Home  :  Angler Profiles :  Angler Websites :   Outdoor Links :  Article Archives Women’s Fishing Clubs :   Women Owned Business Directory :   About Us  :   Contact Us
 

ALA Newsletters


LBAA Newsletters
LBAA Merchandise



American Bass Anglers
Lady Anglers - 2010
Profiles and Statistics
click here











"E's" Blog - Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




												

 


 


 

Professional Courtesy With A Twist of Respect
by Linda Berry



photo courtesy of Richard Freeman
Anglers line up for take-off and idle past the American flag.


It was one hour until weigh-in and the pro-angler on the front of the boat started putting away her rods. I know I had a look of dismay on my face as I thought my chances of catching one more fish to go with the two I had been fortunate enough to catch earlier in the day was no longer an option. She had her limit so I assumed she was ready to call it a day.

She had left one rod on the front deck. It was the one she caught all her fish on. I was waiting for her to pull up the trolling motor while I hurriedly made a couple more casts. I know I had an even stranger look on my face when she turned to me and said “You are welcome to pick up this rod and reel and see if you can catch your limit before we have to check in. I have a good limit and it is important to me as a pro that my co-angler has a good day and the opportunity to weigh in some fish. I will keep the boat in position and you can finish fishing this stretch of bank that is holding good fish. It is your call.”

There were two reasons I hadn’t fished her way and her bait that day. First, I don’t always like to fish behind the person on the front of the boat with the same bait. I want to give the fish she might happen to miss a second choice. Second, she was fishing a wacky-rigged Senko on a weedless hook. I had never done that before. I didn’t have the hooks or the bait or the confidence and certainly didn’t want to use my tournament hours learning to fish something new.  I should have already tried the technique during practice.

However, I had nothing to lose and I didn’t want her to think I didn’t appreciate the offer, so I picked up the rod and reel. My next thought was if I could cast and not backlash. Every angler has their equipment set up to their own style of fishing. It was the same reel I was use to, so maybe I could do it without looking like an amateur. I made the first cast and all went well. I made a second cast and “BAM”… I had my third keeper! I was amazed and she just smiled and said get that fish in the livewell. You have time to catch two more and we will both have our limit. Well, I did get a couple more bites, but no more keepers.

I went back to my room that evening, thinking about what that pro-angler did for me. I have been tournament fishing for 17 years and fished with many pros (both male and female) who were very considerate, but I had never had a pro stop fishing after getting her limit to allow me the opportunity to get my limit of fish also. Guess what…my Day 2 pro partner did the same thing, only instead of loaning me her rod and reel, she re-tied one of mine and said to go for it. I did not manage to boat another bass this time, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. She also gave me every opportunity.

I now have a new respect for the term “professional” angler. I have in recent times referred to myself as a professional co-angler. I have my own boat, but have resigned myself to the fact that I will never have the financial backing to fish as a boater. That doesn’t make me less of an angler.  It doesn’t matter which end of the boat you are standing on, all anglers need to be respectful of each other.

The two anglers I had the pleasure to fish with at this particular tournament may be the exception to the rule, but they left an impression on me that I will always remember. It is this type of image that helps to build the sport of tournament bass fishing. Whether we are in the public eye or spending the day on a boat with another angler, we are in control of our reputation. Being a professional angler or co-angler is not always about catching fish.


photo courtesy of Richard Freeman
Anglers return for weigh-in after spending a day on the water.

 

 




 


Women Anglers
In Th
e News
 


September 25, 2010



ebassfish.com would like to say "Thank You" to women anglers who are also military veterans. Click here to view the names of those who have served or who are currently serving our country.

If you are a female military veteran and would like to be added to this list please send email to linda@ebassfish.com



 

 

 

 

 




   Check out the Top 50 Bass Fishing sites!

Copyright © 2005--2010 eBassFish.com • All rights reserved • Site by www.edenese.com
Material on this site may not be posted on another website, published, rewritten or redistributed in any way.
All images are protected by US Federal Copyright.
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape
 

L10 Web Stats Reporter 3.15
LevelTen Hit Counter - Free PHP Web Analytics Script
LevelTen dallas web development firm - website design, flash, graphics & marketing