What Makes A Good Fishing Buddy 2024
"Lunker Hunter" reply :
Ok so I am going to be fishing with a new partner next week and started to think what characteristics makes for a good fishing
partner? What do you guys look for when fishing with a friend, what makes some fishing partners better than others? Do you want to fish with someone that is better than you so you may learn a thing or two? Any way let me know what you think.
jimmykm21 reply :
Someone who turns their phone off.
Answer your phone on my boat and you get dropped off at the launch.
North Ga Hillbilly reply :
willingness to help each other! If you have two guys both trying to out do the fish, as opposed to two guys trying to out do each other, you will be way ahead of the game. Me and my fishin buddy are both working to break down the lake, and figure out the fish, if hes getting bit with a tactic, you best believe im going to switch to that. Some competition is natural and fun, but you have to work together
NGaHB
AK-Jax86 reply :
My girlfriend is my fishing buddy... Can't ask for anyone better than that lol
SirSnookalot reply :
When I'm doing my serious fishing I prefer to be alone. When I'm fishing with a friend, it's pretty much a social affair, I do as much talking as fishing. The last time I fished with a bass fisherman (for bass) was with my dad and he passed away in 1992, I have taken bass fishermen with me for snook and some offshore fishing too.
I will not fish with anyone that isn't mellowed out, no tossing sinkers at boats or yelling at someone because they came a few feet too close. I won't fish with anyone that carries a side arm unless they are a police officer. I don't need any hot head putting me in harms way.
dale.m reply :
Well, my fishing buddy just went in with me on a john boat. We split it half and half. He also gets the net ready when I catch a fish, just like I do when he catches one. We bounce lure choices off each other and use our separate opinions to hone in on the fish. I'd consider him the perfect fishing buddy.
clayton86 reply :
My nephew is my fishing partner in crime we work together alot but at the same time we have fun and fish "defense" ya know like spin the canoe around to give him no chance or me no chance or put each other into the bushes well the other casts out to the middle. We also bounce ideas off eachother and help catch fish if i get a hit and miss it i will tell him to throw some thing in there or if im working the top with a buzz bait i have him use a spinner same color so if i miss he can throw a follow up instantly so we work together to boat fish but still like to joke each other. Plus being out on the water with him gives me a chance to harass him bout going to college and quiting dip among other things im always asked to talk to him about by his mother and aunt(my wife). I also like a good fishing partner who leaves it all behind once out on the water no cutting trips short cuz girl friends or wifes call and those that arnt afraid to put some work in. I love fishing with my wife absolutely love it but she wont go to some places because its to far of a walk or climb or to muddy to many bugs. the nephew he will gripe but he just does it to do it he wants to get to the fish as much as me.
Growing up I fished with my best friend Clay we hunted and fished together almost every single day and we would be out for hours on end we would take all our money and pool it together to buy lures and a cast net for bait and would ride our bikes everywhere we wanted to fish even if it took us hours. I remember we left one morning got all our stuff and snuck out at 3am and rode our bikes the next county over to fish a marina for the erie canal derby his parents were ticked this was also on a school day to so...... but what made Clay a great fishing partner is we both lived to fish and hunt we thought the same things like finished each others sentences on what to use and what not and neither one of us ever got tired of fishing and always helped each other it was never who caught the biggest or most it was just fish or deer what ever we were chasing that day. I still wish I fished with him i still make it out a few times a year but were both busy hes running the family business and partying and iv settled down with a family.
*Hootie reply :
That to me is a no brainer. My son is the best fishing buddy. Started taking him fishing with me when he was 5 yrs old. We still fish together every weekend. By the way, he just turned 48 yrs old.
Hootie
mikeeasttn reply :
My fishing partner is my best buddy for life. He is my 7 y/o grandson and really loves the sport. He will fish from daylight until after dark whether the fish are biting are not. He is already using a baitcaster and has caught a 8 & 1/2 lb LM.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 6:21 PM, hootiebenji said:That to me is a no brainer. My son is the best fishing buddy. Started taking him fishing with me when he was 5 yrs old. We still fish together every weekend. By the way, he just turned 48 yrs old.
Hootie
My Dad started me at 5, and was my best fishing buddy, but he has been gone a long time. I love fishing with my daughter, but she won't start early so guess I can't say she is an ideal partner. I usually like to be on the water by daylight. She will stay out all day though once we start. Even when I am ready to quit she often wants to continue fishing.
My current best fishing partner is my brother-in-law who lives in Florida. Needless to say we don't get to fish together very often, but he likes to be on the water same time as me, fishes all day, and is an out-and-out nice guy. I have no problem with him answering his phone. He has his own business. We've never stopped fishing so he could go do a job.
Locally I fish occasionally with Tom D, another very nice guy. Problem is I don't get to fish often and we get together even less. I'm sure his favorite fishing partner is his wife. Lucky guy! Mine won't fish.
My grandsons could become my best fishing partners if I could just find a place that would produce something every outing. They aren't into fishing for fishing's sake...yet. I can understand at their age they need to catch a few to keep their interest up whereas I will fish all day without a bite......and have many times in this area. 
mikey5string reply :
Someone who doesnt think fishing is just another excuse to get drunk.
Dwight Hottle reply :
A good fishing buddy always
Offers to chips in for expenses
Shares your enthusiasm
Offers suggestions when your program isn't working
Almost never misses a fish at the net
Is always on time
Loves to have fun
Takes good pictures or will learn how to
Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge
Is always welcome on my boat
Takes what mother nature has to offer
mrmacwvu1 reply :
will split the bar tab after the day is done
or if he is coming over to my place brings his own beer
scrutch reply :
Is someone who shares the same level of enthusiasm for bass fishing as I do. I fish with a few guys that don't understand how to BASS fish. They try to throw a deep crank on a medium light Walmart special spinning rod and wonder why it's so hard. Do you try to explain it to them? Nope. You just end up looking like a know itall. Unless they show some interest in learning I don't waste my time. I guess that's why I like the BR Annual Roadtrips.
One of my favorite fishing buddies (besides my son) is a former pro fisherman. We always end up sharing knowledge with each other and always catch fish.
SouthrnMisnomer reply :
i primarily fish solo...
Bassn Blvd reply :
I'm with SirSnook on this one. I prefer to fish solo if im in a serious tournament. Otherwise, I want someone who is mellow and just enjoys time spent on the water. Don't take this the wrong way, but it's kind of like a first date. Do I want to leave at first site or soon after she opens her mouth to talk? Do we hit it off and find that we share similar interests that would warrant a second date?
I can tolerate almost anyone for 6-8 hours, but few get a second date.
Another way I look at is, do I want a once every week or so fishing partner or a full time friend to hang out with besides fishing? To me, two different types of people. I have a few very good fishing buddies, but that's all they are.
Broke bass fisherman reply :
My favorite fishing partner is someone who owns a boat and asks me aboard lol. I like to fish with people who fish different techniques than I do so I can learn the technique by watching and not have to invest in the gear until I know it looks like something I would like to do.
Marty reply :
I think Dwight Hottle nailed down a bunch or desirable qualities, but in the end, it's someone you want to fish with and whose company you enjoy for whatever reasons.
BassinNY reply :
I agree with Dwight and Marty. Outside of my family, I have to want to fish with and enjoy being around the person. Without those 2 traits it what's the point of bringing the person with you.
Kyle Mahaffey reply :
My best fishing buddy is my 3 year old daughter. She wants to do what daddy does. I cast her little princess pole and she reels it in. I also taughter her to hold on to it when she feels a fish on it. Her favorite saying is "Daddy, Whoa I got a big one." She even holds the fish unlike her mother. The song,"She thinks we're just fishing," holds true. She even wants me to buy a boat...Now we just gotta make mommy say yes.
Mumpy reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 10:58 PM, Dwight Hottle said:A good fishing buddy always
Offers to chips in for expenses
Shares your enthusiasm
Offers suggestions when your program isn't working
Almost never misses a fish at the net
Is always on time
Loves to have fun
Takes good pictures or will learn how to
Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge
Is always welcome on my boat
Takes what mother nature has to offer
This^^ and add to that list what someone else has already mentioned, Someone that is there to help you figure out the fish / lake and out-do the Fish and not someone there trying to out-do you. I find a lot of times when I take one of my friends fishing they are trying to out fish me because of my passion for the sport and the amount of time and money I've spent in it, they're trying to out-do me. I want someone there that is enthusiastic and is sharing my enthusiasm in out smarting our prey.
Jig Meister reply :
I usually fish solo, but anyone who is serious about fishing, loves to talk fishing techniques and tips, as well as mellow and easy going. I am a competitive person normally, but fishing is something that I do not get that way over. It comes down to skill in catching the fish, or luck of being at the right place at the right time. If someone's ego comes into my fishing world it will be the last time I will ever fish with them lol. It is not about the numbers when you fish with people, it is about the good times fishing can bring.
I have one person I will fish with, and he is a good guy, mellow, and happens to be my wife's best friends husband, so it works out good lol.
*Hootie reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 10:58 PM, Dwight Hottle said:A good fishing buddy always
Offers to chips in for expenses
Shares your enthusiasm
Offers suggestions when your program isn't working
Almost never misses a fish at the net
Is always on time
Loves to have fun
Takes good pictures or will learn how to
Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge
Is always welcome on my boat
Takes what mother nature has to offer
I think I would rather fish alone, than have to keep reffering to your check list. When there is a long list of rules, the fun is gone.
Hootie
Lund Explorer reply :
A good partner puts in just a little bit more than he gets out. You make a good partner by doing the exact same thing.
out_doors_guy reply :
While I generaly fish alone, there are a couple guys I go with occasionally. I have 3 simple rules:
Be on time!
Do not try to bring beer on my boat.
Unless it is an emergency, stay off your d**n phone!
Primus reply :
One pet peeve of mine is what I call " boat taxi ". I met a guy about 4-5 years ago that I offered to take fishing as I one time thing, well he keeps calling me to find out when I'm going and somehow has ended up being a sort of reluctant on my part fishing partner.
I find him to be reasonably pleasant company however he does a lot of things that annoy me.
What I call boat taxi is his annoying habit of wanting to quit after a couple of hours if things aren't going well for him and having me drop him off at the boat launch taking which is a time consuming pain particularly when I'm fishing my favorite lake which happens to be no wake. This usually cuts into my fishing time by at least 10 minutes or more depending on what part of the lake I'm in.
He also takes too many phone calls while I'm fishing. I can understand the occasional call if a family issue comes up but other than that I don't want to hear your small talk.
Since I'm venting, I can also say I'm real tired of his offering unsolicited advice on the spots I should be fishing etc. I'm certainly not claiming to be a pro level fisherman, that said I've caught way more 5 lb plus bass than he has so I feel since it's my boat anyway that if he doesn't like the spots I choose to fish go buy his own boat and he can decide where to go.
Last but not least he has never offered to chip in for gas etc. and often leaves his water bottles etc on my boat so I can clean up after him.
Admittedly I am extremely passionate about fishing and am probably not a good fit for someone who is more casual about it. So far I've been too nice to say anything but I guess we may need to have a little talk.
Anyhow if you don't own a boat and someone invites you to fish along with him keep in mind whose making the payments, buying the insurance etc. and try to be a good partner instead of being an annoyance.
Mumpy reply :
On 6/25/2012 at 7:48 PM, hootiebenji said:I think I would rather fish alone, than have to keep reffering to your check list. When there is a long list of rules, the fun is gone.
Hootie
The key is not finding someone that needs a list, it's finding someone that the list is naturally that person.
Mumpy reply :
On 6/26/2012 at 8:27 PM, Primus said:One pet peeve of mine is what I call " boat taxi ". I met a guy about 4-5 years ago that I offered to take fishing as I one time thing, well he keeps calling me to find out when I'm going and somehow has ended up being a sort of reluctant on my part fishing partner.
I find him to be reasonably pleasant company however he does a lot of things that annoy me.
What I call boat taxi is his annoying habit of wanting to quit after a couple of hours if things aren't going well for him and having me drop him off at the boat launch taking which is a time consuming pain particularly when I'm fishing my favorite lake which happens to be no wake. This usually cuts into my fishing time by at least 10 minutes or more depending on what part of the lake I'm in.
He also takes too many phone calls while I'm fishing. I can understand the occasional call if a family issue comes up but other than that I don't want to hear your small talk.
Since I'm venting, I can also say I'm real tired of his offering unsolicited advice on the spots I should be fishing etc. I'm certainly not claiming to be a pro level fisherman, that said I've caught way more 5 lb plus bass than he has so I feel since it's my boat anyway that if he doesn't like the spots I choose to fish go buy his own boat and he can decide where to go.
Last but not least he has never offered to chip in for gas etc. and often leaves his water bottles etc on my boat so I can clean up after him.
Admittedly I am extremely passionate about fishing and am probably not a good fit for someone who is more casual about it. So far I've been too nice to say anything but I guess we may need to have a little talk.
Anyhow if you don't own a boat and someone invites you to fish along with him keep in mind whose making the payments, buying the insurance etc. and try to be a good partner instead of being an annoyance.
Yea, I wouldn't be fishing with this guy any longer.
Nitrofreak reply :
What makes a good fishing partner? hhmmm...Faith Hill and Sara Evens come to mind.
But for serious fishing I would have to choose my younger friend, hard to believe I get along so well with someone half my age, but we sometimes pre-fish for a tournament he has entered, sometimes one day sometimes two, but when we are on the water not a word is spoken unless it has something to do with what he wants to try or a place that I want to try, we are competitive with one another, not for the size or the amount of fish, but who is going to teach the lesson and who is going to school.
We are on his boat a lot so fishing at his speed is something I still need to overcome and get better at, but when I can get him to slow down a little, we actually find a lesson or two that one of us is going to teach another one, as much as I have learned from the older, wiser group of people, I enjoy learning from a younger faster group as well, and I can not think of having anyone else beside me when the heat and the pressure is on.
But on the relaxing side along with the fishing, absolutly without a doubt it would be my youngest daughter, there is nothing like being with her out there, either fishing a tournament together or just fishing for fun, we always catch fish, we always brag about the better fisherman that day, oh yes, she will lay it on ya too, and thick, lol, we have not placed yet but have been close, I look forward to that day, oh yea I forgot to mention, she has outfished my younger buddy on several occassions HA! I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree after all.
Jake P reply :
Holy smokes man some of y'all need to lighten up. do you have a list of what makes a good wife or kid too? If I wouldn't hang out with you and drink a beer then I wouldn't fish with you either. That goes both ways. If you don't like the person then don't fish with them. If you do, have fun.
joefish reply :
I fish solo 99% of the time. Much more relaxing, no one's junk all over my boat, can fish spots I want without having to be nice and go to someone elses spots.... I fish to relax and unwind so Solo is the best way to go.
"BRB" reply :
Someone who wants to split gas. And doesn't smoke that's about all I ask I'm pretty easy to get along with.
Bassin' gal reply :
A husband who loves me and has infinite patience in trying to teach me all the little things that make a successful fisherman. And he has not once threatened to toss me from the boat when I hang up in a tree or break off my carolina rig or jig.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 10:58 PM, Dwight Hottle said:A good fishing buddy always
Offers to chips in for expenses
Shares your enthusiasm
Offers suggestions when your program isn't working
Almost never misses a fish at the net
Is always on time
#1 Loves to have fun
Takes good pictures or will learn how to
Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge
Is always welcome on my boat
#2 Takes what mother nature has to offer
X2
+ Is truthful, says what they think
willing to put up with my sh**
More interested in being with a partner than with the fish
bayouXpress reply :
i also fish solo 90% of the time but thats just because I have a young family and most of the time its a spur of the moment and i'm low on time.
On top of that my young daughters love to fish but at 6 and 3 its not really what you would call fishing buddies even though i take them out and the drop of a hat. My wife likes to fish also, but getting a babysitter is not always easy and when we do get one we usually end up out on the town or a dinner date.
I have a 13 year old nephew that starting getting into fishing.. take him out often to try to teach him a little, but hes getting to that age with his buddies sleep over and getting into girls and movie dates. Its getting a little hard to get him out without him tagging a friend along
i really only have a couple fishing partners that i fish the most with. Come to think about it I actually only have 1.. He's usually down with anything and dependable. I have another real good friend that we talk fish, life, gym, etc all the time but he's got a busy work schedule and when we do fish he has a tendency to be late and he's a speed fisherman and i'm a flipper. But I have no problem with it because hes a real good friend and as much as I hate being late I love to be on the water and enjoy it with others.
I have another couple friends that I gave up on. Just not dependable. I got one that will tell everyone what they want to hear and never do any of it. My problem is with my family I have to plan everything a head of time. If we plan a trip and you back out the day of or night before, i'm screwed. He does it all the time and I gave up on him.
My other buddy was at my house with my family everyday after he split with his wife. My daughters love to play with him and we fished a good bit. Well his wife lured him back in and the dude doesn't even call me anymore. Pretty crazy what women can do to a man.
I also have my lil cousin. Actually a good fisherman, but got a head on him like you wouldn't believe. He IS the BEST at everything, you can't do nothing better. His stuff is better than anybody, etc.. I kinda just tune him out, but we fish very strong together.
I also fish with a bunch of guys from work, but thats mostly saltwater and i'm usually in there boat. We always have a good time and beer is welcomed.
Mad Fisherman reply :
I usually fish solo or with my dad, but sometimes I go with a partner. I would like a partner who is just as good as me, so then sometimes we can both learn something, and you won't feel bad for out fishing him or mad because he catches more fish than you.
redboat reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 1:45 PM, jimmykm21 said:Someone who turns their phone off.
Answer your phone on my boat and you get dropped off at the launch.
My former fishing buddy would be on his 90% of the time, it got really aggrivating. Always to his girlfriend, "I LOOOOOOOVE you baby! I MIIIISSSSS you baby!" Was enough to make you barf.
JSPOONE reply :
My fishing buddy would have to bring a cooler full of ice cold beer must b Coors light. And share tips with each other.
Btw I allow buddies on my boat just have to bring a case of beer n that is there fee
A-Jay reply :
On 6/24/2012 at 10:58 PM, Dwight Hottle said:A good fishing buddy always
Offers to chips in for expenses
Shares your enthusiasm
Offers suggestions when your program isn't working
Almost never misses a fish at the net
Is always on time
Loves to have fun
Takes good pictures or will learn how to
Is willing to learn/knows how to teach/share the knowledge
Is always welcome on my boat
Takes what mother nature has to offer
Ouch !
:hangloose:
A-Jay
NoBassPro reply :
For the most part, someone who is looking to have fun and more concerned with figuring out the fish than competing against me. Its a big plus if they have some basic knowledge.
MultiSpeciesFisherman reply :
The most important thing for me is if they can be on time. I have one friend who I love to fish with when we actually get out there, but he is never there at the time I want him to be. I will say we are leaving at 5 AM and he will show up at 5:30 or 6:00 and in my eyes, that's a waste of daylight. So what I started doing is telling him to be there an hour earlier than I actually want him there. If I'm leaving at 5 or 6, I will tell him to be there at 4 or 5. Then he usually makes it around the time I actually want to leave.
As for other qualities, I like my fishing partner to be experienced. Although I have no problem teaching someone, I will reserve my serious trips for my friends who have fished a little more often. For instance, when I got my PB largemouth earlier this year I had a friend with me who has fished for 20+ years. This just happened to be a trip where we had forgotten to bring a net (of course). If I had had someone with less experience out with me that day, I would have never landed that fish. Luckily, he reached in and lipped the fish for me and that was the difference between me having a true trophy and me spending the next few years chasing the fish and having nightmares about it.
AndyTN reply :
My number one rule is no whining. My fishing buddy has not been at it as long as me (freashwater) but he's there to fish. Hot, cold, rain, whatever, no complaints. We split expenses and the workload, and no discussion has has ever been needed on it.
unionman reply :
Easy answer....someone who loves to fish as much as yourself.
rockchalk06 reply :
Other than being than being a good guy, the only other quality condition etc for a fishing buddy for me is when I take you to one of my private hunny holes that I had to work for, cut and bale hay for 10 years for, grew up playing ball with the owners kids for, and got permission for being a stand up guy for........do not go back and fish there without me!!
I have lost 2 very good bass fishing ponds due to so called friends going back without me and getting caught.
Back before my time, they hung people for less
bassmedic46 reply :
My twins who are 7, They love to fish and they are great company.
Ratherbfishing reply :
The question is, what makes a good fishing buddy. So, in my opinion, lists are okay. But generally speaking, I find that lists usually only come out when a person begins violating most of the things that might appear on a list. No one is perfect (especially me) so it's difficult to find someone who fits every category to a "T" but you generally know rather quickly who you like to fish with and who you don't.
Sam reply :
1. If you commit to go fishing then go fishing. Don't back out, especially at the last minute.
2. Treat his boat, motor, trailer, vehicle, etc. like it was yours.
3. Pick up all trash you created at the dock.
4. Help him dry off the boat if he does that after trailing the craft.
5. TALK! Don't just fish and not say anything. Take his lead and talk as you fish about your interests.
6. Always offer to pay for gas for the boat or vehicle. You don't have to fill them up but $25 or $50 is a wonderful offer. It is up to the boater to accept or reject your offer.
7. Pay the ramp fee.
8. If you do not feel comfortable backing the trailer in or taking the boat out tell the boater so he can do one or the other or both.
9. ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THE NET IS. Be ready to grab the net when necessary.
10. Ask the boater to show you how to operate the boat in case of an emergency.
11. Leave a "Float Plan" at your home with the boater's name, location of your ramp, expected time you will arrive at the dock and at home and be sure to include telephone numbers.
12. WATCH WHERE HE GOES AND WHAT HE THROWS. Then at home that evening, get your map of the area and mark on it where you went and what he threw. Maker yourself a history of the day with times, cloud cover, temperatures of the air and water, where you went, what was thrown, what was caught so you will have a history of the body of water for future reference.
13. View what brands of rods and reels he is using and his baits. Ask him why he is throwing a bait so you will learn what to do in the future.
14. Be sure to wear a PFD, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, and take your food and drinks with you plus a trash bag.
15. Be extra careful when changing rods. Make sure the baits are secure to avoid getting any hooks in the upholstry or carpet.
16. Be sure to bring a needle nose pliers and a sissors with you.
17. Have your health insurance card, drivers' license, fishing license, AAA card and some money.
18. Treat the guy to some lunch or ice cream when you get off the water.
19. And the most important thing I can think of....DON'T FALL OUT OF THE BOAT!!!!
scaleface reply :
Im going to reopen this old thread. I try to fish solo 100 percent of the time. I catch more and bigger fish when by myself. I only take someone if they ask to go and I feel obligated. One person told me that he would not go back to my good spots because he doesnt have a boat. Someone else took him one time and he says "I know a good spot ."
fishking247 reply :
as long as they don't talk their problems and don't talk too much i am fine with them. most of my serious fishing is done alone with the exception of one guy who is just as serious as i am whether it be bass or stripers
flyfisher reply :
I am a kayak fisherman so it is usually only me but i will go out from time to time with friends who also fish from kayaks. I could care less about most things because i can just leave a spot if i want to and it is nothing different to them 
It is nice to have someone to bounce ideas off and see what is working for them and vice versa.
I think someone else said it well....if i wouldn't want to grab a beer with them then there is a good chance i wouldn't want to fish with them all day.
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