|
|
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Ok- not your normal question. During a WI spring muskie tourney this year, I was fishing with an "friend" in my boat. We've previously disagreed on tactic changes in previous year's tournaments on this same body of water, but I've given in because we were fishing in his boat, i.e., we preplanned the tactics, including where we're going to fish, method, lures, etc. ....At the last minute he changes because he's second guessing everything and he's not comfortable with anything outside of his normal box.
Day one this year, we're trolling two lines, i.e. one planner, and a propwash line with a new saltwater lure I specifically wanted to troll. I'm busy driving the boat, tracking breaklines, watching for stump fields, etc. Weather is #*#*, his job is keeping the lines set, clear of debris/weeds, etc. And might I add, his job is also setting the freakin' hook, fighting the fish, etc. After ~ 2 hrs I'm bored with driving. The lake map is good, the Humminbird 997SI is showing the break, stumps etc. I ask for a break- he takes over at the wheel- I notice the propwash line (my rod/my lure/my leader/my setup) doesn't seem to be running like I expected. I pull the rod out of the holder and snap the line off the outrigger release, reel it in and low and behold it's got one of his baits and one of his cheap a$$ leaders on it! This is my rod/my boat! I'm furious, and very tempted to end it right there!
What would you do? Please keep it civil, I'd really like to know.
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 8/5/2008 8:09 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 13
| Sounds to me like your partner wants to do everything his way, and he can't even do his way the right way, if that makes any sence. If he can't do his end of the job, ESPECIALLY IN A TOURNAMENT when you are supposed to be a TEAM and working together, than I would start looking for a different partner. Otherwise you can just keep kissing your entry fee goodbye every year. The second somone has a I dont give a #$@! attitude, or they are not knowledgable enough to do the job they are given than they might as well go home and go bass fishing because they won't come on my boat anymore. Making bad decisions without consulting your partner is crucial especially in a tournament where money is involved.
Edited by muskydrunk 8/5/2008 8:55 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I voted for asking him why. Have the discussion and come to an understanding. if no understanding is reached, fish with somebody else in the future. I consider that a lack of respect in a partner which will cost you money, fish and happiness unless corrected. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | I'm really up in the air for next year! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2024
| I am, admittedly, wound up and pretty intense on the boat even under normal circumstances. Put me in a tournament setting and my nerves really start to fry! I have found that having the right partner is a necessity, even if that person just makes you laugh. It also doesn't hurt for your partner to be as "into it" and analytical as you are. The old saying, "two brains are better than one" applies here.
In this particular instance I would ask him why he did it, then decide later if the guy is "worth" keeping around (defining "worth" however you see fit). My partners and I sometimes disagree, but it would take much more than trolling with a bad leader and different bait to make me kick him to the curb. My .02 cents. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | Rethink the reasons you musky fish. Sorry that wasn't an option so I added it here.
Edited by Andy 8/6/2008 12:01 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Andy, i think it's a bad idea to suggest Al rethink why he muskie fishes...I know Al pretty well, and he probably won't take that advice. Besides, that has nothing to do with the original question.  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | I guess I just don't understand lol...But, I was civil though!
edit: I'm super ADHD and that was just hard to put together after reading it 4 times :P
Edited by Andy 8/6/2008 12:07 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | obviously, there is a reason he was in your boat in the first place. Given that he is no stranger and that there is atleast some sort of relationship there, I think you OWE it to yourself and him to initiate a conversation about what happened. We all know that the first few words out of your mouth will dictate the direction the conversation will head to. If you are genuinely interested in understanding, rather than getting your pound of flesh, than I'd recommend an approach that isn't accusatory or hostile in any way.
Either way, tournament fishing is completely different for ME, compared to Muskie hunting all other times. I'm pretty serious as my baseline, so in a tourny, I'm much more competitive and expect whoever I'm fishing with to share my desire to win. I have only fished a handful of tournaments over the past 5 years, and all of them with the same partner. Were like two peas in a pod. LOL
If your not satisfied with his response to the conversation, a number 6/0 treble to the cornea of his dominant eye will go a long way in not only adjusting his attitude, but should make you feel considerably better.
Randy |
|
| |
|
Posts: 83
| I don't really like Tournament fishing. Not just for muskies, but for any species. It can really ruin a good time. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | OK.,
I REALLY have a blast fishing Tourneys. ( no sarcasim) And I won't let anything ruin a good time. to me fishing IS fishing ,so....... work hard at it and it will pay off.
Partners need to be on the same page when in Tourneys, if not than it's time to pray for a new and Improved one....
Jerome |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | OK - enough! This is not about fishing tourney's or embarrassing him. I really appreciate all the relavent input, i.e., both positive & negative. The fact is there is a reason I fish with him, i.e., I really like him as a person. He's straight up/honest and is normally fun to fish with...But , I just couldn't figure out the lure/leader change deal...... I wouldn't even consider doing that to you, i.e., no matter what you had on your rod. Hell, you could have a long shank 12/0 hook with sweet corn and a 1lb sinker on it if that's what you wanted.
I'm going to write it off as a bad day for both of us, but still have a chat with him about it the nerxt time I see him, i.e., non-confrontational. Due to our different family commitments and the fact we live ~ 50 miles from each other, I haven't seen him since the tourney. He's really a good guy, and I know if I were in a bar fight, he'd have my back. Likewise I'd have his. We'll fish this tourney again next year.
Thanks,
Al |
|
| |
|
Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | aside from the treble in the cornea, isn't your last response nearly exactly what I said in my reply?? Sheesh!
Rg |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | NYmuskyhunter - 8/7/2008 10:44 PM
aside from the treble in the cornea, isn't your last response nearly exactly what I said in my reply?? Sheesh!
Rg
Yes, and I said I appreciated the feedback.
Have fun!
Al |
|
| |
