42 replies to this topic

[aumdb487]

I'm thinking about trying to participate in the FLW's BFL series this year as a co-angler. I was curious if anyone has any experince with BFL in general and more specifically about being a co-angler. Any advice for someone who hasn't done anything like this would be appericated.

[zip pow]

Go to the flw website it has all the tourny info preregister for what ever tourny you want to fish I if you want a spot don't try to register day of tourny you won't get picked four out of five times only bring four rods max get you some small tackle trays be sure and have hooks and weights. Don't worry about bring a bunc h of hard bait your angler will be more than willing to share hard bait with you but don't forget to offer to help with expense alway try something a little different from the boat and good luck

[aumdb487]

Thanks for that info... I was planning on bring 5 rods and my small soft tackle box (carries 5 planos). I didn't think would be too big of a foot print on the boat. Also, planned on about 40 dollars for gas and everything, that seemed like the right amount, thoughts?

[psuangler91]

I'm trying to fish some BFL's as a co angler this year too. I don't have much previous tournament experience but I figured this would be the best way to learn. I was going to bring five rods too but I was told that if you talk to your boater before you go out he can pretty much narrow down what you need and you can usually get away with 4 rods and a 3 or 4 trays worth of stuff. The hardest part for me is going to be choosing what to leave behind, I have separation issues. lol

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

I'll offer some thoughts. I know a handful of guys that have fished them.
Now, if you take the time to read this I do actually want to fish a few. Keep that in Mind. And I'll get to the reason later.

First....GAS.
I've heard as low as 20 bucks, and as high as 1/2 the boat, AND truck gas, and possibly even more.
That is ridiculous. The boater is NOT there to provide a boat for you. He is there to fish his tournament. He, by signing up as a boater, has decided to fish his tournament in his boat, and that tells me he would fish it, whether he has a co-angler in the back or not.
$40 is more than enough. I would toss a tip if he is A) a good guy, and has you on fish

Rods. IMO, it depends on how you will be fishing. Some of the BFL's are more than one day (or at least used to be) In this case you will end up fishing with two different guys. It would be a good idea to discuss with them, the night before, about where, and how they will be fishing. That is all up to them, and you have no say (part of their benefit of being a boater-see above)
This will help you narrow down your rod selection.
However in this scenario I would bring all my rods, and then pare down my selection based on how you will be fishing. Again, two different boaters may be doing two different things.

Value. Don't go into it thinking because you are a co-angler that you are going to get paired up with a "PRO" You just might get teamed up with a great fisherman who is on fish, and you whack them like crazy. Or, you just might get teamed up with a guy with less skills than you, and there you are stuck in the back of his boat, sitting in water with few small bass, and you catch nothing. Now are you going to pay half that guys gas? I know I won't.

By signing up as non boater, you get reduced cost (again back to the whole gas thing) and a possible learning experience.
Not just from the boater you are fishing with, but the water you are fishing.

Personally, I would rather sign up as a boater. Then, if you don't catch fish because of the area you are in, it's on you, not somebody else.

However, I do hope to fish a few in the future. I'm doing so to A) learn from the person I'm fishing with, and Learn more about water I plan to fish in the future, but is a little to far away for me to just go any old time.


I've had friends who fished with guys who just simply were not on fish, and with guys who had a great boater, and whacked them all weekend long.

[aumdb487]

Thanks. that is good information... and it sounds like it's in the ball park of what I was planning to do. I guess the biggest gamble is the luck of getting paired with a good boater vs someone who is as green as I am to the tourneys.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Thanks. that is good information... and it sounds like it's in the ball park of what I was planning to do. I guess the biggest gamble is the luck of getting paired with a good boater vs someone who is as green as I am to the tourneys.

IMO, yes, that is the biggest issue.
I had a roommate who signed up as a boater...I fished with him. And I've fished with and against some guys who are pretty good. Fishing out of his boat would have been a real downer.

[zip pow]

I always leave a back side compartment open for my co anglers gear if his tackle fits I pleased and forty dollars is plenty.

[lynyrdsky1]

I've been with some good boaters more than bad but I have had some bad experiences. Still out of respect, and due to high gas prices, 40 to 60 is good for gas. If you are pretty close to your destination and the lake is not fairly big, than 30 to 40 is fine but, if you are driving far and on a big lake 60 or higher is good but most guys shouldn't make you pay more than 50 or 60 dollars.

Another note, most guys have no problem if you ask them to go to a spot you know or let you control the boat for a little while. This gives them time to change baits and do anything else they could not do while on the trolling motor. With asking them to go to a spot, do not bug them about it. If they say sure and towards the end of the day you havn't gone there and you have not caught fish then kindly remind them. If they say no then leave it at that.

As a non-boater you got to have tougher skin than as a boater because it is not your boat. If guy says 2 rods and box of tackle then thats what you got to do but truthfully, most guys out there are not like that but just plan for the worst and hope for the best.

[123brad]

I just signed up for the first two tournament in arkie divisions as a co-angler. And well try to signed up for the other once I find out my work schedule. This well be the first time I fish a tournament like this and I'm really looking forward to it. I really hope I get a good boater so I can learn more about tournament fishing.

[aumdb487]

So I signed up for the Choo Choo division ... now I'm looking for a boater if anyone else is in division I would greatly appreciate a ride.

[123brad]

Good luck to you mybe I see you 2013 All-American!!!

[maveric1]

I have fished as boater and coangler... I have personally never asked for a specific amount of money from a co-angler, I have also refused to accept money cause I felt A) we didnt burn that much gas we werent ongood fish so that being my fault I am not accepting anything.
As a co-angler I have been with good and bad Boaters not in fishing ability so much as attitude. As a boater i have had co-anglers that are good and bad. Just be a good guy and tlak to the boater he will treat ya right. I had a co-angler bring more stuff than me before... dont be that guy lol
OVERALL ENJOY YOURSELF AND HAVE FUN

[basscatcher8]

Another note, most guys have no problem if you ask them to go to a spot you know or let you control the boat for a little while.

I fished a couple tourneys in the Great Lakes division as a co-angler and I remember them being adamant about this that co-anglers weren't allowed on the front deck or to have control of the boat at any time. They might have changed it since but that was one big thing I remember. One big thing that I ran into was getting a plan for netting fish together with your boater. He might want the net laying a certain way or certain place. Its best to do it and not do what i did and think i knew better lol. First fish of the day resulted in him being in my face lol. Kept the net where it was suppose to be and we were friends the rest of the day. Never hurts to network when you are there either. You might be able to find a boater that will be pre fishing the next tournament and let you go up early and fish with him. I had a friend that did this and it helped him big time even being in the back of the boat for the whole tournament.

[lynyrdsky1]

I fished a couple tourneys in the Great Lakes division as a co-angler and I remember them being adamant about this that co-anglers weren't allowed on the front deck or to have control of the boat at any time. They might have changed it since but that was one big thing I remember. One big thing that I ran into was getting a plan for netting fish together with your boater. He might want the net laying a certain way or certain place. Its best to do it and not do what i did and think i knew better lol. First fish of the day resulted in him being in my face lol. Kept the net where it was suppose to be and we were friends the rest of the day. Never hurts to network when you are there either. You might be able to find a boater that will be pre fishing the next tournament and let you go up early and fish with him. I had a friend that did this and it helped him big time even being in the back of the boat for the whole tournament.

Never heard that but it may be for very large tournaments. Cause I know in most bfl, club, and small circuits they really do not mind but like I said in my post it depends on the boater if they offer ok but if not that is different.