Co-Angler Tactics – It’s All in Your Head
So you’ve just finished up the pairing meeting, met your boater for the next day, decided on a meeting spot, and hopefully got a few tips on the type of fishing your going to do tomorrow. (I always like to ask if we’ll be throwing a carolina rig). This is also a good time to ask if at all possible to pull the back seat out for the next day. Space is already limited and that is one less thing to get hung up on. I realize for some, standing for 8 hours straight is grueling, but at this point, thankfully, my health allows me to do it.
From that point forward, I do everything I can to get my mind straight on what it is that I have to do to give myself the best opportunity to catch fish. Regardless if my boater is going to be fishing in skinny water, cuts and coves, docks, grass, taking a 30-mile kidney-bumping ride in 40-degree weather at 75 mph, or drop shotting in 40 feet of water with 25-mph winds, it is my responsibility to catch fish – not his…….
In order for me to be able to this, I’ve developed a routine to help me get to this frame of mind and recommend you develop one that suits you. I don’t spend the night before sucking down ½ dozen bud lights as getting up early with a hang over is not a good way to start a day. I try to have a good dinner and plan on at least 6 hours of sleep. If I’m getting up at 4 that means lights out by 10 – most of the time it’s earlier and I’m always up before my alarm. Prior to lights out, I spend time organizing my gear and just like my boat, put things in my tackle box in the same place each time. Things like culling tags, pliers, hat light, clippers, aspirin, etc. If I did not get the chance earlier in the day, I will respool and tie on lures that based on the conversation with the boater are at least going to have me fishing at our first stop. I attach the hook end of the lure to either the reel or if the rod has a hook holder, then wrap the line 3 to 4 times around the guides to minimize the cluster. Once all the gear is ready, I set it together and put my life jacket and rain gear in the same area. On that note – do not underestimate how cold it may be. Always better to be over dressed than under especially in spring and fall. I then set out what ever I’ll be wearing the next day – don’t want to have to fumble around with stuff like that early in the morning.
I plan on being at least 15 minutes early to the designated spot, realizing the more I can put my boater at ease and not be a source of concern to him, the better his frame of mind is likely to be. After dumping the boat in the water, parking the trailer and giving back the keys, you’ll need to figure out if your boater likes to chitchat or is focussed on the day and would rather enjoy the quiet. You need to honor either one. Make sure you are aware of your boat number and weigh in time. After the National anthem - make sure you are buttoned up and ready for blast off. It's also a good idea to time your first run, and if asked, have that info for the boater. For me – I begin focussing on my goals of the day – to catch fish. It’s at this point where you have to decide that it’s your actions on the water that will put fish in the livewell, not the guy on the trolling motor.
As a co-angler in the weekend series – you are fishing for a 3 fish limit and have around 8 hours to do it. If your goal is to make it to the regionals, the most important fish for you is the 1st. Doesn’t matter how big or how much it weighs. If you fish 6 events and catch fish in all of them, you will likely find yourself qualified. You need to get your mind around the fact that you will catch A fish that day. Once that’s done – I’ve found the other 2 come easier (most of the time) No matter how hard I’ve tried, it’s impossible for me to limit out on 1 cast. There is no need to scramble around at your first stop and try to get a line in the water in 3 seconds. In most cases, this is the first time you’ve seen this water and taking a step back to assess where you are, water temp, depth, stain, structure, etc. is important in choosing which rod to grab. Throughout the day you will cast between 500 – 800 times potentially – You need to remain confident, and calm and never loose faith that you will catch fish. If you allow thoughts of I don’t like this water, or he is front ending me – you will not fish as well as when the bite comes, if it comes, chances are you won’t be ready. Most of my best fish and limits in the series have come in the last 2 hours of the event. Do not allow yourself to become discouraged, do not rush, do not throw past the windshield, and do not cast on a new spot before your boater. Do not fish new water in the event your boater is retying and the boat drifts unless he gives permission. More times than not – I have had boaters ask me to throw to “good stuff” because I honored their water throughout the day – and most of the time, it was in the last 2 hours of the day….Up next – what do I throw?
