I've been fishing with this guy since I was young and he's a very good shallow water fisherman, but he whines like a 4 year old when we fish offshore stuff. Always complaining and talking negative about the spots even when we smack'm. He thinks that fish never go deep and always wants to beat the banks. We fished a tour sat and he said he was on a frog bite. I told him I was on them pretty good out on a ledge we went to his spot first cause I didn't want to hear him whine and scratched. Didn't even have a bite. Then we go out to the ledge and Theres a boat there. There wasn't when we passed to go to his spot and as I'm watching them they are smoking them. Watched them catch a 24 lb sack. What should I say to fix this problem don't want to be an arse but somthings got to give

Nothing you can say. Your partner's a bankbeater and isn't willing to expand his abilities by learning to find/fish offshore structure.

Now I'm not a tounament angler but if I were, I'd use every tool/technique/pattern at my disposal to become as well-rounded an angler as possible.

Otherwise, you're gonna get killed when the temps rise and large numbers of big fish start chasing the schools of shad out deep.

I think it's time to find another partner.

New partner BigCrank,if he does'nt want to try your style then it's not team work.All the best. after seing what your spot produced maybe he will think next time

I would just say you are two guys fishing..
NOT tournament Partners..either have him agree to be more together, or move along to someone willing to help the "team"

I agree with fouzman get you another partner. Also your partner has to be open minded and trust your instinsts also. If one or both had found fish in practice leading up to the tour. then that would be the fish to go to first thing, if no one is on the spot if so go to the others spot. My son is my tour. partner he is a good stick we fish mainley out of my boat but we discuss all our options the week of the tour. then make our finally decision, both of us are content with the others decision and input. What your partner has to relize is that this is a team effort weather you find and catch all the fish or he does. What matters in the end is that you weight your best 5.

Have you guys sought out a counselor? Maybe Dr. Phil can help.

LOL Kidding.

my boat, my rules. yall have to find a way to work together, or prefish together and formulate a plan of attack BEFORE tourney morning.

Put him out on the bank,..come back in a couple hours and see how he's doing,..

If its yoour boat, your in control...He is a backseater and cant do anything about it. I have fished from both sides and when I'm in back, We have to fish the boaters gameplan not mine.

throw him overboard when you get to the shallows.

Do what I do,,drag them out there hand him a c-rig

WHAT is binding you to this person???????

If the rapture is so strong you can't break free.....STOP YOUR WHINING!

If not......CUT HIM LOOSE!!

(better than counseling!)

He's my cousin can't just tell him to buzz off

Then you better sit him down and explain that not only are you there to fish and have fun, you're there to win! No one wins consistently with one approach. The most successful tournament anglers are those who are versatile with all techniques, all types of water and who are able to adapt to and change with the fish/conditions. Skeet Reese's consistency is a perfect example. Heck, any of the top guys for that matter.

Explain to him that his constant whining about fishing anything other than shallow is ruining the fun and hurting your team's chances. Explain to him that either things must change and you work as a team, or you'll have to go another direction.

That's my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.

its like a relationship.. communication is essential to a good future together. no hugs and kisses though.. YUCK!