5 Keys to being a great Co-Angler

Whether it’s a local tournament or a derby on the biggest stage there is nothing as disheartening as screwing up your day or worse, the boater’s day. How do I know this? Well, I screwed up in the BFLs, BASS, and many local events as a co-angler. My wish is for you to not screw up, catch a huge bag, and have all of the fun

1. Take stock of your skills

Can you back a trailer down? Do you know how to properly net an angry bass?

These are just a few questions you should ask yourself before entering a tournament. It’s not a roadblock and you should still sign up! However, you need to be honest with your boater. If you stink at backing a trailer in, tell your boater so it doesn’t cost him a busted fender. Don’t let your ego get in the way of having a great day. You may catch some grief but tournament day is not the day to learn. There is usually an opportunity to meet your boater or text them after check-in. Take advantage of this time to share your abilities and ask some questions.

2. Ask general leading questions

Are we fishing shallow or deep mainly tomorrow? Will we be running far or staying near the launch?

Fishermen love to keep secrets and dock talk should always be taken with a grain of salt. When you’re in the same boat, this changes. As a co-angler, you’re not a team but in some sense, you are working together toward a similar goal. Your boater may surprise you with a load of detailed information for the plan the next day. Listen carefully because that will impact preparation in a big way.

So you’re fishing a notorious smallmouth fishery and you drew a boater from Texas that is new to smallie fishing. You likely brought your whole arsenal of gear in your car but plan to only rig 6 or fewer rods for the day. You ask the plan for the next day and she tells you that you’re going after largemouth in marinas. That’s what she knows so that’s what you’re doing. You should plan and rig accordingly. Leave the hair jig and A-rig rod in the car. Space is limited in a boat and simplifying your gear is a huge advantage on game day.

3. Know the rules

There are written and unwritten rules. Read, remember and keep the written rules on you or on your phone. You may or may not be allowed on the front deck. You may be allowed to operate the trolling motor or you may not.

Here are a few unwritten rules that most good co-anglers abide by.

• Bring your own life vest, rain gear, cull tags, weigh bag, food & drink, one tackle bag, and 6 or fewer rods
•  Keep 80 dollars in your wallet to pay your part of the gas. Your boater may not ask for any but you should offer it. $80 should be plenty for a long run.
•  Do not offer unsolicited advice. If your boater asks, feel free to share your thoughts.
•  Do not leapfrog when casting. You should never cast over or even close to your boater unless you’re told to ‘get your bait in there’.

4. Pack wisely

Do you typically fish more than one or two hollow-belly frogs in a day of fishing? If you answer no, you should pack one or two. If you answer yes, the frog bite is probably not happening!

There are times when you need to bring extra items. I fished Lake St. Clair and only brought three 5/16 oz. tube jigs. Those were gone in the first two hours of fishing and the 1/4 oz. were not getting bit. Terminal tackle is something you do not want to run out of on derby day. Conversely, you may be tempted to bring ten different colors of your favorite flipping bait but think about which you have the most confidence in and stick to those.

I have fallen in love with the Plano Edge 3700 Thin box. This is a great box when space is a premium. One for terminal, one for hard baits, one confidence box, and a Speed Bag for plastics. This will fit in a normal backpack perfectly. You should have access to one boat compartment to keep rain gear and food in. Minimalism and confidence are a dangerous combination on the water.

5. Don’t spin out

With everything listed above it seems like it would be easy to get spun out on the water. If you prepare all of this the day before, you’ll likely be anxiously rattled. Take your time in the weeks leading up to the tournament to prepare. Being proactive will have you light on your feet on game day. If something does go awry on the water, do your best to stay calm and remember it’s just fishing. It is meant to be fun but when money is on the line, things can get weird.

Learning these lessons the hard way is an option but not one I recommend. If you do the preparation, know the rules, simplify your tactics and keep your cool, you’re poised to have a great day on the water.