I had a co angler that had never made a regional in 9 years. I don’t know how that’s even possible, but it was the last tournament of the year and I put him in a place to catch a limit and he knew he was going to finally get in. High fiving and hugging me all day. I didn’t ask for gas money but he reached in his pocket and pulled some out and I just put it in my pocket. Got home and it was 4 wadded up one dollar bills lol.

You're 100% "that guy". $75 is a drop in a small bucket. You can burn 20+ gallons. easy in a day going from the dam up north on Rayburn.


I would never ask for a dime

But, I would never get in another person's boat and not offer.

Are you worried my philosophy won’t get you paid on the days you suck? Because I’m the guy who has fished as a co-angler only twice but have had co-anglers in my boat dozens of times, and the most I’ve ever taken was $20.
If $75 is a drop in a small bucket then why do you need it? $75 might be a drop in the bucket to the Boater running a $70-$100k boat, with another $60k truck, and about $5k in rods and reels. Meanwhile, it might be something to that co-angler. Who knows.
Point is, I was fishing that tournament whether they got in my boat or not. It wasn’t contingent on someone splitting costs with me. So expecting that amount of money, to me is kind of dumb.

And 20 gallons should get you 80 miles at 5500 RPMs on most 250’s. So that’s 160 miles you are asking for gas money for. Unless you make the longest run on the biggest lake in the state then you’re essentially asking for them to pay your practice gas too. That’s insane to me so I’ll continue to be “that guy” who doesn’t feel the need to rip off a co-angler.

it is considered a common courtesy to offer gas money, it makes you not "that guy" the next time you show up.

I have fished with people who refused my offer, fished with those who accepted and thanked me, have fished with friends that no offer was made because the next trip would be in my boat.

no different to me than tipping a guide, good or bad day, it gets you remembered in a good way vs. the other way.

its up to the boat owner to say no but with the added weight on a full grown man and tackle and snack and any other stuff added to the boat its going to make the boat slower and have to use more fuel so i would want to offer to help out he can always refuse it

If your after the learning and experience aspect, that’s a great way to do so. I fished it for several years as a co…met some good folks and some not so good folks. You’ll definitely learn a ton. Yes, you can use your boat. The maximum horse power is 250. So, you can use your boat. Just keep an open mind, have fun and be a sponge.

I guess I'm that "other guy". Whether you would have spent money on gas, pre-fishing, or otherwise...I pay. I hate deadbeats. It's not a ripoff if you feel compelled to help a guy out with expenses no matter what their income or lack of it is. It's called common courtesy. It's being a good dude. You bought a boat, a vehicle to pull it with, insurance, repairs, T.O.W (hopefully if I'm a co), etc, etc. If i'm bypassin all that to fish with someone I pay up. But, that's me.

I’ve fished both as a co and a boater. The co should offer, the boater shouldn’t expect it.

When I first started fishing as a co I was 20 years old picked up the bfl flyer at the Walmart outdoor counter and let’er rip.

1st tournament I fished was the very 1st TTT. Of course the meetings were at the middle school in jasper, I pulled out the ole atlas and headed south. Took 69 from Greenville to Jacksonville. What a beating that was, got there in time to find the middle school. They call my name and my boaters and we head to meet each other. His first question is
“who you here with”
I was like ah by myself.
“Well since you won’t tell me who you’re here with I guess I can’t tell you what we will be doing tomorrow.”
“Meet me at the stump at 5”

“Ahhhh the stump…”
“You know the cafe out close to twin dykes”
“Okay is this a good time to ask how to get to the lake”
“You’ve never been here before?”
No

He gives directions, we meet up, launch and he tells me he is concerned about his lower unit and if that was not the case we’d go to the canyons and catch 30 a piece but instead we’re gonna stay close to launch and catch….. nothing.

At this point I did not know or think about the cash for gas fished 3 or so more tournaments before a boater must have been depending on it to get home. Pretty much dog cussed me. I felt like a jerk and dug some cash out of my pocket. Went back and evened up with all my previous boaters I could catch up with. Never ran into that 1st Larry Nixon wannabe again. Don’t think I owed him anyways.

Fished with a few other guys over the years I don’t think I owed a dime to. Either too dumb to be fishing a 10 man club tournament or front end you deep all day. But I’m sure I gave them a few bucks regardless.

What I'm shocked about is that throwing gas money at the boater is even worth discussing. To me it just seems like the right and proper thing to do. Hell when I fun fish with someone I'll throw gas money unless it's a deal where we take turns taking each others boat. When I offer gas money they are taking it or I will happen to leave it in the seat of the truck. Some of you weren't raised right evidently.

You seem like "that guy", the one that thinks they are going to get over on everybody.

Like I said I have never asked or expected a dime when someone has gotten in my boats, but I have never gotten in someone else's boat without offering.

You obviously do not understand courtesy or ethical behavior. It's all good, the world is made up of all kinds of people.

You guys need to go fishing. Yall are arguing the same point at each other lol
I have a solution, yall put a taxi meter in your boat if you think someone owes you for gas

I fished redman/BFL for about 20 years and probably 90% of the time i would draw a coangler much younger than me and usually they would have young children still at home...would always decline any payment toward gas and tell them i remembered those days when my children were young and how scarce money was...I would tell them that i would hope when they reach my age and draw a young man that they treat them the same way....and I'd like to think most of them will....

Well this thread went sideways pretty quick, which seems to be the norm these days.
The guy just asked a question about towing a boat to fish as a co and somehow an argument about gas money broke out?
Might as well cover some other bases, if you're new to being a co this should help some.

Yes bring money for gas $40-50 is plenty.
Establish where you are going to meet and be there early, also get your anglers phone number and give him yours.
Bring your own gear, including lures and terminal tackle. If something is working that you don't have your angler will usually offer to give you something that will work.
Be able to back a boat down a dark ramp on the first try and turn the headlights off if possible.
Work on your casting accuracy, most guys don't mind going back a few times but it will get old pretty quick if it keeps happening.
Learn how to properly net a fish, if you don't feel comfortable tell your angler.
Don't throw past the center of the boat unless your angler is cool with it.
Bring your own life jacket
When your angler is ready to move he will say so. Have your gear gathered up and stowed away with your life jacket on before your angler sits down to crank up the big motor.
Clean up your mess (used soft plastics, empty water bottles, ect) after the tournament, and help your boater clean the outside of the boat.
If you and your angler got along keep his info, you might be surprised at how many guys will offer you a place to stay or some tips on what is working at different lakes if you stay in touch.
Try to learn something from everyone you fish with.
Have fun!
Good Luck!

Sideways real quick-like, lol. I’ve taken all the insight into consideration. Learning something from everyone that’s contributed to this thread has taught me a lot.

Although I’d love to shoot on down to Rayburn, my finances won’t allow it at the moment. I’m going to be searching for some tourneys closer to home, as Lake Texoma is my home lake. It should be easy to find something coming up soon!

Thanks to all!

Dude quit giving my pattern away!! And I am an old bubba!!