a very frustrating day especially if you are in the running points wise for the non boater title. i have fished with guys that keep the front end of the boat three feet off shore and fish straight ahead leaving you nothing and that’s just not fair. I may not have paid as much but I did pay something and it wasn’t to get skunked on a tourney day. Just my thoughts, Jesse

I have fished boater and non-boater in the BFL. Being backseated is something I have done and had done to me. If I catch my limit, I allow my co-angler plenty of area to fish but before that happens, I am fishing for myself.

My advice…if you are getting backseated and not catching any fish…allow your boater to catch his 5 fish limit…and that’s it. You’d be suprised how much fishing space you will get then

I agree Basshog. If you start getting cute and casting as you please you are less likely to get a break later in the day. I have been in both ends of the boat before. As a boater I have ran all over trying to get the non boater a fish if they need some, as long as they were respectful.

I have never fished in a tournament but i know where i stand on this subject. I have fished out of the back of the boat plenty of times and i know what its like. I never try to cast OVER the person in the front of the boat. Even if its someone i am friends with, i just don’t do it. The only thing i would request of my boater would be to leave a fair distance/position from the structure so i can fish too!!!!!!!! none of this bull crap pull up and run 2 feet from the shore paralell and fish up it. That sucks A** from the back of the boat cuz you can’t fish! so if i was in that situation, yeah i might start casting up towards the front. BUt still never actually crossing their line on purpose.

I imagine that there was a need for the rule. I usually fish team events and often times the best position for me to catch fish….leaves nothing for my partner.But…as a team it doesn’t really matter. However…..should a boater comprimise his ability to win or place in a tournament…because the non-boater wants to catch fish?

Slee, i think to an extent, yes, they should compromise a little. In the case where the person is up tight to the shore, they could be a little more considerate and back off a casts distance away for the co-angler to fish. as jesse said, if i’m going to pay 100 $ or even up to 300 $ to fish, i don’t wanna get skunked. I’d rather just go fishing for fun that day and then go to the weigh in site with a limit of hogs and just have some fun watching the faces of guys who got skunked. I Believe that if a pro is really good enough to be fishing a high caliber tournament in a high caliber bass boat, he should be able to compromise to be courteous to the co-angler and still catch fish all day long. It doesn’t really matter how you position the boat, you are still opperating the trolling motor and get first dibs at each spot for casting. I don’t see where the boaters have a problem, unless of course the co is being disrespectful like Eronnigen said. It almost seems like some people purposely run back boat people so the co can’t catch fish.
I know that when i am fishing 2 out of my boat, I often catch myself in a postition where it is tough for the person in the back to cast. If this happens, i back off. You will often find me asking the person in the back if they are comfortable and can cast to where they want to. of course i still get to fish the front zone, and would get a little angry if they were casting in front of me where i am trying to fish, but i like to try and keep everyone happy. Oh yeah, i still catch the same amount of fish as i would on my own too.
all i would ask is for the person in the front to treat the people in the back with the same respect that they would ask for from the person in the back!
My opinion. The whole thing.
Thanks,
Cade

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Co-Anglers Can Not Cast Over Pro’s Line???

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Dave, does this have something to do with a salmon guiding business on Lake Michigan?!

I think the best way, as you mentioned, is to work with the non-boater.

That’s the problem some guys give their co-angler no respect. I’m not saying all, but some. It’s their boat and they are going to do what they want. The boaters ego is too big for the boat. I’m not trying to disrespect anyone, but the comments about the boater getting his limit and then letting the non boater get his is bull. What angler is going to settle for a limit of fish where every one isn’t 4-5 lbs. each. So unless the boater has a basket over twenty pounds, the non boater is going to go to the scales with fish small or no fish. It just sucks . I have only been in this situation one time and have talked to some guys that it has happened to. They didn’t like it and neither did I. This is just my opinion.

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I never try to cast OVER the person in the front of the boat. Even if its someone i am friends with, i just don’t do it.

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YES….you do

I have fished out of the back of the boat on every level from buddy tournaments to BASS tour events. I can see the point of this rule and have to agree with it. Have been back doored more time than I care to think about, but their is nothing more frustrating than picking another guys lure out of yours, especially if one of you sets the hook. I recentally made the switch to the front and in my last tournament I was parrelling rock. I told my co to go ahead and cast to the front but try not go over me. Well aim matters, needless to say my tube had to keep running for its life. I wouldn’t have cared about the tangles but when people cop attitudes with me when thay hook my line because I am slowly fishing a tube, I have a problem with that. Some things to think about out of the back of boat
How is the guy in the front presenting the lure?
If I am fishing fast, persay with a Bro swim jig don’t get in my lines way or when I set it is going to hurt 50 lb power pro has no give.
If I am fishing slow fish around it not on top of it.
I have and always will be one of the nicest fishermen out their. I pay for it alot but you can’t change a lepords spots.
Another thing to think about is how to talk to guy in the front of the boat, most of the time the guy is so focussed on what he is doing that he has no time for you. Let him know that you have no where to fish, but nicelly a little sugar goes alot further than salt.
Also trying to get your guy to go to other fish all day, espicially if they are your buddies is very wrong, boaters have enough going on their minds where they don’t need to be doubted all day.
Remember if it was easy we would call it catchin.
My biggest pet peave from both sides is net jobs, I have had alot tournaments blown apart by stabbing, swipping, and all around poor net manangement. If a guy tells you to put the net in the water he will take care of the rest listen, I try to go over it every morning with my partner but that doesn’t always work. I had a guy stad at huge smallie 7 times bofore I grabbed his arm and shoved the net in the water and guided the fish in.
Communication is the key in draw tournaments along with leaving what you may have been fishing as co. Being a co is very mentally challenging, having others in control of your destiny, but if you do not like it go the front. That is what I am doing this year and from now on. A million would of, should haves, or could haves don’t cash checks. I have a million horror stories from the back of the boat and I am now getting a collection in the front. Just remember their is only one way to control your own destiny, put your foot on the trolling. I hope this doesn’t offend anyone, it is just 2 cents from a guy who has fished a ton of tournaments from the back, who has decided to put his foot on the trolling motor.

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What angler is going to settle for a limit of fish where every one isn’t 4-5 lbs. each. So unless the boater has a basket over twenty pounds, the non boater is going to go to the scales with fish small or no fish.

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I’ll settle for a limit of 3 pounders EVERY time!!! Your numbers are way wrong. This is my 5th year fishing the BFL’s on the Mississippi River and I have yet to see a stringer bust 20 pounds. You’d be surprised how much gas MANY boaters (including myself) burn while running around trying to get their co-anglers some fish after they have their limit). I wish you could talk to my last 2 co-anglers. I actually would have a blow up and rip my jig out, then have my co-angler standing by waiting to throw in the blow hole. I ALWAYS want to see my tournament day partner do good. BUT, until I have my limit why is it wrong to only think about me? I prepare for each tournament with the mind-set that it’s me verses the fish. I don’t care about the standings, the weather, and especially other compeditors. This only distracts me. I put myself into a crazy little world I can’t explain (ask the woman, she thinks I’m nuts).

Hey Cade, I know you are an up-and-coming bass guy and will soon be fishing tournaments. I understand your comments and agree with some (as I too was a co-angler). But I can tell by your drive you will likely be on the FRONT deck soon fishing tournaments b/c you won’t be happy in the back. When you start fishing tournaments as a boater, please re-read everything you are saying in this thread and see if it makes since then. There ARE those times when boat position means cashing a check or not when you are in the front. This shouldn’t be a shock to ANY co-anglers though. I fully expected it everytime I was a co-angler and will expect it in my upcoming co-angler tournaments. If I ever don’t agree with what the boater needs to do I guess I’ll stop fishing tournaments with the Pro/Am format.

Don’t forget, I am in no way dogging co-anglers and I always work together with them to keep things fun.

That is very noble of you d-nort, not many of guys like you around. I have not fished any tourneys around the Miss. yet so I don’t know what the winning totals are, but I do know that tourneys on the Madison chain are won with 20+ lb. baskets. If you are in the 13-18lb. range you don’t even cash a check.

I’m not meaning to dog on all the boaters only the ones that thinking they are KVD in the boat by themselves. I’m just saying don’t forget about the paying angler in the back. If I pay for gas, entry fee and possibly lodging at least throw me a bone once in a while. I will not complain about getting back boated, but it leaves a bitter taste for the guys that are fishing from the co-angler position for the first time.

I just fished my first club tourney and my partner didn’t show up and left me without a boat to fish out of.(we won’t say any names Jeff) Toad and his partner took on the task of fishing three guys out of a 19′ bass boat. So I know it can be done. I was very greatful, but I had plenty of water to fish and we tied for third. In closing, you don’t have to give me the prime spots. I wouldn’t expect that because like previously stated your check is going to dwarf mine, but at least give me your already fished water without the boat going over the top of it. This is in the case of fishing shoreline, not open water. Once again d-nort, I am not trying to you off. I have heard that you are a class act.

I hope my co-angler is on some good fish at our BFL next week in PDC! I’ll let him catch the first 5 as long as he puts me on some good ones .

I remember…it was just last year I got my but kicked by my co-angler at PDC .

Don’t ever cast up towards the front unless the boater lets you! I have caught and seen many fish caught casting back behind the boat. I used to like it when the boater would parallel the bank I caught more fish casting straight back. I know co-anglers pay as well but without the boats they would be sitting on the bank. I have fished both sides so I know what it’s like. Co-anglers don’t have to deal with boat control! Both BFL’s this year my non-boaters have caught their fish before me. I don’t mean to sound harsh on the co-anglers. I let my co-anglers do whatever they want, It just gets me when guys act like the boaters owe them something because they paid to be in the tournament and gave the boater some gas money. The guy in the front bought a boat so he could fish tournaments for himself not to take guys out fishing. I use to look at it as I was getting a guide for the day for the price of the entry fee. I learned the river and watched someone fish. I really think catching fish out of used water gave me more confidence and made me a better fisherman.

Before I go and start someone into a tizzy let me say that most of the time I give my non-boaters plenty of room to catch fish.

But let me ask you this;

Say your Jim Tutt or someone who fishes for a living and dosent sit on a computer all day like myself. You are out there to put food on the table and not really to make friends. Your a jacka$$ all season and it shows in the bottom line as a 40,000 gain over what you would have made if you were a “good guy”. How is that much different from the business man who cuts other individuals down to see the extra 40K at the end of the year?

I realize the business man dosent have to keep sponsors happy, yada, yada, yada, but Its all a Business and they dont call them a business if its non-profit.

I disagree with you on the 13-18 pound bags on the Madison chain not cashing a check comment, unless you are talking the standard 6-8 fish limit.You get a 3, 3 1/2 pound average there, you will cash most times. Even in the spring, prespawn.

Bassman

OK, my turn to chime in. I’ve been fishing from the back of the boat for 3 yrs now, and have been “boated” a number of times where I have had nowhere but backwards into the main channel to cast. If you see me out there doing this, it is probably out of frustration!

I won’t cast towards the front of the boat unless I’m told it’s ok. (I have sent a few warning shots past a boaters ear in the past, but that’s only happened once, and that was true frustration coming out. There was absolutely no communication on that boat. ) Even if I do cast towards the front, I’ll wait until the boaters lure is close enough to the boat that there is no chance for me to cross his line.

Like I’ve stated in the past, I’ve got all the respect in the world for the boaters, I just always hope to get some of that respect back, and 99% of the time I do!

It is a six fish bag. This spring some guys took 3rd with 23 pounds. That was prespawn smallies. There are some hogs on that Madison chain. Wish I was still there.