Most anglers prefer to fish from the front of a bass boat where they get first crack at the good spots. With that privilege, however, comes great responsibility requiring much patience, organization, experience and talent.
First, moving from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat demands understanding safe and proper boat control. Boaters must know how to operate both the outboard and trolling motors to enable both anglers to fish effectively and safely, often in adverse conditions.
“The biggest mistake people make when they move from the back to the front is that they are not comfortable with controlling the boat,” said co-angler Barry Baldwin of Dayton, Ohio. “I’ve fished with a lot of good anglers and some that should never occupy the front seat.”
Operating a trolling motor during the stress of a major bass tournament requires considerable practice, especially in windy conditions. Boaters cannot hog the best cover or honeyholes and must position their boats so that each angler may catch fish.
Besides boat control and navigation, a boater must also learn to organize and maintain proper equipment to ensure a safe, productive trip. Too much clutter on the deck or equipment not properly maintained could pose potential safety problems or cause anglers to lose fish.
Responsibility for proper maintenance and organization falls on the boater. Boaters must ensure that their boats are safe to operate and appropriate for the waters they intend to fish.