How old do you have to be to fish Co-angler at the BASS opens? I saw some kids that weight in as Co-angler that looked like they were 12 to 14.............. I am 14 1/2

I do not believe there is any age restrictions as far as fishing as co angler goes. Although it may be hard to find a boater willing to take you out on in a tournament at such a young age. Good luck and remember just to relax and have fun!

Thats what i thought............. In the Open Rules it says you have to be 16 to fish pro, but does not say anything about co angler

Yeah just try and find a boater willing to take you out, and really try hard to prove to he/she that you are a good angler and a good person to be around. Be friendly be respectful and it's always nice to offer to pay for some of the gas. 

BTW there is also a youth bass federation nation you could possibly look into.

Has BASS released the 2011 Open Schedule?

Yeah just try and find a boater willing to take you out, and really try hard to prove to he/she that you are a good angler and a good person to be around. Be friendly be respectful and it's always nice to offer to pay for some of the gas.

opens are draw tournys, so they dont have a choice if they draw you.

Has BASS released the 2011 Open Schedule?

no

Has anyone here fished Co-angler in the opens?

yes

How was it? Did you cash a check? Which one did you fish?

are they fun, yes and no.

yes, cause you are around the guys I have buddys i fish them with and we go to dinner with other guys including pros and that kind of stuff.

no, I have not had very good boat draws, I fished with a true pro one of the 5 days I have fished and 3 of my boaters were basically clueless and you cant give advise which is very hard when I fished okeechobee and knew it much better than them.

I fished okeechobee and Smith lake, okeechobee i ended day 2 in 12th place and zeroed on the final day along with many co anglers and finished 23rd. at smith lake i caught I would say 50 fish a day and in 2 days had only 1 keeper on and it came off. but my boaters only combined for 2 keepers both by my day 2 partner and he back boated me bad all day because they can the coangler has basically no rights to any thing other than the small amount of water behind the console on either side of the boat.

1. you will need the release signed by your parent

2. If they accept your entry fee and all required paperwork boater has no choice

3. As a parent i would not allow my 14 yr old to just haul a-- with someone i did not know

Bass tournaments(fishing in general) are very dangerous and i have seen the carnage that can happen. you have no business in a high powered boat with a stranger reguardless of who it is. Seventy MPH boats do not know how to say "I'm Sorry".The tournaments are carried out reguardles of weather and water conditions. Stick with your family fishing club or the smaller opens(With family member) until you are old enough to make a responsible, possibly life changing decision. JMO.

Fishing is a blood sport. It comes to that at times.

I'm pretty sure that you have to be at least 18 years of age.  I remember seeing that on one of the forms that I signed along the way  The only Open that I know of so far for 2011 is Kissimmee in January.

I have fished most of the Opens this year as a co-angler and I agree with Tommy 100%.  You HAVE to have a good attitude going into these events and you really can't expect much.  It's ALL about the draw.  I have out fished every one of my "pros" from the back except one and still never had much weight for the event.  I did make a bunch of new friends this year and I did learn a few new tricks along the way too.  If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me or just post here and I'd be happy to help you.  Good luck!

Another good point fishfordollars... It can be very dangerous.  I just got back from Detroit River and it was rough.  First day guy was a local and sort of knew how to manage the rough waters but I still did get beat up.  Second day guy was terrible.  Worse ride of my life and my neck, back, and spine are still hurting from the ride...