entanglements, nothing will piss off a Pro more - especially in a NON-SHARED format.
Also, in SHARED weight format, some Co’s refuse to fish the technique the Pro’s have asked them to fish. It’s imperative in a SHARED format that you respect and listen to your Pro partner. And, respect is the key word in a NON-SHARED format.
The Pro invests a lot of time and money preparing himself mentally, physically, and technically. The Pro’s mind is going at 100+ mph during a tournament. His mind is full of strategy, techniques, execution, boat control, weather conditions, water temperature, and what the fish are doing, along with hourly changing conditions (for instance light penetration, etc.), the first and second bite, how they bit and what that is telling him – the list goes on.
The Co-Angler in a SHARED format does not need to throw in a monkey wrench by his behavior. There is a reason behind everything a Pro tells you and wants you to do. And that reason emanates from his experience and pre-fishing time on the water.
Trust in your Pro – in a SHARED format. They will know when a technique is working and when it isn’t working. So, always start off the morning with what he (or she) tells you to throw. Things change and
before you know it, maybe you’ll be using one of your techniques you feel more comfortable with.
After all, they are the Pro’s, we are the Co’s, and we are in THEIR boat. We have no say unless they ask. If you can’t handle that, buy your own boat, become a Pro, and pay the higher entry fee. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if you want to better your catch rate and position in the standings, it is imperative to have peace and harmony on the boat at all times.
In a SHARED format it is the Co-Angler’s job to keep your Pro’s line in the water as much as possible. Therefore, when the Pro catches a fish, I’m there with the net, I keep the fish in the net, unhook the fish, put the fish in the live well, and reorganize the deck – allowing as little downtime for the Pro as possible, providing you have the experience to handle the fish.
I’d like to thank my sponsors – Lobina Lures, (home of the Rico), Canyon Plastics, Bayou Tackle, D&M Custom Baits, Fat Bass, Pro Worms, Solar Bats, Big Bite, and the Al-E-Baby.
If you have any questions or topics you would like to see discussed here, please contact me at chrisbassricci@aol.com and check out my website at www.chris-ricci.com.
Issue 1 April 2011
www.therodglove.com
25
mailto:chrisbassricci@aol.com http://www.chris-ricci.com http://www.therodglove.com