Speaking of dead fish and fizzing…

I am fishing the Bemidji tourney as a co-angler. As a co, what kind of behaviors and values am I bound by in regards to keeping my/our fish alive. I know plenty of people that have fished these tournys in the past… and I know that not all of them are aware on best practices to keeping fish alive. I will be drawn a boater. And I can only HOPE that they will know what they are doing in regards to livewells, etc. If I am uncomfortable with the boater’s actions and do not feel they have or are doing enough to keep the fish alive (by not fizzing or livewell temp, etc), can I take it upon myself to fizz my/his fish? Would this be frowned upon? Again, I am just the co and don’t want to overstep my boundries (and be left swimming for shore )… but this isn’t the tour and I don’t expect that EVERY boater is as educated as boaters on the tour. What is your opinion? How far would you go to “educate” your boater if they appear to lack that knowledge? Would you bring this up when meeting with them after the rules meeting? You have to use the boater’s equipment… would bringing a needle for fizzing be inappropriate? (I do have a legit reason to have needles). What are your thoughts?

I beleive in the rules of the FLW has posted it is worded as the boater is in charge of everything as we as co’s are to pretty much in charge of just shutting up and just fish and get the net but I do believe it is something to be handled by the boater and the boater only the way I have always seen it.

I would tend to agree with Erick.

However, maybe this could be discussed with your boater??? Ask him what he plans on doing to keep the fish alive?? Maybe suggest ice, keeping hte wells running all day constantly, etc????

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I beleive in the rules of the FLW has posted it is worded as the boater is in charge of everything as we as co’s are to pretty much in charge of just shutting up and just fish and get the net

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Actually, the rule are NOT clear about this.

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Boaters will have complete control of boat operation and waters to be fished. Boaters must provide their co-angler partners with all presentation equipment such as downriggers, planer boards, side planers, rods, reels, bait, line and terminal tackle. Co-anglers are not permitted to bring any tackle into the boater’s boat.

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This does not say anything in regards to sharing information (best practices) with your boater nor does it discuss needles. I wouldn’t quite think of needles as “tackle”. Just as well… I know other co’s have supplied their own life jackets (due to personal preference or their size). If the case above of the boater being in charge of everything, I would think that providing your own lifejacket would also be a rules violation. I am not being argumentative here… I am just trying to find that “fine line” so I make sure not to cross it.

Can you educate me on needles? What are they used for?

Matt

Put it this way I’m a boater in the league. And if I didn’t know how to fizz fish, I’d be more than happy to let my co.
Brady Bjorgaard

As a Co, you could suggest it, but man don’t take it upon yourself to do it. No matter what, I would me boater do it if I was a Co since there is money on the line.

Maybe Jon J can post a little video he shot this weekend of me Fizzing a fish That may be helpful

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Maybe Jon J can post a little video he shot this weekend of me Fizzing a fish That may be helpful

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Scott,

I was trying to edit that video for viewing on the web and totally destroyed it… Now all I have is a useless corupt file. We will have to re-do that again in the future. I learned a lot of good info watching your demo.

-J.

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As a Co, you could suggest it, but man don’t take it upon yourself to do it. No matter what, I would me boater do it if I was a Co since there is money on the line.

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Scott, first, I am not worried about my technique. I would understand not fizzing the boater’s fish… but would it be inappropriate to fizz my own fish?

Too bad about the video. Speaking of which, Scott, I received the FLW 2006 Oahe video (got free with joining). Great job coming in 6th!!!

Dave,

I’d lose all that “Your fish – My fish” concept before you get into the boat. Any fish in the well are “Team Fish”. Don’t matter who caught them….

-J.

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Scott, first, I am not worried about my technique. I would understand not fizzing the boater’s fish… but would it be inappropriate to fizz my own fish?

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Arent the fish both yours and the boaters?

Jon and Kraig,

yes, you are both right. I am pretty clear on the concept of “team” fish. I am merely trying to figure out what is appropriate and not appropriate and what is legal and illegal according to tourny rules.

Sounds like you really want to do it, but if I were you I’d err on the side of deference to the boater. At the very least, there are obviously varying opinions out there. Personally, I’m not comfortable fizzing fish and wouldn’t want anyone in my boat doing it unless I were in an extreme situation. Just my $0.02.

Thanks for all of the info! I will definately err on the side of caution. I would never take it upon myself to just go ahead and fizz fish without the agreement of the boater. That is just how I am. I was just curious as to what others thought and what is considered acceptable or un-acceptable. I only look forward to catching fish!!!

Dave, some good info and points made up above.

Remember that while you function as a team, your boater has (in all likelihood) made a substantial investment in time and resources preparing for the event. Different boaters will accept/appreciate different levels of input from their co-angler partner. You’re right, this is not the tour, but there are a number of touring pros who show up at the league events (Eric Olson comes to mind as someone I fished near in both of the first two events…there are others as well), just as there are guys who are both league boaters and tour co’s, as well as people who aspire to make the jump to the tour. I recommend that you try to establish what that input threshold is with your boater early on, and do what you can to not exceed that threshold. I suspect that you will finish the day with a little more knowledge about the lake or a particular technique than you had when you started, and hopefully have a great time in the process.

Well if you draw me and you attempt to do anything of the sort to our fish, I can guarantee you will be swimming back to shore. I am praying already that I do not draw you. How’s that for a straight answer.

I can just say be careful with what you do and try not to be forcefull. Respect the boater’s knowledge and gameplan and the boater will perform to their best. Take the boater out of his gameplan and you could be in for a long day on the water. I try to work as a team as much as possible. I do consider things brought up by the co. But I gennerally still stick to my gameplan that I made up for the day.Fizzing the fish without the ok from the boater might get you into hot water. Just ask the boater first.

Ok, all, I think you got me wrong here. I am in NO WAY saying that I would EVER do such a thing. I have only been posing questions to get answers from those experienced. I have no intention of “taking over the boat” from my boater… nor would I do anything to jepordize the team. And I fully plan to ASK the boater how he manages the fish. and I would only SUGGEST things if I saw that he was an amatuer boater with no plan whatsoever. Those of you who have passed judgement on me clearly don’t know me. This board is an AWESOME place to pose any kind of questions. The ettiquette questions I have are simply asking in regards to MULTIPLE scenarios and what-if situations.

Rigging Guy, your response is, and has been, EXACTLY my game plan. I have no other plans than to fish whatever strategy the boater requests. Simple as that. Again, my question was specifically in regards to an amatuer boater. nothing more. I plan on going up there, having fun, catching fish, and learning a few things. Doesn’t matter who I fish with, I always learn things from those I fish with. Ask MikeW! I have been out with him and had a great time! Not once did I try and take over the boat.

Hunter88… chill out, man… have a cold one. Its all good.

Just don’t worry about it. Go with the flow your a co-angler. If your worried about keeping fish alive maybe you should be pulling your boat to the tourney and fishing as a boater. It clearly says in the rules that the boater is in charge of all the aspects of the boat, running the motor etc etc. Erick is right you basically ride along fish hard, yell for the net or grab the net for the boater. Measure the fish and ASK the boater if you should release the fish or throw it in the box. Your a TEAM and if you do anything on your own in somebody’s boat in regards to tackle, or livewell things you would likely be swimming back to the dock. As for your first tournament if it is your first you really just need to relax and play it out.

Dave this is a good post as I had many of the same questions myself. I fished my first FLW event as a co angler on Mille Lacs this year. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was looking forward to riding in a big nice boat and learning some more about Mille Lacs. After the rules meeting, I come to find out that I will be in a 17.5 ft. boat fishing with a guy that said he “is pretty new to the lake.” I was thinking “Oh boy, I grew up on the lake and now I am fishing with a guy that is totally new to it.” I am an open minded person willing to learn, but he was starting to scare me. I was pretty skeptical heading out on Saturday morning. 1 hr into tourney time we had already released 3 quality slots, and I realized I had nothing to worry about. We caught nice fish all day and finished tied for second place. Best of all, I learned a new technique. In 20 years of fishing Mille Lacs I had never done this before. I couldn’t have asked for a more relaxed day of fishing. I am usually running the motor, netting, baiting and untangling lines all while trying to fish my own line. During the tourney all I had to do was reel in fish and net the boater’s fish. I can’t wait for Bemidji.

Thanks, Dan! My only intention was to post some questions I had and others may have had, and get some good quality answers. Again, I was in NO WAY speaking from a perspective where I would run the boat.

Thanks again for all the perspectives!

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Well if you draw me and you attempt to do anything of the sort to our fish, I can guarantee you will be swimming back to shore. I am praying already that I do not draw you. How’s that for a straight answer.

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How’s that for a straight answer? Pretty inappropriate for a boater, Chad. The guy ask an honest question, seeking feedback before he fishes as a Co-angler and that’s the kind of response you have for him? I’m sure you’re a decent enough guy Chad but you might want to stop and think before you post. Ask your sponsors if that’s how they want to be repesented, as well as yourself. You can do better than that.

Wade Kuehl
712-204-3952

I would leave your needle at home Dave. I think it could open up a whole can of worms. It is not well defined in the rules if you can provide a needle for fizzing. You could be all right doing it or disqualified for it. I would not even want to get into that situation and just leave the whole fizzing issue as one of those things the boater should do if he wants.

That same question “where do you draw the line” could be ask of a 100 different situations while fishing as a co. Do you say nothing and go 100% with the boaters game plan. Do you take the chance by offering a suggestion and maybe throwing the boater off his plan? There is a million different scenarios that this could play into. I have only fished these events as a co angler so far. One thing I make do make sure to do on every day is has a very positive attitude and support your boater on what ever they want to do (as long as it is with in the rules). For every bit you are not working 100% with your boater for the day is a better chance you will not finish well. I think this can be hard for some co anglers to take. Many of them are very good fisher people also but for a variety of reason dont compete on the boater side. Thats the way it is. Until you pay more money and drive the boat you are there to help out no matter where the day goes.

Sorry if I got a little of topic there Dave.

Great advice, Mike! I knew there was a reason I respected you… and it wasn’t just for the pigs you pull out of the river!!!

I agree Wade,
The guy asks a question on where to draw the line and Chad bites his head off!!!

Nissen, way to be an ambassador of the sport!!!
Brady

The guy asked for an honest opinion, and I gave it. I would freak out if anyone tried to do something behind my back to the fish. I may be reading too much into this post, but I don’t get any sense of a team player at all from all the “I’s” and “me’s”. I was in a bit of bad mood when I wrote this post, due to some of IDA’s finest sending me PM’s accusing me of spreading rumors that they cheated in my MTT post(Vandemark, etc.). I could have toned it down a bit. For that I will apologize. I will stress that I only want team players in my boat. I’ve been very lucky in this regard so far. Glenn is a perfect example of this. The guy was two tears away from heat exhaustion and still managed to pull two fish at the last possible moment. That’s the kind of guy I want fishing with me. As far as my values go, my on-the-water actions speak for themselves.

P.S. Why would I need sponsors? They’re too much work when I can support myself easily enough. That would just take all of the fun out of it.

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I could have toned it down a bit. For that I will apologize.

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Agreed. I appreciate your response, Chad.

Chad,

I have fished with Glenn before and have talked/pm’d him numberous times. I think he could probably vouch that I am a stand-up guy. I wouldn’t do anything behind a boaters back. And I agree… I think you read too much into the original post. It wasn’t as much only for me.. I like to pose questions that others may think of as well as play devil’s advocate to try and get as many answers around the many subjects. I have tried to explain this… I am not a co that is going up there to try and teach the boater a thing or two. I completely agree that if I want to do things MY way… then I can ante up be a boater. I have never thought of myself as doing anything else but fishing and helping the boater fill the livewell.

One last thing, Chad… If we happen to meet up there, I will buy you the first

Dave, That was a very fair question !! and one I was very interested in hearing the responses too. I have fished in the “co” chair a few times and it isn’t easy to bring up subjects of interest in a fishing senerio, because you DON’T want to mess with the boaters game plan, why not get some insight here before hand. The reason I have now entered the blab board, is Hunter88 nice win on Mille Lacs, are you really that big of a dink ? We all read your response and I can’t help but hear “I”, and “mine” the same thing your bashing the guy with the honest question. If I were Dave, I would be praying I didn’t get YOU as a boater and lord help ya if you ever did need a sponser. Way to be an ambassador to the sport of competetive fishing