So last night I posted a picture on Facebook. It was a funny picture caught in the moment when we were fishing. I thought about a good caption for the photo, considering the appearance and came up with "This is how I keep my co-anglers from casting past me"
Obviously I really don't mean that since I fished as a co-angler since I was in high school up until recently, but anyways it was funny. The picture makes my dog look pretty viscous, but she was really just snapping at bugs and we caught her in the act. I really don't bring her with me to tournaments....but maybe I should.
The comments turned pretty heated and people decided to debate on "Co-Angler Rights" as I'm now calling it. What is your opinion? Should Co-Anglers expect to be able to cast wherever they want (even over a boater's shoulder, should they be relegated to the back deck. Let me know. I'd like to hear your thoughts here in the comments. If you haven't seen the Facebook post, check it out here.
 |
| The Photo in Question |
8 comments:
Wouldn't you think it would be more about sportsmanship?Sharing the boat isn't ehough for some of the players and spaces to fish from and to must be defined when they violate the sportsmanship of fishing in the same boat. Technique also has to be arranged(flippin or casting, slowmo or rippina bait).
I used to really care about my co-angler, but recently learned my lesson that they don't care about you.
I spent my time, gas $$, Hotel$$ and more to have a co-angler complain and cast over my shoulder to fish I located and then give me an additude because he only caught a few fish when I caught 30 fish in ever direction. Then he was nice enough to give me $20 bucks.
If you want a fun guide trip I cost $400 a day and you'll be on fish all day.
I was never like this but these co anglers get away so cheap and some are nice but they need to work too.
I used to really care about my co-angler, but recently learned my lesson that they don't care about you.
I spent my time, gas $$, Hotel$$ and more to have a co-angler complain and cast over my shoulder to fish I located and then give me an additude because he only caught a few fish when I caught 30 fish in ever direction. Then he was nice enough to give me $20 bucks.
If you want a fun guide trip I cost $400 a day and you'll be on fish all day.
I was never like this but these co anglers get away so cheap and some are nice but they need to work too.
I fish half and half as an Alger and co-angler. I have never really run into a problem with co-anglers since they are getting previously scrubbed banks I don't mind the occasional cast forward. Half the time the co-angler is just trying to not screw up the anglers day. When I fish as a co-angler I try to be respectful but I will take any opportunity I can get to better my chances to catch bass. I know as anglers we are competitive and I also understand co-anglers want to win too. If it becomes a problem I will be courteous and let them know what the problem is.
Co-anglers are cheap and usually broke. I'm tired of them showing up with their entire garage full of tackle, mouths full of shit, and 20 bucks for gas. Get rid of em', they are a drain on the system.
I recently fished my first tourn as a co angler at Lake Hartwell Flw Major. I own a Ranger and fish 30 plus team tournaments a year so nothing new to me. Although being in the back was. I drew Erhler and told him off the bat. If I impede on any way your planning on fishing let me know. And that set the rest of the day as we had a great fun day and both caught good sacks. Respect gets respect and that goes both ways. Some co's have bad attitudes and on the other hand you got pros with bad attitudes towards co's immediately. If u don't like co's fish the bass elites lol. All 3 days were very fun as I made the cut. Didn't catch them all 3 days but still had fun and not one problem either way. Day 2 guy even said I had more to gain than him cast wherever I wanted to! Sportsmanship isn't just a amateur thing. The pros show it right back as long as u respect that they are fishing with a lot more on the line. And that comment about tired of co's showing up with garage ful of shit and mouth full as well. I got better equipment than most. Its definelty not shit unless u shit gold I had 5 rods and 2 small plastic boxes and a lunch. Try confining your comfort baits to be as versatile as coanglers have to be into a small carry on. Exactly!!!! Like it or not some of the co anglers out there are the future pros that are gaining the experience of the big travels while fishing the smaller circuits around there home state as a boater! Everyone isn't naturally blessed with rich family's to dump 4k for there spoiled kid to go try and be a professional. We have to try every outlet we can to try and make what we dream to do as a living one day work.
I wish I could fish as a Co-Angler in my own area, but that opportunity doesn't come up very often. I think Co-anglers should have the attitude that they are doing it for fun and are getting a pretty good deal for a guided trip where they just don't get first crack at the best stuff. Like KVD says it's all about the attitude.
As far as the attitude that they are a drain on the system. That's idiotic. Tournament organizations use Co-Anglers for a number of good reason's. Don't like it, fish teams, singles, or don't fish at all. I'm sure you would be much happier fishing draw pro on pro like the good old days where you weren't even guaranteed fishing from your own boat.
As a co-angler, I hate to see the kind of remarks that ISR has made. I agree that co-anglers should follow a code of conduct, they shouldn't be casting over the boaters shoulder to catch his or her bass or pile loads of tackle and poles in the boat.
There are lots of article's on co-angler ettiquette and I believe that every co-angler should read at least one of them before fishing a tournament.
Most boaters I have been with are courteous and have gone out of their way to make sure I catch a bass. I don't expect that. It was nice and I respect them more for it.
One of these days I will be a boater and will do the same for my co-angler.
Post a Comment