I am a marshall for the upcoming pride of ga at west point, super excited. I do have a couple of questions for guys that have done it.

1) Do they provide you with a life preserver?

2) What did you pack for food/drink and where to put it?

3) Any thing else you took or wish you had taken?

4) Are there vendors set up at the tourny to buy stuff from (rods, reels)?

5) About what time did you get to the launch?

Any other advice or info would be great. I'm staying at the camprground where the launch is, at least 10 other pros are too, rick clunn is my neighbor for the week!!!

carrollton-fisher:

You will get all the info at the Marshalbriefing/meeting after registration on the day before the tournament starts. The time and place of the Marshal meeting/briefing should be in the packet BASS mails to you after you signed up to be a Marshal.

Just fyi:

You will arrange with the pro you are assigned to when and where to meet on morning of Day 1. Assignment for the first day is made at the Marshal Briefing where you will meet the pro you are assigned to. Most pros launch between 6:30 and 7:00 am. If he launches at a different ramp than where the start is (which they are allowed to do) you will arrange to meet him at the dock at the starting area.

You are not expected to help launch the boat--these guys launch by themselves all the time and often simply let their boat float off the ramp unnmanned and then park their truck and someone will either round -up their boat and herd it to the dock for them or give them a ride to it. But most pros seem to appreciate it if a Marshal will help by either manning the boat and picking them up (using the trolling motor only)or parking their truck for them. Same for post weigh in loading.

At weigh-in after Day 1 there will be a board with the assignments for Day 2. You will check and see who you are assigned to and then either call him(cell phone #'s are posted also)or try to catch him before he leaves the weigh in and arrange your meeting time/place for Day 2.

You don't need to bring your own life jacket--but you can if you want to. Most Marshals seem to bring their own.

You need to bring your own sun block/snacks/water/rain gear/camera(still camera only-no video).

The pro will provide storage for you and usually ice for anything you need to keep cold. My advice is to travel light.

You will be given a Marshal hat and shirt to wear-it is also your pass behind the stage at weigh-in with the pros where the general public is not allowed to go.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

How do you become a marshall? I was wondering this yesterday at the Alabama Charge.

Good information given above- as mentioned, you'll get most of these details during the Marshal meeting the day before the tourney starts.

You don't have to bring your own PFD- you can if you want, or the anglers will make one available for you. I usually just wear theirs- less for me to carry. Take note on what was mentioned above regarding packing light. A couple snacks, some water, rain gear, and no-joke sunscreen- like SPF 70.

There really are not vendors at the weigh-in site to buy gear from (like at the Classic)- you can get a t-shirt or something like that if you want.

The campground is an excellent place to stay during these tournaments. There are a lot of anglers (and Marshals) who also stay at the campground. Most anglers will be happy to chat with you for a while as long as they aren't really busy. (Bring a rod or two with you- you can get in a little fishing in the evenings!)

Technically, you aren't supposed to take notes while on a pro's boat- I always just write down a ton of stuff in my notepad- notes from the day, things that day's pro told me- once I get back to the campground.

Be sure you have reviewed the rules they sent you- both BASS and the anglers you ride with will expect that you know them. Its come up on the water every time I've ridden as a Marshal.

You'll have a great time- it's a lot of fun, and you'll have the opportunity to learn a lot. Have fun!