Tournament do’s and don’ts Part 2: Casting

Last week, we discussed what co-anglers should bring for tackle and provide a boater with for gas and or expenses. This week, we will discuss one of the most common issues that co-anglers face when they fish a tournament series for the first time. 

Casting

For me, when I started the hardest thing that I faced was when and where to cast the line. When I first started tournament fishing, boy you can bet that I was told many times the words “Hey, Try not to cast over me.” and that is a nice way to put it as well. 

Although this is a very important topic for co-anglers to learn about, casting will be determined by the boat-positioning from your boater. While tournament fishing, this can play a huge part in having a great day or a really bad day on the water. Remember it’s 8 hours that you will be on a boat with only one other person. 

Although the boater will always fish for the first spots and best locations, you will sometimes feel that he or she is doing it to get you upset and not be able to fish. Try not to let this frustrate you in any way. Always look at what the boater is doing and be prepared to cast on the locations that he is not. You can always cast after the boater and still catch a huge fish. 

Fishing is not about who gets there first nor has the first cast to a specific location. A fish at that second might not want it at first and then when you take that cast into that fish you can surely bet he might want your bait on your cast. 

You should never cast in front of your boater.

He has practiced for a while and has put a lot of effort into finding specific locations that might have that kicker fish for him to win any tournament. You should always try to do the right thing and ask the boater if it is ok. Believe me, I have had the best of boaters that have allowed me to cast in certain spots that have given me the opportunity to catch huge fish and place well in tournaments. 

You should try to never let your line cross the boater’s.

This can be a tragic thing for both boater and co-angler. Imagine that you hook a huge fish and now the lines are crossed, you will have to quickly reel in that fish but you cant due to lines being crossed. Also imagine that a boater has finally caught that one kicker fish he or she has been waiting for and it can change their game but you have your line crossed with their line. Believe you me, this will not be a good thing for either of you. 

It is always said that a boaster will “boat you,” meaning not allow you to fish. Their excuse is look at all that open water you can fish all around you. Just be polite and stay calm. Remember they are concentrating on one thing and that is to catch their limit of fish and then go for that kicker fish to try and win the tournament. 

I have had my fair share of boaters that can be really bad sportsmen, but guess what? I always say that Karma will get to them and when it happens they end up at the end when I end up on top. 

Just always go with an open mind.

Every tournament, think that you will have the best time of your life and enjoy the day. It usually makes for better learning days and more fish between you and a boater. 

‘Till next week when I discuss with you all my worst experience. The most pressured thing to do in any tournament: Netting a Fish for your boater. If you would like to have any topic discussed or have any questions please let us know. We would love to hear what questions you have about tournament fishing.