Teaming Up for Tourneys

[Fish on!]

It is a growing trend in our state's tourney circuit that boats are teaming up (usually 2-5 boats) and prefishing and sharing info with each other, almost a team in itself. In talking to one group\team, one trolls, one jigs, and one live baits. Then they get together and do the thing that is working? I am rather new to these tourneys and getting my buttocks kicked every tourney because I can't cover every technique in two days these guys can. Is this the norm? Is it ethical? Or do I quit crying and team up with another team?

[SUPERTROLLER]

This seems to be the growing trend. Combine pre-fishing efforts and then hope your combined team are able to produce a win for one of your teammates by sharing all information and rolling the dice that you can still outfish the others. I don't think it's unethical. I think it's smart to use all available information and formulate a plan of attack. You need to have trustworthy partners and realize everyone has their strengths and weaknesses with various techniques. Can you troll or jig as well as the guy that was loading the boat. If not, you might still be better off doing what you do best, if you still caught fish using your prefishing methods. You probably already have some people you are friendly with and could approach them about a sharing arrangement. This still doesn't guarantee anyone any fish at the start of the tournament. It just helps.

[Prchjerker]

Fish On!
First of all Id get a different screen name. But abck to your question, this pratice has been going on for a long time. It even happens in the State tourn levels.The degree of networking varies from sharing info, to splitting monies to make sure everyone carries their weight.Its nothing new, it happens.

[Fed Up w/tourney turkeys]

Cry away! A pro is not truelly a pro if he/she is simply fishing the Hot Spots that were located by a team of anglers. Face it. Put just about any average fisherman "on" the fish and they will catch fish. Gone are the days of a pro locating his/her own holes and fishing them to the best of their ability. Now it is just who has the best scouting program/team and get on their documented locations and catch like ****! That is not what fishing is about, but that is where it is headed. Money dictates sleazy methods and causes everyone to shun ethics. I know it isn't cheating offcially as it is allowed, but really, who is the fisherman in these circumstances.....Really???

Yah...Yah, we don't need to hear the line about still having to catch them after you find them either. You have to suck pretty bad to "not" get some fish to take the bait when you are sitting on them.

[mwalleye]

So how do you feel about talking to other fisherman and bait shops? Is that also wrong in your small mind. Information is power and strength in fishing and all other things in life. The more you have and can get will benefit you. If networking is the best way to do this then thats what should be done. A lot of teams are also splitting expenses to keep the costs down.

[FJH1]

Quit crying and team up ;-). My partner and I have been working with the same one team for about 6 years now. For the Cabela's tournament we worked with two other teams. It's very important that you completely trust the team(s) you're working with. If you get (or give) bad info, consider the relationship over. Many of the top PWT guys team up and work different spots, this has been happening for many years.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Chad]

It is impossible to cover large bodies of water by yourself. It is far easier to have three-four boats checking out different parts of the lake with everyone reporting back.

The people we share info with are the same guys we travel and camp out with.

[Big John]

You obviously can't beat um...so you better join um.
Stopping this in any circuit would be virtually impossible! Personally, I don't mind that this goes on. I fish a few tourneys every year and team up with others. It is no different than asking baitshops or anyone else. I did very well at a tourney last year because I asked an old fella at the landing dock where he caught his fish! It is just using your resources.
Be careful not to get burned though!

[Eyez]

If you want to be a purist, then so be it. But you had better stop talking to other people at all, quit reading fishing reports online, don't chat at the boat ramp, don't talk at the bait shop. never hire a guide, etc...

It's all about using the resources that you have available to you. That is what a tournament is all about. Doing what you can to catch the most fish. You can't pick and choose what kinds of information gathering are ethical, and which aren't, you can't have it both ways.

Either ride that high horse, or get off it.

[Larry]

Hey, Just start pulling around a net and drag in the haul. Better yet, have the whole team out there doing it with you so the work can be spread out. As to the Bait Shop or personal information given verbally or even on a map, that you will never stop. And because you can't get most people to shut up, the teams would be out there anonomously and still report back. I did say that this was the way it is going to be! So, get off my back. But, yes the old tourney of yesteryear where a fisherman truelly was professional and did his own recon as well as fishing, is gone. But that is the fault of the tournament sponsors who need to sell tackle and boats to the hoards that make up these teams! So, go out and support your local tackle company.

[mwalleye]

You talk about the way the old tournament pro worked on there own. Team work has been around from day one. Ask Jim and Ron Linder or Gary Roach or my altime favorite Bob Propst Sr. If you think they didn't share information you are wet behind the ears. Say what you want but have the balls to put your name behind it...

[MH]

Even with all these teams working together in there circle jerk, it still boils down to catching the right fish on the right day. A team can show up the night before a tournament doing no prefishing what so ever and go out and kick everybody's $#@. Focus on your team or teams and do what works for you and let the other guys flap there gum's.

[Sally]

You have a name. Do you need directions to my home to harrass me?? Are you some kind of freak?? Names don't matter, content does! And how do you wish to prove your statement??

You can't!

[Pilgrim]

You think that with Registration that you have passed some sort of "right of passage", like you are to be taken at your word because you hang "A NAME" on your registration. Fact is that you can put any name you wish on the registration and say anything you wish and still not have a clue of what you are talking about! You are the one who is wet behind the ears!

Further, you add no content when you make a statement and then tell us to go ask for the proof. You go get the information and publish it for us as long as you have such close and great contacts with those gentlemen. But do you??????????????

[ron]

fish on-- in the two circuits i fish in a good share of the teams share info with other boats---one has 8 boats in a 100 team field-- I personally have better luck not teaming up---I have donme both and would rather find my own fish and not share them with anyone--- I dont have any trouble in 3 days finding fish that can win tourneys-- after you find them you still have to catch them though---anywat the 8 boats that team up --we beat all of them in the last tourney---both have advantages--- I have teamed up with 2 boats before and had one boat hold back info---like one of the other post said you must trust them---I personally like to find my own fish----good luck

[Ricky S.]

FISH ON where do you fish? We are looking for a team to share information with. Rick

[fisherman]

It's always nice to go out and find the winning fish on you're own. Reality is much something else.
If you are on strange water; lets face it; you need some help--and lots of it.
Working with other teams cuts the bite down to size, so you can zero in on what's hot and what's not. Come tourney day you and you're friends are on the fish--just boils down to who does the right thing at the right time. Conditions change, so you must adapt; those who stuck with yesterdays program don't cash as big a check.
I have seen a top team have friends prefishing their home waters and still get skunked. Yet the winning team sits in the middle of a crowd and catches the right fish to win. You are useing the same technique and don't catch squat. Makes ya wanna cry!
Try and find a team or two to work with-it sure makes life on the circuit a lot more fun.

[Tag Team]

Having a job in the fishing industry gives me the opportunity to talk with and here about topics like this on a daily basis. This particular topic has always been interesting to me. Everyone tries to gain knowledge somehow. Whether you talk to a guy at the boat launch, bait shop, or read a message at Walleye Central every fisherperson does it. To be good at anything requires different skills. To be a good salesperson you need to be likeable and be able to network yourself to as many contacts as you can. Being a fisherman is very similar.
Without dropping any names I know for a fact that most of the folks at the top of the leaderboards today are very well connected wherever they go. If they are not as well connected at a certain tournament site you can tell real quick by where they finish. To sum it up, get some friends or prepare to finish out of the money the majority of the time because "team fishing" is here to stay.

[Faceless]

POSSE! Not sure if it is spelled correctly but these guys won a bundle at a major championship last season.

[SALLY]

Lose the tournaments and get back to regular fishing. Or, have a team tournament. Then again, where would the line be drawn on team size......2, 4, 8.... may as well be unlimited because the teams would have prefishing teams to assist the team. What a joke.

Wow, split the money 30 ways. Whats the purpose, to win money or decide who is the best fisherman?

[Walley Canuck!]

This is my second year on the PWT and if you want to compete you have to team up just makes sense. I knew that going in and I was prepared for it.

This year I am off to fish the Cahampionship in Bisamrck I could not have done it without the help of my team. It is part of the game and if you want to compete you have to deal with it. There is alot on the line and any advantage helps.

This is nothing new to tournaments even at the local level you see it all the time it is a part of fishing tournaments.

Walleye Canuck!

[jack]

sally--sounds like you can't catch fish on your own and are scared of 2 or 3 boats teaming up. We never team up and more times than not are in the $$$$$$$$$... Quit crying and learn how to fish.......

[Sally]

Impossible to draw a connection to "me not able to catch fish" and questioning the need for teams. I would think quite the opposite is true..... I would not want (or need) a team. I am not whining either, but I am observing and making a statement as to that. If that bothers you, "shut up and fish"! But hey, get a team together first so you can get on some fish to catch, right?

[Cangl]

Having been to the Indy a few times you don't suppose those Unser's and Andrettis actually.....HHMMM Looks as though team fishing should only be allowed if your brothers, fathers, son's our daughters as for in-laws no thanks here. But for the argument GO POSTAL!!! Them fellas really team up in the Tour De France, GO POSTAL bring it home!