As the boater, how much do you accommodate the non-boater? What I mean is... Do you take them to their area to fish? If so, when? Do you position the boat to give yourself the optimum position, or position it so its "so so" for both of you? If you're flipping/pitching and you like to be close to the cover, are you conscience of where the back of the boat is, or pretty much let them fend for themselves?

Please keep the politically correct answers out of it... I want the truth. Also lets not turn this into a "he better pay for gas, spot me a $20, buy my lunch, ETC..." This topic isnt about that.

Honest feedback folks.

EDIT: When I say "non-boater", I mean in a draw format and not a team event

[/quote] Also lets not turn this into a "he better pay for gas, spot me a $20, buy my lunch, ETC..." This topic isnt about that.

Honest feedback folks. [/quote]
This is exactly what it will become

depends on how little she wears!

I have always positioned the Passenger so they can get on fish too. I'll get there, no MATTER what! Comes from being a Guide for many, many years and is automatic! To me, you always want them to have as good as time as you do...so they will come back

I do everything I can to accomodate the non-boater. This usually helps the TEAM catch more fish. The less dead water he fishes the better. I also ask periodically if I'm front ending. Consequently, I expect the same treatment when we are in his boat, as we rotate boats from month to month. The key I've found is honesty between the boater and partner, and not getting butt hurt when you hear something you weren't expecting.

EDIT: When I say "non-boater", I mean in a draw format and not a team event

If that matters?

I try to keep him in prime water but I won't lose my focus on fishing in order to keep him positioned well.

I guess a better way to put it is this. On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 saying you handle it like a guide making sure to keep him in good positions always as no matter what, I'd say I would be a 6-7.

If it is a draw then he gets a half day on his water and the trolling motor.

I fished the BFL event on Rayburn last week and my non boater got a check and i took a 75th place. I knew going into the event hat I was not on quality but quantity. I had a limit early and my coangler was missing fish left and right.

He had told me before we started that morning that the year before he cashed a check every tournament and this year was not going good. Texoma regional championship is near his backyard and he was not doing well in standings to make Top 40.

So I did what I could to help him fill a limit. Gave him the baits, talked about retrieve and he eventually caught on and we actually had a good day of catching.

Bottom line though after he had a limit I should of went sight fishing or changed strategies but i did not. I did not see any big fish in practice anyways.

Back to the original question I feel like I give them ample room to fish and try to make it a good day for them... I have only fished a non boaters water once and that was probably 8years ago and it was definitely holding fish. May be why I am not doing as well this year...

So in a boater and non-boater draw tournament, you give full control of your boat half the day and also fish his water for half the day? I personally have only done team events. I want to start some draw formats, but I don't think ill do a 50/50 split with control of my boat. If my water isn't panning out, I wouldn't mind going to theirs, but ill control the boat regardless.

I just try and no front end him. I make sure I fish my water band I try to give him good casting angles and a fair chance. I am nice, try to bew friendly and hopefully have found a few fish for him as well. That is about as accomadating as I get. We are iun two different tournaments and I am trying to focus on the one I am in. I will offer/share baits etc if need be.

Cute quip!!!

There are two types of draw tournaments... In tournaments like the Everstarts, the boaters are fishing against the boaters and the non-boaters are fishing against the non-boaters. In the Federation tournaments, everybody is fishing against everybody and the non boater is supposed to get half the day on his water and control of the trolling motor. It all depends on which type of tournament you're in.

I primarily fish team events cause I like the company. I have done some draw events aswell. I have always given them the opportunity to fish there areas and such. I have no problem letting them run trolly motor. In my experience how you fish some areas is the most important thing (boat position). As far as driving the boat NO WAY.

And if she brings sammich'es!