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Posts: 239
Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Two of my best partners have passed. Both had all the qualities listed below. How about adding to the list. It might be fun for those new to this sport to see what us old timers value in a partner.
Good precise caster, doesn't get snagged all the time
Keeps conversation short and to the point, focused on lure presentation
Good net man
Never swings a lure past your head
Willing to share,lures, try new ones
First to the gas pump with credit card
Doesn't quit
Keeps his end of the boat neat
Always has a positive attitude
Where on earth do we find such people? I fish alone a lot now, sure miss those guys.
Mudpuppy |
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Posts: 1828
| Can raise the spirit in the boat when things get tough.
Doesn't get discouraged easily. |
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Posts: 2327
Location: Chisholm, MN | Yup, the gas pump is always huge!
Doesn't spit chew or seeds all over the boat.
Brings me food!
Never late and doesn't want to leave early.
Keeps the phone conversations to a minimum.
I like when someone stands up and starts fishing as soon as we pull up to the spot and doesn't quit half way through.
Whoever is in the front is on trolling motor deployment duty. Put that thing down as soon as we stop!
I've been fortunate to have good boat partners for years!
Edited by Kirby Budrow 12/5/2014 11:57 AM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | doesn't get whiney when he can't see a weed ... |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | A big positive attitude, even when things aren't going so well.
Someone who fishes different than me...
Precise Casting.
Doesn't complain, or talk to much.
Pay for the fuel once in a while.
Brings my favorite Beer.... I'll bring some Awesome Sandwiches.
Isn't on the phone very much.
Fishes as hard as I do...Just don't sit there for no good reason.
Be fun to be around, be Funny, and Laugh at Some of my jokes.
Act like you've caught/netted a Muskie before... Don't freak out.
Jerome |
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Posts: 66
| Being in the boat with my dad or my kids -- no matter what they do. |
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Location: MN | Someone with the addiction as bad as you and preferably doesn't have a women who limits their fishing time. Staying positive, no one likes a whiner. Someone who is careful with their cast, no one likes a 7/0 stuck in em. |
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Posts: 345
Location: Poynette WI. | Understands lure selection and boat speed/positioning
good net man/woman
fishes hard
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | No complaining
Wants to be there as much as I do |
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Posts: 8782
| I agree with most of what's mentioned above.
It's all about collaboration. Stagger your casts, do not throw the same lure. Stay out of each other's way during figure 8's, don't cast way out in front of me leaving me nothing to cast at, and I'll do the same for you. We're out there to find the fish and figure out what they want today. I'm pretty hardcore, but I'm also out there to have fun. So don't get mad when you miss a fish or get a backlash. No temper tantrums. No whining. If you're going to switch lures, let me know what you are throwing so I can change up to something different if need be. Do not figure 8 my following fish and do not cast back at it. If we come back on a fish, whoever raised the fish gets first crack at it.
For the most part, it's just being courteous and working together.
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Posts: 239
Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Esoxaddict, you really bring up some good points. Nothing makes me madder than some jerk short casting at the fish I have on the 8. Also a good point about not going crazy when a fish is on. Had both these things happen to me.
Mudpuppy |
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Posts: 62
Location: Minnetonka MN | When things aren't going well, has the instinct to either change things up, or say "let's take a break and come back and hit 'em later". |
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Posts: 157
Location: Lincoln, NE | Let's you know what's going on. If you're up front and they're watching the depth finder they should be letting you know when you're coming on or off structure or which direction it is, not just leave you hanging to blindly cast in the opposite direction as they pick apart the spot on the spot.
Casting angles. If you're in front angle your cast so the guy in the middle can angle his next. Don't cast perpendicular to the boat making the next guy short cast. The front guy shouldn't cast sideways/back and the back guy cast forward making the middle guy get bottlenecked and half to wait to cast.
Don't figure 8 someone else's follow unless they have an equipment malfunction and give you the go ahead.
Know how to net a fish and listen to the guy who's got the fish on the line and do what he says.
Doesn't throw the same exact lure unless you've already unlocked the pattern.
Not a whiner, quitter, or complainer. It's tough. You should know this going in or you would be bass fishing. If you're on a hard lake during late fall you should know it's only going to be tougher. You don't get 50 lb muskies the first 20 minutes of the first day of the trip. Keep a positive attitude and be ready to adjust. Never give up. If the musky beats you, the lake beats you, the weather beats you, at least you know you did everything you could have and it just wasn't meant to be, but if you give up, then you just 100% beat yourself (and everyone else in the boat) and it might have been very unlikely but that dream fish could have bitten 20 minutes after you left or decided you needed to have a cigarette and check Facebook.
If he catches a musky (especially a nice one) then his goal should be to try and get the other guys in the boat on one too, not just get another one for himself.
Don't fill the boat with walleye rods/multispecies gear. They don't get used, get in the way and just get broken in the chaos when a musky gets hooked.
If you only use one rod maybe don't bring 16 combos that get in other people's road.
Unhook your lures off your rod if everyone's rods are in one pile when going to new locations or back to the cabin/hotel. No need for a giant mess and someone's nice rod they take care of and spent a lot of money on to get gashed and gouged because of another person's laziness.
Have a team mentality. Don't be out for yourself. If you withhold information and don't brainstorm you're hurting everyone in the boat.
Not stubborn. Be willing to try other peoples ideas/tactics/areas they want to fish. Everyone should have a say (assuming they are equal levels of experience/knowledge, not a random guy telling a guide where he want's to go)
Contribute to the food/drinks on the boat. Don't be a mooch. |
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Posts: 89
| I must be weird, I always prefer to have both guys running figure 8s if we got a fish boat side that is repeatedly showing up, I never looked at it as my fish or his fish. I looked at the boat like a team and we are here to put as many in the boat as possible. We catch a fish.
Shrug,
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Posts: 8782
| Another thing we ALWAYS do is watch each other's lures. Sometimes because of the angle of the sun, someone else in the boat has a clear view of a fish coming in hot that you can't see. Many fish have hit the net because someone else saw them coming. If I start saying your name over and over, it's for a reason! |
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Posts: 63
| All good stuff. Many reasons listed here why I prefer fishing along much of the time. Nothing more annoying than your partner wanting to leave after a tough day, just before primetime. Hire out the lawn folks! |
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Posts: 43
Location: Central IA | I'd never make it with some of you. I'm pushing 60 with bad knees so I want a partner that won't get ticked when I need to sit for a bit.
I fish mostly with my son and there is a constant stream of BS flowing in both directions. One of our best days on the water this year was in a spring tournament. It was cold, rain started mid day and we didn't see a single fish but we laughed and talked for hours.
He catches 10 to my one but I'm ok with that because any day on the water is another good memory.
He could work on his request for assistance when he has a real horse on the line. Something like "Father, please get the net" instead of "I've got a big one, get off your butt old man and get the net".
Proud to say I haven't missed one yet. He also seems just as excited when I've got one hooked.
I do take better pictures... might be because I get more practice.
Edited by DMJones 12/6/2014 7:49 AM
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Posts: 463
Location: Sw Pennsylvania | Good conversations,likes to laugh, brings good beer and a flask. Likes to have fun and enjoy the total experience. Catching fish only makes it that much better. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Reading all these posts reminds me how very much I miss my Muskie partner!! We took a trip to Hayward many years ago with no boat, really no equipment and a few spinning rigs, but we were totally hooked on it! So many great trips with him over the years, but he has since passed away, and I miss him so.
He was a great partner, for sure, and meets much of the listed criteria. |
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Posts: 63
| DMJones, nothing wrong with that style of fishing either. I fish with my dad as well, and a few others. Yes I fish hard. It doesn't bother me one bit when a person needs to take a break, or slow down. Its when they just quit, they are mentally defeated. Its not the same. Someone like you is exactly the partner I love to fish with because you appreciate it all. You have heart and you're still out there when mother nature is telling you to slow down. My hats off to you and you're welcome in my boat any time! |
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | Holy moly guys, lighten up Francis.... I want like to keep it real simple. Someone who helps with unloading/loading the boat and enjoy spending time with. Either my boys to show them the outdoors, my dad ( while doesn't fish as hard as long still enjoy being out there with him as someday that won't be a option), friends and family. Just enjoy being out there and the company of each other. Share in each other's successes, missed opportunities, and learning different things. While we do not catch tons of fish a year we have fun when we go out and come off the lake. Fish or no fish. Everyone being open to suggestions and with the boys....maybe we need to switch it up and bass fish for a while.
I just enjoy being out there with people that enjoy the sport as well. Enjoy any time on the water. Sorry but just saying I am not sure I would like to see the expectations for spouses after reading some of these.
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | One that goes out drinking gets back 2 the hotel when u get up gets sick after a bumpy boat ride and passes out while your fishing.but still fun 2 have in the boat lol |
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Posts: 239
Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Nothing wrong with taking a break, short walk on an island to stretch legs ect. Things that frost my cookie are: Take over an hour to photo an eagle, spend an hour and a half fooling with side imaging fancy electronics and still not being able to get the water temp. Not wanting to get started before 10 in the morning and waning to quit at 5 PM. Those things kind of bother me. Pushing 70 now and slow but I still have that burning drive.
Mudpuppy |
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Posts: 1220
| Even when you share ten hours in the boat, there's still fourteen left, plus usually a lonnnng drive to get there. Your trip is not just fishing time. You will often be surprised! |
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Posts: 1
| I agree with much of what others have already stated. Being a good partner might mean different things to different people and for this reason I think it is important that everyone in the boat does their best to communicate with one another. If I was doing something that may be upsetting a fishing partner I would hope that they would feel comfortable enough to communicate this to me so I could make any necessary adjustments. I think it really helps to view myself and any fishing partners as a team, and along with this team approach comes a level of mutual respect and understanding that everyone in the boat is working towards the same goal: catching more and bigger muskies. Viewing yourself as a team member in the boat also means being just as excited for your partner when they boat a fish. There is nothing worse than a fishing partner getting frustrated or down when someone other then themselves boats a fish. If everyone involved goes into the day or trip with a "we" approach instead of an "I" approach it should make the outing that much more enjoyable and hopefully lead to more big fish in the bag. |
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | Likes to drink Yuenglings!! |
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Posts: 427
Location: Planet Meltdown | Curious / is muskie fishing while drinking kind of like playing pole or darts, do you get "better" after a few drinks? LOL |
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Posts: 216
| Nope. Net jobs can get a little scary when my partners drink, a lot.or should I say scarier.I cross my fingers and say a prayer every time one comes to the boat.Helps with the pain when they do lose one on ya tho.lol. After a fish everyone takes a pull off the bottle, big fish=big pull,and dump a shot in for Larry, or you ain't getting another one!! |
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Posts: 5
| Doesn't try to cast ahead of you when you are getting to the sweet spot.
Times casts with you so there is one bait coming in at a time.
Knows how to take good pictures. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | My dad and brother are great fishing partners regardless of what they do or don't do. we have fun, plain and simple |
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| Just friends, people I would spend time with anyways. Needing a "partner" to fish seems a bit formal... |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Enjoys the time on the water because that is where we are.
Is my friend, and knows/understands that I love the sport, but do not worship it.
The rest is just learning stuff, and I'm old enough most of the folks I fish with need no further schooling. |
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Posts: 8782
| When all is said and done, it's all about having a good time out there. There are "courtesies" that one should adhere to as mentioned above. But the more years that go by, the more I appreciate the hunt, the people I share it with, and the places in which it takes place.
This is what we do. We often forget that most people will never even see a place like the lakes we fish. I guess if I had to pick one quality in a fishing "partner" it would be someone who appreciates the experience in the same way that I do. I've said this before... Every year that goes by is less about the fish and more about the fishing. |
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Posts: 358
| Contender may have the right idea  I would say one you look forward to fishing with and enjoy time on the water with too. My wife is my favorite partner, the two girls......well, I should maybe be quiet there. I know a good neighbor is one who don't call, come over or borrow stuff. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | A great netter ?? |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I fish with a number of good fisherman each year. They have a good combination of fishin skills and knowledge as well as a personality that keeps it fun and lite all day. After a long day on the water with nothing in the net you can still say you had a great day. Also staying positive is a must. Knowing that the next cast could be the one.
Couple things that drive me nuts...
If you spend all day changing baits you will reduce you success rate exponentially
Choose a half dozen baits for the day and use them to there fullest
Please treat my boat and equipment like it is the investment that it is.
Don't smoke or chew, or spill stuff on my carpet
Don't be set on only one presentation or area
Be adaptable and versatile.
That being said if you know me I'm out to have fun and move fish. Let's make the best I the time we have out there
Edited by Trophyseeker50 12/14/2014 8:48 AM
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | They bring hot cheese and jerky. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Mutual enjoyment of the outdoors experience is first. That's why my family is at the top of my list. My wife and daughter read and relax. I love looking in the back of the boat seeing them chillin' with not a care in the world. My son and I have fished a lot of hours together through the years and have made multitudes of awesome memories but we have very different fishing styles. Doesn't matter. He's there for me, I'm there for him. My main musky partner is one of my very best friends and we have a way of bringing each other up a notch because of all the reasons everyone else has mentioned. Can't recall a day when we ever tired of each other's company and never a hint of resentment or impatience regardless of the day we're having. Great post as I reflect on God's blessings this Christmas season. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | I feel that a great partner would be one that has limited vision do if you raised a monster he would not know that you did - unless you told him/her. |
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Location: varies | farts down wind keeping me out of harms way. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | If any of you guys Raised a Fish (no matter the size) would you be "Ticked Off" if your Partner threw back at it???.... And then boated it ??
I personally would be pumped for that experience..... A Fish in the Boat is better than NO Fish in the Boat...... Good for my partner and Me ! Especially during a Tournament.
Edited by Top H2O 12/14/2014 9:31 PM
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Posts: 5171
| Top H2O - 12/14/2014 9:26 PM
If any of you guys Raised a Fish (no matter the size) would you be "Ticked Off" if your Partner threw back at it???.... And then boated it ??
I personally would be pumped for that experience..... A Fish in the Boat is better than NO Fish in the Boat...... Good for my partner and Me ! Especially during a Tournament. No,hell we would cross cast after a follow to get a bite.0723 |
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Posts: 8782
| Top H2O - 12/14/2014 9:26 PM
If any of you guys Raised a Fish (no matter the size) would you be "Ticked Off" if your Partner threw back at it???.... And then boated it ??
I personally would be pumped for that experience..... A Fish in the Boat is better than NO Fish in the Boat...... Good for my partner and Me ! Especially during a Tournament.
If I looked at him, and said "take it", I would not be upset. If I had my chances at it and didn't catch the fish, I wouldn't be upset. In a tournament? Somebody catch the fish. Who cares who it is?
It's a team sport.
But if I'm l'm setting up to throw back at it and said partner cuts me off, casts at it before I have a chance and catches it? Dick move. There are some guys I fish with where that stuff is expected. We all do that stuff to each other for laughs, and at the end of the day, nobody cares.
For the most part, though, the guy who rasies the fish should have every opportunity to catch it. After that all bets are off.
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Posts: 1220
| It's always a team sport! If my boat has a fish; I have a fish! Now, OK, I know what you're thinking....you're thinking the Junkman needs others in the boat to catch a fish more than most. And, I'm not saying that's not true, but if show me the guy who thinks it's all about him and "his fish," I'd just as soon see him fishing by himself so that he can have all the credit. It's not always a tournament, but it's always a team sport. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Most times I would rather the other guy in my boat catch the fish. I typically fish with my 12 year old son or guys with little muskie experience. I boat substantially more fish than them anyway, so I would rather they have the opportunity. Especially my son. I want him to stay interested in the sport, and he is nearing the age where he will soon not want to hang out with "dad". |
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | I can certainly relate to having seen 4 boys go from just old enough to hold a rod (21/2) to them out growing fishing altogether, but the story doesn't end there. All I can say is hang in there because they eventually come back around and it's quicker at least this case than you might think. Today though our time is more limited they're all back asking when we can go out next. It seems weird to say this but I think it's even better now and I'm really looking forward to the day when they have kids of there own and see them out together. Best of luck! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'll throw a few in, I'm sure some have been said but for me, the best partners that bring success to the boat:
* are always positive... PMA to me is huge. even when conditions or fishing sux, to always have the mentality it WILL happen it's just a matter of when.
* can throw any bait, anywhere, and work it right, to trigger strikes...
* think with an open mind, don't say things like "they are not eating bucktails right now" cuz that can change on the next cast.
* complement each other, not by saying "dude you look good in those jeans", but by mixing it up ...ie, i'm throwing topwater, they go with a plastic deep... mix it up to help FIND the pattern.
* have the stamina to go the distance, not yawning every 5 minutes cuz they didn't get enuf sleep, that just gets me down.
* have fun on the water, some of the funniest times I have had in the boat are with Scottie Thomas and we always do very well when we share the boat....
* don't F up the net job! 
* bring beer, like Hair Nation, and know how to back up the boat trailer. LOL
Edited by BNelson 12/15/2014 3:21 PM
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Posts: 23
| Yeah, a whole bunch of good ones have been said, and I havent read em all, but I think this is a great subject now that we are all locked up until May.
....be able to capitalize on a window
... (i used to be very guilty of this).... but know when to chat and joke around, then know when to focus
....be willing to work as a team and be open minded
...be willing to fish during so called off hours, dont just say, oh we are going in at 11 pm. If fish are going in the middle of the night or in the middle of the afternoon, be willing to do it.
....know what youre doing, or learn really quick!
....if you have a suggestion/idea, etc dont be bashful and SHARE IT!
....be unselfish. I HATE when people get pouty when someone else catches a fish, positive mojo can help put fish in the boat no doubt.
Nelly, cannot wait till May, Im just coming for the deli that you carry around in the back of that boat!!
Edited by Scottie Thomas 12/15/2014 6:13 PM
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Posts: 157
Location: West Central WI | Knows how to take a good photo - position, light angle, etc. Not afraid to tell the holder of the fish to adjust holding position and quickly takes multiple photos (many smart phones will take 5 photos in about 2 seconds if you just hold the button) for just the right one. Plans the shot and gives instruction to the holder before they take the fish out of the net so it's all done quickly. Also remembers to take other fishing action shots to remember the day even if you don't catch fish. |
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| I would have to say Sex. ;-) |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | One of the attributes I like the best when sharing the boat with someone is when they are openly willing to discuss spots, methods, baits, all in an effort to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Some very strange but productive presentations have come out of those types of discussions.
I also get a kick when guys are willing to just start singing--even when they can't! (No names are mentioned to protect the innocent) |
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Posts: 239
Location: Elroy, Wisconsin | Great stuff musky hunter friends, add up all the good points and you have one great partner. They are hard to find especially for older persons. How about teaming up with a younger person, not a bad idea. Heck the older guys have all the toys and in case of problems a younger guy is sure handy to have around.
Mudpuppy |
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Posts: 2
Location: cross plains wi | Long TIme Lurker - 12/5/2014 6:26 PM
I must be weird, I always prefer to have both guys running figure 8s if we got a fish boat side that is repeatedly showing up, I never looked at it as my fish or his fish. I looked at the boat like a team and we are here to put as many in the boat as possible. We catch a fish.
Shrug,
as long as your partner 8s at his end of the boat, couldn't agree with you more.....Also, I have a pard that I love fishing with and is a good friend but INCREDIBLY bossy. I want your input and suggestions, but not in such a douchie manner. Wouldn t kill you to follow one my suggestions once in a while either. Right, Louie? |
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Posts: 136
| ShutUpNFish - 12/10/2014 7:48 AM Likes to drink Yuenglings!! Wow....good one! That's a great beer...especially for guys like me that cant get it locally! |
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Posts: 8782
| Here's one I forgot.
When you forget your net, and borrow one from a buddy, check to make sure it doesn't have a GD HOLE in it!
It's funny now, but it wasn't so funny then. |
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What Makes a great Musky Partner