NAIFC

Different styles can make a great match.

If you look at the names in the top 10 or 25 at each event in the NAIFC, you will begin to see that certain teams always seem to be right in the mix at the top. They never really fall below a certain level. If you look at other competitive fishing circuits that are individuals based, I think you will see quite a bit more variation. I think that says a lot about the value of a balanced team and selecting the right teammate. You can have two great fishermen that just don’t perform well as a team. Or you can have two fishermen that would never really shine as individuals, but just really complement each other very well. Picking the right partner is key to performing well and critical to enjoying the whole experience.

Now I believe that I am a bit of an expert on this issue, since I have fished with 3 different teammates in the last several years and qualified for the National Championships 4 times, finishing in the top 10 twice. Now if you’re thinking, “here we go, let’s have some mud slinging”. Its not going to happen! This is not about why my partnerships we’re dissolved. This is about helping you to pick your partner with what I’ve learned and observations that I’ve made along the way.

Ideally, you should chose someone that you have been fishing with many times before. Most of the best teams have been fishing with each other outside of tournament competition for years. These folks know each other better than their spouses do. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Tournament fishing is just an extension of what they do when they fun fish. Father-son teams, brothers and long time friendships generally support this point and next two points.

Your teammate should live relatively close to you. This also has to do with your ability to spend time together outside of tournament fishing, but even more than that. Tournaments require organization, planning and financial commitment. If you live close to each other, you can keep travel expenses lower and do little things like load together and share an atv trailer. This helps keep costs down.

Your personalities should complement each. There are lots of decisions to be made. It would be great if you could both just do what you want, when you want, but that’s not how it works. You and your partner are going to have to work through these decisions. Some teams have one person that always assumes the leadership role and the other always follows. Some reach mutual consensus on almost every key decision. Yet others take turns on decisions. How ever you reach decisions, outcomes are final and hind-sight is always 20-20. The best teams never point the finger afterwards. Both people have to buy into the decision making process.

Your movement styles should complement each other. You can never be more than 30 paces from your partner. So if you are a patient sitter and your partner really likes to “run and gun”. Your styles are going to clash. The gunner is going to feel tethered and the other like a boat anchor. Ideally both teammates learn to adapt to the conditions and understand that these “styles” are actually game plans or strategies. Sometimes the gunner needs to slow down a bit and the sitter will need to speed things up. The best teams share a preferred style, but agree when to moderate.

Your actual preferred fishing technique (tight liner, spring bobber or sight fisher) probably matter the least on average. To really be successful, you are both going to have to learn them all. The spring bobber fisherman imparts a special pulse to his baits and can detect almost any touch. The experienced tight liner doesn’t even know why he sets the hook when his mojo is working. I used to tell my partners, “I’ve got the Jedi thing going, don’t mess with me!” The sight fisherman can read a fish’s body language and make that jig say “come and get it”. From tournament to tournament the bites and conditions will vary greatly. Most anglers seek out fish that fit their preferred style. The best teams find the biggest fish and apply the best technique to catch them.

I was recently asked, “Who was your best partner?” It was actually a pretty easy question to answer. He was my very 1st partner and he was a best fit in every respect. We lived very close, had been fishing and hunting together for years and naturally worked well as a team. I had my best Championship finish to date with him too. He is still fishing the circuit with an even better match, his dad. They won the National Championship not too many years ago and are always a team to watch. We’re still close friends and love to compete against each other.

I start this season with a new partner. He is a seasoned veteran, lives relatively close to me, likes to run and gun like me, and is flexible to changing conditions. We have no previous fishing experience together, but have had lengthy phone conversations over the years and it feels like we mesh pretty well. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable season. We’re going to have some hurdles to overcome, no doubt. But we both know what it takes and are committed to success.

If you’re looking for a partner and are stuck on the decision, I hope my experience helps. It’s not just about how well you place. You have to enjoy what you’re doing. If you and your teammate are a good match, you will be able to learn from each tournament and enjoy the entire experience.

Now obviously, it’s pretty hard to find someone that is a best fit for all of these criteria. But the closer you come to finding that person, the greater your enjoyment and performance.