I have heard some horror stories about being back-boated but it has never
happened to me. Maybe it's because the draw trail I fish (ABA District 10)
always has a lot of the same fellows that I've come to know over the years.
Even when someone new comes along, I can usually get on their good side
before we ever hit the water. I've even had more times when the fellow in
the front offers me worms or lures that are working that I don't happen to
have in the bag. My buddy who I introduced tourney fishing to a couple of
years ago won the non-boater trophy last year. Not because he fished every
tourney, but because he won one and finished in the top 10 in every other
one. All from the back of the boat.

As far as tips, I learn quite a bit from the boater even if it's what not to
do. If the boater has figured a color or technique out, I will try and find
something similar but not exactly the same. That always seems to help.

This year, I'm planning on fishing the Basmaster Weekend Series as a
non-boater. I'm sure that trail will be a lot more competitive so I might
be singing a different tune after that......

--
Sandy Joren
Il pesce tutto il giorno. La bevanda tutta la notte.

SNIP