Many non-boating anglers competing on todays tournament trails have stories of bad experiences fishing from the back deck of the boat.

Truth is, if you and your boat partner work as a team, or at least have a workable relationship, many times you can aid in one anothers success out on the water.

Much of the responsibility is on the boater's shoulders to ensure a good outing for both anglers. Good boat positioning on the water can at least make certain that your non-boating partner gets some fishable targets.

Keep the boat parallel to the shore line as much as possible when banging the banks. Slow down your boat to a managable crawl that will allow the guy or gal in the back to get of a few casts.

For the non-boater; while the boater is chucking spinnerbaits its a good idea to follow his/her path with a soft plastic jerkbait, worm, or even shallow running crankbaits. While at times it's still quite difficult for the boater to position the boat and keep it positioned for both anglers to utilize the same water, fishing off the back deck has its upsides, let's take dock fishing into perspective: 

As the boater is positioning the boat alongside the dock, the back deck angler will often times actually have more access and more casting opportunities than the boater. Reasons being, while the boat is moving alongside the dock, rarely will a boater begin casting to targets from the halfway mark on the bass boat.

Lets say the cockpit area to the front of the boat will be the boaters casting range. The back deck angler now has the entire length of the dock to fish as the boat moves along the outside edges, thus giving the back deck angler more chances to hit fish. This stands true while fishing inside and outside weed edges, rip raps, bridge pilings, and basically anywhere there is a long straight passage.

let's talk about deep water angling from the back; - if the boater is using a carolina rig, a good choice for the back deck angler would be to use a drop shot rig. Place your cast somewhere 20 or so feet away from the boaters original cast.

Walk the drop shot rig sloooooooowly over and around the boaters primary spot once their lure has vacated the area. Many times you will hit fish that the boater has brought up from the depths as the fish retreats back down.

Developing a good quality relationship from the moment you both meet in the pre-tournament meeting till the end of the tournament is the best way to acheive sucess on both anglers parts. Helping one another and making suggestions will work wonders for the anglers, two brains going after one species is often better then one brain trying to put the peices of the puzzle together.

Its not often two anglers dont get along, most of us have and share the same feelings and love for the sport, and you can always learn something new.

Tournament fishing is a competition, but many times the boater and non boater who build a good friendship and work together throughout the tournament normally finish high in the standings. Keep your mind open, offer opinions, and most of all don't consider your partner a threat to your own sucess. He or she can be your best alliance.

Mike Panek