Getting Invites to Go Fishing on a Boat

Want to get out on the water, but don’t have a boat?  No problem, there are open seats going fishing every day during the seasons.  Here is how I found opportunities to fish and made lifelong friends to go fishing with.

The common term for an extra seat in the bass fishing and freshwater fishing community is a backseat.  The rear of a bass boat commonly has a pedestal seat or back platform to stand on and fish. 

Most bass fishermen prefer to fish by themselves or with one other person.  It is possible to fish three to a boat, but this is generally done among existing friends.  As a random, it's best to connect with a boater versus being the third leg if possible.

Saltwater boaters will often refer to their passengers as crew.  The fishing configuration varies greatly on the type of boat and the type of fishing that the boat is planning on doing. 

Most saltwater / bay boats comfortably fish at least three people some may commonly go out with 4 crew and a captain driving the boat.

Fishing forums are excellent places to check.  Many sites have a open seat section for anglers that are looking to fish with others. Post a short introduction. 

It’s important to add to these the bodies of water and species that you are interested in fishing for.  I also highly suggest including that you are ready to pay your share of gas and launch fees so the subject is addressed by you out the gate.  

A few west coast examples that I know work to find backseats / crew seats are Bloody Decks and Westernbass.

Facebook Groups are an excellent place to hang out and learn about local bodies of water and interact with anglers that fish the places you want to go fishing at.

Search lake and river names or regions and fish species you like to catch. Groups will pop up, join them and become part of the community. 

You will occasionally see a post from people offering that they have an extra seat. Jump on these posts quickly and secure a spot.  You can also drop a post that you are looking to go fishing, similar to making an intro post on a forum about yourself and that you are looking for an opportunity to go out on a boat fishing.

Roll call posts are threads in these fishing communities where anglers are discussing nice weather windows and planning on fishing.  This is common in saltwater fisheries when the weather and tides may dictate the fishing windows for smaller recreational boats since guys in boats under 30 feet usually don’t like going out in too rough of seas to catch a few fish. 

These are perfect opportunities to put yourself out there that you are available to be a crew on someone's boat if they had extra space and would like someone to share expenses.

Halibut here, love to fish, currently, fish from a float tube & shore, have gas money and would love to fill an open seat at XYZ location if anyone would like someone to join them / share expenses hit me up, I can go most days on short notice.

The online communities are the easiest ways to find randoms to fish with, however I have received rides from the following.

• Hang out at the local tackle shop. Make friends with the guys working there, let them know you are looking to hop rides with guys, and if they know someone to pass your info along.

• Be present at your local marina. See a guy struggling to carry gear down to his boat, offer to help, leave your contact info, and mention you are always down to go fish.

• Make your best hobo sign, bring a rod and your backpack to the ramp, and fly your sign. I bet you get on the water with someone going solo that day.

BowTiedHalibut@bowtiedhalibut

Getting rides in person Make a sign and post up next to the boat launch in the morning. You don’t get to be as choosy in this situation, but I bet you find a ride out. Guys will laugh, but with the price of gas, you will fish.

9:22 PM · Sep 9, 2022

2 Likes

Fishing with someone else can cost as little as $0 to $200 or more per trip depending on the plan for the day.  

I always budget $40-$80 for gas and an additional $20 for launch.  It is possible it could be less depending on how much running around the boat owner plans on doing to get on the fish. 

Most guys going on an “exploratory searching” trip are not going to expect their backseat guy to pay half the fuel for the day to run super far and I would expect to be told that upfront if otherwise.  

I’ve never had a guy run 100 miles round trip and expect me to cover half, but you never know.  It’s always good to ask before you meet up at the lake what the general plan for the day will be.

Expect this to be more than a typical freshwater fishing trip depending on what is expected to be shared by the crew.  Where I fish for tuna it is common for the crew to pick up the gas fee and bait and the captain or boat owner is bringing the boat and fishing gear.  The crew is usually 3 or 4 guys. 

It is very easy to burn $400-$500 or more in fuel. When buying live bait or bringing dead bait, expect to pay your share of an additional $60 - $100.  

The costs associated are more in line with freshwater fishing to slightly more, but generally do not burn nearly as much gas as offshore fishing trips.

The amount of gear that you bring onto anyone’s boat should be minimal.  When fishing with someone new it is wise to ask the day before if they have space for you to bring some fishing gear.  

When bass fishing I bring 3 or 4 rods max.  You will have your rods on the passenger side of the boat and it can be tough dealing with more than 4 rods in that space.  Your good friends may let you put a few extra rods in a rod locker upfront, but don’t count on that when fishing with a new guy. 

Bring a single backpack with fishing tackle unless told that they have available storage you can use.  Some bass boat owners will have all the compartments full of gear. This sucks when running around the lake if you have lots of tackle as you will need to store it by your feet.

Nearshore fishing mirrors freshwater fishing, however you might not want to bring more than 2 rods if not just one. The boat owner may tell you ahead of time to not bring any gear.

It is very rare a boat owner / captain for a saltwater trip will want you to bring much gear at all if any.  Maybe a rod if you have a special rod.  I wouldn't bring any tackle unless specifically told to bring it, such as a favorite jig or a few rigs pretied for salmon or bottom fishing so if you break off your breaking off your own gear.  

I’ve met lifelong friends by replying to an open seat post that they threw up on a whim to fill an extra seat on their boat.  You never know who you will meet on fishing adventures.

The ways that I have put the odds in my favor to get invited back are the following:

• Upfront with gas money, how much do I need to bring, here you go, no questioning, bickering, etc.  The sport is expensive at certain levels and paying to play is part of the game.

• Pay for launch / parking fee.  When you meet up in the morning before the boat is launched.  “Hey, let me get the launch fee, where do I go to pay it.” 

• Work hard.  This is important for saltwater fishing trips.  Before launching there is often a bunch of work to be done, carrying down gear, carting ice to the boat, etc.  Ask how can I help and do it.

• When bass fishing if you are crushing them on a specific lure, offer it up to the boater to try if you have an extra.  I’ve even given the hot swimbait over to let them try it out if they have never fished with that specific lure before.  It’s a great way to switch things to make you the expert and someone bringing value to their learning.

• Stay and clean up the boat after fishing.  This may be as simple as picking up your gear and any trash to throw away.  Or include a full washdown of the boat from top to bottom.  Expect at least an hour of onshore cleanup after a day of saltwater fishing, if it goes faster than that great, but a complete wipe-down takes some time.

• Show up on time.  Get to the ramp or dock 15 minutes early so no one is waiting on you to go fishing.  Stay until the day is over, you don’t dictate what time that is unless asked.

• Bring some extra food and water. My wife is a baker so I always bring a few extra items for the captain and crew when fishing. The simple things go far with anglers.

• Complain that the fishing is tough.  Fishing sucks sometimes, deal with it.  If fishing stinks with a guy a few times in a row then consider whether you want to go out with them again.

• Smoking or drinking in the boat.  If you smoke and the boater is not smoking always ask before you light one up.  Do not be surprised for them to say no, I would advise not even asking as guys may say yes and then never invite you back again.