Do You Know The Unwritten Rules Of Tournament Bass Fishing? 

This video should be a mandatory watch for every competitor on any tour. I have always done exactly what you mentioned by asking a fellow competitor which direction they are going before I put the trolling motor down in an area. Yet I’ve have multiple occasions where a boat just rolls in 50 yards, 50 feet and sometimes less right in front of me. I call it poaching and it sucks. I am not a confrontational person, but there has been a couple times where I’ve yelled out to them, “Are you kidding me?!!” Some people have no idea what sportsmanship is. Great video, Randy.

In today's world there seems to be an increase in the lack of 2 important things....respect and common sense.

The drama involved in tournament fishing finally drove me out. I've come to see fishing in a whole new way. I now realize fishing offers so much more than the satisfaction of doing well in competition. I miss the camaraderie, but not the conflict.

Thanks for the video. I'm a kayak fisherman and I will be getting into tournaments next year. The lack of respect on the water this day and age is truly sad.

Another thing worth noting is that if you’ve got someone on the back of your boat, it’s important to at least give them a shot at fishing the juice before leaving. I’ve seen guys point the nose of the boat in such a manner that it was impossible for their co-angler to fish anything other than the barren wasteland behind them, then leave before they got a chance to make a single cast on the dock, pad field, etc.

You nailed it Randy. I've watched courtesy and ethics continue to erode rapily, and not just in the fishing world. I think two of the biggest contributing factors to the problems in fishing today are selfish attitudes creating lack of courtesy combined with an attitude that the end justifies the means. Chick has been my home water for the last 9 years and it is horrible. Too many tournaments, too many boaters who are absolutely clueless with regards to USCG navigation rules for inland waterways, too little common courtesy, etc. I try my best to set a positive example, but sometimes it is very difficult.

Randy I've been following you for 20 years and you are the first sensible person to talk about the subject ...but I do love an ICONELLI FLIP OUT SO FUNNY GREAT FISHERMAN #FLW#BFW#BASSPRO#GUNTERSVILLE

This has to be the most informative channel ive come across. Thanks, Randy! You' re the man!

Fishing words of wisdom from a master. Thank You for sharing your wealth of knowledge. God Bless.

It's funny you spoke about slowing down some, I fished with one of my best friends for 10 to 15 years and one of his favorite sayings was there is not a fish in the world worth my life or your life. We both live by that moto when we are fishing. Semper Fi from an old Marine

Very informative! Much of this etiquette applies to non-tournament angling as well

Totally appreciate your insight. Consideration for others, regardless of the situation. You’d think it wouldn’t even need to be discussed, but glad you brought it up. Doesn’t even need to pertain to fishing. 👍

While stationed in Arizona during 1986 I had the good fortune to fish as part of a bass club out of Sierra Vista, and the salt river chain of lakes was our main spots. That said, I was a rider so the owner had to operate the boat during the tourneys. He was at a disadvantage in my mind, because of the distraction of wind, waves, steering, etc. Meanwhile I often caught the better fish just because I was able to concentrate on my fishing. Mentally I could have beaten myself with doubt, not being first to cast to oncoming structure, but I knew enough to realize there are good bass in deeper water most of the time!

Aaron Britt needs to watch this video ran his boat up on rip rap point while trying to pass on the inside this weekend at smith lake MLFbig5 tournament

That’s funny, I like the notifications so I know I have something new from you to watch😂

I remembered the first Bassmaster on the CA delta and one of the local pros had his co cast in front and hook a toad ! The pro was devastated! That fish would’ve got him into the top 5 if not into top 3, but no one could touch Robert Lee the General! Amazing what Robert accomplished taking 4 straight B.A.S.S. Tourneys on the Ca Delta! 🔥

Hi Randy, Great video. You are spot on about the unwritten rules about bass fishing. Back in the late 70's and early 80's I fished in a club here in Florida. Attended all the monthly meetings and paid my dues. There a few guys in the club that we always reminded to get caught up on their past dues. They were the same ones that complained at the weight in. I took came of the money for the club and bought the trophy's. After 7 years I quit as well as others. The fellowship was no longer there. It was'nt fun anymore.😟Rabdy, keep it up. you are a real blessing to anglers. i have missed any of your videos.

Once when I was fishing as a co I saw a fish pop in the front 180 and since my boater didn't seem interested in it I asked for permission to cast at it and he allowed me to. I caught a 4 pounder on that cast lol.

Randy , thanks for putting this info out! I was fishing a club tournament in Jan on a river. There was a bigger tournament out of a different landing. I pulled up on a bank that is normally good to me in the winter. I’m the only boat and the bank is only about 100 yds long. A little later, a boat either fishing the other tournament or leisure fishing came by me and went to the opposite end. I was fine as long as he stayed ahead of me or fished the location and left. There was a ditch mouth in the middle of us and my focus for this bank. The other boat starts fishing towards me. I told my partner that I hoped this guy wasn’t going to do what it appeared. He continued towards me. So I put my trolling motor in high and claimed the ditch mouth. He still didn’t get the hint and turn around. We spoke casually, then he went around me and fished the bank that I was homesteading in. Had we been in the same tournament, I would have protested and I’ve never protested before. Lol. I guess he didn’t know or care about the unspoken or written rules.

Randy thanks for sharing on this important topic. Tournament fishing and just fishing would be a lot more enjoyable if everyone followed these unwritten rules.

I wish everyone would watch this. Thanks Randy

These things need to be said. Thank you Randy.

Great info Randy love the tip to slow down.........not like 3 min is going to make a difference in an 8 hour day........

great information, Randy. thanks....

Great stuff Randy thanks!

Spot on, it would be great if you could post all this on a giant poster to be distributed at every tournament in America! I think the reasons for impoliteness is there's more boats on the water than 30 yrs ago, ppl want to win more than keeping ethics, I've seen this off the water also!👍

The one thing that gets my goat is these high school tournaments where the boat captain is supposed to be instilling the respect in young anglers but they will run right up on you and not give you the time of day and start casting all around you

I look forward to the Notifications!! Keep up the consistent content please! Cant get enough

Good info on manners. Thanks randy

Been watching videos for 2 months and just realized I wasn’t subscribed! Thanks for all the great info

I agree common courtesy is almost gone, I have people come in behind me all the time and crowd me and small Coves. I’ll even go to a spot where there’s nobody and then all the sudden two or three people will come in on top of me!!

On the Bassmaster Opens, I had a bunch of lunatics for boaters and partners. Everything from racing at high speed and move 20 feet, to back ending, bunched up anglers, who, when they see you catch a fish move in, and might as well be fishing in my boat, to some guys stinking of alcohol… I was green on my first year, then I got wise….. I miss the tour but glad I did my time… An awesome experience for anyone who has the time, money and passion for the sport.

It always amazes me when an experienced co-angler casts in front of me! At that moment, I’ll casually say (in a phony light hearted manner😉) “dude...are you trying to catch my fish”? Rest of the day will go well from then on!

Unwritten rules are pretty obvious... the sad thing is people don't follow them. I don't think they are not know, just too many people without the ethics or respect to follow them. I am a bank angler... and then boater/kayaker come up and fish my spot(s). Seriously, they have the whole lake, and I have limited shore access. Thanks for the video Randy. Any bank based videos would be appreciated, baits, techniques, breakdowns for ponds/small water bodies.

Thanks for taking the time to make the videos😊Love the hat

Randy great info, however, I get frustrated with all the horrible co-angler stories that are told on youtube. There are far more terrible boaters in tournaments than co's. Just because he is the boater does not mean he owns the co-angler (the co-angler paid an entry fee also). Can you imagine being with a boater that has never fished the particular body of water, has no real plan when quizzed before take-off and just runs and guns with 2 casts here & 3 casts there all day so by the time the co-angler gets set he pulls up the trolling motor and off again or the boater who complains you are taking too much time to land your fish so he doesn't even help net the fish. In that case I would not even give that boater $1.00 for gas at the end of the day. My 2 cents on the ongoing co-angle stories.

Randy. I've come to this channel from watching the 1989 buggs Island bassmaster open video and was so inspired by that 25LB bag you had and how you did it. My father has a place on buggs and I will be looking to recreate that bag one day here soon lol. Will be watching your videos for more advice! Thanks !

I watched some of the bassmaster elite tournament at pickwick. Was a lot fishing at Wilson dam and it looked like they could cast the lures in the other boats if they wanted to. I’ve never fished in a tournament but I was thinking that they were to close to each other. Glad your cleared that up. Great video have learned a lot from your the tips you give.

Really like the tournament info. It’s good to hear from a pro. Thank you

Thanks helpful! Just had someone blast between me and shore.

Randy you are such a class act.So glad to be a subscriber.Its all about respect which sad to say is getting less and less.The golden rule do unto others as you would have done unto you.Thanks again God bless.

Randy I have been on the front and the back of the boat. My two cents. Angler and Co-Angler need to vibe and be up front with one another before take off. When a boater is heavy on a trolling motor it makes it very difficult for a co-angler to catch fish, if a co-angler throws in front of the boat as you said it makes it difficult for the boater which in turn can affect how he operates the trolling motor or boat. Harmony is key. A good talk in the morning can fix all that before it even happens. I make sure when i'm a boater that the co-angler knows that i will be purposely operating the boat to give them as many opportunities as i have and in turn i ask for each of us to respect our areas. If i troll past a spot and my co-angler starts lighting things on fire with catching fish i don't jump in on the action i let them have it. And that is the way it should be for both. EVERY TIME i have been in harmony with my partner for the day (cause that's how i see it) we both do good. When vibes are off because there isn't respect it makes for a long day.

I remember you fishing West Point when you started in the early days . Catching them on a lil George .

I’m 29 years old and I taught my kids the right way to fish but I will say that a lot of guys my age have no curtesy when fishing it’s crazy I’m glad my old man and my grandpa showed me the right way

I was out on a exclusive fishing trip on a private lake it was pretty awesome my buddy invited his buddy a RU-vid vlogger he had a drone fly over us the whole day and would not stop talking into his gopro the ranch owner eventually asked us to leave in a polite manner of course but it was very embarrassing and frustrating

As a kayak angler I want to add watch out for us little guys. Been a few time that Ill would be 15 - 20 ft off the shore and a bass botat would just fly by with out any caution and has swamped me.

Great video! People need to listen to this man!! He’s spot on.. lot of sketchy people out there....

Me and my friends use the rule about not casting to the front from the back when we are just fun fishing. In team tournaments we kinda will disregard that often. But, thats a different situation.

Randy Haynes and Jason Lambert on KY Lake come to mind. I guess you were there for that one. Chick is my home lake. As you know when the fish move out to their summer pattern, it fishes really small and everything is a community hole. Not unusual to be fishing somewhere and someone pull up within a few boat links and join in. Really enjoy your insights.

you are right Randy

RESPECT. Plain and simple.

Love the Co-angler information.

Thanks Randy, great to hear someone with your experience put this topic in perspective! AMEN to the disrespect being generational and having evolved from that. Some of your points are just common sense which is absent from a lot of people in this day and time, seemingly at an epidemic rate. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

Good stuff, Randy. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, I always found myself more respectful,than maybe what needed to be. Best thing is communicate. I have no issues with asking someone on the water,what their intentions are...if I see somebody on water, I'll simply just ask as soon as I see them. I won't blow past them or just not say anything. In bass fishing tournament situations it's always best to ask for permission,than to beg for forgiveness.

Thanks Randy. Great info!!

The lost art of common courtesy! Thanks for educating people Randy.

I’ll tell you some things that I see as a kayak tourney fisher. I use a 14ft hobie pro angler....its not a lil dinky kayak, its the size of jon boat. I have seen some of the worst things happen to kayak fishers. A lot of boaters have no respect for us, will totally ignore us. Cut right in front of us, Blast past us at full speed 30ft away, etc. we are fishing for thousands of dollars too. Its gotten better since some boat pros started fishing kayaks too. But like, we can’t move like a boat, so if we are fishing a stretch, cove, section of lake, etc......that basic area is our whole tourney. We cant run 30 miles down the lake to our other spot. We pick spots that have multiple lil areas in a couple mile section. Why wouldnt boaters talk to us and coordinate fishing a stretch we are on? I do it if im coming up on a boat; but often a boater will just cut right in front of me and glare at me as they start fishing. It all comes down to treating others the way you wanna be treated. If I did the same to a boater, they would be irate. Just be nice and respectful, we all are there for same thing. Great message Randy!! Great vid.

It makes the front guy so aggravated also , when they do that I’m ready to go in

good to see you growing. Enjoy your vids.

Thanks for saying everything you said. Common sense doesn't seem to be too common any more! I think what is lacking is parental involvement when the rude folks were kids. Somehow a lot of people weren't taught sportsmanship when they were kids. It upsets me when I'm at a football game and the spectators boo the visiting team when they come in. It is wonderful to cheer on your team, but booing the opponent shouldn't happen!

As a co-angler, I've been invited to share the front deck (unusual). Also had guys pull out a cove into open water to retie so I can't catch one.

A couple guys at my community lake cast a quarter mile out from the shore. And then 10 minutes later yell out to boaters on the other side of the lake to watch out for their lines. All good guys but sometimes testy over space. It's a 13 acre city lake with catfish carp bass crappie and bluegill...stocked by Az Game and Fish.

Interesting Randy. I am no tournament angler but if I was, your comments are common sense to me. As far as navigation and driving your boat, yes, lots of unskilled and careless folks out there. As always, thanks for all you do for the great sport of bass fishing!

Great video, keep up the great work!!

Disagree with the co-angler back boat fishing. My buddy works the bank so fast - i have to cast even with the front of the boat so I can at least get my lure on bottom before it's time to reel in.

All I can say to every single thing you said is “AMEN”! 👍🏼

I love this video, topic, and your outlook on the topic. Common courtesy goes a long way, some guys just don't understand. I cannot tell you how many times I have had a boat stop in front of me and start fishing down the bank right in front of me. That is something I would never do to another fisherman. Just yesterday a Clinton lake in Illinois I had a guy literally pull up and throw an anchor literally 30 yards from where I was fishing. Just wish more guys would use common courtesy and common sense, seems like some guys the competition just wilts their character

Excellent I shared this with my Bass club

Great video... I believe it is your best one yet...

Great content and thanks for sharing Randy. Must be doing really well on RU-vid! The ads were longer than the video! That’s good for y’all I’m sure though.

Great advice on boat driving. Some folks have no respect for water and boats.

There should be an unwritten rule where the boater shouldn't fly down the water at 70 mph plowing through 2 and 3 foot rollers while the co is being thrown all over the boat.

... Randy, Thanks for the video. It has a lot of points one would hope most people are aware of but unfortunately some are not. . Don't know if they even have Pro-Ams anymore but have you had the non boater (back seat angler) offer $$ to help with cost to a fully sponsored Pro? If, "Yes", I sure hope the pro thanked them but turned the money down. Should the non boater offer anything at all? . On a different note- Decades ago a friend of mine, a great angler, was a "non boater" on his home waters. He was in a tournament where the trolling motor was supposed to be shared, 50/50 back in those days. The pro (lets say his initials were RM) said to him when they met, not a nice tone of voice, "You stay back there and out of my way." My friend never got to run the TM at all. It made for a long unfriendly day on the water. There are poop heads everywhere. .

I agree with everything you said here are some points below that you may want to mention: sometimes you have boaters that cast to the back of the boat or let their line frequently drift all the way to the back of the boat which severely impairs non boater ability to fish. This crosses the midline position for non boater. I believe boaters should respect that to some degree in a tournament. Also another situation would be front end your rider all day in a tournament some situations it may not be possible not to front end but try to be aware of the other person in the back of the boat. They are also competing as well to win a tournament and spent money.

I love your videos and all the information do you have a discount code for the Bridgeford beef jerky is killer lol

Randy ... You said it all in that one sentence.. Use COMMON SENSE .. That's one of the reasons I don't do tournament anymore..

Wish you guys would come to my home lake guiest reservoir in Indiana

Great info everytime

Respect. People just don't understand that with respect everything and everyone comes to you.

i use to go right down banks behind the pro fishing our lakes just winding in bass they use to ask how you catching so many bass i cant get a bite but that against rules now

Randy, thanks for this video, That's what I questioned a few weeks back?

Everything was spot on Randy! Is there any way we can get your Vid played at all the Tournaments during the ZOOM meetings!! Some folks don't have any common sense!! Good Luck the rest of your season

What about hiring a guide to fish an unfamiliar lake? New to kayak fishing and want to fish a few local KBF tournies a few hours away.

Today while watching the Bassmaster's Elite Tournament at Lake Guntersville's on tv I saw a guy on a kayak. He was fishing pretty close to the tournament leader & other anglers off to the right of the leader's boat on the tv broadcast. That's crazy isnt?

Great information .

Like the final point on just talking about it. I’ve always said, “the devil does his best work in the dark.”

I was fishing Sam Rayburn last week and was in a very small cut that is just to the west of the main lake point on the west side of Norris Creek. We fished the mouth until another boat came out. While we were fishing the cut another boat came in and not only cast into the water I was fishing but proceeded to troll right through the area forcing me to stop fishing while he went by, and then again the same thing when he fished out. It was the worst case of total disrespect I’ve ever experienced. I actually feel sorry for the young people doing that because by the time they are my age there will be few, if any people left who show common curtesy to anyone.

Amen to what you said🤠

Bro you somehow convinced me to turn ALL notifications ON

If they turn off notifications you do not get monetized as well so don't turn off the notifications. Also people need to comment so that you will get paid. Doesn't take much just put a comment down doesn't matter what it is just a little pushes the comment number up and you can get paid and we can keep getting awesome content. Keep it up and thank you

One of the biggest reasons why we quit competing in bass events?. We discovered that we weren't competing man vs man...we were competing man vs a group of men,and their friends. People following us around logging waypoints n such...turned our stomach.

Randy, great information for both boaters and co’s. I do have a question about how you handle a certain situation. I have marshaled for a few events, and have seen this happen more than once. Say a guy is on a spot, and another guy pulls up to fish it. There is always this conversation about who found the fish, when they were found, or I fished this spot this morning (no you didn’t). It happens every time. What’s the rule, or unwritten rule, about who has dibs on a spot? Is it first come first serve? Or yea I saw you here this morning so I won’t fish this area at all today? Hope that makes sense, and thank you!

What do you think of "following"? Not really following a guy but seeing a line you want to hit and and waiting until he's down a little further and fishing what he just fished.

amen I agree ☝️ 100 💯 percent, enjoyed this . Mark

How exactly should the co-angler put the weights into the belly of the fish?

Got a new subscriber 👌🏾

This should be titled " THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF FISHING." LOL

I remember idiots driving between Jay Yellas in a pontoon when he won the Classic on Lay Lake.

I always wanted to know why don't they use fishing nets in the major fishing tournaments!!?