Know the Crew
If you follow the big-game tournament circuit, you'll often see the same names pop up as the top winners. In many cases, the most successful teams have fished together for years. 
 
"You don't find a good crew in a bar," Lassley says. "Find a group of guys that catch fish. That's what we do. We put together a bunch of fishy guys, go out there and have some fun. If we win a few tournaments, that's even better." 
 
Personalities and fishing styles need to mesh on and off the water. "The chemistry must feel right whether you're fishing or preparing and planning for game day," Hsieh says. "You don't want it to cross over where it's tense and not fun."
 
"The best teams typically have the most days fishing together as a group," Rosher says. "In that regard it's like any other team event. Everyone needs to know the playbook and be on the same page."
 
Rosher and his fellow captains, including Alex Castellanos, Jim Mulcahy, Brett Wilson and Avery Waterman, fish on three boats and compete in approximately 20 events each year, some of which all three boats will fish. Rosher fishes most of the tournaments on the 54 Viking, Miss Costa. To make sure the crews perform consistently, each team member knows his job and they all rely on one another. However, Rosher sees one advantage that gives his group a leg up. 
 
"All of our captains and myslef will periodically work as mates," Rosher says. "It's a great value to use a captain familiar with what goes on in the cockpit and understands what needs to get done. Everyone on our team is not afraid to switch roles, including our anglers. We help each other out and fill in for each other when we have to. This familiarity makes it easier when you're in a bind. We share information, bait and tackle. That's a huge asset. You can't be selfish."
 
When fishing with a new team, it pays to pre-fish a tournament to iron out the various roles and strengths of the team. "Arrive a little early," DeCoito suggests. "Try and get a day or two of pre-fishing in. Everyone has a little different setup and way they like to do things. You want all of that sorted out before the first morning of tournament fishing."
 
It also pays to put together a team that brings many levels of experience to the table. "It's good to have guys who know different styles of fishing on the same crew," Lassley says. "We try to do that — to find a blend of styles. That way you can put the best guy in charge. Say you have a really good live-bait guy but you're fishing with lures; then, make your live-bait guy the angler. When you switch it up and start fishing baits, pull the live-bait guy out of the angler position and get him rigging or casting."
 
For crews new to tournament fishing, competing against a team with millions in tournament winnings can be intimidating. Rather than keeping your distance from such crews, get to know them and watch what they do.
 
"I would look at the guys who've been consistently successful over the last 10 or 20 years. Get to know these guys, try to fish with them or invite them on your boat. Watch what they do and try to emulate it, or better yet, improve on what they've done," Lassley says.
 
You'll also find that several teams work together and share information on where the fish are biting. It might be tough to give up a hot spot, but it will come back one day when you need it the most.
 
"There's a couple of other teams we partner up with and share information," Rosher says. "Sometimes it hurts to share information on the bite, but you have to understand that it will come back when one of your friends finds the fish and gives you a call. It's important that you share information with people you can trust. I'm not going to lie to anyone because I don't want anyone to lie to me."
 
 No matter how much experience your team possesses, the best thing you can do is spend more time on the water together. When you're out there getting to know each other, formulate a plan and start focusing on how to execute it.