Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 05/27/08: Who's Your Buddy?

Bass fishermen are like anyone else, we all come with our own personalities with likes and dislikes. Some of us are quiet and prefer the serenity that the outdoors offers us, while some prefer a nice conversation with a fishing partner on past experiences fishing or about their personal lives. Many bass fishermen love practical jokes, while some disdain the thought of putting on a wet hat that your partner secretly dunked in the water in the early morning hours. Some of us are last minute sleepers, while some need to be at the ramp a couple of hours before dawn.

Knowing all the differences that people have in personalities it is very important to have a fishing partner that shares similar likes/dislikes and enjoys many of the same things that you do. I've been through a few different fishing partners, and some of them were my partners for a little too long. It is not easy to get the perfect match since the selection process is trial and error, but cut your losses early on in your fishing partner relationships as that will go a long way in once again enjoying your fishing trips and tournaments.

If you are the boat owner, here's some things that didn't appeal to me as a boater from my non-boat owner partner:

a- Consistently late in being ready to leave for a tournament. I usually allowed 45 minutes extra in case of a flat tire.

b- Constant complaining about the spots we were fishing if the day wasn't going well instead of offering some positive suggestions.

c- Wanting to eat at a steakhouse after every tournament (my budget just wouldn't cut it).

d- Giving up during a tournament because it's too hot (it gets pretty warm in Florida, but moneys on the line and we all know the weather).

These are a few things that may give you early on clues in your fishing partners personality and how they meld with yours. If you don't like their actions, ask them to change and if they say no or don't do as you ask, don't ask them out for any future tournaments. Keep it that simple. If they comply but you have to listen to them mope about why they have to do such and such, it's time for a new fishing buddy. It's your time and you need to enjoy it to your fullest!

My best partner is my girlfriend. We have been together since about a year after my divorce, and have fished often. She is my age and we enjoy similar music, similar jobs and are both divorcees with 3 children (all but one are older than 20). We celebrate her kids birthdays, mine as well as celebrate the annual holidays together.

We are fishing our first local tournament trail and have finished 3rd for the year, and no, I didn't catch all the fish. She offers great support during bad days, we cheer each other on and go over what we could have done to be more successful. She's always on time and tries to stay awake during the long trip home just to keep me awake. She knows our budget, although we will go to Golden Coral for ribs and steak once in a while. What is really great is her asking if we can go fishing with no prodding from me. Sometimes I have to say no 'cause of the gas prices.

My other partner that is great is my middle son, Tom. He has a very competitive attitude, but can only fish with me on occasion due to his work schedule.

Be careful in getting a good fishing buddy/partner and don't spend too long with one that isn't a good match. If you do I'm sure you'll be doing more catching with less fishing (and less headaches).