Fishing Etiquette

Walleye Searchers of Minnesota
Fishing Etiquette

Many times the more experienced fishermen takes for granted much of the fishing etiquette we expect everyone to know, but new fishermen may not know what to do in certain situations. This list may be helpful for new fishermen who are fishing our club tournaments for the first few times.

Read the Fishing Guidelines and ask for clarifications on any items you don't understand.

Don’t be late when meeting your partner.

Bring rain gear, warm cloths, sunscreen, fishing license, hat, lunch, your own life jacket, and lots of water to drink on hot days.

Bring your own rods: A couple of trolling rods that you can either use for pulling cranks or 3-ways, plus a couple of jigging rods is usually sufficient. Talk to your partner for suggestions.

Bring your own tackle: For starters, several #5 & #7 deep diver shad raps, jigs (1/8, 1/4, 3/8 oz), floaters, spinners, sinkers, plastics, and #4 hooks will get you going.

If you don't have your own equipment and your partner agreed to let you use theirs, then offer to pay for any equipment you break or lose. Plugs cost about $5 and plastic/hair jigs or rigs about $1. Rods cost about $30-100 and reels about $30-100 for medium grade equipment. Rods/reels can be much more expensive (or less) depending on the quality. Ask your partner what is the value of the equipment you will be using.

Medium to high quality graphite rods break VERY EASY compared to the less expensive fiberglass rods you may be used to. Just nicking, or pulling the line parallel to the rod can cause a sharp bend in the tip and quickly snap it.

If you have a cell phone, bring it for emergency use and exchange cell numbers with your partner.

Get familiar with how to run different boats. Know some basic operations of tiller and console boats in the event you need to navigate the boat for some reason (the boater gets sick, falls out, hooks into a fish when other boats, wingdams, or obstructions are near).

If you plan on fishing with 3-way rigs: Have some heavier bell sinkers of at least 3 oz. or more so if you are fishing in the front of the boat you can keep your line down and prevent it from getting into trolling motor prop. Watch your line when the boat is turning to keep it away from the prop.

Sit when the boat is under way.

Don't walk along the top edges of the boat while fishing.

Try to wear your life jacket at all times, especially when going fast.

Ask for instruction on how to net a walleye, when to set (or not set) the hook, and hold the rod when you are bringing in a fish.

Never let any line (that is out of the boat) get wrapped around your fingers or hand as it could get snagged or caught in the prop at any time.

Make sure to pay for half the bait and ramp fee, plus have $20 to give to the boater before the tournament starts.

Catch fish and have fun!