[Joey Dah Fish]

When the fishing is slow I believe it is helpful. Sometimes they can tell the captain that there is no bite rather then the captain thinking its just not a boat full of poor anglers. I have been on some trips when mates fish and still do their job very well. Then I have been on some that mates could care less. From my times fishing the large majority of mates do an awesome job fishing or not. Also a small minority just are plain lazy.