It’s the tournament briefing and your name was just called – now what? 

You are so nervous that you forgot what your boat number is and your partner’s name. 

That scenario has probably happened to most of us.  Planning ahead, paying attention and relaxing as much as possible will help the partner pairing go smoother and ease your stress level.  Just because you are the co-angler does not mean that the person you draw is not also nervous.  If you are fishing your first Pro Angler – Co Angler type tournament here an overview of what to expect.

At the briefing the tournament director will go over some of the rules, hitting highlights and possibly common rule infractions so pay attention.  Have a copy of the rules with you.  A handout will be distributed at the time you register so have that handy for reference along with a pen to jot down important information.  Make sure you write down the emergency contact numbers.

The tournament director or a designee will begin ‘pairing the partners’ by calling off the boat numbers starting with the first flight.  Use the handout that was given at registration, the flights are already there for you to fill in the blank for the weigh-in time and number of boats in each flight.  Usually the flights are staggered at ten minute intervals.  The speaker will call the boat number and then the states the anglers are from. Example: Texas, Illinois.  If you are a pro from Texas and a Co angler from Illinois you have a heads up that this might be your boat number being called.  Next the speaker will call the name of the Pro angler followed by the co-anglers name.  When you hear your name called stand up and make a loud noise of acknowledgement.  This lets the speaker know you heard and gives your partner a place to locate you.  Stay standing until you have made eye contact with your partner then move quickly to join her.

Have your pen and that handout ready as soon as you meet your partner.  Greet your partner and ask for clarification of her name.  You need to write down her name, contact number, where she is staying, your boat number, weigh-in time, and as soon as you know it the time and location you are going to meet her the following morning.  You might want to include the type and color or her tow vehicle and boat.

Most pro anglers prefer you meet at a location away from the launch ramp.  It is easier to locate each other and much less congested.  Plan ahead by scoping out the area, looking for a location with a large parking lot where you can easier transfer your gear.  Even if you can not leave your car there and must drive it to the launch area, at least you will have placed all of you tackle in her boat, making it easier to meet up at the ramp.  Optimally the best place to meet is at one of your hotels but that may not always be feasible.   I once had a partner not show up at the designated place, keep this in mind and don’t get left on foot somewhere.  Call the Pros contact number – you wrote it down the night before on that paper that has the important information you need to know.  If you are unable to make contact, get to the check-out dock and a tournament official.  They will call for your partner.  Don’t worry sometimes there is just a misconnection, don’t let it spoil your day.

When you meet up with your pro at the partner pairing, you need to learn as much information about what to expect for the next day.  What type of lures, vague pattern, depth – anything to help you better prepare your tackle.  Always take a rainsuit, but if you can learn how long the morning rum will be it will help you decide on whether to wear it and to dress appropriately.  Nothing is worse than showing up in light clothing on a cool morning and learning you will be traveling thirty minutes to the first stop. 

If you were able to pre-fish and have information to share be sure to mention it.  Be accurate and confident in sharing your pre-fish experience.  Do not be disappointed if the Pro is not interested in your fishing information, some may welcome the help and others already have their own game plan.

The worst is over – you met your partner and she was not an ogre – now go back to your hotel and get a good nights rest.  One last bit of advice, meet at least one other angler staying in your hotel and ask them to knock on your door in the morning unless they see you up.  On occasion hotel alarms do not work and we need each other to insure we make it to the lake on time.

Meeting up with the second day partner is a different.  After you weigh-in your fish (think positive) immediately find the partner postings – it will be close to the weigh-in tent.  Again, write down the information on the posting: partners name, phone, lodging, flight weigh-in time, boat number.  Your partner should be there shortly since they try to pair partners within the same flight as the first day.

Good Luck and I hope to draw you this year.

About the author:  Conny Jenkins competes in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour and is a lifetime member of BASS. She is the President and founder of the WBT Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society (FOCAS). Conny is sponsored by LubriMatic, if it pushes pulls, hums or purrs LubriMatic has something to use in it. Seaguar, the Inventor and World Leader in Fluorocarbon Fishing Line - not seeing is believing, Chompers Baits and Triton Boats, and she proudly promotes the new Evolution Jig by Megastrike. Conny is a US Postal Service employee.