Tournament Explanation please...

[crazyfishinnut]

Boater is someone who wants to fish his own boat but didn't find a non boater guarantee him

Non-boater is someone who signs up to fish from the back of the boat and didn't find a boater to sign up with.

Guarantee boater is someone who is guaranteed to use their boat

Guaranteed Non-boater is guaranteed to fish the tournament

If you are not guaranteed depending on the circuit a non may not get to fish if there are not enough boaters

If a boater is not guaranteed then he may end up fishing in the back of a Guaranteed boaters boat

It is wise to find a fellow to sign up with. either way most have programs to prevent you and whoever signed up with you from fishing together so you will be randomly paired.

Half of the gas is customary unless he runs 2 states over then 30-40 is acceptable. decide before any hook sets are made as to who is netting who's fish.

[CMIDD]

Oh yea, forgot about the netting....

[Ranger_07]

Again, I appreciate the info. I don't think I will be fishing any tournaments that have all of this lingo, but I was curious as to how it all fit together.

Happy Catchin'

[Lee]

If you are in a tourney where you can not fish from the front of the boat; not go to your locations; and have no say in any matter during the course of the day, then I say you should not have to pay for any boat gas. I know some boaters will get their panties in a knot, but think about it...you are just baggage in the back of the boat. On the other hand, if you get the front of the boat for 1/2 of the day and you get to choose where you want to fish for that period...then you should pay half of the boat gas.

[CMIDD]

Technically you don't have to give them money. But I do just as a good gesture. I would like to think he is more willing to "share his fish" so to speak than if you just stiff him on the money. Just my opinion.

[crazyfishinnut]

If he is a jerk or don't give you water to fish then i would consider that. in most of these type tourneys you are an observer that can fish. I wont ask for gas money from my non-boater but in another circuit i am a non and I will offer it. also keep in mind the big motors today don't eat the gas like the old one do. HOWEVER if he puts you on fish or you get a check he should not be stiffed.

[Bobby Headrick]

When I was a non boater I always gave at least 20$ or more, Now the circut I fish nons do not get the front half of the boat, used to some tourney's you had to share the front and spots with the non boater. Now I do not ask nor demand money from my non boater's but will not turn down any offering. With gas like it is it is nice when they contribute or pay me a little. I know it is tight on all now so do what you can to help the boater. It is a least worth 20 bucks just to get to ride around the lake and be away from work.

[CMIDD]

It is a least worth 20 bucks just to get to ride around the lake and be away from work.

Ain't that the truth!

[BassNNutt]

I do know in the Circuit I fish Guaranteed Boaters signed up with Guaranteed Co-Angler are Guranteed to fish from the front of thier boat.

If they sign up with out Gurantee Status there is a possibility they could be paired with another Boater and then they would either decide among themselves who's boat and who gets front first half of day, if they cant decide the Tournament Director will Flip a Coin.

As for the Paying the Boater, My rules that i use are as Follows:
1. If they were a pleasure to fish with then absolutely offer them Cash for gas. If they put me on Quality fish where i cash I ask them how much money they want and they will ussually say 20-30 dollars and then i give em more than the 20-30.
2. If they treated me as if I was a lower form of Human Being they may not get anything.
3. If they dont give me water to fish, I might turn steering wheel to put back of boat in position, (Steering Wheel is in back part of boat). then they either give me room or they put thier boat in the rocks. (In the Circuit I fish I have NEVER had to do this because 99.9% of the Guys/Gals are really super people.
4. If they are worse than imagineable i might remind them i am the one backing thier truck into water at end of the day. (Not that I would do anything but it would make em stop and think about it the rest of the tournament.) hehehehe

[CMIDD]

Again, I have had nothing but great boaters, but keep in mind, you DO have to sign off on their fish at the end of the day, as they have to sign off on yours. At least thats the BFL rule.

[BassNNutt]

Again, I have had nothing but great boaters, but keep in mind, you DO have to sign off on their fish at the end of the day, as they have to sign off on yours. At least thats the BFL rule.

3. If they dont give me water to fish, I might turn steering wheel to put back of boat in position, (Steering Wheel is in back part of boat). then they either give me room or they put thier boat in the rocks. (In the Circuit I fish I have NEVER had to do this because 99.9% of the Guys/Gals are really super people.