Ive never fished in a tournament before but Im very interested in seeing how it goes down!  Should I fish the Texas Tournament Trail as a co angler on Lake Amistad in January?  Ive fished Amistad quite a bit and thats the lake Ive caught my biggest fish in.  Will I look like a fool if I signed up or would it be a good learning experiance.  I dont expect anything to happen I just want to learn more about tourney fishing and I figure why not learn from a serious type of setting.  Please offer advice!!!

DannyG

Why certainly

If it were me I would certainly fish a pro-am if I had the opportunity just for the learning experience.

Yes , definately do it.

Fishing as a non boater can be educational and fun, but it can be a real pain if your boater doesn't show you sufficient consideration.  If it is a team event then maybe it stands a better chance of being a fun thing,  but if not then you are the mercy of the boater and some of these guys can hammer you with "boat control"

It makes for a very long day.

Hey avid, not sure I know what you mean by "boat control" can you elobarate a little more for me buddy.  Thanks for your help.  

Bitman

PS Its definitely not a team deal

The boater has control of boat positioning and will front end you by placing the front of the boat towards the area being fished leaving the non-boater little or no chance of fishing the area.

To counter this you had better be proficient at fishing deeper more open water.  

You need to go fish it and learn all you can and dont worry about beeing front ended( back boated). If you feel that way you need to speak up. If that dont work, tell your boater that you wont sign his weight-in card and report him to the tournament director. You would be well within your rights. But there are very few guys who backboat their non-boaters unless you are fishing docks,which in that case you will be fishing used water all day.

If he wants to catch fish at Amistad he will be in a little more open water anyway so that souldnt be a prob.  As far as docks, yeah that would stink!  Thanks guys for explaining some good info to a rook like me

Danny

Danny,

I have fished all over the great state of Texas. You should do it  and do it with a smile.

First, Never sale yourself short. I have been fishing pro in California for over a year now and just last weekend I back-boated for a 29 year vet pro angler out here.

I caught more fish than him during the tournament, not because I am better that him, but because I think out of the box and I never forget things I learn when I fish with others.

If you are going to do the TTT words of strong advice! Be Prepared for any situation that the front part of the boat could put you in. Once you are paired, talk to him and ask him what you should bring to fish. If he does not tell you, (BRING IT ALL...... 14 RODS, ALL, AND I MEAN ALL OF YOUR TACKLE, RAIN SUIT...........) Get the picture? THEY WILL!

Most Pros want you to win from their boat. If they do not they are not much of a pro. They know the game and most of them play if fairly. Good Luck my fishing brother. Kick some BASS...

The Bass Magnet

NICE pic, But why have those guys in it ;)

Go to the No Sweat web site and look at all the big fish under the tag on the bottom "Misty Girls. They go to all the major events in California...They are No Sweat Mist.

TBM

Well at least I am not the only one thinking of doing the co-angler thing.  It is kinda hard trying to juggle a schedule.  I figure since, I spent money on an ABA membership to fish BASS. I might as well fish ABA.  I am thinking of BFL as a co-angler cause my boat is only 16 1/2 ft.

Danny,

If he does not tell you, (BRING IT ALL...... 14 RODS, ALL, AND I MEAN ALL OF YOUR TACKLE, RAIN SUIT...........) Get the picture? THEY WILL!

Most Pros want you to win from their boat. If they do not they are not much of a pro. They know the game and most of them play if fairly. Good Luck my fishing brother. Kick some BASS...

The Bass Magnet

NO WAY should you bring all your rods, unless you have only 6. There isn't much room in the back of the boat for the co-angler. 14 rods and ALL of your tackle isn't needed by far. 6 rods will suit a co-angler fine, because for the most part they will only be throwing 3 to 4 different kinds of lures, most notably a senko. If you brought all your tackle, you wouldn't have any place to put it besides at the bottom of the lake. For one, why would you bring all your tackle to the pro's boat. You should have a general idea of what the bass should be doing and if you downsize your tackle choices during tourney day, you should have better success because your not digging through your tackle looking for the next bait to get wet, especially one that you have zero confidence in. A rain suit is a must, bad weather can come up at any time.

Do not try to tell the Pro where to go fish. He is in full control of the boat. The only time you should say something is if the day has been rough and he asked you for any ideas. Most of the time, the pro will talk about other spots if your a local fisherman. So he will use them, but if you mention those spots and he doesn't go there, even if you got skunked, do not be ticked. He has more at stake than you did in that tourney. Also, if you go to your spots with him, expect him to visit them at another time or year. It's bad practice to steal other fishermen's spots, but it happens when that much money is on the line.