Fishing with a pro

[Will Fish Hard]

Can you pro's assist is letting me know what is OK to bring onto your boats on tournament day. Rain Gear, Lunch, drinks, clothing. I will be fishing the Walleye Tour. Erie and Sharpe. Don't want to be a pain to you all. I want to be an asset. I would like to have our day start off good, not on the wrong foot.

[Chad]

As a co angler you are expected to bring all your own personal gear (non-fishing). Food, drink & clothing that you would need for a day on the water. Better to have too many clthes than not enough. (I also always pack some TP and a plastic shopping bag in case of emergency)I put in my day bag my own pliers, scissor and clippers so that I would have a set for sure.

You do not need any fihsing equipment.

ChadM

[INmitch]

Check the archives. Pete Harsh posted a great post for what is expected for am/co's on tournament days.

[More]

It's a good idea to have everything in one back pack or small duffel, i.e. clothes, rain gear, food, drinks, suntan lotion, sun glasses, etc that you can stick by your feet under a chair so you don't trip on it all day. Pro may even have a compartment for you to stash it in.

[Stacker1]

A few tips.

After the rules meeting, have a note book and ask each pro if there is a on board cooler and if there is, will there be room for your stuff. Do not show up with a cooler. Make sure what you bring will be in water proof containers as well. A cooler takes up floor space. Ask if you could supply the ice for the day. Ask if there is dry storage room for your rain gear and personal items for the day, or if you need to carry a day bag that will take up floor space. These are 2 very good tips to ask when you meet the pros. Also, always have your own clippers, watch, and note pad and pen (2) and pliers to help in keeping track of all the info.

In lue of the ever worried about "Cash to the pro" do some things that make his life easier. Ask if you may supply his favorite drink and snacks in the boat the next day. Sandwich? Get there early, way early, get the boat launch envelope ready and pay for the launch. Have your stuff neatly piled up and ready to load by the designated meeting area. It is all the little things that will count. Ask about bringing your life jacket.

Ask after the day of fishing if you can wipe down the boat. Its a safer bet that after 5-6-7-8 days on the water that these teedy little chores will make him feel better than cash.

Treat them as you would want to be treated, you just might make a friend for life.

[walleyesrus]

Not a bad idea to bring your own set of line clippers pliers ect. The pro always has them but it's nice not to have to ask.

[Just A Tip]

With a name like "Will Fish hard", you are half way there. Show up each day well rested and with a clear head. Just like what your employer expects you to do.

[Juls]

This is a letter Pete gives to his Co Anglers. He gave it to me, and I revised it just a tiny bit.

Juls
-------------------------------------------------------------------
It has become my good fortune to have you as a Co-Angler fishing partner. I am looking forward to our time on the water. I will give you my very best effort to make us competitive. My cell # is ___________________. Feel free to contact me at any time, if you have any questions or concerns.

Please review the following:
Be on time in the morning at the designated location. That is the first consideration we will give each other.

**Expect to have a good time fishing with me. You and I are now fishing partners for the day. Relax and enjoy our fishing as much as I intend to. That does not mean we won't work hard while doing so.

**I do not care to help you solve the worlds problems, your relationship problems or problems at work. Do not cloud up my head with those subjects and try to concentrate on the fishing.

**The world will not end if you make a mistake in my boat. Unlike the Pope and a few of the other Pro Walleye Fisherman, you nor I are infallible. Should a mistake happen, and it will, we will quickly move beyond it and continue to concentrate on the job at hand. (No matter who makes it.) I am not known for getting too excited in the boat.

**Bring a positive winning attitude. Do not bring a hangover. This could be one of the best days of your life. Show up sick from being hung over or intoxicated from illegal drugs and I assure you this will not be one of the best days of your life.

**Bring a WATCH. If you don't care if we get in on time, I do! Don't break my concentration by depending on me to tell you what time it is all day long. I will watch the time but you need to keep track of the time also.

**Mother Nature is not a good Momma. Expect the worst from her. If you have a tendency to get seasick take Dramamine ahead of time. Dress for the worst case scenario, by 9 a.m. it could be our reality. Bring good raingear, extra warm dry clothes including gloves. A life jacket is provided unless you want to bring your own. Bring any special lunch or beverages you require. I always have snacks in the boat too.

**We will review safety, starting and operation procedures prior to going out in the morning. I will show you how to use the radio and where emergency equipment is stowed also at that time.

**You are expected to keep all the information you learn in my boat confidential until after the tournament. If you fail to do so, you will be disqualified.

I am looking forward to fishing with you!

Hotel Information: __________________________________________________ _____
Where to meet and what time to meet: ________________________________________

[tzone]

That is a great letter. If I were to recieve that before a tourney it would be great. I defenetely would have helped me relax before my first time ever as a co. I was wound tighter than a snare drum that first day.

You got a lot of good advise here so far. The clippers and pliers are a great idea.

Also don't lie or embellish your abilities to the pro. If you tell them you can do something they will expect you to know how to do when the time counts. If you discuss it before hand they will know what you can and can't do.

Last, relax, do what they ask of you (even if you think it won't work) and HAVE FUN...it's fishing.

Tom

[Stacker1]

OH YEA, don't mess with the drags on the reels unless you ask first. He has them set already.

[Egoup]

Keep in mind you paid to enter, maybe not as much as the "Pro" but no need to be his minon for the day. Go in there with a positive attitude and remember that your NOT fishing for him, your fishing in a temporary partnership that lasts 8 hours. They don't want to be your buddy for life... it's a business to some and a serious hobby to others... but remember you "Paid to be there".

The first thing I ask the pro in the morning is... I hope you know how to net. Then things get pretty quite for a while or they laugh it off but it sets the tone on how serious you are to fish.

A co-anlger asking a pro if they could wash the boat.... If your a pro, I'm embarresed for you to even write that on this board.

[TrollerMan]

Egoup I strongly beg to differ! Any sincere offer by a coangler to help with day's end work or next day prep is very much appreciated! Even a seemingly small task i.e. make an ice run, help wipe down boat or strip reels could be very helpful to most pros.
Many pros do use this time to wind down, get mentally prepared for the next day or connect with partners and might not want the extra company of a helper. A given pro may or may not accept the assistance but every pro I know would be grateful for a genuine offer to share the load.
TrollerMan
Waconia MN USA

[Stacker1]

egoup, I have had co-anglers like you in the past, I would bet it would be in my best interest as the pro to let you bring your GPS and tell me where to fish because you really know what to do? CORRECT??

sheesh, I would bet that the pros that got quiet when you asked if they could net, were doing so to hold back any bad anomosity that would be a bad start for the day. They can control there words unlike you. I guess you would not help at the end of the day with the boat and probably not spend a dollar to help out with gas or ice or oil or anything either.

I bet you don't have many friends who have asked you back in there boats at home either. If you cannot help you must stay on shore.

Go back under your rock!!

[perchjerker]

this egoop sounds like all talk.

get the hip boots out

[wallytap]

You can gain respect by quiet actions.Arrogant verbiage paints a bull's-eye on your forehead.

[10pound]

I've got two things to add. I would suggest a simple easy to eat lunch for the boat. Many times the day does not allow much time for eating. Things like chips, can of pop, things that need to be eaten with silverware are difficult and if you start into something like that and its time to move, what a pain. Some of my favorites are bottles of pop or water, small bags of peanuts, small packages of crackers, mini candy bars and other things that are simple and quick. Its best to wait and have a big supper. (Learned that from Pete harsh:))

The second thing is for the pros. I would not want to rely on a co-angler to bring ice. 1 oops and your drinking warm pop for the day and you are already not friends at 7am. I also think its great to help out at the end of the day as well, but wiping down the boat is getting to close to "getting on your knees" and I think that is a little excessive. Also, right or wrong, I tip based on performance and politeness. Put some effort in, have your crap together and treat me with respect and you'll get a nice tip. Act like a jerk, don't be organized, use broken equipment and you get nothing! Remember, the Pros put their pants on the same way you do every morning. Respect them, but there is no need to worship them!:bowdown:

[semper fi]

All I can add is remember we are trying our best to get us both a limit of nice fish, things change daily and the fish don't allways cooperate but we all have alot invested in this tournament both pros and co's and having a bad attitude doesn't help either one of us. I know when I am in a tourney I don't talk alot it doesn't mean I am mad or rude it just means I am trying to think thru the situation we are in at the moment and trying to make adjustments to get us fish. As for the Co asking if I know how to net fish to me he has a positive attitude on us doing well during the day we are together, and yes I can Net Fish and will do so all day long with no regrets as long as we catch fish. But if you can't have fun doing these tournaments then don't do them when these turn into work and everyone is a pain in the a** then we need to rethink why we are doing this.

Good fishing and good luck to everyone doing Lake Erie in 2 weeks.

Semper Fi Bob

[ebijack]

i locked this thread since it was WAY over what scott's rules are for keeping things nice.