Fishing and Tournament Etiquette

We’ve all had a variety of partners in tournaments. As boaters and / or non-boaters it’s your responsibility to be ethical. These basic rules should apply to all fishermen. If your apprehensive about possibly violating an etiquette? You can assess your circumstances, before you act, just ask yourself. How would I feel if it was done to me?

FOR BOATERS

Be on time.

Make and point out the safety equipment available; Life jacket, throw cushion, fire extinguisher etc. It could save your life.

Making your cooler, and other conveniences available to your non-boater, and make them feel comfortable in your boat.

Think about your partner when running on plane. Boat drivers have a steering wheel to hold onto and can brace for rough water. Non-boaters are unable to brace and absorb the shocks as well as the driver.

Boat positioning, you need to give the guy in the back of the boat fair treatment, don’t back seat them. Try and keep the boat parallel to the bank. Have your partner come up front with you if the boat has a deck that can accommodate 2 anglers.

Listen to your partner and give them some time on their water if they want it.

Be congenial and work together. The object is for both of you to enjoy the day.

FOR NON-BOATERS

Be on time.

Try to agree on some reasonable compensation for fuel expenses and pay your partner by the end of the day, being a boater is extremely expensive.

Treat the boat like it was your own “brand new boat” and try to avoid getting mud, spilling pop, fish scents, etc… on the interior of the boat. Be mindful of visible objects that could scratch the exterior of the boat. Wear Soft sole shoes and don’t step on the boats finish, You wouldn’t walk on the paint finish of your car.

Try to downsize extremely bulky tackle boxes. This helps both of you, clutter can be dangerous and loose objects can blow out of the boat when under power, or while battling or netting fish.

At the end of the day clean up. Don’t leave line, discarded plastic worms, pick-up hooks, sinkers, food wrappers, or cans in the boat. Take them to the trash.

GENERAL FISHING ETHICS

Prepare for launch long before you get to the front of the line. This will speed up the entire launch process for everyone.

At the Ramp; Turn off your headlights (if on) while waiting in the launch line. Keep your parking lights on if applicable. This will prevent you from blinding the person that is backing the boat down the ramp!

Never plane right in the middle of a bunch of boats. For safety sake, you need to get beyond the last standing boat before you take off on plane.

If you’re fishing and your partner misses a fish, don’t throw in immediately where they missed the fish and attempt to catch it. Let your partner adjust their bait and allow them to cast back at the fish a second time.

Don't wait for your partner to ask you to get the net. When using a net don’t take wild jabs into the water at the fish, most fishermen prefer to lead the fish to the net. While others would rather net or lip the fish themselves. Try to come to an agreement on net handling before you took-off from the ramp.

If your previous day’s partner caught fish from an area, don’t go back to that area trying to catch the fish he’d located. Maybe fish their pattern, but find a new area of the lake.

When someone takes you out practicing don’t tell other competitors what, where, and how the fish were caught.

When sight-fishing for bedding bass try to mutually agree on a set number of casts per angler then alternate these casts to the bed.

Don’t cut off another Angler by pulling in on a bank and fishing in front of them.

If you’re leaving an area to go to another area, don’t prop wash and / or disturb the area in an attempt to mess up another competitor.

Don’t pull up tight to other anglers to make conversation a 25ft rule should always prevail; ask before approaching if tournament rule allow for it.

NEVER MIX ALCOHOL AND BOATING !!! AND IT’S AGAINST THE LAW !!!