I have a questions for tourny guys I am co angler and I was wondering about lure change specifically when one person is consistently catching with a certain lure. Would u get mad if ur co swapped to the same lure ur using and starts catching fish. I am usually hesitant to change due to not wanting my boater to feel like I am taking his fish by swapping and when I do I use a different brand an close to the color but I came across one tourney where they would only hit one lure and brand and I had one just waited till the boater had his fish before I changed completely to that lure and then I started catching fish. Sorry for the long read but any input is welcomed.

Personally I don't care but alot of people might feel different. Its a great question to ask your boater before the tournament starts. That goes along with how he/she plans on fishing that day be it shallow, deep, fast, slow.

Truthfully if you practicing good coangler etiquette, you shouldn't have an issue fishing the same baits as the Pro(boater) on the front of the boat.
Let him have his choice of where to fish first and cover water after he is done with it.

I try and always practice good coangler etiquette but I don't want my boater to get mad and I do let him get first dibs on anything but there is time especially with this wind that it seems he is fighting more the wind and I get the spot that he should have if he didn't have to fight wind. I never thought to ask this question before hand as he is lettin me know what his plan is but I will thanks for that tip

Fishing in the rear of the boat is a challenge sometimes. AS far as proper etiquette during local club tournaments, I believe the Coangler can be intimedated to ALWAYS follow to boaters wishes. I think the fact if the Coangler is paying 50% of the gas, then the Coangler should have a say on how to fish. I know most will say its best for the coangler to just enjoy the day of fishing and not get wraped up in where you fish. I'm not speaking as much as about my personal experience as listening to this issue from many other coanglers. Rear of the boat gets boring quick, if you are forced to fish C-rig all day. Many boaters are t-motor extremist. Kinda hard to do do a drop shot or shakyhead if you are constantly moving. Suggestion: is to discuss a plan. If its a two day tournament, I lean toward the second day be what the Coangler wants to fish. Although, IF we're catching fish, then all bets off!

Any input from the ones fishing the front of the boat just curious as to thoughts

If you have been courteous and not casting in front of the boat or on top of me and I start catching fish on a certain bait, I will give you one exactly like what I am using and will help you in any way that I can. If you have been casting in front of me or on top of me or stepping in my seats everytime you get up and down from the back deck...then I probably won't give you one. BUT,if you have the same thing and I am catching fish after fish on it....I would question you if you DIDN'T tie it on. You have just as much right to throw it as i do.

I agree

Don't worry. A pro that is used to having a co in the back will not let you see the water he is fishing till he is done with it. By the time he is done pitching a laydown or a dock 57 times with his bait of choice I personally would not want to throw the same bait in there the 28th time. I would be throwing something different than what he is throwing.

+1

I have never felt bad changing if the guy in the back of the boat starts catching fish. Why should it bother me if they change?

It's no problem. I've had the boater do it to me before. I was killing them on a certain bait so he switched to match me.

As a co-angler you pay an entry feel also. Fish what ever bait you want to fish. Don't you think the boater would switch to the same bait you are using if you are catching the fish?

I appreciate everyones input on this wasn't sure what others thought next time I won't wait hours before changing. I mean I changed but different brands same color bit they didn't want it they wanted only one brand that day. I just felt bad and was trying to be considerate to my boater

A question that could be asked before the day starts, personally, I would have no problem with you using a bait or technique I am doing. I would have already covered the area and if I leave anything behind, it is all on you to get him in. If I missed him, I do want you to pull his but in and see him at the weigh in!