do you take control of a friends boat??

[eye guy]

Well I see its kind of slow here lately, so I'll give you something to ponder over....

You are out fishing with a friend in his/her rig.. Do you express your opinions on where to fish, or boat control... And even more, lets say its windy or something is it Kosher to offer to take the helm on boat control or just ride it out....

[rock2me]

Most of the time I fish alone or with my wife and kids so I'm in control. When I fish with my brother I am content to have him drive in either my boat or his.

We get along well and I think it is most important to discuss strategies before we hit the water. If it is not working, I am open to try anything.

The great thing about fishing alone is that it is easier to try new things without getting "the look" - you know the one, it is the same one your wife gives you!

Although, I definitely would take control if we were a danger to ourselves or others (ie. to many adult beverages, to fast for conditions)

Good Luck!

[Doc_wi]

As far as offering opinions on where to fish, I believe that would depend on the situation. Are you going to a place that is a common destination for both of you? I discuss locations and methods with my fishing partners for the day all the time and if my experience with boat control while slipping a river can make a difference in the number of fish being caught, I'm bringing it up. If the operator wants to keep with it himself, then I'll ride it out and switch to the right jig or rig to keep me in the zone as much as possible. It might be a bit different for me as the majority of the time I'm fishing I'm in a situation where I am fishing an area where I had been guiding the last number of years. I just went through a situation with a friend in his boat and Lindy No-Snagg jigs. He wanted me to work the bow mount and I picked a spot that had been good but it has lots of wood on the bottom, so we use the No-Snaggs. He hadn't fished them and didn't have the confidence in them needed to do well with them, or anything other then what he was used to. He switched to a regualr ball jig and we spent the lions share of our time trying to get him off the snaggs, finally deciding to not go back upstream anymore to pull off and making him break off. He got frustrated and we finally went to an area where there were no snaggs to deal with, and also very few keeper fish. The next day my buddy Kevin and I returned to the snaggy area, fished the Lindy jigs and limited out getting the first 5 (him 3 , me 2) on the first drift. I still had as much fun the day before and know my other friend will learn from his choices, after all that's what it's all about.

Now, if I'm with someone who is inexperienced in driving the boat while in rough conditions and beating the tar out of his/her boat and me, they are usually shook up enough to welcome the thought of a more experienced operator. Now if I'm with someone who is MORE experienced then I and they are beating the tar out their boat and myself, I'm bringing that up too. Usually by reminding them that I'm getting older by the minute, that the pounding is just going to make me drink more pain killer for my arthritic hip later and that an elephant never forgets.

Stay warm , looks like winter is finally here,

Joel "Doc" Kunz

[rickn]

I'll ride it out if the fish are taking, if we go for too long without fish, I may suggest we do something different, either style or location. Ifwe are in bad water and he's being dangeruos, I might tell him how I would do it. Now, about the only time I'm not in my boat driving, I would be with my bro, who taught me what to do, and if he's with me, I'm ALWAYS open to suggestions. Rick

[Ray]

Fifty percent of the time, I fish by myself. When someone goes out with me, or when I go out in their boat, I like to be fifty-fifty. Both sides have to give and take a little, if you dont, that fishing relationship will not last. Let your friend try things he wants to do, and you do your thing. You always have to sides to the boat anyways. Then, you see one side is getting fish and then you set the other side to the same. Its all give and take. One man cannot rule the whole boat. If he does, he'll be fishing by himself all the time. Ray

[Jersey John]

Being open minded is the name of the game. I have no problem with people sharing info on hot spots, boat handling, or any other hints on fishing an area I choose. I am not the greatest big water boat driver as I am fairly new to great lakes fishing. I sometimes am not sure of myself or my boat as what we could take as far as wave height. I kind of get nervous with 3 footers and I am definatly looking to head in when I see white caps. I rather be safe than sorry. I have an 18' deep v targa, it has a wide beam of 96". The stern of the boat is fairly open though. With my 90 hp and my 9.9 kicker I still feel I need to purchase splash guards as to keep some of the waves out of the back. When water comes over the transom I can't fish anymore because I am to concerned with leaving. Am I to safe, or should I let it ride? Maybe some of the pros could help with giving some boat control info, in rough water. Any and all help would be great. Thanks to all who answer. JJ

[Robertp]

Personally, I don't think you are "too Safe". Stick with your comfort level, and if you exceed it, do exactly as you are doing and head for port. I don't think you can equate tournament fishing with recreational fishing.Pro's can be in conditions that I would never consider going out in. If not unsafe then,at least,not fun. I'm not familiar with all the great lakes but to me 3' to 4' waves on Lake Erie is about the limit of where I want to be.
As for taking the helm of a partners boat, I have no problem with it.
My partner and I share the helm frequently and I don't care which one of us is piloting and I don't think he does either. If he knows an area better than me I will gladly let him get, and keep, us in position. If we are not doing well I value his thoughts on position, rigging, or whatever. We're there for the same reason and that, to me, requires that we consider each others opinion as well as sharing the helm.

[tly]

There are two instances here. The first is fishing location/strategy. In this case I shut up in his boat, he does so in mine. Of course we listen to each others ideas and agree (sometimes) on strategy.

The other is more important, and that is one of safety. If we are threatened by weather, currents or structure I make the information and my opinions available. Again though, a captain is a captain and should shoulder the responsibilty. If it were a case of alcohol or drug abuse, then all bets are off. I take over (mutiny!!). In my particular case, our group has left the flowerchild and whatever generation behind and all our kids have pretty much our values, a great blessing.

In any case, common sense prevails. Fish on!!

[Walleye Crazy]

I usually fish with same partner so we have a rule if one complains about location or speed then he has to drive. As both of us dont like to drive we both keep our mouths shut when the other guy is driving. Merry Christmas to everyone.

[SetTheHook]

Having fun and finding fish is what it's all about to me. If one person or another captaining the boat works out better, we switch up. If one tires or controlling the boat the other takes over. Not much of an issue among my crowd. If one person complains about boat control too much, they take over.

If conditions get real bad, the boat owner is always at the helm. Better for the future of relationships that if a boat is to be damaged or something else bad would happen, that the owner would be responsible for his own boat.

[Homer]

My sentiments exactly. Boat control is shared during our routine fishing, depending upon who's putting us over fish, fatigue, etc. The overall time split is probably 70:30, with the boat owner starting out in control, but neither one of us being shy about speaking up when we're ready for a change.

When things get rough, the boat owner is in charge.

[Cangl]

More often then not they expect me to after a fishless period or boat control is at loss. Never suggest how to or attempt to launch somebodies elses boat though, helping hands are as good as it gets at a busy boatlaunch. Besides that if I am not operating the motor or drift I might end up catching all the fish! ;) Merry Christmas Lips!!

[groovymoe]

I believe that most of us try to fish with people who are as knowledgeable as we are. If I go on my buddies boat, and we are going to use big boards, and troll, I'll grab the boat, while he puts out the spread. We talk out stategy long before we are ready to set up. If we are casting/drifting, we'll try one guy's spot first, if it ain't getting it we'll go to another spot. Really the only people who would get mad in my opinion, are the guy's who have an ego that always has to be massaged. If I catch fish I don't care who suggested the spot. As for safety situations, if the guy your with is in over his head by all means take control. I would rather somebody be mad, than me be dead.

groovymoe

[rickn]

As I said in an earlier post, if I'm with my bro, it's a toss up on skills. If I'm with my bro-in-law, he won't run his boat, wants me to. He hasn't been at this too long, so I do my best to help him,such as positioning him upwind, etc. It's fun watching a newcomer catch fish. As for me, I've mostly fished alone, so I would rather be behind the wheel,more comfortable there.

[curt quesnell]

when i am in someone elses boat they are the boss. we fish
where they want to fish and how they want to fish.

there is usually some discussion beforehand on the wheres
and hows but the final decision is theirs.

once on the water the captain is the boss. if and when he
wants more input from me he will ask for it.

if he should go nuts i suppose mutiny is in order. 4 hours
without a bite i suppose mutiny is the right thing to do.
if, while digging thru the storage lockers i find a pair of
waterskis mutiny is definately the thing to do.

i enjoy fishing with new people and picking up a new thing
or two if i can. you learn more with your mouth shut and
eyes open so thats what i TRY to do.

merry christmas

curt quesnell