The Man on the Back Seat--What's Expected of Him?

That's anything but a new question, and based on some situations I've been privy to over the years, has been the source of some very uncomfortable moments for both parties involved. Many choose to lump this question and other similar ones under the heading of "unwritten rules" or "code of ethics."

These "unwritten rules" apply to all boaters, non-boaters, and tournament fishermen alike. They usually aren't included in the rules promulgated by the tournament director, which govern the tournament itself. Rather, it's up to the anglers to become familiar with the generally accepted do's and don'ts.

Not for a single moment do I purport that the following list is all-inclusive, but it should provide a basic understanding of things you, as a non-boater, can and should do to foster a friendly atmosphere with your boater partner come tournament day.

Sharing gas expenses. Generally speaking, you should expect to split the gas bill for both the tow vehicle and the boat 50/50. In some cases, the boater and non-boater agree on an up-front cash settlement. Other times, the boater starts the day with a full tank of gas in both his tow vehicle and boat and then, upon returning home at day's end, pulls in and refills both, at which time each angler simply covers half the bill. The non-boater also would be well-served to pay at least half of the boat-ramp fee.

Amount of tackle a non-boater should bring. This often can depend on the individual boater. Your best bet is to talk to the boater ahead of time and find out how much room he will have available for you, then plan accordingly. When talking to the boater, you'd also be wise to ask what kind of fishing he expects to be doing. And when preparing your tackle, wrap the lures so they don't accidentally hook the boat seats.

Help in launching and recovering the boat. Again, the non-boater involvement often depends on what the boater prefers. He may only want you to hold a rope. Some, though, want you to operate the tow vehicle. If you're not comfortable with backing a boat trailer, let the boater know immediately, so he can find someone else to help. Show that you're well-intentioned by offering to help up front, rather than waiting for the boater to ask you.

Lunchtime. When packing your lunch, strive to keep it simple. Try to avoid messy sandwiches (with mayo, mustard and such), as well as carbonated drinks, because the latter can explode in rough water.

Treat the boat as your own. Before getting in it, wipe off your feet--no boater likes to have mud or sand tracked from one end to the other. If you're fishing weedy areas, make sure you toss all weeds you hook back into the water. Be aware that you're near the motor cowling, and it'll probably carry a mark nearly every time you happen to whack it with a hard bait.

If you accidentally hook a fish deep and cause it to bleed, have the courtesy to unhook it beside the boat so you don't string blood across the seats or carpet. And, at the end of the day, remember to remove all your garbage from the boat.

Here are some other good things for a non-boater to know:

     * Never fish in front of the boater unless he tells you it's OK. There's no quicker way to incur a boater's ire. Instead, concentrate on where the boater's lure hits the water and try to hit different spots.

     * Fish a bait that moves at a speed as fast or faster than the one the boater is throwing. You'll be wasting your time with a worm or other soft plastic if he's throwing a crankbait or spinnerbait. And if he's catching fish and you're not, you're likely better off changing to the same bait or something very similar. (I well-remember a couple of occasions just this past season when my partner said, "I wondered how long it was going to take you to get the message.")

     * Show up with lures already on your rods. If you're not sure what to rig up with, just go with your favorites and be prepared to change as conditions may dictate. First light often is the most productive part of the whole day, so you don't want to be wasting that time tying on lures. The best time to do that is while the boater is running.

     * Read the tournament rules carefully, paying special attention to whether they allow non-boaters to run the trolling motor and/or to fish their choice of water part of the day. If the boater needs to do something like take care of a backlash or change lures, and you have experience running the trolling motor, ask if he'd like you to take over for a few minutes. Just remember that you'll be assuming responsibility for any damage to the boat or trolling motor, so don't offer your service unless you're totally comfortable.

     * Finally, be patient. Get to know your partner early in the day, so you have a feel for whether he seems open to listening to suggestions you may have. Be willing to adapt as necessary and focus on fishing the water where you're at, not the honey hole on the opposite shoreline or farther up the creek.

Communication and mutual respect can go a long way in most situations involving etiquette or the "unwritten rules" of the sport. If you're concerned about violating tournament etiquette, there's a way to test the situation before you act. Simply ask yourself this question: "Would I like for that to be done to me?" You'll have your answer.