What makes a good fishing partner?

Angler who appreciates what it takes to maintain a nice fishing vessel.

Angler who knows the difference between fishing and catching.

Angler who appreciates the experience from sun up through cleaning up after the fresh fish dinner.

Angler who lives life to the fullest, forgives easily and does not judge while we’re together.

Angler who doesn’t measure our day of fishing by our catch results.

To name a few

Couple more, can’t stop…

Angler with fresh baked goods.

Angler with great meat sticks. Wild game,bonus

Angler who makes incredible sandwiches.

Twizzler licorice, big points!

Double DD’s? Oops

Any angler with a lasso as his avatar..
Best anchor guy by far is Pete B.

I am more of a solo guy, no pressure and lets me experiment different things with out someone complaining about the bite.
then my kids,then the wife.
Yet I can fish with just about anyone for a day

Rootski,

Enjoy each other’s company

Learn from each other….. fishing or life

Lots of fish caught …. great day
No fish caught… …… great day

This. I sure miss my Dad.

S.R.

Rootski,
Yup,,,,, didn’t get to fish with my Dad very often, but treasure the memories. Now it’s my kids that don’t have time to go fishing; busy with their own kids; sports, dance, school, ….

Pete

I fish in a bass club as a non-boater and we draw a new partner for each tournament of the year.

For that scenario what makes a good partner is somebody who knows his stuff and I can have confidence will have me around fish all day or be trying places that give me a chance to catch fish. I’m kind of weird in that I don’t want to call the shots. I want my boater doing that and I adjust and see if I can catch them or not.

I particularly enjoy fishing with long time club members who have a lot of stories to tell.

Any partner that allows me along pre-fishing is a big plus as well.

Now that I have a dog he’s been my fishing partner, and a great one at that. Before that I was almost exclusively a solo fisherman. Me and my friends do it a little different in that we all take our own boats even when we plan to fish in the same areas together. You can cover a lot of water that way to get on fish. This allows everyone to do their own thing when they want to.

hillhiker wrote:

Me and my friends do it a little different in that we all take our own boats even when we plan to fish in the same areas together. You can cover a lot of water that way to get on fish. This allows everyone to do their own thing when they want to.

Social distancing before it was required Isee

You have a good fishing partner when:
They believe any time on the water is better than none.
Will spend up to 14 hours in the boat and not ask to go back to shore.
Knows what the bleach bottle with the upper side cut out is for.
Will know how to keep their bait where a fish has a reasonable chance of finding it.
Says thanks for bringing them along regardless of who caught the most or biggest fish….. but will kindly not let you forget it either.
They bring beer.
Cleans their own fish.
Knows what the net is for and how to use one.

The basics are: Show up on time, offer to share expenses, keep confidential special spots you show them and not hammer them without you, be prepared to fish how you told them in advance, be ethical and responsible sportsmen, have a good sense of humor and able to take some ribbing as well as dishing it out, be respectfull of your equipment. The better ones are smart fishermen who bring and share their knowledge, change baits and tactics acting as a team to be succesful. Do you know where I can find someone like that? I have a couple of friends that meet most of the traits I listed and are fun to spend some time with but they rely too much on me for how, where, what etc.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

My wife is my most common fishing partner and I love fishing with her. However, she would never question what we are doing or force me to think outside my little box. A couple of my buddies that I fish with use slightly different tactics and help broaden my mind on those tough days. I tend to not enjoy the uber competitive fishing partners. I always share the hot rod or hot lures on a given day and enjoy the reverse when the shoe is on the other side of the boat.

I’d have to go with this one too. I have a very good friend whom I fish with often, he’s a great fishing partner-important that he’s there to enjoy the day, and if the fish/weather/water don’t or won’t cooperate he still helps slow me down and remember why I love it so much myself. My wife however, is my favorite fishing partner. She loves fishing, and is perfectly content if we aren’t on fish, for the same reasons I mentioned about my friend. If we are on fish, however, I have to admit that she’ll typically outfish me 90% of the time…and I don’t mind a bit. It’s always great to spend a day in the boat with her.

I was super lucky to have 4 of the best for partners for fun fishing an tournaments.!. #1 My son Rob Stevens. He can figure out whats happening on the water that day an then fine tune it.! #2 Greg “Walleye” Vandemark. He is the very best at keeping everything organised an ready to go. An do it faster than energizer bunny. #3 Dean Marshall cuz he always shows up with a new boat. LOL.! An all 3 of these guys are awesome sticks.! #4 Last but not least My Buddy Gus the chocolate Lab.!! When I catch a fish he looks at me those awesome that say why aren’t we DUCK HUNTING.
. RRR

being a Pisces cusp I have a born affinity for water,in that sense,the water is my best fishing partner,a spiritual thing for me that is hard to put into words.
the peace that it provides my soul without another human within miles is special to me in many many ways.

however,when it comes to having another person in the boat with me my first choice is my FW,she loves fishing almost as much as I do and I dont mind the days when she out fishes me,in fact I love it when she does.
another benefit of having her in the boat with me is when the bite is very slow we can tuck in behind an island or a quiet bay and see how well the riveter did their job on the boat.

Someone that can back the boat in the lake, bring beer and snacks, and likes to BS. Ill drive, pay for gas, and share lures.

I found out this evening that one of my favorite fishing partners is on his death bed with stage 4 lung cancer. He was a great wing man.

Thats tough news to get Dave.

Dutchboy wrote:

Thats tough news to get Dave.

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that Dave. Never easy news to get.

terrible to hear Dave. my human fishing buddy moved out of state but I always have my favorite co captain. she is getting older and has pain but I cherish every day on the water with her. she never complains when I tie on the wrong color jigging rap or says I am using the wrong presentation. she is just happy to be out of the house along for an adventure. I prefer social distancing and enjoy being on my own on the water. I invite a few friends time to time but prefer going solo or with dog/kid. lately my kid only wants to go if it is nice out. my dog just needs a dock and she is set.

It is much more relaxing to me when I fish alone. If I invite a buddy along I’m going to know his skill level and set my expectations accordingly. I may have to be prepared to set him up with a trolling rod or bottom bouncer rod or whatever we may be doing for the day, I have no issue with that. What drives me nuts is when people bring along huge tackle boxes full of stuff that I already have in the boat. I don’t like the clutter.
The worst thing a fishing partner could ever do though is point to the huge group of boats in the community spot and tell me we should be fishing over there. That will seal the deal on never being invited again

For me what makes a good fishing partner? If he’s my Grandpa. At least in my case. Thanks for being there in my formative years and teaching me to appreciate the great outdoors.

Some like to point out what they don’t like in a fishing partner. These would not make a good partner for me. A bad day of fishing is still great. Yesterday’s case in point – I took my fishing Kayak out on its maiden voyage for a 5 hour tour. Water is never been on before, flipped over less than an hour into it in 42 degree water (didn’t lose a single thing!), paddled were but surprisingly not cold, except when I beached for lunch and to answer Nature’s call, for the rest of the day, paddled back across the lake against a very stiff wind and whitecaps, never got a sniff of a fish but that day was a total win and I’d do it all over again. For me fish are always a bonus. Positive outlooks encouraged!

I’m looking forward to taking my newer dogs out with me (one at a time). I have a feeling that at least one of them will make an excellent ship mate. I’ve had a few in the past like Dakota. Many of my best partners, mostly canine but also Grsndpa, have passed on. I’m looking forward to finding new fishing partners.